Sunday 6th November 2016

PenCom: Lack of Guarantee Hindering Investment of N6trn Pension Fund James Emejo in Abuja The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has said existing conditions are still inappropriate for the investment of pension assets in infrastructure as widely canvassed.

The Head of Investment Supervision Department, PenCom, Mr. Ehimeme Ohioma, pointed this out at the just-

concluded seminar for pension, insurance and labour correspondents and business editor, which was organised by the commission.

Speaking on "Pension Funds for Economic Development: Investing Pension Funds in Infrastructure", Ohioma noted that there were currently no guarantee for the safety of products that were seeking financing from pension assets, which had accu-

mulated to about N6 trillion under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

He said though pension assets were a potential source of private financing to help fund infrastructure in the country, the funds could only invest indirectly in infrastructure through structured instruments, such as bonds and funds for now.

Obioma indicated that the dearth of alternative asset

products in the Nigerian financial markets and current liquidity risks were challenges for pension funds investment in infrastructure.

Other major constraints to pension funds commitment to infrastructure, according to him, include policy inconsistencies characterised by historic examples of project development challenges with government as well as the consistently higher yields of-

fered on ‘risk-free’ FGN fixed income instruments which had further crowded out alternative assets.

He explained that for pension assets to be invested in infrastructure, there must be availability of commercially viable projects, full repayment guarantee by the federal government especially in the early stages of projects financing.

Furthermore, he added

that strong political will and consistency in formulation of policies to retain investors confidence were also critical.

He said there must be an open and transparent transactions’ procedures and processes, in terms of biddings process, contractors’ selection, pricing, stressing that government should institute policies to attract global infrastructure Continued on page 8

Sunday 6 November, 2016 Vol 21. No 7871

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Buhari: Nigeria Destined for Greatness Despite Challenges Seeks citizens’ confidence in his govt

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto President Muhammadu Buhari has said that despite the enormity of the challenges

facing Nigeria, he is optimistic that the country is destined to achieve greatness.

Speaking in Sokoto yesterday where he commissioned the N4.8 billion Kalambaina 500 housing

estate, the president urged Nigerians to have faith in his administration's commitment to tackling the myriad of challenges bedeviling the country.

Buhari said his government

was committed to providing positive change that would impact on all Nigerians. He also expressed his resolve to fighting corruption and rebuilding the economy.

"Looking forward, despite

the enormity of the challenges facing us we are optimistic that by the grace of God our nation is destined to achieve greatness. Today economic recession is affecting our economy. But we are resolved

to overcome challenges, fight corruption and ensure good governance for the benefit of our citizens. Our administration is poised to Continued on page 8

Another Chibok Girl Rescued as Army Loses Lt. Col. in Boko Haram Attack Slain officer received accelerated promotion, decorated for outstanding bravery in anti-insurgency war

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri and Kasim Sumaina and Oluwatosin Komolafe in Abuja About three weeks after 21 of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in April 2014 by Boko Haram terrorists from Chibok, Borno State, were rescued, another victim of the abduction was yesterday found by soldiers and handed over to the state government. Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said the girl, identified as Maryam Ali Maiyanga, was carrying a 10-month-old son, when she was discovered among escapees from Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa forest who were being screened by soldiers.

Also yesterday, the Nigerian Army said the officer who commanded troops to dislodge Boko Haram extremists from Baga, in Borno State, in one of the fiercest battles since the anti-insurgency war began in 2009, was among those killed in a surprise attack by suspected insurgents on Friday night. Usman said LieuContinued on page 8

SHELTER FOR ALL

L-R: Senate President Bukola Saraki, President Muhammadu Buhari, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara at the unveiling of the 500 units housing estate built by Sokoto State government at Kalambaina, Sokoto ...yesterday

Catch the Final Day of THISDAY HOME+DESIGN Exhibition at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

10am to 6pm

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT

More Tributes to Olaniwun Ajayi Abimbola Akosile As Nigerians continue to mourn the death of elder statesman and eminent lawyer, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, former secretary of the 2014 National Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has lamented his passage and the decreasing number of original nationalists from the landscape of the

country’s history.

In a tribute titled ‘Tribute to Pa Olaniwun Ajayi’ which he issued yesterday, Akinyemi, who was Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that the late Afenifere chieftain’s death evoked mixed reactions.

Akinyemi said, “The death of Papa Olaniwun Ajayi at the ripe old age of 91 years

evokes mixed reactions from one and all. That he lived to a grand old age evokes a feeling of gratitude to God for the gift of longevity. But the death also evokes concern and regret and sadness at the shrinking number of original nationalists who were active participants in the early life of this nation.

“They were either active

participants or/and eye witness to monumental events that shaped the political landscape of this nation. And in this age of make-believe historians, their narratives were the most valuable. And now, their rank has diminished by the death of Papa Ajayi."

The former foreign minister recalled that: “Papa Ajayi was an active participant in the

struggle to the end. One may not agree with his conclusions always, but his commitment, passion and integrity were never in doubt.

“He was an active participant at the 2014 National Conference till his health made it impossible for him to carry on. As soon as he recovered, he returned to the fray providing guidance and

words of wisdom during the 2015 elections and after. He was steadfast in his struggle for a just and egalitarian society.

“He fought the good fight, he ran the race and he was faithful to the end. May he rest in peace. He deserves it”.

desired change.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for restoring peace and stability in the country, saying the fight against insurgency was almost over.

"Mr President, you promise to fight against corruption and insecurity and what we are having today is an indication that you have won the battle and the fight against insurgency is almost over.

"We will continue to support you to restore peace and security in the country," Tambuwal stated.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, said the presence of people from all parts of the country at the occasion was an indication that Nigeria is one entity.

The monarch made the remark at a durbar organised in celebration of his 10th anniversary at the Shehu

Kangiwa square, Sokoto.

According to him, Nigerians have no other country and should strive to safeguard the unity of Nigeria at all times.

"We have no country but Nigeria and those clamouring for a divided Nigeria must see this programme today which has brought many political and traditional leaders from all over the country.

"We believe Nigeria has more good people than bad ones. We must come together to rid the nation of the bad people so that Nigeria can progres,"he said.

The monarch posited that the reason for agitation across the country was as a result of poverty, extremism and misgovernance.

He noted that President Muhammad Buhari had started a journey to rid the country of poverty, corruption and insecurity.

The monarch pledged the continued support of the traditional leaders to the Federal Government and urged political leaders to be fair and just to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliation.

The ceremony was graced

by Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governors of Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Niger, Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Abia, Imo and Rivers states.

Others were Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, Shehu of Borno, Etsu Nupe, Emirs of Bauchi, Gwandu, Argugugu, Gusau, Misau, Gombe, Zuru, Oni of Ife, Olu of Warri, Chairman Council of Traditional Leaders South east, among others.

Usman added, “It is imperative to state that troops have been working round the clock to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hibernating and also rescue all persons held hostages by terrorists.”

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri yesterday after handing over the freed Chibok schoolgirl to the state government, the head of the anti-insurgency operation, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, said the war on terrorism was drawing to a close. However, he regretted that the military “lost an officer and six soldiers in an attack on the military in Malam Fatori.”

The latest Chibok girl found by the soldiers brings to 22 the number that has officially regained freedom this year, from the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from the school hostels in April 2014. The girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, were preparing to write the Senior School Certificate Examination. Twenty-one of them had been released on October 13 after negotiations between the federal government and the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the #BringBackOurGirls Movement has applauded the federal government, the military, and other stakeholders for their efforts in the rescue of some of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. In a statement yesterday

in Abuja by its spokesperson, Sesugh Akume, the group said, “We welcome news of the return of another of our abducted #ChibokGirls.”

Akume stated, “Preliminary investigations on our part show that Maryam Ali (Number 198 on our list), a school prefect, is from Askira Uba and was abducted along with her twin, Halima Ali (Number 197), who is yet to return. We shall update the public with more details as necessary.

“We therefore, applaud the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari, the military formations and other security working day and night to rout the terrorists and rescue all Nigerians in captivity.”

The group, however, lamented Ali’s death. “The news of the death of the Commanding Officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Abu Ali, a highlyrated, young officer and four other members of his team, in a separate incident at Mallam Fatori, is unfortunate and saddening. We send our heartfelt condolences especially to their families, and the Nigerian military,” the #BringBackOurGirls Movement stated.

Ali is the son of Colonel Abu Ali, who was governor of Bauchi State from August 1990 to January 1992 during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida.

SEE THE CONCLUDING PART ON www.thisdayive.com

BUHARI: NIGERIA DESTINED FOR GREATNESS DESPITE CHALLENGES bring positive changes to all Nigerians," he said.

Noting that Nigeria was in the 1960s and 70s known for peaceful and harmonious coexistence, he said the citizens then were guided by certain principles and culture of discipline, patriotism and commitment to one nation.

On the N4.8 billion Kalambaina 500 housing estate initiated by the Aliyu Wammako administration and completed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Buhari said hailed Tambuwal for the feat achieved in the housing sector. He described it as a demonstration of humility which was in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: "Every government has the sacred responsibility of addressing the welfare of the governed in all possible ways. Provision of shelter to the teeming populace is in

this context a priority for a purposeful leadership.

He further acknowledged the giant and monumental strides of Governor Waziri and his resolve to promote the change agenda in Sokoto state.

He said the provision of shelter to the people was a priority to any leadership and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the facility.

"Tambuwal is worth of commendation for making all the necessary sacrifices worthy of a leader. He is a demonstration of humility in fulfilment of our promises to the people", he stated.

The president used the occasion to congratulate the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, whose 10 year anniversary on the throne coincided with the commissioning.

On the contributions

of the Sultan to the unity, peace and harmonious coexistence of Nigerians, Buhari described the monarch as a true reflection of a leader threading the path of his fore bearers.

He noted that the monarch and the traditional institutions had been playing critical role in the development of Nigeria as a nation.

"The Sultan remains a bridge builder of peace, unity, harmony and religious tolerance.The relevance of the caliphate in the scheme of things in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized,''Buhari averred.

Earlier, Tambuwal said the state government deemed it fit to complete the housing projects to meet the housing needs of the people.

He expressed the readiness of his administration to continue to support the federal government for the

ANOTHER CHIBOK GIRL RESCUED AS ARMY LOSES LT. COL. IN BOKO HARAM ATTACK tenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali was “killed in action” alongside four soldiers, while four other soldiers sustained injuries. He said 14 Boko Haram terrorists were killed as troops tried to repel the attack on a 119 Battalion, Nigerian Army, location at Mallam Fatori. The town in northern Borno State is on the border between Nigeria and Republic of Niger.

Though, the attack by the extremists, which took place about 9pm on Friday, was successfully warded off by soldiers, the Nigerian Army said it lost one of its bravest officers since the anti-terrorism war. Usman said the for-

mation “came under attack of Boko Haram insurgents about 9pm. The insurgents, who had been earlier dislodged by the troops, regrouped to reclaim the location but were successfully repelled after a fierce battle that lasted for an hour and a half with the troops overpowering them at about 10.30pm.”

Ali was the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion. As a Major in February last year, he led the battle to recapture Baga town from Boko Haram occupation, an operation that has been described as one of the fiercest battles with the terrorists.

In a statement yesterday, Usman recalled some of Ali’s heroic exploits in the fight against Boko Haram. “Because of the late senior officer’s exceptional bravery and gallantry, he was given an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on 9th September 2015 during an operational visit,” the Army spokesman stated.

He listed items recovered from the terrorists to include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), seven AK-47 rifles, and a large quantity of

ammunition. Others are three Bandoliers of 7.62 mm ammunition totalling 57 rounds, one hand grenade, two Nokia phones and chemical substances for making Improvised Explosive Device.

The Army said Maiyanga and her son were discovered by troops of 121 Battalion, Nigerian Army, deployed at Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, for the anti-insurgency war, code-named Operation Lafiya Dole. She was taken to the unit’s medical facility for medical check-up before being handed over to the state government, the according to the Army spokesman.

PENCOM: LACK OF GUARANTEE HINDERING INVESTMENT OF N6TRN PENSION FUND

NIGERIA ON THEIR MINDS

R-L: Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Information, Culture and Arts, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Presiding Apostle, Nigerian Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, welcoming the vice president, during a colloquium on the state of the nation, by the Coalition of Nigerian Leaders, in Lagos.....yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

advisors and managers, in order to build capacity and facilitate knowledge/skills transfer to Nigerians.

According to him, the funds would not be compromised on the minimum requirements/criteria for pension fund investments in infrastructure, as stipulated

in the investment regulation as well as adequate safeguard for pension fund assets.

Among other things, Ohioma said listing and prioritising infrastructure projects by the National Planning Commission and Federal Ministry of Finance would be a right step in the right direction.

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

NIGERIA’S TUBERCULOSIS BURDEN

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The nation faces an uphill battle to reach the global targets for tuberculosis

uberculosis, better known by its acronym, TB, still constitutes a major health problem in Nigeria. This much was recently brought to the fore by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its 2016 “Global Tuberculosis Report” which ranked Nigeria fourth behind India, Indonesia and China as one of the six countries which accounted for 60 per cent of the total TB burden. Some 1.8 million people died from TB in 2015, of whom 0.4 million were co-infected with HIV. The report urged the affected countries to “move much faster to prevent, detect, and treat the disease if they are to meet global targets.” It is a call we must heed.

The WHO 10-year strategy (20062015) to cut down the burden of TB in the world worked elsewhere as it reportedly saved some 37 million lives while some countries halved the prevalence of the disease. But in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. According to the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), over 600,000 new cases of tuberculosis occurred in Nigeria from a global report conducted in 2014. It is even more worrying because substantial numbers of the people infected in the country are unreported or undiagnosed, most of them women and children in neighbourhoods where poor ventilation and squalor abet the spread of the disease. “If you do not reach those women and children infected”, said Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, WHO representative in Nigeria, “they will continue to spread TB in their communities.”

Tuberculosis is perhaps the single leading cause of death from any infectious agent. It is caused by a bacterium which most commonly affects the lungs and transmitted from person to person through air droplets. TB affects all

Ironically, current efforts are not enough to find, treat and cure people suffering from the ailment even though treatment centres for drug-resistant TB have grown from one in 2010 to 12 in 2014

Letters to the Editor

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species of vertebrates and though control measures had reportedly limited the spread through animals, they (particularly cattle) still constitute a significant source of risk in countries like Nigeria where meat and milk inspection by health officials are often overlooked. Globally, TB was one of the top causes of death in 2015, responsible for more deaths than HIV and malaria.

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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

owever, tuberculosis is a curable disease. But that is dependent on early detection and correct diagnosis aided with proper treatment. Many patients afflicted with TB do not complete the TB therapy and even worse, many do not make themselves available for treatment.

Failure to complete the treatment and the mismanagement of drugs had led to the death of many patients and an increase in variants of the disease that are drugresistant.

Ironically, current efforts are not enough to find, treat and cure people suffering from the ailment even though treatment centres for drug-resistant TB have grown from one in 2010 to 12 in 2014. Some 15 states are said to have initiated treatment of drug-resistant TB patients in their communities. Dr. Gabriel Akang, National Coordinator, NTBLCP said the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) services are currently provided in about 6000 health facilities in the country, and diagnosis in 1515 microscopy laboratories. DOTS is said to be an efficient and cost effective strategy that consists of physically observing patients as they take the TB medications to ensure treatment compliance.

Unfortunately, all these still fall short of what is expected to contain the epidemic.

“We face an uphill battle to reach the global targets for tuberculosis,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director General. “There must be a massive scale-up of efforts, or countries will continue to run behind this deadly epidemic and these ambitious goals will be missed.”

What this means is that the relevant agencies have to put in more effort to achieve the global target of 90 per cent reduction in TB deaths and an 80 per cent reduction in TB cases by 2030. It is, no doubt, an uphill task.

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.

THE SENATE’S GRATUITOUS STRIKE THREAT

he Eighth National Assembly seems incapable of weaning itself from collective grandstanding on many national issues that deserves contemplative, thoughtful and proactive intervention as against the rashness and almost rascally approach to issues that engender plenary polemics.

One of such issues is the bill on borrowing which was unanimously thrown out with such deviant animation as if

the senators were being asked for a favour by the executive.

They ought to have allowed the bill to be presented and the grey areas referred to committees that can demand for more information or request for an outright redraft by the executive.

The President is expected to lobby the Senate to do a job constitutionally assigned to them and for a National Assembly that was prorogued on the template of bribery in the name of lobby. Where

does that place the president trying to build a new nation on a mantra of change and anticorruption?

The way the bill was thrown out not only reflect the insensitivity of the National Assembly to the plight of ordinary Nigerians who are at the receiving end of the economic recession. It brings to the fore the erroneous insulation of the National Assembly as part and parcel of the causatum of governance at any particular time.

It is most disheartening that whilst the government of expresident Goodluck Jonathan is being subjected to probe with mindboggling evidence of looting and diversion of public funds, the Seventh Senate led by Senator David Mark under whose oversight function these infractions were allowed have been given a licence of transmutation into the present underwhelming parliament.

The same grandstanding is extended to the conclusion of

Rivers election.

It is never heard that an arm of government would threaten to go on strike if certain elections fail to hold within a dictated period.

The most damaging error of comedy from the eighth Assembly perhaps is its tinkering with the structure of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to give the senate president an underserved soft-landing.

––Bukola Ajisola, bukymany@yahoo.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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

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

BritishAirways:We‘ll notDowngrade Operations Despite FX Scarcity Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

PROMOTING E-BANKING

L-R: Chairman, Committee of eBanking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Dele Adeyinka,; General Manager, Mobile Financial Services, MTN, Usoro Usoro; Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Ade Shonubi; Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, and Principal Manager, Payment System Policy and Oversight Office, BSPD, Central Bank of Nigeria, Joe Obogo, at the launch of mCash by NIBSS in partnership with Etisalat and other telcos in Lagos...recently

N’Assembly to Reconsider Proposed Telecoms Tax Bill • Bill, if passed, may deny 20m Nigerians telecoms access, says ATCON Abimbola Akosile and Alex Enumah in Abuja

As criticism continues to mount over the proposed nine per cent Communication Service Tax Bill (CST) currently before the National Assembly, there is a possibility that the bill may be reconsidered in line with economic realities and survival of the telecoms sector.

Senate President Bukola Saraki gave the hint in Abuja, when he received members of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), who were at his office to present their challenges as well as prevail on him to take a second look at the proposed bill in the interest of the sector and Nigerians in general.

Saraki, noted that the government was not unmindful of the current challenges businesses face under the current

recession and stated that with regular interface such as this with critical stakeholders the nation can weather the storm.

He said, “Your sector is an important sector to us, it is one of the sectors that has remained positive and we would do all we can to ensure that the sector continues to grow. We will not do anything to push you to the negatives”.

“We would look at it and find out what the alternatives are and we would also like to sit with you and know what we need to do to get internet penetration in the country”.

While noting that the responsibility of government is to get the nation out of the current recession, Saraki called for partnership with the private sector, stating that government cannot do it alone.

“We must move away from the thinking of the past that it

is only government that can make our economy to recover and grow. Even if the government spends all the monies she can, without the efforts of the private sector, the situation would continue to be the same.

It is only the private sector, if strengthened and encouraged, that can take us out of this recession”, he stated.

He called on ATCON to come up with alternatives to the proposed bill and charged them to be more visible in the area of their Corporate Social Responsibility as well as investment.

Earlier, ATCON National President, Olusola Teniola, stated that the association was not opposed to the revenue drive of government through taxation; he, however expressed worries that the proposed 9 per cent was way too high and will have an adverse effect both on

the sector and the economy.

He said, “The projections are that a new tax on ICT services as high as 9 per cent that is being proposed would result in excluding 10 per cent of the population, that is talking of about 20 million Nigerians from access”.

While stating that the survival of the economy is on attracting more citizens into access to internet and therefore ICT services, the President said, “It does not add up if whatever we do ends up not bringing more people into access”.

The association, therefore recommended, as an alternative, a tax reform that increases the current VAT by a new 1 per cent added for the purpose of development of communications or that the tax being proposed in the bill is limited to 0.2 per cent.

Rivers Rerun: Police ‘Bust’ Fake El-Rufai: I Resisted Strong Corrupt as FCT Minister Result Sheets Printing Syndicate Elements purpose. He taught us the true John Shiklam in Kaduna Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt and Anayo Okolie

The police in Rivers State have busted a syndicate involved in the printing of face result sheets purportedly to be used in the rescheduled rerun elections in the state.

The result sheets were allegedly being printed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for elections in the South-east Senatorial District of the state in the December 10 election as announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

But the APC has described the police action as a fake operation staged by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) thugs.

A senior police officer attached to the Swift Operation Squad (SOS) of the state police command, who preferred anonymity, told THISDAY the

suspects, who were arrested at a printing press located at Isiokpo Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt were brought to their station at about 1.30pm yesterday. He said after routine log in, they were taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and action.

The PDP had said the police had uncovered a plot by the APC to rig the forth-coming Rivers South-east Senatorial District at the Force busted a fake result sheets printing syndicate in Port Harcourt.

They said the Printing press, Help-Mate Consult located at 12 Isiokpo Street D-Line Port Harcourt was printing fake result sheets for seven local government areas in Rivers South-east when the police stormed the facility upon a tip off by a concerned Nigerian.

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai disclosed at the weekend that as a former minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), there were stiff opposition from corrupt influences against the change of status-quo and modus operandi of the public service institutions in Abuja.

El-Rufai who stated this at the biography of a book on his late foster father, Mallam Yahaya Hamza in Kaduna, said he stood his ground because he was determined to reposition the public service in Abuja.

The governor in his speech entitled ‘Tribute to a father, protector and teacher’ said with a sound education and the good moral upbringing he got from his extended family, he was able to cross obstacles that came his way.

“From Baba, we learnt to work hard and serve with integrity and

meaning of love, till this day I consider all of his biological children my own dear siblings. With these virtues instilled in me throughout my childhood, I grew to become a focused young man. I carried on what I had learnt, to my years of serving the nation as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory” the governor said.

The late Hamza, a renowned educationalist and former permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, was also a teacher at the famous Government College, Keffi in the 1950s.

He died in August 2015 barely two months after the inauguration of Governor El-Rufai.

Thegovernoralsorecalledthat he was eight years old when he lost his biological father. “Losing my father at such a tender age could have steered the course of my life in the wrong direction, but this was not so in my case.

The Head of Middle East, Africa and Central Asia Sales of British Airways/Iberia, Mr. Paolo De Renzis, has said the scarcity of foreign exchange, coupled with the harsh business landscape that have impacted on foreign airlines notwithstanding, the airline will not downgrade any of operational outlets in Abuja or Lagos.

THISDAY has reported that while Emirate airline has closed its Abuja office due to dwindling passenger traffic, harsh operating business environment and scarcity of FX, other foreign airline operators are on the verge of downgrading operations in the country.

Addressing reporters over the weekend in Abuja on BA’s 80 years of doing business in

the country, Renzis said the airline has started fine-tuning its business strategy to keep improving on services even in the challenging environment.

He, however, expressed appreciation to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emiefele, for their intervention in improving foreign remittance back to home states.

Asked on the impact of the present operating business environment, he said: “We have been around for 80 years and we are very committed to Nigeria. Our plan is to be around for another 80 years if not more. It is our expectation that things will keep improving in the next weeks, months and we keep reviewing our operations for improved air service delivery to the country.”

Banire: I Never Gave Bribe to Any Judge Abimbola Akosile

The National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN yesterday refuted a widely-published allegation that he bribed a judge with N500,000.

In a statement sent to THISDAY yesterday, the legal practitioner, who was also a former Commissioner in Lagos State, said the alleged sum was a gift of assistance to an old friend and colleague back in 2013 to help the latter defray some of the cost of his mother’s burial ceremony.

According to Banire, “My attention has been drawn to the publication in several newspapers of Saturday No-

vember 5, 2016 suggesting that I was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an allegation that I bribed a judge with the sum of N500,000.00. I must say that while sensationalism may occasion a newsworthy item, it behoves the victim of same to educate the public on the actual development.

“It must, therefore, be understood that I was never arrested or invited by the EFCC but having read the allegation on the social media, I wrote a letter dated 29 October, 2016 to the EFCC notifying that I would be visiting the Commission on Tuesday 1st November, 2016 to assist in its investigation of the matter.

Kidnappers Strike in Ekiti, Abduct Five as INEC Chief is Freed Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti Suspected kidnappers struck in Ekiti State yesterday, as they abducted five persons while traveling along Ikere-Ise Ekiti road. The latest onslaught was coming barely two days after INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Dr. Muslim Omoleke was seized at Iwaraja town, in Osun state. Omoleke, was however, released by his abductors on Friday, following intensive work from the security agencies.

Sources revealed to newsmen that the five abducted persons include a Pastor, simply referred to as Ojo, his driver, Jimoh and three others. They were said to have been seized while traveling in two vehicles at a location along Ise Ekiti road, in Ise/Orun local government area of Ekiti state.

The motive for the abduction was not immediately known as at the time of filing this report,

as those kidnapped are believed not to belong to the category of well-known or wealthy individuals in the society.

But the incident has been confirmed by the state police command. Spokesperson for the command, DSP Alberto Adeyemi, told newsmen that two of the abducted persons had been recovered while his men were on the trail of the hoodlums towards securing safe release of the three others.

He, however, denied knowledge of whether a pastor or imam was among those kidnapped, urging residents to help the police by exposing strange faces and movements around them.

He warned criminals to immediately give up their evil tendencies or relocate from the state in their own interest, saying the day of their nemesis is near if they fail to turn over a new leaf.

CORRIGENDUM

In our October 30, 2016 edition, we published a story titled ‘Blame the Recession! Nestoil Boss, Ernest Azudialu, Shuns Private Jet, Queues for Commercial Flight’. We regret the unintended insinuations and whatever embarrassment the report may have caused Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and Nestoil.

-–Editor

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2016 T H I S D AY

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2016 T H I S D AY

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NOVEMBER 6, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION

Change Begins with The Government Emmanuel Ojeifo argues that discipline in a society is a function of leadership

“Change begins with me is a moral crusade. Moral crusade begins at the top, not at the bottom. It is about forging new leadership. It is about the re-orientation of leadership. The leader drives the change. If the people drive a change you can expect the people’s revolution.”

– Dan Agbese, The Guardian (23/10/16)

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he presidential launch of the ‘Change begins with me’ initiative organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture was fraught with a lot of controversy about intellectual property rights. It also met with fierce criticisms from a disenchanted populace whose tremendous goodwill for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari seems already frittered away. Many Nigerians did not hide their thoroughgoing dissatisfaction for the seeming cluelessness of the government to tackle the nation’s economic and political challenges. For them, the ‘Change begins with me’ mantra appeared to be a calculated resort of the government of Change to renege on its electoral campaign promises of bringing positive change to the political and economic fortunes of Nigerians. Several weeks have passed and nothing has been heard about the ‘Change begins with me’ initiative. To critical bystanders, it would appear that the initiative is nothing but a ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to buy time for a political regime that seems discredited for its inability to improve lives.

To my mind, the initiators of ‘Change begins with me’ display a fundamental fixation with the mentality of three decades gone when the military government of General Muhammadu Buhari launched the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) as a tool for value reorientation. It is alright if those behind ‘Change begins with me’ live with the impression that WAI was an overwhelming success and that a re-hash of that moral crusade will work some fundamental changes in President Buhari’s idea of ethical and value reorientation in today’s Nigeria. But they should also know that many Nigerians hold a contrary view, partly on account of their belief that WAI was a total fiasco; and that if it was successful we would not be where we are today.

Under this atmosphere, the onus of change falls squarely in the courts of political leaders. It goes beyond sanctimonious pronouncements and copious rhetoric, no matter how beauti-

fully crafted. To instil discipline and patriotism in the heart of a nation is a principal task of leadership. The epithet “leadership by example” remains one of the most powerful expressions of moral authority. It presupposes that those who hold the mace of public guidance and governance have a duty to show their followers the best way to go, not by moral exhortations, but by the force of how they lead their own lives.

In his critically acclaimed monograph, The Trouble with Nigeria, originally published in 1983, the same year that Muhammadu Buhari came to power as military Head of State, Professor Chinua Achebe spoke about the importance of good example for public leadership. According to him, “Leaders are, in the language of psychologists, role models. People look up to them and copy their actions, behaviours and even mannerisms. Therefore if a leader lacks discipline the effect is apt to spread automatically down to his followers. The less discerning among these (i.e. the vast majority) will accept his action quite simply as ‘the done thing’ while the more critical may worry about for a while and then settle the matter by telling themselves that the normal rules of social behaviour need not apply to those in power.”

I make this citation in view of arguing that the government of

I believe that change is not about doing big, grandiose things. It is about little things that send the signal that the government has the interest of the poor people at heart. It starts from cutting down on things as little as the number of vehicles for politicians, their attitude to traffic regulations, their respect for time when attending public events, their willingness to forgo personal comfort and make sacrifices without milking fat allowances from the treasury

President Buhari is still to lead by example on many frontiers of democratic governance, considering its much-touted promise of changing the way things are done. We still see every day many public officials surrounding themselves with needless accoutrements of power and trappings of executive recklessness that have become poster-signs of a dysfunctional society.

Public officeholders are still using sirens to terrorise hapless and helpless Nigerians on the road. Political convoys consisting of many unnecessary vehicles for senior government officials are still rampant under a government that talks glibly about cutting the cost of governance; and all of these are acquired at the expense of the Nigerian taxpayers. The level of reckless driving and flagrant disobedience for traffic regulations by senior government officials and their ‘can-never-die’ chauffeurs and security aides can only be compared to the virtual scenario of James Bond movies.

In spite of the anti-corruption lyrics of President Buhari, stealing of public funds is still being perpetrated in the highest echelons of power, with nothing happening to the thieves.

It is now an open secret that this present government has been infected by the philosophy of clientelism, nepotism and political patronage, in a way that has never been our national lot. The Nigerian Police Force has been privatised to serve the interests of the political elite while the populace languishes in insecurity and crime. Millions of poor Nigerian workers have been unpaid across states for many months; yet no senior public official has ever complained of not receiving his salary at the end of the month.

I believe that change is not about doing big, grandiose things. It is about little things that send the signal that the government has the interest of the poor people at heart. It starts from cutting down on things as little as the number of vehicles for politicians, their attitude to traffic regulations, their respect for time when attending public events, their willingness to forgo personal comfort and make sacrifices without milking fat allowances from the treasury, being accessible to the people they govern, and showing care, compassion, and sensitivity to the plight of ordinary citizens who are hit by unfortunate incidents. Whenever the government of President Buhari decides to show good example, ordinary Nigerians will not need whip-and-gun-wielding-soldiers to compel them before they follow suit.

––Ojeifo is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Abuja

MMM: Beyond The ‘Scam’ Underpinning

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The Ponzi online money making business will eventually crash, writes Israel A. Ebije

igerians are resourceful, innovative and desperate people. That is why it’s the second country in Africa MMM “wonder bank” scheme birthed and is festering with over 1.5 million participants. The combination of some of the qualities associated with an average Nigerian has made it easy for most of them to turn a blind eye on the possible or looming danger involved in participating in the growing online money making scheme.

The Security and Exchange Commission of Nigeria (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have alerted on the implication of losing money to the acclaimed fraudulent online money making scheme. Financial analysts also believe it’s a dangerous investment, more so that it has no guarantees, no legal documents signed and no visible business links established except for the cash transfers from and to people who are totally strangers.

The desperation of Nigerians on the usual “get-rich-quicksyndrome” properly aligns with MMM money scheme offering participants 30% on every money invested. Other interests accrue depending on the participants’ status either as a “guider” or as “referrer”. Many Nigerians participating in the MMM online money making scheme confirm they have been liberated financially. Nothing, not even the hard facts online can ever make them slow down on taking possible risks involved.

The chain of beneficiaries of the scheme is endless. Civil servants no longer worry over delayed salaries, jobless Nigerians can now be self-employed. Rate of armed robberies and prostitution may reduce, health related challenges on account of poor finance will also reduce. It is even believed that Nigerians will become richer and the percentage of poor drastically contained to its minimal level.

No one is however very certain of the continuity of the scheme. People are just enjoying the ride. With all the seeming impossibility of the scheme having any quantum of longevity, the immediate benefits is considered by many a dream they’d rather not wake up from. The expectation is so high so much that those who dare to cast doubts or announce its crashing in public get badly beaten.

Before the recession, before MMM, there were so many pyramid or ponzi money making schemes in Nigeria. Some are no longer existing, some have however managed to survive.

But none has given Nigerians opportunity to be employed, turning little cash to huge financial capital like MMM. Let me therefore intimate on the origin of “ponzi” to posit on online money making scheme. Charles Ponzi was a 19-century swindler who offered 10% interest to investors. He became reputable as a money swindler in the early 20th century.

Other schemes adjudged as dangerous for investors were named ponzi. Having posited on the bandied alias for pyramid schemes like MMM, it is important to intimate that most “wonder banks” appear real, very plausible, possible and doable, but at the end, they crash.

Let me fetch brief facts on the origin of MMM. It’s a Russian company established in 1989 by Sergei Mavrodi, his brother Vyacheslav Mavrodi, and a friend, Olga Melnikova. The initial of their surnames formed the MMM. In the 1990’s, MMM company made more than 40 million people to lose more than $10 billion during Russia hyperinflation period.

No one can confirm if the company, which promised investors a whopping annual 1000% returns was designed to defraud or empower. The result of the crash forced more than 50 people to commit suicide. Sergei Mavrodi, a 61 years old mathematician and one time member of the Russian parliament, was also a presidential hopeful who has spent a good part of his life trying to do “business”. Failing many times with horrendous consequence on investors, he is definitely a man to avoid.

Based on his antecedent, many would ordinarily have been warned that his online money-doubling scheme is going to end the same way all his financial schemes have gone.

The truth however is that this time, he may have created a financial apocalypse. His story may have taken the path of Thomas Edison and Abraham Lincoln. They failed many times until they achieved the ultimate ambition of their lives.

Has Mavrodi failed his way into the financial innovation of his dream?

His principle of “Providing Help” (PH) and “Getting Help” (GH) is literarily what the entire racket is built on.

Once people on the platform continue to PH and GH, the system continues to sustain itself. Once the platform is not compromised and the “help givers” contribution remains at a constant, compensating each time for those “receiving help”,

the chain is expected to remain unbroken ad-infinitum.

The mathematician has indeed created a financial fountain.

The pyramid may have erupted into a fountain where exchange of money will continue to flow into channels which in turn will drain back into the reservoir no matter what participants use their “profits” for. Regardless of how many people who might opt out, others will come aboard based on testimonials or “letter of Happiness” beneficiaries are compulsorily asked to right.

Mavrodi may have failed in many things but this time. He may not even make money from the ongoing MMM scheme, but it is possible he has created a system that will continue to alleviate the poor. The system might pull countries out of recession. The valid way people can surpass troubled economies is simply by putting money in the hands of its citizens.

That MMM pyramid scheme may not have guarantees is certainly an understatement. Business with strong legal framework can crash with loss of cash for investors. Most businesses are indeed laced with deceit. A valid example of how some financial institutions operate was mirrored in a tale of an American merchant who went to India to buy a specie of monkey. He initially bought hundreds of monkeys for two dollars each. The purchase continued every week as the price kept increasing. Soon, the worthless monkeys became priced possession.

People started hording monkeys all over India. The price per monkey rose to 50 dollars for one. The merchant bought all the monkeys, soon there was none left to sell. Within days, the price of a monkey rose to 500 dollars. Suddenly the representative of the merchant announced he had thousands of monkeys for sale. He sold each for a thousand dollars to the Indians, telling them they will make more money once his master return for the next purchase.

They were sure of making triple sales. They waited for days, months but the merchant didn’t come for the usual purchase. To worsen their situation, the middle man was no where to be found. All they had was the “worthless” monkeys. They have been scammed from the beginning without even realising it.

––ebijeo5@gmail.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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

LETTERS

LAGOS’ PACT WITH THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

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emocracy is a government that vests supreme power in the people through a system of representation. And one of the main features of democracy is adherence to the rule of law through which every citizen is equal in the eye of the law.

Though the Nigerian constitution operates on the principle of rule of law, but there is obviously in place a social class system that discriminates against certain members of the society. One of such class of people is the physically challenged, sometimes derogatorily referred to as the disabled. Habitually, if a typical Nigerian comes across a physically challenged, the first impression on his mind is that of an individual that is helpless and useless to the society. And he shows this by sometimes arrogantly offering alms. The dearth of baseline information about this social category, especially in developing nations, including Nigeria, usually clouds our knowledge about their potential (ability in disability).

Based on the World

Ambode

Report on Disability, approximately 25 million Nigerians are physically challenged, with 3.5 million of these having very significant difficulties in social and physical functioning. These disabilities include physical and intellectual developmental conditions. Regardless of the large number of people with disabilities in Nigeria, little support, if any, is given to individuals that are physically challenged.

These individuals are

often excluded from social, economic and political affairs in the society.

In actual fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the physically challenged to have a sustainable livelihood. This stems from their inability to access basic facilities.

Actually, inadequate and unreliable infrastructure particularly transportation services are a fact of life for the majority of physically challenged in Africa and Nigeria in particular.

Little provisions are made for easy movement of the physically challenged in most public transportation or public places.

Although the most common avenue of social aid for the physically challenged is usually through families, Nongovernmental and religious organisations, however sometimes, the physically challenged are ostracised by the society and family members that are expectedly supposed to protect and care for them as they are being seen as source of disgrace by neighbours and relatives. In extreme cases, for example, these individuals are abandoned to become homeless, living on the streets; or family members keep them indoors away from public notice or institutionalise them, especially if they come from wealthy families, in governmental institutions.

This is generally due to the negative attitude an average Nigerian has developed over the years towards the physically challenged coupled with the lack of awareness or total disregard for the genuine causes of

EKWEREMADU, EFCC AND DETAINED PDP CHIEFTAINS

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rior to 2015 general election, former President Jonathan told anyone that cared to listen that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. As a true democrat, he emphasised repeatedly that the process of election—which guarantees freedom of choice and expression of opinion that epitomises democracy is more important than its outcome.

On this political philosophy, he conceded victory. He towered above partisan inclinations and pressure from aides and kinsmen—not to concede defeat, to sustain democratic tenets and ethos which elevated him as the greatest democrat Nigeria has ever had.

Ironically, the ruling APC—the beneficiary of President Jonathan’s democratic principles and values saw these historic sacrifices as traits of weakness and political naivety. The PDP lost presidential election, but the APC saw it as a lost war, therefore every stakeholder who indirectly or directly campaigned for President Jonathan’s second term must be framed up and imprisoned unconstitutionally as war slaves and their property confiscated as bounties recovered from conquered territories. The PDP chieftains became endangered species that must be preyed upon by rampaging predators of dictatorship—which plans to strengthen its grip on power, by destroying opposition, in the guise of anti-corruption

fight.

In the foregoing context, the PDP family has become bewildered, ravaged, traumatised as a result of political strangulation of opposing views in the country on the altar of lopsided anticorruption onslaught. The hitherto biggest political party in Africa has become a symbol of persecution and political witch-hunt. Free, fair and transparent election it instituted became its albatross.

Its campaign funds provided the ruling APC needed tool of oppression it wanted—as if President Buhari’s election was not also funded with public resources. No APC member has been arrested for funding President Buhari’s election via public purse, but the PDP stakeholders are being detained indefinitely, at the whims and caprices of the ruling party.

Like a soothing balm of consolation and encouragement to incarcerated PDP chieftains, the august visit of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to EFCC detention facility on October 27, 2016, gave hope to them and PDP supporters across the country. The courageous aspect of this visit is that, it came when it was politically incorrect to identify with perceived enemies of the state—being detained not for judicial sentences, but political choices they made in 2015 election and continuous criticisms of unpopular policies of the government in power. The striking aspect of Sen. Ekweremadu’s visit is that, it came from a leader

that has no immunity against arrest, even when PDP governors that have immunity are dreading to visit their fellow party stakeholders in EFCC’s cells, for fear of being branded rebels.

One of the lessons learnt from Sen. Ekweremadu’s show of leadership to PDP family, at this trying time, is that real empathic and selfless leaders emerge during moment of oppression and persecution of his people.

A true shepherd does not abandon his sheep for palpable fear of being preyed upon by invading predators.

As a student of Martin Niemoller’s school of thought, embodied in his above stated historic poem, DSP Ekweremadu believes that an infringement on peoples’ rights of freedom, in whatever guise, is an assault not only on the democratic spirit cum provisions of our grand norm—1999 Constitution, which binds us together as a nation, but society at large.

Therefore, keeping mute or playing the ostrich game, will amount to an act of cowardice—which weakens democratic foundation as entrenched in principles of rule of law, and inversely emboldens tyranny, that will ultimately propel Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy on the inglorious path of obliteration.

In a democracy like ours that runs on rule of law, there is no justification to keep detaining people indefinitely without being convicted by court of competent jurisdiction. Those whose graveyard

silence, are tactically lending credence to jaundiced impression being created by EFCC that these men are being held without bail, because they are ‘unpardonable looters’, will wake up one day to their utter most chagrin, and discover that, like Pastor Martin Niemoller’s (paraphrased) poem said, “First they came for the Dasuki and I did not speak out because I was not a former National Security Adviser (NSA). Then they came for Bukola Saraki and I did not speak out because I did not contest Senate presidency seat against the permutation of party godfathers. Then they came for Ike Ekweremadu and I did not speak out because I was never a senator—let alone, wrongly accused of forging Senate Standing Rules. Then they came for Femi Fani-Kayode, I did not speak out because I never participated in presidential campaign of former President Jonathan. Then they came for the Judges, I did not speak out because I was never a Judge. Then they came for Bala Mohammed and I did not speak out because I was never FCT Minister.

Then they came for Reuben Abati and I did not speak out because I never incurred the rot of ‘Aso Rock Demons’.

Then, when they will eventual come for me—when the soldiers of Nazist regime will be at my doorsteps calling, no one will be left to stand up for me”.

––Nwobodo Chidiebere, Abuja

disabilities. For instance, a child with Down’s syndrome is said to be suffering from the effects of evil spirits on the mother during pregnancy.

Also, there are erroneous traditional beliefs that physically challenged are serving retributions for the offences of their forebears!

The height of all these discriminations and stigmas is that the physically challenged rights to free education, medical care and employment are often prevented. This is in spite of a law, which recognises and preaches that all people be treated equally, regardless of their physical state. The question is, how has the law been enforced? People with disabilities suffer domestic violence and abuse daily.

They are being segregated and marginalised and even discriminated against in job market and nobody is getting punished for this.

In Lagos State, in order to address this imbalance, the Lagos State Special People’s Law was passed in June 2011. The law seeks to uphold the rights of all persons living with any form of disability [PWDs] in Lagos State by safeguarding them against all forms of discrimination and giving them equal rights and opportunities.

Equally, the passage of the law gave birth to the establishment of The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA). The first governing board was inaugurated on July 9, 2012 and charged with implementing the law.

However, through the all-inclusive government policy model of the Ambode administration in Lagos State which makes all citizens equal, irrespective of their physical or social status, the state government has continually shown concern for the physically challenged in so many ways. For instance, it has put machineries in place to protect the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities which include implementing the

State’s Special People’s Law which compels employers of up to 100 personnel to reserve at least one per cent of the workforce for persons with disabilities.

Also through the same law, it has become a crime in the state to discriminate against any person with disability because of his physical challenge. The state also provides rights of children with disability; right to education; right to healthcare services; right to freedom of communication; right to public transport; right to drive and reservation at parking lots.

Other rights include provision of facilities at public buildings; right to legal aid; rights of tenants with disability; public functions; rights under emergency situations; right to first consideration in queues; right to 5% of accommodation reservation consideration and rights to social security among others.

Recently, the Lagos State Governor inaugurated the new board of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), the board expected on behalf of the state government to manage the affairs of people living with disabilities by issuing guidelines for their education, social development and welfare.

Moreover, members of the board are painstakingly chosen to ensure that the affairs of people living with disabilities are managed by people passionate enough to show that there is ability in disability.

Similarly, in fulfillment of the promise he made on May 29, 2016, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also launched the N500 million Disability Trust Fund with the anticipation that the fund would aid people living with disabilities in Lagos State realise their dreams and maximise their potential in order to live a more comfortable life.

––Bilkis Ogunnubi, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos.

UBA: I WANT MY MONEY

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write to protest my inability to withdraw money from my UBA account since December last year. I was told that my first name with which the BVN was registered was abbreviated (Feyi Akeeb Kareem) and the name in UBA is Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem and that I would have to do a reconciliation of name and a sworn affidavit to confirm that I am the same person. I therefore went and did both and took it to Firstbank where I did the BVN. To my greatest surprise First Bank is now insisting that I must bring an

Identity card that has the name and the only one I have is the temporary national ID Card which banks have refused to accept. I am now asking: Is it a crime to be law abiding by doing the BVN in only Firstbank? Why are the banks frustrating me? I had to borrow N4000 to do the affidavit and newspaper advert for reconciliation of name.

Why is it that Nigerians don’t get anything but frustration in this country?

I would be grateful if you intervene in my situation.

––Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, OgwashiUkwu, Delta State.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

INTERNATIONAL Lessons for Nigeria from the US Presidential Race: The Case for Integrity of Purpose

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he 58th quadrennial presidential election in the United States (US) will hold on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, being the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the last presidential inauguration. This is in accordance with the rule established in 1845. The election can be explained and understood at two levels: the people’s election of the ‘electors’ and the ‘election of the president by

the electors.’

At the level of election by the electors, the November 8, 2016 election is necessarily that of the election of Mr. President, in other words, that of the President by the Electoral College by direct vote. The election of members of the Electoral College, which was introduced in 1787 to ensure that the US president is always elected on the basis of popular majority and merit, is the first step in the presidential election system which is largely inspired by the Roman Catholic college system of electing Cardinals who eventually elect the Catholic Pope.

What is important to note about the Electoral College is that its members are directly elected by the people, from whom the College derives its legitimacy. When the College is constituted, on the basis of its legitimacy, its members now decide which presidential candidate to vote for. More important is the issue of computation of number of votes. Each constitutive state of the US has a number of electors in each state electoral college and the number of seats is consistent with what each state has in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

For instance, the State of California has 55 electoral votes, being the biggest state, while Washington DC and Wyoming have three electoral votes each. With the exception of the States of Maine and Nebraska, both of which have the policy of winner-takes-allthe-votes, all the other states have a specific number of electors determined by population criterion. In all, there are 538 electors and therefore 538 votes, meaning that 270 votes, representing absolute majority, is required to be elected president. It is the Congress that has the constitutional responsibility of certifying the election of the President and his vice. In the event there is no absolute majority, it is the House of Representatives that have responsibility to choose the president while the Senate chooses the Vice President in the absence of absolute majority.

Essentially at the level of electing the electors, the US presidential election can be likened to what obtains in a semi-presidential system in terms of two-round voting system. For instance, in France, all registered and qualified candidates are allowed to contest in presidential elections in the first round, but only the two candidates with the highest number of votes are qualified to compete in the second round of election. The objective of this second round of voting is to ensure that the president is elected by genuine popular vote.

Electing the electors of the US president has the same purpose of ensuring popular majority. One major difference is that voting is indirect in the context of the US while it is direct in the two rounds of election in France. In both cases, however, the issue of integrity of purpose is always raised.

Ken Silverstein wrote on November 2, 2016 in the Observer that ‘this election has disgraced the entire profession of journalism,’ because reporters and journalism have been ‘reduced to surrogacy largely on behalf of Hilary Clinton.’ Silverstein has it further that the two main candidates, Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump are ‘shitty candidates, neither of whom is fit to lead the country.’ In his eyes, while ‘Donald Trump is a reckless narcissist who … cannot string

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

together more than two sentences, let alone articulate a coherent vision for the country’s future,’ as reflected in his statements on women, Latinos andAfrican-Americans, Hilary Clinton ‘put classified information on a private server that was almost certainly obtained by foreign intelligence services. She stonewalled and lied to the FBI during its investigation… She and her family run a foundation that aggressively solicited donations from corporations, wealthy individuals and foreign governments that have interests before the government.’

The situational reality of the personality of the two candidates, as evidenced by issues in their campaigns, has led to calls for their stepping down. Donald Trump once said that undocumented Mexican immigrants in the US are rapists and do bring drugs to the US. In fact, he said he would build a wall between the US and Mexico. Without doubt, there are many questions on their integrity at the domestic level and so are there many of them at the international level. Consequently, the 58th quadrennial election raises more of international questions, than domestic, matter, thus raising that of great power politics.

Great Power Politics and Implications

At the level of great power politics, the position of China favours the election of Hilary Clinton.Asurvey carried out in October 2016 in Mainland China showed that 37% of respondents supported Clinton, compared with 22% for Trump.At the same time,American Pew Research Centre, 35% of respondents in another survey were against Clinton while 40% were against Trump. This means that, for the people of China, Clinton is preferred. Even though the position of Beijing authority is yet to be categorically made clear, the editorial of the state-controlled Global Times considers Trump as a racist, meaning that, to an extent, there are reservations about the candidacy of Trump. The implication of this is that Sino-American ties are likely to witness better understanding under a Clinton administration.

At the level of Russia, the same cannot be argued. The election of Hilary Clinton has the potential to serve as a catalytic agent of the emerging new Cold War. Russia is staunchly against Hilary Clinton and has openly done much to influence support for Donald Trump.

In fact, the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, has warned of a possible war in the event of election of Hilary Clinton.

The reasons for Russian opposition to Hilary Clinton are not far-fetched. First, Clinton supported the Russians who protested against Putin’s re-election in 2012. Second, Frida Ghitis, a World Affairs Columnist for the Miami Herald and World Politics Review, has it that the Russian president appears to be genuinely afraid of

Hilary Clinton, and therefore has been undermining Clinton’s presidential campaigns. Clinton is seen to be an obstacle to the expansionist policy of President Putin. In fact, shortly before the Democratic National Convention, Russian security agencies reportedly hacked the e-mails of the Democratic National Convention.Additionally, the e-mails of John Podesta, the Chairman of Hilary Clinton’s Campaign Organisation, were also hacked thereafter.

Third, while Russia under Vladimir Putin has reportedly intensified campaigns against the liberal democratic model in the West, undermining trans-Atlantic relations, manipulating Eastern European countries, as well as supporting the Far Right against the European Union, Hilary Clinton has promised to find ways ‘to confine, contain, and deter Russian aggression in Europe and beyond.’ In the context of Donald Trump, he says he might recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, suspend economic sanctions against Russia, as well as align his policy in Syria with that of Presidents Putin andAssad.

Fourth, and perhaps more disturbingly, when in 2014 Putin justified the annexation of Crimea as an attempt to protect Russian minorities, Hilary Clinton described the attempt as reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s justification for taking over parts of Eastern Europe.

This prompted Putin to say that Clinton ‘has never been too graceful in her statements.’

With this type of deep misunderstanding, and bearing in mind Hilary Clinton’s declared intention to impose a no-fly zone in Syria which will contain the activities of Russia’s and Syrian armies, there is no way Russia would have condoned a Clintonian presidency.

Again, relationship between the EU and the US under Donald Trump administration is much likely to be difficult, not necessarily because most of EU countries used to show greater understanding for the democrats than for the republicans, but essentially because of Donald Trump’s views of the world and his declared policy directions. For instance, at the level of France, President François Hollande has it that ‘if theAmericans choose Trump that will have consequences, because anAmerican election is a world election…

It could lead to a very strong turn to the right in the world, or to a correction… TheAmerican campaign shows issues that will be reflected in the French campaign’ in the forthcoming spring election of 2017 in France.

More significant, President Hollande has said that Donald Trump’s excesses were sickening and that ‘the excesses make you want to retch, even in the United States, especially when – as was Donald Trump’s case – he speaks ill of a soldier, of the memory of a soldier (a US Muslim soldier killed in Iraq in 2004.’

At the level of Great Britain, the viewpoint is the same.According to a Professor ofAmerican Studies at the University of Birmingham, Scott Lucas, ‘most people in the United Kingdom would feel much more comfortable with Hillary, because she’s a known factor.

Even if you disagree with her, you know pretty much where she’s going to come from.’

Additionally, in his reaction to Donald Trump’s proposed Muslim ban, Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London, sees the intended ban as ‘an extraordinary thing for a candidate for the office of the President of the US to say. Basically becauseAmerica as I understand it, is a country built on the ideal of welcoming people irrespective of their race, religion, color or creed or whatever.’

Therefore, speaking grosso modo at the level of the great powers, political sentiments are for Hillary Clinton.As the two candidates have skeletons in their cupboards, Hillary Clinton is considered preferable. Thus, what lessons can Nigeria draw from the election?

Implications of Electing Clinton or Trump

Africa, in general, and Nigeria, in particular, is not in any way considered a major focus of the foreign policy direction of both candidates. Hilary Clinton places greater emphasis on increasing cooperation with China; reinforcing alliances in theAsia-Pacific, especially with Japan and South Korea; stepping up US deterrents against Chinese cyber-attacks; as well as dealing more decisively with Chinese human rights records. On the contrary, Donald Trump wants to increase US military presence in and around the South China Sea; investigate and punish China for unfair trade practices; designate China as a currency manipulator; and speed up the US deterrent action against Chinese cyber-attacks.

Both candidates underscore the need for free trade agreements and opposition to Trans-Pacific Partnership.Apart from the issues of trade and immigration in whichAfricans are tangentially concerned, all the other issues of concern to the two candidates do not have any priority for Nigeria. The other main issues are: national defence, energy and climate, Islamic State, North Korea, and Russia.

Consequently, there may not be any big deal about whoever is eventually elected when considering the protection of the national interest of the US. It is only the approach to the protection that may differ.

However, in terms of derivable benefit and lessons from the Clintonian and Trump’s administration, there is no disputing the fact that Nigeria has the potential to benefit more from President Clinton than from President Trump. First, Trump is on record to have discriminated againstAfrican-Americans in the allocation of houses when he was in charge of estate management in New York.

He was always against the black man. This directly negates one important focus of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

Trump

Clinton

(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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

BUSINESS QUICK TAKES MAN

The manufacturing industry requires the injection of about $1 billion to galvanise activities in the sector and enable it to contribute significantly to the economy, the Manufacturers AssociationofNigeria(MAN)hassaid.

MAN President , Dr. Frank Jacobs, who said this in an interviewhowever,commended the Central Bank of Nigeria foritsrecentinterventionsintheforex market targeting critical sectors.

InOctober,theapexbankreleased$314 million for forward payment to clear a backlogofforexrequestsbyoperators in the manufacturing, agriculture and aviation sectors.

The central bank also settled $270.6 millioninnotionalvalueofthematured October26,2016futuresinstrument.

In line with the trend since the introduction of the Over the Counter forex futures, the central bank issued a new 12-month tenor instrument (October 25,2017)worth$1billionatN258.50/ US$1.00 to replace the maturing instrument.

It stated, “In order to further engender marketconfidence,ensureaccesstoFX by end users and sustain the integrity of the Nigerian inter-bank FX market, theCBNhasresolvedtointerveneinthe inter-bankFXmarketthroughforward settlement.

SEC

Marina, Central Business District, Lagos

PHOTO: Etop Ukutt

Payments through Electronic Channels Total N18.156 trillion in Q3, Says NBS Kunle Aderinokun

A total of 238.889 million payments valued at about N18.156 trillion were conducted through the electronic channels in the third quarter of this year, says the National Bureau of Statistics. These represented 17.75 per cent and 23.47 per cent increase in volume and value respectively over the records in the second quarter.

NBS made this disclosure in its report titled ‘Electronic Payment Channels in the Nigerian Banking Sector in Q3 2016’, which was obtained by THISDAY. According to the statistics agency, the channels through which these payments were directed included cheques, Nigeria Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), automatic teller machine (ATM), point of sale (PoS), internet (web), NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) and mobile payments.

A breakdown of the figures showed that in July, a total of 77.615 payment valued at N5.713 trillion were conducted through the electronic channels

ECONOMY

while in August and September, 82.256 million and 79.017 million payments valued at N6.922 trillion and N5.520 trillion were respectively made via the electronic channels.

Further analysis of the payment data for the third quarter showed that for cheques, 3.008 million payments valued at N1.414 trillion; NEFT-9.527 million payments valued at N5.460 trillion; ATM-157.104 million valued at N1.246 trillion; POS- 16.028 million valued at N189.947 billion; internet-3.326 million valued at N30.763 billion; mobile payments- 10.865 million valued at N223.057 billion; and NIP- 38.828 million valued at N9.591 trillion, were made.

Pursuant to its goal of ensuring financial inclusion by 2020, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said attaining the Payment System Vision 2020 (PSV 2020) would be the catalyst to revolutionise the payment system in Nigeria.

According to the CBN, achieving the PSV 2020 would help

facilitate economic activities as well as boost the financial inclusion drive of the CBN. To this end, the apex bank had in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Sections 2 (d) and 47 (2) of the CBN Act, 2007, to promote and facilitate the development of efficient and effective systems for the settlement of transactions, including the development of electronic The channels through which these payments were directed included cheques, Nigeria Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), automatic teller machine (ATM), point of sale (PoS), internet (web), NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) and mobile payments

payment systems, had issued guidelines on operations of electronic payment channels in Nigeria.

Payments through electronic channels are fast gaining traction in Nigeria. This is evident in the statistics of volume and value of transactions that have been done through the channels.

Only recently, the Head, Consumer and Digital Banking at United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Yinka Adedeji, noted that, over 70 per cent of financial deposits across commercial banks, were generated from various digital channels that were driven by technology solutions. He disclosed this during an interactive session in Lagos, where he listed the digital channels to include ATM, PoS, internet banking, mobile banking, among others.

Adedeji had attributed the development to innovative solutions created by banks, which was designed to drive financial inclusion in a cashless society.

He had also noted that “less than 30 per cent of generated cash across banks, come from physical cash deposits and cheque deposits”, suggesting that the cashless initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria was fast gaining acceptance both in urban and rural communities because of the convenience that technology innovations had brought to the banking sector.

FormerPresidentOlusegunObasanjo has charged Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to work hard by ensuring stability, credibility and transparency are restored in the country’s stock market.

According to the former president, the present economic recession could only be fought successfully if confidence, stability, credibility and transparency could be guaranteed at the stock market.

Obasanjo disclosed while receiving the Director-General of the Commission, Mounir Gwarzo at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

He however, said Nigeria needed allencompassingeconomicstrategytoget outofthecurrenteconomicrecession, noting, “when we are in a situation we arenow,situationofrecession,Ithinkit must be clear to all of us that we must do something quickly to get us out of recession.”Headded:“Thereisnodoubt that your own area of activity has a key role to play. You have to work on investment, you have to look for fund.”

Hecontinued:“Ourchildrenshouldstart to learn and understand the workings ofstockmarket.IntheMilitary,wewere specially trained to know much about stock market and stocks exchange. It is important that our children should understand and know it.

Pension

The Federal Government has paid 81 months pension arrears which were incurredfrom33percentpensionincrement,butleft87monthsoutstanding.

ThemoneywaspaidtoPolice,Customs, Immigration, Prisons and civil service pensioners. A detailed breakdown of paid pension arrears and outstanding months were made available to journalists in Abuja, when the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, chaired by Senator EmmanuelPaulker,visitedthePension TransitionalArrangementDirectorate for its oversight functions.

According to the documents, three monthsof33percentincrementwere paid to Police Pension Department, leaving outstanding of 39 months to Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department which had all its 42 months arrears paid off.

The Parastatals Pension Department hadits12monthsarrearspaidleaving 30 months outstanding.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

The Rejection of Buhari’s $30bn External Borrowing Request

Nigerians were shocked last Tuesday when President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for $30 billion external borrowing was turned down by the Senate.

Kunle Aderinokun and Omololu Ogunmade report the issues surrounding the special loan request and the reaction that trailed its rejection

S

hock and disbelief enveloped the atmosphere last Tuesday, when the Senate threw out President Muhammadu’s Buhari’s $29.9 billion external borrowing plan. The act was least imagined by the public which had expected the request to be hastily accepted, debated and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debt for thorough scrutiny and subsequent recommendation for approval to the Senate.

Hence, it was a shocked audience that watched the Senate reject the request through voice votes without being subjected to debate after the motion for its consideration was moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume.

The overwhelming rejection at the first voice vote prompted the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to subject the request to another round of vote.

But the situation was not better as the rejection this time was even more vehement than the first one. Hence, it became obvious to Saraki that the situation was irredeemable and consequently, the request was thrown out.

The Inside Story Although no reason was given for the rejection at the plenary, THISDAY learnt that the request was rejected as a result of the president’s perceived nonchalant attitude about state matters, especially the manner of presenting the request. This brought reminiscences of the presentation of different versions of the 2016 budget earlier in the year which heated the polity like a furnace and which took Senate’s insistence not to consider unofficial versions of the document to compel the president to admit and correct errors in the budget.

In clear terms, whereas the president had claimed that details of the borrowing plan had been attached to his letter addressed to Saraki, no document was found to have been attached after all. Given the perceived untruth portrayed by the trend therefore, it appeared to the senators that the president was playing on their intelligence which they said would not be accepted.

The president had in the introductory paragraph of his request letter said: “I wish to refer to the above subject and to submit the attached draft of the federal government 2016-2018 external borrowing (rolling) plan for the consideration and early approval by the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects.”

Therefore, because the“attached draft”of the borrowing plan which the president had claimed he was submitting along with the letter was never submitted, the senators found the rejection as an avenue to teach the president how to do his job diligently. Thus, there were perceptions that the president appeared to have undermined the capacity of the Senate to challenge him on any matter whether wrongly packaged or not.

It was further learnt that it took the Senate aback that the president would submit a request of that magnitude which contained one of the highest borrowing ever in the history of the country without a plan as well as the true picture of the loans, which Ndume said must ordinarily include“when”and“how”they would be obtained.

The senators, THISDAY gathered, found it to be irritating that the president, who was perceived to be a very meticulous person would try to persuade the Senate to grant anticipatory approval to the loan request instead of following the laid-down procedure. This was perceived to have portrayed the federal government as an unserious element which toys with the serious task of governance which ordinarily should be undertaken with due diligence. That Buhari asked the Senate to grant anticipatory approval to the borrowing plan, which they had not seen, thus created the impression that Nigeria was being run like a banana republic. This plea for anticipatory approval was contained in the last paragraph of the president’s letter.

The president had said:“Given the emergency nature of these facilities and the need to consolidate the peace and return the region to normalcy and considering the time it will take to get National Assembly’s approvals, it has become inevitable to request for the NASS leadership approval pending the consideration and approval of the 2016-2018 borrowing plan by the National Assembly to enable us disburse these funds immediately.”

Besides the alleged shoddy manner in which the request was presented, there were also perceptions that the request for a whopping $30 billion was too huge and scary for a nation being run by leaders whose competence to turn things around has been doubted by various segments of the society including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Thus, there were some lawmakers who believed that plunging the nation into a huge debt of whooping N9.12 trillion without any convincing plan or initiative brought forth to revive the economy so far, would amount to mortgaging the future of the country and creating monumental crises for future governments.

Buhari Meets with Saraki However, Saraki on Friday cautioned against politicising the decision of the Senate to turn down the $30 billion borrowing request.

Buhari

The caution came after the meeting Buhari had with him behind closed doors after the duo observed the Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to Saraki, who spoke with State House Correspondents on update on the loan request, shortly after the meeting,“I came here to pray, I have finished praying and I just had a general felicitation with the President. It didn’t go beyond that. We should not look at that as a reflection of the relationship. Don’t let us politicise very important issues.

Our relationship is work in progress and has nothing to do with loans”.

Nigeria’s External Debt Since 2006 Following Nigeria’s exit from the Paris Club in April, 2006 after the debt forgiveness secured by the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria was only owing a paltry $3.348 billion external debt at the end of Obasanjo’s government in 2007.

In 2010, when President Umaru Yar’Adua died, Nigeria’s external debt profile had moved from $3.348 billion to $3.947 billion. Then came the administration of the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan which went into further borrowing, leaving the nation in June 2015 with external debt profile of $9.3 billion. But the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, had risen in defence of the current borrowing plan, saying it would help the government to address the infrastructure deficit ravaging the country.

While giving the essential features of the loan, Nwankwo reportedly said the borrowing had low concessionary interest rate of 1.5 per cent and 20-30 years repayment plan. According to him, the only way out of Nigeria’s precarious situation is to go for the loan, emphasising that once infrastructural problems are addressed by a nation, the coast will be clear for economic activities to thrive.

“When you are in this kind of economic situation, you have to decide where you want to start addressing the problem. You then come to the conclusion that the most critical point to start is to deal with infrastructure problem. If you deal with infrastructure problem, the cost of power will be lower, the cost of transportation will be lower, and the cost of most other services will be lower.”

A day after the rejection of the request by the Senate, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its weekly meeting with a resolve to correct the flaws in the president’s request and consequently re-present the loan request to the National Assembly. If the flaws are thoroughly addressed, the request has the prospects of eventual approval in the days ahead.

Economists Speak However, following the senate’s rejection of the borrowing request, economic watchers and experts have assessed and submitted their conclusions on the scenario. To the Chief Executive Officer, The CFG Advisory, Adetilewa Adebajo, the US$30 billion loan at this stage is a distraction as he believes “emphasis should be on financing the 2.2trillion budget deficit, and getting the budget 2017 to the house for passage to sustain the stimulus, and get the economy out of recession.”According to him,“The 3 year loan request

Saraki

should have been submitted with the 2017 budget.

Apparently agreeing with the Senate for rejecting the request for lacking details, Adebajo said:“Considering the opaque nature of the contents with very little details on the sources and uses of the loan, the Senate has rejected the submission and rightly so, asking for more details and whipping up a political storm and grabbing the media headlines in the process.”

Going forward, he advised the federal government to consider the following before resubmitting to the Senate.

“The government should have firstly considered the bankability of the very laudable projects and seek to obtain private capital before proceeding to underwrite any shortfall. The Indian forward sale crude Oil Deal is a good idea which should also be properly considered to fund the 30billion request. Outside China-Exim, Japan Development and ADB, I am also of the opinion the IMF and World Bank loans should be considered and prioritised, since they are at 0 per cent. The IMF loan is not an issue anymore as we have floated the naira and removed subsidy on fuel. There are no more obvious rent-seeking activities in government. The discipline that comes with the management, supervision and payback mechanisms of these loans are also important to ensure we derive value.

“The proposed 30Billion loan will take the current debt stock from 61bn to 91bn US$ by 2018. Can Nigeria service and payback the loans from the value derived from the projects? The projects can be financed from alternative private capital sources and government needs not go it alone.

World Bank and IMF are good choices followed by the Eurobond, LDI and FDI,”he stated.

Adebajo argued that, the DMO response on sustainability did not answer the question, noting that currently, between 35-40% of revenues are going towards $61 billion debt service. According to him,“What will be the ratio of revenues to debt service when debt stock is $91billion? Even if they shift a significant amount to foreign borrowing, the Eurobond is a Junk Bond, it’s not investment grade and attracts high yields and costs.

If the government borrowing reduces locally, pension funds and banks will suffer as they do not have the imagination, creativity and innovation to create wide asset class.”

Asking,“What will they do with all that liquidity? Chase FX?,”Adebajo argued that, “according to CBN data, we can remember the last time government borrowing crowded out the private sector borrowing.”

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Global Analytics Consulting Ltd, Tope Fasua, who considered the rejection as a temporary setback, maintained that the external borrowing plan was“a very risky move.”

According to him,“The risks involved are plethora. There is exchange risk to worry about. We took the first rash of foreign currency loans when the Naira was stronger than the US Dollar and repaid when it was N120.

The Naira is presently at N470 (real terms), to the USD and there’s a risk it could fall further.

“Then there is the moral hazard that creeps in when a people find themselves awash with liquidity.”Cautioning the federal government not to“mortgage the country because it is trying to solve a liquidity problem,”

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2016 T H I S D AY

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

BUSINESS/CONSUMER

Indomie Independence Day Awards: Legacy beyond Today Olaseni Durojaiye

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wards worldwide are usually excitement packed with celebrities stealing the show as they strut on the runway and red carpets showing off expensive clothes and jewelleries with the cameras flashing non-stop. This is the expectation of many when they attend awards.

When the event is done nobody remembers the core essence of why the awards was held in the first place but most will spend days talking about the glamour, the rumours and very few will remember who won or why they won.

This element sets ‘awards’ apart from ‘awards’.

The Oscars in the United States of America rewards talented actors who have been able to distinguish themselves as the best in their profession. These select talents are identified and rewarded for their contributions on stage and before the camera.

Every year the best actors are sought out and rewarded. This generates competitiveness amongst the actors, who seek excellence while entertaining the audience, who buy movies or troop to cinemas to watch live stage performances.

Indomie Independence Day Awards is also a reward platform to identify and celebrate outstanding display of heroism and selflessness in children who are not likely to be regarded as heroes and most often relegated to the background of history, never to be remembered. One difference between the two awards is, while the Oscars is for a make-believe performance, IIDA is for real, sometimes life-threatening, ‘performances and sacrifices’ which might have gone unnoticed.

How many people can still remember 13 year-old Jordan Rice from Australia who was caught up with his 10 year-old younger brother and mother during a flood that ravaged Australia in January 2011? When rescue workers wanted to rescue him he refused to be rescued first, insisting his younger brother and mother get saved before him. Unfortunately Jordan and his mother did not make it alive. Knowing he could not swim he still gave his life to save his younger brother Blake and almost saved his mother too.

This and many other young heroes abound this world but most times ignored, abandoned and even rebuked when that innate, subconscious ‘super hero’ tendency in them is activated when they see someone in distress. We have seen children make haste in order to avert an impending crisis situation even too big for adult and the adults either make fun or chastise them.

In 2008, Khalil Bala, a minor refused to be chastised when he displayed uncanny courage by jumping into a burning house to save his sister. His limbs got seriously damaged in the process but if he had waited for help it would have been too late for his precious sister and for this he was appreciated by Indomie through IIDA first prize award. Dorcas Ayodele saved

L-R: Winners, 2016 Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA) Intellectual Bravery Category, Master Babatimileyin Daomi; Social Bravery Category, Salisu Ibrahim; and Physically Bravery Category, Favour Uwene, at the 2016 IIDA held in Lagos…recently

her younger brother from an uncontrollable car accident. His presence of mind and quick reaction entitled her to the second prize in 2008 Indomie Heroes Awards. Razak Omolade demonstrated strong will power to succeed in life, even in the face of severe disability. Indomie honoured his courage on Indomie Hero Awards 2008.

In 2009, Detimbir Chia rescued five passengers out of 18 passengers on board an ill-fated military aircraft in 2006. Owing to his display of bravery, Indomie awarded him the first prize in 2009 Indomie Hero Awards.

Wembly Uchenna saved the life of 4 year-old Ada, who was trapped in a mud without considering the danger of such actions. His selfless act won him the second spot in the Heroes Awards 2009.

Chukwudi Ibobo produced prototypes of toy vehicles such as sports cars, trucks, helicopters, caterpillars, robots of different sizes from scrap metal and wasted items. His talent was recognised

by Indomie.

Physically challenged (armless) and written off by many, 14 year-old Umar Mariam, who lives in Kofar Naisa was honoured in 2010. A native of Sokoto State won the first prize trophy and N1million worth of scholarship for her exceptional courage in the face of disability. She is a native of Sokoto State and attends Arabic School. She lives with both her parents.

Mariam was 3 years old when she noticed that she was without hands. She inquired from her parents and they made her understand that was how she was born. Nature has however

compensated her. She is able to manipulate her legs to do things. She started using her two legs to do whatever labour she has to do since she knew she does not have hands to do it. She believes that God has reasons for making her armless so she tries her best to engage herself in learning how to use her two legs for what hands could do.

She did many household chores such as ironing of clothes, receiving calls, cooking, bathing, writing, eating and drinking. Mariam could do anything other children could do with her legs.

12 year-old Treasure Obasi came second and was honoured with scholarship worth N750,000 for her innate abilities and talents. At her age, she is already setting the pace in TV broadcasting. Her name is Treasure Obasi. Her talent made her a gem and prominent face on ‘Young Inventors’, a programme she presents on the network service of NTA. At the auditioning for the programme, she emerged best among other competitors who were university undergraduates. Treasure has presented 20 episodes of the programme so far to the satisfaction of the teaming viewers and NTA programme directorate.

Born on the 13th of February 2004 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Abasi, Treasure is the first daughter of two children. Her younger brother Sharon was born two years after. At age eight she won the British Airways Essay Competition where she competed with secondary school students. She also won the best reader award for her school as a news caster. Her coherence, articulation, flow

The Rejection of Buhari’s $30 bn External Borrowing Request Fasua pointed out that,“Certainly the amount is too large and we have never acquired such an amount within such a short time as proposed.”

He believed,“There is every possibility it will dump the country back in the debt trap we exited in 2006,”stating that,“ No one should bring up the jaded argument of Debt to GDP. “Already we spend a huge proportion of government revenue servicing existing debts. So the focus should be on debt to revenue ratio. And even if there is a long moratorium, the day of repayment will creep up sooner than we think and those who contracted the loan would have gone into retirement. This is simply unfair and I cannot support it,”he contended.

But the Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, see no“big deal”about the rejection, even though he expected that “they would ask pertinent questions and do a thorough review of the plan before turning it down.”

“Although the plan has stalled, it may just be a temporary setback as the executive is planning to engage the Senate to resolve the“technical”issues,” Ademola noted :“Like the experience in Europe where it was believed that the transfer system has a huge role to play in the financial crisis, the recklessness of past

governments and economic wastage are important causes of the current recession in Nigeria. However, unlike the European economies that have more advanced infrastructure system and therefore could focus on cost cutting to manage the crisis, the poor infrastructure level in Nigeria signifies that the country may need to spend itself out of this recession.”

He added:“And like the US in 2008/2009, a significant fiscal expenditure (mostly through debts) which was approved by the Congress would be required. Nigeria’s immediate need to look for revenues outside of the oil industry also supports the need for developmental spending to open up opportunities in other sectors to rival the oil sector and provide infrastructure development with the aims of boosting economic activities and improve tax revenues.”

Ademola, who did not express any doubt that,“the amount is significant considering the current stock of our external debt of about $11.3billion”, pointed out that,“When we remember that the country negotiated a debt write off of $18 billion out of $30 billion in 2005, it is usual to be worried about going on with the new debt.” He, however, believed that, “as long as the funds are channelled to investment in infrastructure, it would boost economic activities with implications

of thought and delivery at just 12 years made Treasure truthful to her name and a treasure to behold.

Sixteen year-old Sarah Oladele won the third prize award and N500,000 worth scholarship for displaying an unusual spirit of compassion, love, maturity, intelligence and courage at the scene of an accident. It was a fatal accident in 2008, on a lonely road known as High School Road.

Sarah Oladele was going to school at 6.00 am in the morning. She was only 15 years old and just completed her secondary education.

Sarah was going to school that early morning because her teacher asked them to come early to class. As she was trekking to school, she saw a motorcyclist ahead knock down a man to the side of the road and sped off. She stood by the bleeding victim, beckoning and trying to stop cars as they drove by but with no success. So Sarah decided to move to the centre of the road to stop vehicles sacrificing herself to save the victim who was already losing so much blood.

Finally a car stopped and the victim was rushed to hospital. From the hospital, she went straight to the police headquarters, Akure and reported the case at the police station producing the registration number of the motor bike to the police officers on duty. When the cyclist took off the first thing Sarah did was to memorize the number. Two days later, the hit and run rider through the information given by Sarah was apprehended. (see concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Cont’d from Pg. 18

for tax income.

“And in terms of debt to GDP ratio, it would increase the ratio from 12.77 per cent to 19 per cent. While this is significant, it is still considerably lower than the ideal of 40 per cent suggested for emerging and developing economies. And when compared to other emerging and frontiers, Nigeria will only be bettered by Russia with 17.7 per cent debt to GDP ratio after the acquisition of the planned borrowing. China’s ratio is 22.4 per cent, India has 66.7 per cent, Brazil has 66.23 per cent while South Africa has 50.1 per cent. Among the MINT, Mexico’s 43.2 per cent, Indonesia’s 27.0 per cent and Turkey’s 32.9 per cent are all higher than Nigeria’s.

“It should also be noted that the debt to GDP benchmarks are not cast in stones as most countries, especially the developed economies are all above the threshold of 60 per cent. The USA has a ratio of 104.5 per cent, UK has 87.2 per cent, Germany’s is 76.9 per cent and France has 92.2 per cent. What this implies is that a high GDP ratio may not necessarily be a bad thing as long as it is properly managed.”

Ademola is therefore of the expectation that the National Assembly would do a rigorous review and debate of the borrowing plan with a view to ensuring that the proposed items are necessary and if eventually

approved and the plan executed, the funding attracted would be channelled to the appropriate sectors.

Harping on the alternative sources of financing the economy out of recession in the event the Buhari external borrowing request does not scale through, an economic analyst, who is also an investment manager, Adetola Odukoya, argued: “In reality, besides taxation, duties and levies, there are no other immediate sources of funds for Nigeria today given the current headwinds facing the oil sector i.e. lower prices and production levels.”Therefore, in my opinion, the borrowing option is not a surprise, he stated.

He was, however, quick to add that,“Without any doubt, the loans being sought will significantly increase Nigeria’s debt profile and debt to GDP ratio; this is against the backdrop of the country’s declining economic output versus increasing debt.”

Nevertheless, Odukoya expressed the view that,“The most important factor is the judicious deployment of the funds to critical sectors- and projects- within the economy that will facilitate creation of employment, increase domestic production and aid overall growth.

Otherwise, Nigeria may find herself back to the pre2006-debt-forgiveness days when a substantial portion of the national budget was being utilised for debt servicing.“

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Unlocking the $51bn Investment Opportunities in Nigeria’s Gas Sector At the last annual conference and exhibition of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), the federal government indicated that about $51 billion worth of investment opportunities currently exist in Nigeria’s gas sector as the government also shared some of the enablers it was working on to help potential investors harness these opportunities. Chineme Okafor writes

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s a first step to indicate its volte-face on gas as a genuine income source, Nigeria recently said it was willing to now take gas as a stand-alone sector and not consolidated with oil as it has been in the last decades of oil exploration and production in the country.

Standing before a good number of gas operatives and investors at the just concluded 13th annual conference and exhibition of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, declared that a new national policy on gas was being worked on to give gas the kind of attention it deserves.

Shortly after Kachikwu made this disclosure, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanthi Baru, also took to the podium and told the audience that a whopping $51 billion investment opening was laying idle in Nigeria’s gas sector.

Baru, in his remarks at the conference noted that, in all, the midstream and downstream gas sector of the country were open for investment.

He added that the country’s desire to grow her gas industry were hinged on these two segments getting the right investments.

The disclosures coming only some weeks after Kachikwu launched with President Muhammadu Buhari the government’s plans for the petroleum sector as contained in the ‘seven big wins’ policy, the conference offered the government an opportunity to sell its plans for gas to operators and investors.

Kachikwu, in this regard, took the chance and stated that with the yet-to-be gas policy, the government hoped to turn Nigeria into a gas-based nation – producing enough gas for her industrialisation and the export market.

He explained that the plan would make the domestic market a priority, completely cut off gas flaring before 2020 and then monetise the gas business as an alternative to income for the country.

“Government has developed a draft national gas policy…the draft gas policy promotes a competitive business environment for both current and new investors, articulates our vision for the sector and sets policy goals, strategies and an implementation plan for our medium to long-term targets for gas market development,” said Kachikwu.

He further explained: “Simply, our vision for the gas sector is to be an attractive gas-based industrial nation, giving primary attention to meeting local gas demand requirements, and developing a significant presence in international markets.”

Kachikwu noted that government would play a huge role in the sector’s evolution, providing the right conditions – regulatory, market and operational, to encourage the private sector as the investment drivers for gas.

According to him, under the plans, priority will shift to gas to power, industries, and transportation to create a willing market for gas, while conducive fiscal and regulatory regimes would be created to induce investment certainty.

In addition, the minister stated that key funding mechanism for infrastructure in the form of an infrastructure tariff will be developed to enable willing investors commit funds and recover costs of their investments in gas gathering facilities, gas processing, gas storage, transportation and distribution, in very clear and sustainable manners.

The Opportunities Having listened to Kachikwu open up on the government’s plans, Baru then disclosed that the opportunities that could be tapped into by gas

A gas plant

operators and investors in the country.

He said,“In the whole, about $51 billion investment opportunities exist today in the midstream and downstream gas sector to achieve the growth phase in Nigeria.”

“About $35.4 billion investment will be required in the gas exploration and production activities, power plants projects, fertiliser plants, virtual pipelines and flare gas commercialisation initiatives.

“Other areas with about $16 billion investment include Free Trade Zones (FTZ) infrastructure development and concessioning, port infrastructure, Central Gas Processing Facilities (CPF), gas transmission, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants, real estate development, pipe milling and local fabrication yards among others,”he added.

He stressed that investments in these segments had potentials for good returns on investment, especially with regards to the huge hungry market that exists in Nigeria.

Key Enablers Baru also noted that there were some key enablers that would be required for the growth of the gas sector to be real. He listed them to include the new gas policy which Kachikwu talked about. According to him, it clearly defines the boundaries between upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, as well as opens good access for investment in midstream assets (processing facilities and transmission systems) which will also be governed by a network code where producers can process and transport their gas to the market across the country.

He also said that an appropriate pricing structure, guarantees for payment, enabling fiscal regimes, host communities engagement, and conducive environment were some of the other enablers for investors to take advantage of the $51 billion gas opportunities.

“Beyond growing gas for the power sector, there has been a strategic positioning of the sector to support massive gas based industrialisation.

The intent is to position Nigeria as the regional hub for gas based industries such as fertiliser,

methanol, petrochemicals, and central processing facilities, “The first of this effort is the planned 30 square kilometre gas based industrial park in Delta State.

This will be Africa’s largest purpose built gas park supporting gas based industries,” Baru stated.

He further explained:“As you can see we have a pragmatic roadmap for gas supply development growth to achieve our aspiration of growing current power generation capacity by at least a 3-fold increase within the next four years, position Nigeria as the African regional hub for gas based industries and maintaining a 10 per cent market share in global LNG trade with dominance in regional gas pipeline supplies.”

Gas Flaring and Supply Security Knowing how tough the issues of gas flaring and supply security have become for Nigeria, Kachikwu equally spoke of the government’s firm plan to phase out flaring of gas in the country before 2020 and ensure that supply regimes are stable.

He said to ensure robustness in gas supply over the long term, gas terms for Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) will be produced before the end of 2016, while exploration and development of new gas supply sources from the inland and offshore basins will be actively encouraged in addition to the commencement of a national gas flare commercialisation programme in the first quarter of 2017.

“Gas flaring is still a prevailing practice in the petroleum industry. It is the position of the government that the protection of the environment is a more important objective than oil or gas production.

“Hence, government is determined to ensure flare-out within the earliest possible time, preferably by year 2020.To achieve this, a number of measures will be introduced - gas utilisation will be a priority consideration over other considerations for handling of associated gas, and restrict undue re-injection of associated gas,”said the minister.

He also added that government would encour-

age the deployment of technology solutions for the capture and utilisation of associated gas, commercialise flared gas for supply into the domestic market, increase the gas flaring penalty to an appropriate level sufficient to de-incentivise the practice of gas flaring, as well as develop regulations to prohibit any greenfield gas project from moving forward until there is a proper integrated plan for the development of the hydrocarbons.

Operators’ Views Notwithstanding the government’s enthusiasm, gas operators and investors however feel that it must show some leadership in transforming its plans into reality.

According to the communiqué from the NGA conference which contained their perspectives on the issues and government’s plans for gas, they posited that while they are willing to drive the sector’s growth, a meaningful investment should however be buoyed by government’s firm commitments, indicating that government should first put its money where its mouth is even with its present financial situation.

“Conference believes that financing is possible if the right conditions for success such as fixing the gaps in the value chain, avoiding policy summersault, honouring sanctity of contracts, stabilisation of the exchange rate, long-term view of fiscal policies are in place,” said the communiqué.

It added:“There exists the need for approximately $51 billion in investment in the sector to cover gas exploration, processing, transportation and general infrastructure.

Whilst acknowledging the funding constraints of government at this time, we still agree that such investments must be government led. It might require creative schemes to leverage the existing assets and infrastructure.

“The need to establish a Gas Promotion Council that will address investment opportunities in the sector was raised. The NGA puts itself forward to midwife same if it finds government’s interest.”

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

INTERVIEW

How Nigeria’s Recession Affects Our Operations, by MultiChoice Executives

On the sidelines of the recently held 2016 CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Awards in South Africa, CEO MultiChoice Africa, Tim Jacobs, and Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, took time off to speak with the media on various issues with particular focus on the company’s Nigerian operations at a time of economic recession. Tokunbo Adedoja, who was there, brings excerpts

H

ow has the current economic downturn in Nigeria affected your business?

John Ugbe: We are facing very tough times and we hope they do not last. MultiChoice offers a lot of international content denominated in dollars which we have to continue offering our subscribers. The naira has been devalued officially by close to 70% - from N200 to N320 - but we all know the reality of the parallel market – the naira doesn’t exchange at N320 to a dollar. We haven’t done any price increase this year since the devaluation of the naira. We have been absorbing the costs on behalf of our subscribers. The naira required to pay for the content we buy in dollars has suddenly become so insufficient.

Additionally, we can’t even get the dollars to remit. We are lucky that we have a big shareholder, who believes in our business.

We haven’t been able to pay our bills for about a year now and have been supported by MultiChoice Africa. Bear in mind that our business is about 24 years old. That’s a mature business and not the kind of business that shareholders should be putting money into.

That is where the economic downturn has left us. However, we are all very hopeful, as with every Nigerian, that there will be some recovery in the price of oil, so that our economic indices can change quickly, and enable our business recover.

Tim Jacobs: John has articulated the in-country challenges very clearly. When a country goes through the structural changes that have happened in Nigeria, with oil price reduced to about a third of what it was at its peak, many things begin to happen.

Costs and inflation start going up and for your average consumer in Nigeria, there’s less take-home pay. That was one of the thought processes we had at the group level when we were looking at Nigeria and sat with John and his team to discuss the way forward. When the devaluation happened last year, we increased prices. However, a further devaluation happened about three to four months ago and we did not increase prices.

We recognize that the customers in Nigeria are under pressure and we are doing everything that we can to try and absorb as much costs as we can before we put any price increase into the market. I think that it will become inevitable for us to put in place some price increases but in the meantime, we are trying as much as we can in the business to take costs south. We are going back to our suppliers to renegotiate the cost of content down, where we can. But in many instances we are tied into long-term contracts. For example, with the EPL, you are signed on for about three seasons and you are locked-in with those prices.

We are trying to do whatever we can to first reduce the impact as much as we can ourselves, and then only will we look to potentially put in some prices into the market. It is a big concern and John raised a point. What worries us in the short term is not that the currency has been devalued by as much as it has, but that the parallel market is trading significantly worse and that there is still no dollar liquidity. And as John said, MultiChoice Africa is effectively funding the Nigerian business while we hope that things start to stabilize. But again, we have been in this situation before. You can’t be on the African continent and in Nigeria for 24 years and not go through these cycles. We are taking a longer term view, we still believe in the country, we still believe that Nigeria is a market we want to be in, and we are doing whatever we can to survive in the short term and hopefully, if we come through this and the economy starts to turnaround, hopefully we will start to see some better traction once the consumers have more money in their pockets.

From time to time, your staff call people up, asking them to renew their subscription. I would like to know how these economic changes have drastically affected your business. Have you noticed a very sharp drop in your subscriptions or has the drop been marginal? In addition, have you had any billing changes to accommodate these economic problems we are having in Nigeria?

John Ugbe: With respect to our subscriber numbers, we always refer the public to naspers.com, where our audited numbers are published. Having said that, it’s no secret that every Nigerian is under pressure. Everyone is reassessing his budget and deciding on what to spend on.

However, I believe that we are one of the few companies that give you something that will put a smile on your face.

So, we are seeing that more people are staying at home now because it’s more expensive to get up every night and go out.

Tim Jacobs, CEO MultiChoice Africa

Comparatively, people are beginning to see that DStv is so much cheaper for your monthly entertainment than if you go out one night. It makes more sense to sit in front of your TV. So yes, people are using the opportunity and they are subscribing.

We fill a gap through the entertainment we provide. After all the challenges we face, you just want to sit down, put on your TV and have something to smile about. We also provide a big source of information - it’s not just global but local information.

And people are at this point trying to find information about what is going on. So, it is that need for information that makes a service like ours very relevant at these tough times. People

When a country goes through the structural changes that have happened in Nigeria, with oil price reduced to about a third of what it was at its peak, many things begin to happen. Costs and inflation start going up and for your average consumer in Nigeria, there’s less take-home pay… When the devaluation happened last year, we increased prices. However, a further devaluation happened about three to four months ago and we did not increase prices

are subscribing but we are also very understanding, and as Tim mentioned earlier, that is why we have held out for as much as we can. We all know for instance that as soon as the naira was devalued, the prices of cars changed the next day based on something called a “restocking value”. We have held-off on price increases and subscribers are appreciative that we have held-out to ensure that they can still afford our services. Billing is something we continuously look at. We are at the middle of a project where we are trying to make changes internally to our entire billing structure and software. It might not be the right time but it’s all about continuous improvement for us.

We have also recently introduced GOtv Lite with a N400 monthly subscription that has made our service even more affordable. Who would have believed that there would a subscription package for N400? Our message to our subscribers is, “rather than let your TV go black completely, we have an affordable option for you. The pocket has shrunk but there’s something for you.”

Given the hostility towards MultiChoice, how are you preparing for a possible backlash when you increase prices?

John Ugbe: As a company, we always give notice before any price increase and I think we are one of the few companies that send out a notice to say that from “x” date, we are going to increase prices. I also think people are aware of the present state of the economy. I have spoken to a few people who have asked when we are going to increase prices and I said to them that we are trying to hold-out. Some people are not going to be happy, but as much as possible we will put the information out there to ensure that people understand. We will appeal to everyone to look at the situation objectively.

What we’ve done is to continue to support the growth of the entertainment industry. I think it is one of the last few industries that’s holding us on and I am so scared that if that industry went down, we would really be in big trouble in Nigeria. If you go and speak to the guy in Nollywood, they’d tell you that MultiChoice is commissioning and buying content, and

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

INTERVIEW WE ARE CURRENTLY ABSORBING COSTS ON BEHALF OF NIGERIAN SUBSCRIBERS

Cont’d from Pg. 22 pay TV in Nigeria which is at a cost to us. It is a continuous enhancement and we engage with the regulators frequently. The relationship with regulators is ongoing.

Tim Jacobs: The other things we are doing is that we have new satellite capacity that we got in February this year. John is negotiating for a lot of additional channels to be put onto the platform. A whole lot more will happen in the next coming months. We are doing a lot to boost the value proposition for customers, make sure that we give them access to as much local content as we can. If your customer is happy, the regulator is normally happy. The regulator tends to tackle companies when consumers are complaining. If we can make customers happy and sort out that problem, then the regulatory problem tends to get smaller.

keeping the relationship going. We can’t just take a decision not to buy because if you look at the effect MultiChoice has on the economy – the entire Nollywood supply chain – a decision not to buy content would kill the industry. We remain the backbone of that industry.

You have had the National Assembly take on your company and threaten to probe you. How will you explain a likely price increase to them or even the Consumer Protection Council?

John Ugbe: We have an open-door policy with the National Assembly and the Consumer Protection Council and we explain to them. I think a lot of people fail to understand our business. We are a company that should make profits and we do not take excessive profits. We have to stay alive; we cannot wake up one day and announce to be public that we are gone.

The reality of the pay-TV industry is that you sign three to five- year contracts with content suppliers. You have to assure these suppliers that you can buy the content to create a product you can sell. Unfortunately, you cannot go to the US and tell Time Warner that you want to pay for the content in naira. They will have a good laugh. It’s as simple as that. You cannot subscribe to a news agency abroad right now without remitting their payments in dollars.

You don’t have a choice, otherwise they will cut your news feed. That’s the reality. We will as much as possible appeal to the media and everyone and explain the reason for a price increase (if it happens), and I believe people will show us some empathy. It’s business.

Explain some of the things you have done recently and in the past that are sustaining Nollywood.

John Ugbe: On the face of it, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) looks like a big celebration. However, we can see a marked improvement in the quality of the movies we had when we started the AMVCAs four years ago compared to today. What the AMVCAs have done is to make the industry players work harder, not in isolation, but with the intervention MultiChoice. We train producers and have invested a lot. Everyone is now trying to win an AMVCA and in trying to win, the quality of the movies is improving. We recently heard of the Nollywood movies premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. I know some have been shown at the Urban World Film Festival in the US and there are a few more going to a Film Festival in the UK. That’s because of the improved quality of the movies. Furthermore, we are putting money on the table, commissioning and co-producing movies.

We commissioned Deloitte to do an independent report on the impact our business has had on the economy over the last three years.

And according to that report, MultiChoice’s aggregate economic impact in Nigeria, across the period from 2012 to 2015 is estimated around $1.1 billion. In a few weeks, we will release that report and we will hold the briefing at our Ilupeju studios so you can see how much we have invested. It’s an independent report done by Deloitte, we simply opened our doors to them and asked that they have a look at the industry to see what we have been able to contribute because you mustn’t see our contributions as ad-hoc donations, which we make. We have built studios that are world class by any standard and I would like anyone, anywhere in the world, to make a comparison.

When the House of Representatives member representing that constituency visited our studios, he said he had no idea we were providing jobs for people in his constituency. We also put in a lot of subsidy into our decoders making them more affordable.

There’s a lot going on behind the scene that if it stops, it will hurt the economy. Going back to the AMVCA, a lot of hotels are fully booked from about two weeks leading up to the event.

Nigerian designers live for that week. A lot of make-up artists are also employed during that period because we have created a platform. And I think that’s what we need – to create platforms.

A lot of cities worldwide will actually fight to host such awards because they know what it does to the commerce of the city – transportation, food, everything is impacted. We bring hundreds of people from across Africa into Lagos for that period and we know what the AMVCA does for the economy of Lagos state.

There was a report that Nigerians are among the subscribers paying the least for DStv services. If you have that kind of report, why not make it public?

In reference to making customers happy, what are you doing about unsolicited calls by your marketing agents? It irritates quite a lot of subscribers.

John Ogbe, MD MultiChoice Nigeria

John Ugbe: From the Nigerian perspective, our businesses are very independent. We don’t make comparisons with other countries.

And prices are available online. The content which we license for our environment is at a different price from other markets, Ghana for example. MultiChoice Nigeria ultimately, is an independent company with local shareholders so we do business as a Nigerian company, and not in comparison with another territory. If it makes sense to charge one naira with a good business plan, we will do it not minding what goes on in another territory.

Tim Jacobs: From the perspective of a shareholder, Nigeria is a big market for us. Over the years, the investment that we have made in various Nigerian content is quite enormous.

We have invested in local language channels: Hausa Yoruba, Igbo and long term contracts with the Nigerian Football League to broadcast Football and support basketball. We do a lot of contracts that are very specific to Nigeria. The problem we have which is often misunderstood is competition. HiTV bid and took over football rights, Nigerians were excited and assumed they would get the football cheaper and at half price. Ultimately, HiTV went out of business as a result of the economics of football rights being so expensive. They took the cost football rights from something that was low and made it very high. We now contend with very specific Nigerian costs. There are a lot of things we are doing to absorb costs as shareholders. We are funding the business, while we try to slowly increase prices so consumers can absorb it for as low and long as we can. The second thing is that we try to take costs out of the business by doing what we do currently, but cheaper.

Football is also now accessible on DStv Compact and we are thinking of doing same with other content such as kids, general entertainment and telenovelas. We are announcing content change at cheaper price points all the way down to DStv Access and launching an engaging new marketing campaign using a local celebrity in Nigeria, Basketmouth. He is funny and has the ability to interface with our customers and explain what is going on with DStv to them. All of this is done with one thing in mind and that is if we are going to be long term in Nigeria and see ourselves through the difficult times, we have to make our products more affordable for Nigerians, attractive at cheaper price points, give our consumers the opportunity to be able to watch TV when the wallets are being squeezed and doing a lot of things to ensure the survival of the business.

Besides Forex which is the main issue, what do you make of other policy measures, regulatory and fiscal, under the present administration? How impactful are they on your operations?

Tim Jacobs: With the CPC investigation publicised, we could have done two things. We could have dug our heels in and fought and said

it’s unreasonable and has a cost impact on the business. Instead, we sat as a team and asked ‘Does CPC have a point? Does it make sense for us to have a 24-hour toll free lines? Does it make it better for our consumers?’’ In these instances, it does make business sense for us to be doing this and at a cost to the business.

We have introduced these additional measures coming out of the regulatory space and this is why CPC said we are the model of compliance once we implemented our different programmes.

We didn’t fight and agreed it made sense for the business and the customer. There is always a small group of people who are never satisfied with what you do. Nevertheless, we will keep working and figure new ways to improve our systems and operations. The legislation and regulators are very active and have big impact on our business especially in Nigeria.

What was the position of the CPC?

John Ugbe: It is extremely important that we engage and work with the regulators. It is robust process and continuous. We had a joint press conference and the CPC was very happy with the measures we have put in. It does not end, we keep working and have introduced toll free lines which is a first for

We are facing very tough times and we hope they do not last. MultiChoice offers a lot of international content denominated in dollars which we have to continue offering our subscribers. The naira has been devalued officially by close to 70% - from N200 to N320 - but we all know the reality of the parallel market – the naira doesn’t exchange at N320 to a dollar.

We haven’t done any price increase this year since the devaluation of the naira. We have been absorbing the costs on behalf of our subscribers

John Ugbe: It is one of those things that is either way. I get a lot of people personally who say: ‘You guys have changed. I love the fact that you remind me. It skips me completely and I get home at 11 in the night and I see that message and there is nothing that I can do.’ It is both ways. We have gotten a lot of positive feedback saying thank you for the reminders done. When reminders are done, customers ask about dates they will be disconnected so we had to put them in place. As things evolve, we continue to see the best method and put messages on the screen, send out text messages, emails reminding people amongst other things.

We will continue to evaluate.

When are you introducing more HD channels? And when are you going to take into consideration the disabled, those who are learning impaired in terms of subtitles?

Tim Jacobs: We have a lot of HD channels that will be launched in the near future and converting SD channels to HD. We should be having over 20 HD channels on DStv Premium.

On the audio side, it is complicated and it massively expensive but it is available on some channels. For example, for telenovelas, we either dub into English or start to put in subtitles. We are a multi-channel environment and have to decide on what channels to do. A single 24-hour channel is 8,760 hours a year, and it will cost about $2,500 an hour to convert and put in audio subtitles. It is something we are aware of and as technology keeps changing, there may come a time that we can do something that’s cheaper and will start to factor that in.

There are reports alleging that whenever God is mentioned on DStv, it is blocked out and even in subtitles, occasionally, it is blipped. Is God a taboo on DStv?

John Ugbe: It is a very tight balance for us.

That came about because some people mentioned that God’s name was being mentioned in vain and blasphemous. In order to tread a thin line, a lot of these things are automated; you get a complaint and it goes into the system and we then begin to try to take out some words.

One platform is serving a lot of cultures. In a lot of the programming, it not religious when this happens and is just someone saying ‘What in God’s name are you doing?’ which some customers feel is swearing with God’s name.

Are you investing in your transmission capability? Whenever it rains, subscribers experience loss of signals.

John Ugbe: KU-band is affected by thunderstorms. I have taken pictures while sitting in New York when it started raining and my pay-TV went off, not minding the fact that we have more rainfall here. I visit people and I check the signal quality. Last week when I sat in the call centre, about three or four of the calls I answered were on signal quality. KU-band or satellite communications experience loss of signal, that’s why it is called rain fade; it is documented. However, the degree differs. We have put in more capacity into our satellites so that our satellites have more power, but your installation matters. Some people install their decoders and for 10 years do not check them.

That doesn’t happen with your car. People send in their car for service every three months. So also, we advise you to check your installation from time to time.

We ask people to check their installation and we now have an installation team internally, doing a lot of follow-ups and telling subscribers to get their signal up 80 or 90%. The efficiency of the KU-band is documented at about 99.7%.

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Ending Widespread Hunger through CBN’s Anchor Borrower Programme

James Emejo writes that if properly managed and sustained, the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could turn out to be the magic wand that will put an end to tales of widespread hunger by crashing the already high price of rice, create mass employment opportunities as well as preserve the country’s foreign reserves through import substitution of agricultural produce

D

uring his last working visit to India, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, negotiated a $15 billion crude oil deal with India.

As part of the deal, which Kachikwu signed with the Indian minister in charge of petroleum and natural gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Indian government will make an upfront payment for crude purchased from Nigeria with firm term crude contracts over some years.

It will also have greater consideration for Indian public sector companies, which would be collaborating with Nigeria in the refining sector as well as oil exploration and production activities.

While the terms of this new deal are yet to be completely agreed on or made public by both authorities, it was however disclosed

by Nigeria’s ministry of petroleum resources that it will be based on a government-togovernment terms, with long-term contracts for supply of crude oil to Indian companies.

The ministry also said that there are possibilities of initiating and executing some key energy infrastructure on the back of the deal.

It noted that a City Gas Distribution (CGD) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) infrastructure projects could be done by Indian companies in Nigeria on the back of this.

“The minister, concluded talks on the investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart in charge of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Both ministers noted the existing and significant engagement between the two countries in the hydrocarbon sector, while acknowledging that Nigeria was one of the largest trading partners of India in Africa which is dominated by import of crude oil and gas from Nigeria,” said the ministry in a statement announcing the deal.

MoU in the pipeline According to the ministry: “Following this negotiation, the two countries have agreed to work on a memorandum of understanding to facilitate investments by India in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and specifically in areas such as term contract, participation of Indian companies in the refining sector, oil and gas marketing, upstream ventures, the development of gas infrastructure and in the training of oil and gas personnel in Nigeria.”

It further said: “The MoU is expected to be firmed up in December 2016 during PETROTECH-2016. Both ministers also agreed to strengthen the existing cooperation in oil and gas sector, and in particular to explore investment opportunities for Indian public and private sector companies in Nigeria.”

Benefits for Nigeria The deal as learnt has the potential to help buoy Nigeria’s external reserves which is currently put at $23.9 billion. With a $15 billion upfront payment for crude order, the country’s reserves, which is seriously under pressure from the country’s economic challenges could be the biggest beneficiary of the deal.

Because it will provide to the reserves dollar earnings which it seriously lacks, the country could take advantage of it to stabilise her domestic fiscal environments

Farmers working on a farm

and attempt to find some reprieve for the deficit accounts in the balance of trade she currently experiences. This balance of trade is often very visible in the refined petroleum products imports of the country.

Through the deal, Nigeria could also deal with the foreign exchange (forex) demands and crisis of petroleum marketers in the country.

“Nigeria has a bit of a cash flow problem right now. Our reserves are not as strong as we want them,”Kachikwu had told reporters in New Delhi, the Indian capital.

According to Reuters, he added: “The impact of that is the value of the naira is coming down. So, what we are trying is to leverage on the assets we have to receive immediate cash.”

He explained the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which had agreed to cut their oil production levels to shore up prices, had however allowed a production window of 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) to 2.2mbpd for Nigeria which has its economy in recession.

Additionally, the products refining components of the deal, though not yet clear, could also help augment Nigeria’s in-country refining capacity.

The country has recently indicated and invited investors to co-locate new petroleum refining plants alongside her existing plants in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri. The rationale, according to it, is to have the new refineries share facilities with the old one, and leverage on cost cutting opportunities therein.

Ogbeh

It also means that the country could be on the path to cementing its oil trading relationship with India, as well as its market share in Asia, having lost its biggest customer, the United States to Shale Oil. Data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) indicate that between

2015 and 2016, India imported nearly 23.7 million metric tonnes of crude oil (nearly 12 per cent of India overall imports) and over 2MMTPA of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Nigeria.

On the other side, economic prudence prescribes that countries or even individuals spend or base their expenditure on only what they have earned or could reasonably earn, but not spend in anticipation of what they might earn or hopes to earn. Based on this premise, experts explained to THISDAY that, it would be extremely necessary for the government to disclose the terms of the deal with India for clearer understanding of what is involved.

They posited that the deal had the potential of taking Nigeria into a fresh round of debt cycle, and this time to a country with no history of debt forgiveness. According to them, the volatile production capacity of Nigeria on the basis of the Niger Delta militancy makes it quite difficult to trust the outcome of the deal.

They said the fact that Nigeria’s production levels were not clearly guaranteed on this premise, means the $15 billion forwardpayment could demand some extraordinary conditions from Nigeria.

They also stated that the gradual rise of oil prices could mean that India would be on a better advantage than Nigeria on this because they would be protecting their oil demands against possible price hike with this. This, they added, signified a desperate move on the part of Nigeria because of its economic conditions.

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

BUSINESS/INDUSTRY

Beyond Intervention Fund for Textile Industry

With N150 billion in intervention fund pumped into the sector, operators and analysts in the textile industry insist the revival and growth of the sector require a holistic approach, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

T

he recent disclosure that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved another N50 billion intervention fund for the textile industry appears to be rekindling the hope that rescue is on the way for the once thriving industry.

Notwithstanding, it has emerged that the sector is up against systemic challenges that could render several intervention funds meaningless, or fail to return the sector to its lost glory days.

The intervention fund is the second in recent times coming after the N100 billion released to the sector in 2009 specifically for retooling and modernising production machineries in the sector.

At the height of its boom between 1985 and 1991, with about 180 textile mills in operation, the textile industry recorded an annual growth rate of 67 per cent and as at 1991, employed over 350,000 people which were approximately 25 per cent of workers in the manufacturing sector.

The opposite is the case today. That once booming textile industry, is currently struggling to get back on its feet under the weight of myriad problems. The problems, operators in the sector lament include infrastructure deficit, cost of production, and cost of borrowing, inclement business environment which allows bootlegging, smuggling, and penchant for imported fabrics among others.

The N50 Billion Fund The N50 billion intervention fund, THISDAY findings revealed, was meant to facilitate the takeover of the existing debts to provide additional long-term loans and working capital to existing companies in the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sector.

Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju, who spoke on the fund at a recent cotton, textile and garment stakeholders forum in Abuja, had stated that, “A total of N13.37 billion has been disbursed to various beneficiaries as at September 30, 2016.”

“It is meant to provide additional funds to kick-start operation and keep operation going and most importantly to retain the staff they have and possibly employ more.

“We need more and more intervention, as we all know the economy is officially in recession and in recessionary times like this, there is need for interventions to help the private sector overcome the challenges,” he stated.

Though the fund was meant for entire value chain in the cotton, textile and garment sector, THISDAY gathered that only 11 businesses have benefitted from the fund out of about 40 that applied for the facility.

Association of Textile Manufacturers of Nigeria (ATMA) Hamma Kwajaffa, stated so while welcoming the latest intervention even as he lamented that the sector had been denied proceeds from the statutory textile industry development levy.

But a Lagos-based economist who preferred not to be identified told THISDAY that the problem bedeviling the sector was systemic and while interventions funds are welcomed, it may not solve the problem that the sector is faced with.

“Interventions are welcomed, it will help to keep the sector alive but it may not bring about the desired turnaround in the sector.

The problem of the sector is systemic and requires a holistic approach. You will recall that the government intervened in the sector in 2009 with N100 billion textile and garment intervention fund. The fund was disbursed at six per cent interest rate to textile; seven years later and with disbursement of about 70 per cent of the funds, the sector has only recorded

One of the textile factories in Nigeria

a modest success rate and that is because the beneficiaries spent little on capital investments like replacing old machinery and switching from diesel to gas plants. They simply refinanced their outstanding loans, which helped cut their interest rate cost. While this has helped keep some of these firms in business, but has not really galvanise the potential in the sector.

Assistant General Secretary, Nigeria Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers, Ismail Bello, also welcomed the interventions and argued that it has “stabilised the decline” in the sector. He insisted that without the financial support the sector would have been worse.

Problems in the Sector It would appear as though the most formidable problem confronting the sector is infrastructure deficit but other problems including activities of smugglers, low purchasing power, continued influx of foreign textile fabrics and penchant for foreign products have all combined to keep the sector down on its knees.

The government in 2010 responded by placing a ban on importation of textile fabric.

Unfortunately, the policy failed to bring about the relief that was intended; instead it became a boost for the smuggling industry and influx of textile fabrics continued. Today, the smuggled imported textiles account for over 85 per cent of fabrics sold locally but they brought no revenue to government.

“We’re not competitive, we can’t export even within Africa; production cost is higher here. Take electricity tariff for example; in South Africa and Egypt, electricity cost three cents per kilowatt, whereas in Nigeria it costs over 20 cents. That is just one problem; there is also the issue of smugglers, who bring in low quality fabrics and labelled it made in Nigeria. 95 per cents of textile materials in the market are imported,” he lamented.

Bello aligned with Kwajaffa. According to him, “There is the problem of electricity, there is the issue of smuggling and there is also the issue of low patronage of made in Nigeria goods.

There is the need to check smuggling,” he noted, adding that, “There is also the attitude of Nigerians towards made in Nigeria goods which is also a major problem facing the sector.

The problem of the industry requires a holistic approach,” he stated.

Way Forward While respondents to THISDAY enquiries welcome the intervention, findings revealed that even with the interventions, the sector lack competitive edge and could not export due to high cost of production among other challenges.

It would appear as though the most formidable problem confronting the sector is infrastructure deficit but other problems including activities of smugglers, low purchasing power, continued influx of foreign textile fabrics and penchant for foreign products have all combined to keep the sector down on its knees

“We welcome the latest interventions it is a good initiative that will keep the industry going but the lasting solution to the problem of the sector goes beyond intervention. Total textile importation into the country last year was about $4 billion; the policy of paying textile industry development levy when textiles are imported is still in place but we don’t get the 10 per cent, if the sector were getting the 10 per cent we won’t even need the intervention funds from government,” Kwajaffa argued.

In his own opinion, Bello suggested that to revive the sector and set it on the part of sustainable growth, government must look at the problems of the sector “in a holistic manner”.

“If the cotton, textile and garment sector must witness revival and growth, the problems confronting the sector must be addressed in a holistic manner. The sector is capable of becoming the second largest employer of labour after government, as it used to be. The sector used to export with the support of Export Expansion Grant (EEG), and earn foreign exchange for the country; to bring back all of that the sector needs massive investment.

“We need investment to the tune of hundreds of billions of naira. We need the kind of intervention that government pumped into the financial services sector; it was massive investment with far less jobs than what the textile sector can generate. When United Textile Limited, Kaduna reopened in 2010, it did so with 1,000 workers on the first day; that tells you the capacity of the sector to generate employment.” he explained.

“The way to revival and growth in the sector require massive investment in the development of agriculture especially cotton production, we need to invest in technology for production and skills development. There is also the need to get it right with the country’s foreign exchange policy because we use imported chemicals for manufacturing. The lasting solution that will guarantee revival and growth is in taking a holistic approach to the problems facing the entire sector,” he concluded.

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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 • NOVERMBER 6, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

Continental Re Plc: Profitability indicators surge despite increased claims and operational expenses

G

ontinental Reinsurance Plc (Continental Re) has reinsurance operations that span Nigeria, Cameroon, and Kenya.

The company operates Life Assurance and Non-Life Reinsurance businesses, and offers reinsurance structuring and risk management advisory services, technical support services, product development support services, and training and development programs. The reinsurer underwrites accident, energy, household, fire and engineering, marine and aviation, motor and liability, and oil and gas risks, among others.

The company recently released its half year results for the period ended June 30th 2016, showing an impressive performance, as the company’s management was able to grow key financial metrics despite some operational bumps during the period.

Consequently, the Insurance giant has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has recommended a total dividend payment of N1.24 billion (on the basis of N0.12 per share) for every 50 kobo share, payable on the 29th of July 2016.

SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN INSURANCE PREMIUM REVENUE For the period ended June 2016, Continental Reinsurance grew insurance premium by 9.18% to N11.81 billion from N10.82 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. The company’s strict adherence to prudent underwriting guidelines, which successfully bolstered relationships with existing and new clients, drove the growth in premium income over the period. The insurance company continues to leverage on its trusted brand, responsive service to clients, and development of mutually beneficial partnerships to deliver quality insurance services to clients.

The company’s insurance premiums ceded to retrocession increased by 17.97% to N1.20 billion in June 2016 from N1.02 billion in June 2015. However this increase did little to affect the company’s net insurance premium revenue as it increased to N10.61 billion from N9.80 billion over the period, reflecting a 8.27% change.

With respect to insurance benefits and claims paid out, the reinsurer’s insurance claims and loss adjustment expenses for the period decreased by 4.02% to N5.43 billion from N5.66 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

However, insurance claims and loss adjustment expenses recovered from retrocessionaire increased moderately by 3.95% to N144m in June 2016 from N139m in June 2015. Accordingly,

THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO ENTER THE SOUTH AFRICAN AND ANGOLAN MARKETS WITHIN A FEW YEARS. WE CONTEND THAT AN EVEN MORE PAN-AFRICAN BUSINESS STRUCTURE WILL ALLOW THE REINSURER GROWS PREMIUMS MORE APPRECIABLY AND AT THE SAME TIME ENABLE IT REDUCE RISK THROUGH GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSIFICATION

net insurance benefits and claims decreased by 4.22% to N5.29 billion from N5.66 billion over the period.

Underwriting expenses also grew by 24.32% to N4.55 billion in June 2016 from N3.66 billion in June 2015, and thus contributed to the increase in insurance benefits and underwriting expenses over the period. Nevertheless, despite the significant increase in underwriting expenses, underwriting profit grew by 24.81% to N768m in June 2016 from N616m in June 2015.

PROFITABILITY MARKERS SURGE DESPITE RISE IN EXPENSES Pre-tax profits for the period ended June 2016 increased by 115.70% to N3.00 billion from N1.39 billion in the 6-months through June 2015 and this

significant increase in profitability was bolstered by a 500.91% rise in Foreign exchange to N2.40 billion from N399.62m. Net income for the period also followed suit with a momentous 117.40% increase to N2.25 billion from N1.03 billion in June 2015; ultimately translating to an increase in earnings per share to 22 kobo in June 2016 from 10kobo in June 2015.

Moreover, the aforementioned profit figures would have been more, but for a significant 73.60% rise of 230.90% in impairment of financial assets to N581m from N175m in 2014.

MODEST INCREASE IN RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The company’s balance sheet shows positive changes in total assets, net assets and total liabilities, as at June 2016, when compared to year ended December 2015. Total assets grew by 27.78% to N37.91 billion in June 2016 from N29.67 billion in December 2015.

The key drivers of the company’s total assets were a massive increase in other assets to N447m from N31m, 52.20% increase in Reinsurance receivables to N11.05 billion from N7.26 billion and a 49.33% rise in Financial asset designated as fair value to N1.83 billion from N1.22 billion in December 2015.

In terms of obligations, the company’s total liabilities shows a growth of 31.20% (more than total assets) to N18.54 billion in the period ended June 2016 from N14.13 billion in December 2015. The key drivers of the increase in liabilities were an increase of 153.40% in Reinsurance creditors to N2.24 billion from N884m, 95.37% rise in deferred taxation to N142m from N72m and 24.68% rise in Insurance contract liabilities to N13.8 billion from N11.08m in December 2015. Expectedly, the company’s net assets grew by 24.66% to N19.37 billion from N15.54 billion year on year.

Moreover, with respect to returns, the company’s return on equity (ROE) improved to 11.60% from 6.65% while return on assets (ROA) followed suit accordingly to 5.93% from 3.48% in December 2015.

HOLD RECOMMENDATION Continental Reinsurance currently has branches in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Tunisia, and just recently setup a joint venture in Gaborone, Botswana. There are also plans to enter the South African and Angolan markets within a few years. We contend that an even more pan-African business structure will allow the reinsurer grows premiums more appreciably and at the same time enable it reduce risk through

Valuation Metrics 4-Nov-16 RATING

HOLD

Target Price (N)

1.10

Current Price (N)

1.10

Market Cap (N'm)

10,372

Outstanding Shares (m)

10,372

Rolling EPS (N)

0.27

Rolling PE

4.077x

Forward EPS (N)

0.43

Forward PE

2.59x Source: BGL Research

Half year June 2016 unaudited Results Insurance Premium (N'm)

11,809

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

3,008

Profit After Tax (N'm)

2,247

Pre-tax Margin (%)

25.47

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Insurance Premium (N'm)

19,738

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,915

Profit After Tax (N'm)

2,142

Pre-tax Margin (%)

10.85

Source: Company Report 2014, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Cre Holdings Ltd Stanbic Nom. Nig. Ltd Public Float

50.62 5.76 43.62

Source: Company’s Annual Report, BGL Research

geographical diversification.

Taking into consideration the company’s trend of consistent growth in gross premium revenue and expansion initiatives, we therefore, leave our gross premium projection of N22.02 billion and revise our net income to N2.80 billion respectively for the full-year ended December 2016. Accordingly, we arrive at a forward earnings per share (EPS) of N0.43, and a forward price-toearnings (P/E) multiple of 2.33x.

Using a combination of the Net Assets Valuation (NAV) and the relative P/E valuation model, we forecast a weighted 6-month target price of N1.10, which represents a 0.45% downside potential on the current stock price. We downgrade our recommendation on Continent

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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 • NOVERMBER 6, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC: Investment income and profit on investment contracts greatly drive profitability

M

ansard Insurance Plc. is a member of the AXA Group, the worldwide leader in insurance and asset management with 157,000 employees serving 102 million clients in 56 countries. The company was incorporated in 1989 as a private limited liability company and is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM).

The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/ investment management services, medical insurance solutions and pension fund administration through its three subsidiaries Mansard Investments Limited, Mansard Health Limited and Penman Pensions limited.

The company was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009 and has Market Capitalization in excess of N31 billion thereby remaining the biggest insurance company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The company released its half year results, for the year period ended June 30th 2016, an impressive performance in both top-line and bottom-line earnings.

INCREASE IN GROSS PREMIUM DRIVES NET UNDERWRITING INCOME For the half year period ended June 2016, AXA Mansard reported an increase of 25.07% in gross premium written to N13.22 billion from N10.57 billion in the corresponding period of 2015, despite stiff competition in the Nigerian insurance sector with regards to the sales of various insurance packages and products. The significant growth in gross premium was driven by an increase of 16.34% in gross premium income to N9.64 billion in June 2016 from N8.29 billion in June 2015. However, reinsurance expenses also grew by 18.43% to N4.17 billion from N3.52 billion over the period.

Despite the increase in reinsurance expenses, the strong growth in gross premium income resulted in a growth of 14.80% in net premium income to N5.48 billion from N4.77 year on year.

Furthermore, the company’s fee and commission income on insurance contracts decreased moderately by 9.51% to N468m in June 2016 from N517 in June 2015; however, net underwriting income for the period ended June 2016 grew by a significant 12.42% to N5.95 billion from N5.29

NEVERTHELESS, AXA MANSARD INSURANCE PLC DELIVERED AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE DESPITE HARSH AND UNSTABLE BUSINESS TERRAIN.

billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

INCREASE IN UNDERWRITING EXPENSES WANES UNDERWRITING PROFIT The company’s gross claims expenses increased massively by 48.98% to N5.44 billion in June 2016 from N3.65 in June 2015 while claims expenses recovered from insurers also increased massively by 110.14% to N1.79 billion from N851m over the period. Expectedly, net claims expenses also increased by 30.38% to N3.65 billion in the period ended June 2016 from N2.80 in the corresponding period of 2015. On the other hand, underwriting expenses increased by 5.00% to N965m from N919m over the period.

However, due to the significant rise in claims expenses and claims expenses recoverable, net underwriting expenses grew by 19.79% to N4.60 billion in June 2016 from N3.84 billion in June 2015. However, due to the higher expenses, the company’s underwriting profit decreased slightly to N1.35 billion in June 2016 from N1.45 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2015; reflecting a change of 7.07%.

INCREASED EXPENSES FAIL TO IMPEDE SURGE IN EARNINGS Finance cost for the period ended June 2016 rose slightly by 2.02% to N209m from N204m recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

However, other operating expenses increased by 10.27% to N987m from N895m over the period; despite the

increase in operating expenses, profit before taxes increased substantially by 107.88% to N2.44 billion in June 2016 from N1.17 in June 2015.

Furthermore, income tax expense for the period ended June 2016 rose to N176m from N99m in June 2015; net income also followed suit with a massive increase of 110.81% to N2.26 billion from N1.07 billion over the period.

Thus, the company’s net Income margin rose to 17.13% in June 2016 from 10.16% in June 2015 while pretax margins also rose to 18.46% from 11.11% over the period. The company’s return on assets (ROA) grew slightly to 3.80% from 2.10% while its return on equity (ROE) also followed suit to increase to 10.71% from 5.47%.

STRONG ASSET QUALITY The company’s balance sheet shows positive changes in total assets, net assets and total liabilities, as at June 2016, when compared to the corresponding period of 2015. Total assets grew by 16.49% to N59.65 billion in June 2016 from N51.21 billion in December 2015. The key drivers of the company’s total assets were a 245.45% increase in trade receivables to N2.37 billion from N686m, 78.63% increase in Reinsurance assets to N9.03 billion from N5.06 billion and a 41.72% rise in deferred acquisition cost to N820m from N578m in December 2015.

On the other hand, the company’s total liabilities shows a growth of 21.92% to N38.51 billion in the period ended June 2016 from N31.59 billion in December 2015. The key drivers of the increase in liabilities were an increase of 44.02% in insurance liabilities to N18.60 billion from N12.92 billion, and a 66.78% rise in trade payables to N2.74 billion from N1.64 billion during the year under review. Expectedly, the company’s net assets grew by 5.95% to N18.45 billion from N17.41 billion during the period under review.

BUY RECOMMENDATION Nevertheless, Axa Mansard Insurance Plc delivered an impressive performance despite harsh and unstable business terrain. The potential of the insurance sector in Nigeria remain relatively huge.

We believe that the Company’s management put in place an admirable structure in terms of compliance, customer acquisition, retention and capacity building to take advantage of the identified opportunities in the sector and towards delivery of efficient performance which strengthens earnings, income generation

Valuation Metrics 04-Nov-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price

2.22

Current Price (N)

1.98

Outstanding Shares (m)

10,500

Market Cap (N'm)

20,790

Rolling EPS (N)

0.27

Rolling PE Ratio

7.29

Forward EPS

0.45

Forward PE Ratio

4.37 Source: BGL Research

Half Year June 2016 unaudited Results Turnover (N’m)

13,218

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

2,440

Profit After Tax (N’m)

2,263

Pre-tax Margin (%)

18.46

Source: Company Data 2015 AC, BGL Research

2015 Full Year Audited Results Turnover (N’m)

16,574

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

2,023

Profit After Tax (N’m)

1,662

Pre-tax Margin (%)

12.21

Source: Company Data 2014 AC, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Assur Africa Holdings Ltd

76.48

Public Float

23.52 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

capacity and growth in liquidity base. This creates an opportunity where the company can deliver high level of product innovation, operational excellence and create an opportunity for expansion, into other markets would boost performance significantly beyond current results.

Based on our review of the company’s financials, we revise our projected gross earnings and Net earnings to N19.22 billion and N2.85 billion respectively for financial year end 2016. This leads to a forward EPS of 0.45. Using a relative Price to Earnings Valuation (PE) and (NAV) Net Assets Valuation method, we arrive at a 6-month target price of N2.22. Since this represents an upside potential of 11.87% on the current price, we therefore place a BUY recommendation on AXA Mansard Insurance Plc shares.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • NOVERMBER 6, 2016

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MANAGING IN CHALLENGING TIMES

Riding the Recession

T

he current economic recession is forcing Nigerians to think through potential solutions.

For once, people are going beyond praying and wishing for better times, to actively seeking the way forward.

Many are convinced that the economy has spiralled out of the control of the Government and urgent intervention of some sort is urgently required. All categories of business are being impacted and companies have been forced to contract or re-align their strategy and operations to ride the tide. Despite the times, a few companies are experiencing growth evidenced by their financials, so we might ask how such organizations are able to thrive during these difficult times, in a bid for others to learn.

Organizations feel the effect of the storm differently

Cadbury Nigeria PLC experienced cost increases of over 68% within the last nine months, and tried to offset these with three different increases in product prices. The increases resulted in a 12% addition to income, leaving the difference of 56% to be absorbed in its margin. It’s recently released result was a record loss of N842.2m in Q3 2016. In the same quarter Q3 2016, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC announced one of its worst interim results so far, with a loss of N2.4bn and Nestle recorded a 94% dip in profits after tax of N535.8m as against N8.9bn for the same period last year.

Many banks on the other hand appear to be doing quite well. In Q3 2016, GTBank declared an extraordinary N119.9bn profit after tax which was a 28.5% increase from last year, Zenith Bank declared a whooping profit after tax of N100bn which was a 16.6% growth from the prior year, and Access bank declared N57.6bn profit after tax for the same period, an increase of 20% from last year. Small businesses are suffering and whilst it is more difficult to depict the extent of their suffering, their tales of woe resound – expensive raw materials, low patronage and increasing bills and statutory payments.

There have been unprecedented job losses in most sectors of the economy. From the oil sector where companies have recorded an inability to service debts and have embarked on mass retrenchment to the manufacturing sector where companies have also embarked on job termination to reduce non-business critical costs, to banking where institutions have terminated the employment of over 5,000 workers this year alone, in a bid to optimize profits.The society has been feeling the effect of the government’s economic plan (or lack thereof) in the forms of increases in costs of goods, an extensive fall in the naira’s value, job losses and dwindling employment opportunities.

Organizations usually measure their performance in terms of financial results but I posit that social impact must be included in such measurement in order to provide a holistic picture for review. Oftentimes, money and social impact are viewed as mutually exclusive but many organizations are coming to the

more. With the foregoing, we can conclude that very few organizations in too few sectors of our economy are producing results worth speaking about, especially at this time of a recession.The situation leaves many companies as potential candidates for compulsory restructuring or open to the risk of eventual collapse.

Thriving in a recession

IRRESPECTIVE OF THE APPROACH THAT AN ORGANIZATION CHOOSES TO RIDE THE RECESSION, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR IT TO LEVERAGE EXPERTS IN ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. THE BENEFITS OF THIS ARE IMMENSE AND INCLUDE A DISPASSIONATE VIEW ON THE ORGANIZATION’S OPERATIONS, INSIGHT ON BEST PRACTICES THAT CAN BE ADOPTED, SPECIFIC EXPERTISE THAT CAN IMPROVE OUTPUTS, A HOLISTIC VIEW ON ANALYSING RESULTS AND PRAGMATIC APPROACHES TO ACHIEVING THE ORGANIZATION’S GOALS WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON THE BOTTOM LINE OR LONGTERM SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES AND SOCIAL IMPACT

conclusion that both money and social impact are two-sides of the same coin and should be managed and/or pursued jointly in order to truly boast of success. Such social impact would be in terms of employment creation, corporate social responsibility, carbon footprint, tax payment and

One method used by some organizations is revising the selling prices of their goods and services, which passes on the burden of the recession to consumers – cost externalizing.

Recently, Dangote Cement increased the factory price of cement by N600 to keep its margins healthy. Banks have increased corporate lending rates from 15% to 19% to make up for the squeeze in other areas of their operations. Airlines have increased the price of local flights and companies in many more industries leverage price increases to ride the recession.

A more sustainable method that organizations leverage is by reducing operating costs. Some find alternatives to hitherto imported raw materials in order to reduce their cost of production. For such companies, passing on the costs to consumers may not be feasible so creativity in lowering costs is necessitated.

Others embark on massive retrenchments in order to streamline operations or increase efficiency in their efforts to also reduce operating costs. Companies operating in highly competitive industries are more likely to use a cost reduction approach to keep margins healthy.

Irrespective of the approach that an organization chooses to ride the recession, it is important for it to leverage experts in assessing and developing potential solutions.The benefits of this are immense and include a dispassionate view on the organization’s operations, insight on best practices that can be adopted, specific expertise that can improve outputs, a holistic view on analysing results and pragmatic approaches to achieving the organization’s goals without compromising on the bottom line or long-term sustainability objectives and social impact. Many banks get help in realigning strategy and business operations as well as in restructuring at difficult times and this may partly explain why they can whether the storm, deliver returns and make social impact.

Most organizations, in both the service and real sectors, can benefit from a team of good external experts at this time.Those which are growing must look to stay ahead and those which are declining must restructure to stay alive. Whilst the experts cannot independently change the external environment, they can work with companies to restructure internal operations and reposition. Restructuring must be done right otherwise its gains will be shortlived. Many organizations have retrenched staff without proper analysis and therefore may gain on reducing operating expenses but only in the short-term. Some have focused on ‘money’ rather than ‘the social impact.’Too often, a hundred low-level employees are fired notwithstanding their potential and regardless that their costs all amount to those of one or two dead-weight bosses. Restructuring must

have long term views, be impartial and offer solutions far beyond frameworks or fads.

Einstein is famously quoted to say that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity. I paraphrase that applying the same intellect to optimizing business will not produce enough of the tangible change that is required to sustainably soar above the current storm.

External experts do not always have to be trained ‘consultants.’There are a multitude of academics, professionals and specialists, who can add a lot of value to organizations as required.The idea is to bring in different perspectives beyond what is readily available at organizations in order to proffer cuttingedge, timely and fresh solutions to internal challenges and to respond to external shocks.

Hiring experts’ costs money, but this pales in comparison to the long-term value that can be derived. However, it is important to ensure that internal teams work alongside experts to guarantee that solutions developed are implementable and to assure that knowledge is transferred to the internal teams in a bid to strengthen capacity and improve delivery.

And for the Government

Many experts theorise that the current economic recession is a result of a dip in government revenues and the consequent drop in government spending. Others suggest that the current economic challenges are due to the Government’s reliance on politicians rather than professional for advice. Increasing Government revenue and spending will be subject of a subsequent piece while we address the value of relying on professionals here. Government will benefit from experts at this time.Those who can add value to get the country unto better footing.

We already have so many square pegs in round holes at the helm of Government affairs and since our leaders appear to have their reasons for keeping them in place, at least leverage experts to get some positive results quickly.

Experts can simulate consequences so that the true effects of policies and programmes can be predicted before their proclamation or can be revised towards positive impact.

Experts can provide insights on specific issues and from comparative assessments as well as quantitative analysis to enable the Government develop viable solutions.

If engaged correctly, experts can identify pitfalls and propose solutions in a timely and non-bureaucratic manner, not caring whose ox is gored in the interest of the country. More importantly, the Government needs experts to ‘work ahead’ – perform useful research on pertinent issues, plan for the long-term and develop strategies that will be all-inclusive and truly transformational, in order to create an enabling environment for companies to thrive and positively impact the lives of millions of Nigerians, whom today are barely getting by. It is important that Government and the private sector work together to restore the Nigerian economy.

By Angela Attah For: Alegna Global Partnerships

www. AGPartnerships.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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

MARKET NEWS

FBN Merchant Bank Counsels on Students Saving Culture Goddy Egene FBN Merchant Bank Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, recently educated the students of six schools as part of its commitment to promoting a culture of saving among youths. The mentoring was delivered in commemoration of the World Savings Day (WSD) on October 31, 2016 in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s financial literacy initiative. The schools are

located in Lagos and Abuja.

The WSD is a global event aimed at increasing awareness on the importance of saving as a path to financial empowerment and independence. The programme exposed the students to the practical aspects of monetary transactions, savings, investment and financial responsibility.

Speaking at the Lagos event, Mr. Segun Adebayo of FBN Merchant Bank

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

emphasised the importance of learning financial responsibility through saving at an early age. He stressed the fact that saving can be inherently difficult due to constant wants and needs if not prioritised.

“However, if a culture of saving has been ingrained and developed from youth it would nurture them into being financially stable and independent adults. Saving is not dependent on how much one earns but it is

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 3-Nov-2016, unless otherwise stated.

about developing a habit of putting something aside for the future. Financial independence is a journey and like every journey, requires preparation, preferably from an early age,” Adebayo said.

As part of the day’s activities within each school, the students were given a quiz to test how much they were able to assimilate from the presentation with prizes for the winners. A question and answer session followed to

clarify any unclear issues that arose.

The students were counselled on the various forms of saving and how to save money as students. They were also encouraged to develop their unique skills, which could help them earn and subsequently save money.

The exercise also showcased FBN Merchant Bank’s contribution to the CBN’s effort on financial inclusion and financial literacy by educating students on

basic financial skills that will promote financial independence in the future.

FBN Merchant Bank is the merchant banking business of FBN Holdings Plc, providing services in advising, financing, trading, investing and securing to support the diverse financial needs of its clients.

From securing wealth to financing business opportunities, the bank is constantly searching for what comes next so it can take its clients there first.

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 125.19 Nigeria International Debt Fund 218.30 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 0.69 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 Income 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 125.95 12.11% 219.33 9.06% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.70 12.00% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

16.22%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.66 290.96 23.03

Offer Price 13.04 299.73 23.73

Yield / T-Rtn 3.86% 4.10% 4.47%

1.00

1.00

14.53%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 101.68

Offer Price 102.32

Yield / T-Rtn 2.00%

1.00 1.00 14.06% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.08 9.28

Offer Price 2.13 9.51

Yield / T-Rtn 2.18% -5.86%

82.74

84.87

2.01%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,073.60 110.82 100.00 $101.94 $101.75 113.40

Offer Price 1,074.68 111.37 100.00 $102.58 $102.39

Yield / T-Rtn 4.78% 5.06% 13.01% 5.70% 5.51%

114.94

14.17%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.94 2.52

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.96 4.40% 2.52 8.28% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,204.93

Offer Price 2,231.03

Coral Income Fund 2,056.53 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 1.37%

2,056.53 8.71% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

15.26%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.65

1.66

0.97%

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 1.01 11.67% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 993.21 993.21 -0.68% 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 9.70 9.78 -0.87% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.95% 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 1.03 1.05 4.87% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.29 10.33 3.07% 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 107.20 107.95 5.23% 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 1.23 1.23 8.54% 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 1,827.76 1,838.52 8.84% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 151.99 151.99 3.34% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.80 0.81 7.33% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 181.68 181.68 7.07% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 138.99 140.75 2.72% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 16.20% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,718.28 7,821.31 7.39% 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 1.14 1.16 8.10% United Capital Bond Fund 1.26 1.26 16.21% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.70 -7.53% 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 9.67 9.84 1.31% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.24 11.34 -1.89% Zenith Income Fund 16.69 16.69 4.02%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.58 122.72

3.99% 5.93%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.93 77.08

9.03 78.49

-6.75% -7.38%

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

2.64 7.25 12.39 17.16 129.20

2.68 7.33 12.49 17.36 131.20

14.16% 13.37% -1.27% -10.62% -

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.

30

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2016 T H I S D AY

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

06.11.2016

RAHAMA SADAU

FROM BAN TO LIMELIGHT

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2016

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • November 6, 2016

COVER

RAHAMA SADAU

FROM BAN TO LIMELIGHT

Rallying from a supposed ban that was meant to truncate her career and bring her into disrepute, Kaduna-based actress, Rahama Sadau, has surprisingly been catapulted from regional reckoning to national and even international attention. Nseobong Okon-Ekong reports

A

couple of years ago, she was just another face in the crowd.

Perhaps, only members of her household gave any studious consideration to her. But even in those days of obscurity, she had started working her way to a pre-determined destination. Her goal was to become an entertainer; so she seized every opportunity that presented itself in secondary school. She joined the acting and dancing; clubs and did anything that had a good dose of entertainment. She was doing just fine, but she wanted more. The major turn-around for her came in the second year of her ND studies in Business Administration at the Kaduna Polytechnic when she met with the popular actor Ali Nuhu. She wasted no time in telling him her dream of finding her place of honour in the world of make-believe. The older Thespian must have spotted the talent in her for he encouraged her with the opportunity she yearned for. At the time, she did not care how much she was paid. She just wanted to act.

Her choice of career was not received with open arms back home. Although, her father did not mind at all, her mother would have none of it. She wanted her daughter to become a professor. It took some convincing with two years of begging her mother for her blessings before she backed down and allowed her to have her way. Rahama was very happy when she finally caved in. For that change of heart, the grateful daughter made up her mind never to do anything that will tarnish the family name, and as well, one day, become that professor that her mother wants!

Understandably she holds Nuhu in high esteem not only for believing in her and giving her the break she needed so badly, but for continuing to guide and support her career till

today.

A few months ago, if anyone had predicted that her life and career which appeared to be on roller coaster would run into unforeseen turbulence, she would have laughed and walked away. She did not see it coming. In a twinkle of an eye, her once flourishing career was threatened on all sides by a supposed ban by the Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria, MOPAN. Rahama had enjoyed a thrilling ride and probably (and rightly too) thought nothing could go wrong. She had lived in Kaduna, her home state for all of her 23 years on earth.

Her mother hails from Gombe State and she is grounded in the fine distinctions of the culture and religion in northern Nigeria. How could she have gone overboard in a familiar territory?

As she began to speak in halting tones, it was clear that she was uncomfortable with the direction the interview was heading.

Her publicist had indicated that she would prefer that my questions be restricted to the drama, ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ which was the reason she came to Lagos. That was a difficult bargain for a journalist meeting with an actress whose recognition suddenly shot up from her regional environment to national attention (and international). Although she did not say it, apprehension was written all over her, at first. It took some prodding to have her speak up. I sat across the table from her, but I could hardly hear her.

She had stayed back in Lagos after the premiere of ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ to discuss with some producers interested in casting for her roles in their upcoming work. To be sure, it was not the first time, Rahama had crossed over from the sectional northern

THIS RESTRICTION AFFECTS THE KIND OF SCRIPT, THE ROLES YOU TAKE AND THE WAY YOU ACT THOSE ROLES. YOU DEFINITELY HAVE LINES THAT YOU CAN’T EVEN THINK OF CROSSING. I CAN’T ACT NUDE OR WEAR BIKINIS. THE HIGHEST I CAN DO IS LEAVE MY HAIR OPEN. I CAN’T WEAR A TANK TOP. THERE ARE SO MANY RULES. THEY DON’T HAVE TO WRITE THESE RULES FOR YOU. YOU JUST KNOW THAT THOSE THINGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE NORTH. THERE ARE OTHER RESTRICTIONS ABOUT TOUCHING AN ACTOR OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. EVEN IF IT IS IN THE SCRIPT, EVEN IF WE ARE PLAYING FATHER AND DAUGHTER, IT’S NOT ALLOWED. I PRAY MAY BE IN FUTURE, THEY CAN ALLOW ALL THOSE STUFF. THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT OUR STORIES WON’T EVEN COME WITH IT...

Nigeria movie industry known as Kannywood to the Pan-Nigerian stage popularly

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • November 6, 2016

59

COVER

On the set of ‘Sons of The Caliphate’ called Nollywood. Since she rarely travels out of her Kaduna base, the trip to Lagos was a welcome opportunity to kill several birds with one stone. She had been in movies produced by Tchidi Chikere, the Super Story television series produced by Wale Adenuga and acted with the likes of Majid Michel.

EbonyLife TV premiered ‘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 takes the audience on a journey into the rich, cultural and flamboyant aristocratic lifestyle of Northern Nigeria. We 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, with screenplay by Sifa Asani Gowon, ‘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, Rahama Sadau, Paul Sambo, Yakubu Mohammed, Yvonne Hays and many others.

Rahama Sadau plays the role of Binta Kutigi, an Abuja-based lady in her late 20s, who is self-employed and runs an events management company called Binta’s Bespoke Events. Binta is confident, witty and composed. She’s also a stylish and elegant woman who is yet traditional in her worldviews. As single, successful and pretty, Binta finds herself in the middle of a love triangle with Nuhu and Dikko. Her cool, calm and friendly demeanor however serves to hide her shrewd nature.

Rahama has only been acting professionally for three years, but her understanding of the industry is amazing. From day one, she longed for something bigger than Kannywood. She wants to be an actress that is not only identified with one zone of the country. “I want to be an actress everywhere. An actor is an actor, you can’t change the name.”

A very ambitious lady, in the short time that she has been in the movie industry, Rahama launched her production company this year. She has since produced one feature and one short film. Her eyes are set on becoming a director or a cinematographer. “I love cameras. I love playing with them.”

Putting the social media to excellent use, she has garnered fans beyond Kannywood. Her admirers in Kannywood know she is different.

For instance, she creates quiz or debates and invites the winners to her home, sometimes, her mother, who she lives with, frequently cautions her about the inherent risk in bringing strangers into her home. Sometimes, the fans are determined and can’t be kept away. “They just go around and search for your address and get to your home. Before you know it, countless number of persons are at your gate.

You may tell them to schedule another day for dinner or lunch or just to hangout. You don’t have a choice. I take the bill, if not they will come every day. I feel it’s a blessing because if not that I’m Rahama Sadau, nobody will even look at me and say I like you or even try to find where I live. Sometimes I feel it’s not proper, Rahama Sadau is outside. The business is outside. When you see me outside, you can talk to me, don’t follow me home. But if you follow me, I won’t reject you. Sometimes I think, it’s a little bit dangerous. You never know

who will come, it can be someone who will try to harm you. The people who follow me home, are young girls, teenagers. Not boys. The boys can come in, but most of them are girls.

Everything is done under the watchful eyes of my manager. I’m a very friendly person and I think I’m the youngest actress in Kannywood. I respect everyone. I may have had occasion for brushes or misunderstandings, but I don’t take that as an issue that should disturb me. There must be someone that doesn’t like you and couldn’t say it to your face. I have no regrets or disappointments.”

On the face value, it may look like her friendly disposition got her into ‘trouble’ with MOPAN. According to her, ClassiQ, the artiste who featured her in his music video has been her childhood friend and she could not imagine turning him down when he needed her help.

“He’s my very good friend. He invited me for the video shoot and I obliged him. I mean what else could I have done? I made a guest appearance in the first video. In the second one, I was as a model. He chose me not because of my face but because he’s my friend. I have known ClassiQ like forever. We grew up together in the same neighbourhood.”

Unknown to her, this show of friendship would not only be misconstrued, but lead to a season of negative news about her. She had gone for a film festival in India when news of the ban filtered out. Since it was not communicated to her in writing, her lawyer advised that she maintain a studious silence. There were contractual obligations she had to fulfill in Kannywood till March 2017. The curious thing was that the ban was not coming from any of the known organized bodies. Rahama said she was aware of the existence of an Arewa Filmakers Association of Nigeria and the Producers Association of Kannywood. These bodies have nothing to do with her ban. But she refused to say if she had a legal obligation to any member of MOPAN, the body that allegedly issued a ban against her.

“I do not know any other person who had been banned in Kannywood before me.

I’m the first person. It is historic. I don’t want to say much because I have a lot to talk about these things. This is not the right time. If they are to judge, why must it be Rahama. There are many people who do worse things than Rahama. The whole controversy wasn’t about the video, it’s just about Rahama. Why? That’s why I said I don’t want to talk. I did not cross any line. Keep Kannywood aside, as a woman, I have lines that I would never ever touch because of my own family values, I can’t cross them. One day, I will get married. I’m a Muslim, a Hausa/Fulani, whether I like it or not. I can’t practise other people’s culture. I’m an actor. I’m extremely careful. I remember this role that I declined. I couldn’t do it because it might affect Kannywood or my people. They wanted me to go nude, to seduce someone in a Nollywood movie. They offered a huge amount of money but I said no. I’m a woman and my society doesn’t believe in that. This so called ban issue is not about the people or the society. It’s just a couple of people pitched in one place that have issues with that. These people have an issue with Rahama. It is a personal vendetta against Rahama. I cannot say what I did to attract it.”

The musical fare is one area that Kannywood may be compared to Bollywood, the Indian film industry. The similarities in this area are so striking. For the likes of Rahama who grew up watching Indian movies, playing the part of a singer in Kannywood was not difficult when she started acting, since she not only loves singing but has a natural trait for singing. She can see herself recording an album in the future, if God permits. For her, any vocation that thrives on entertainment is her natural forte.

Hesitating at first when we asked if she ever raised concern over any issue in Kannywood, she gulped down the glass of water in swig, drank a few more glasses and called for another bottle of water: When she started to talk, the words rolled out in that deliberate fashion of a speech that had been rehearsed, waiting for an opportunity to make it public.

“Yes women are restricted in Kannywood.

That is all I have to say. I can’t explain it”. After much coaxing, she opened up on why she might have been singled out for a ‘ban’. “I can say as much as I want to say but they might judge me.

Trust me, they will. This restriction affects the kind of script, the roles you take and the way you act those roles. You definitely have lines that you can’t even think of crossing. I can’t act nude or wear bikinis. The highest I can do is leave my hair open. I can’t wear a tank top. There are so many rules. They don’t have to write these rules for you. You just know that those things are not allowed in the north. There are other restrictions about touching an actor of the opposite sex.

Even if it is in the script, even if we are playing father and daughter, it’s not allowed. I pray may be in future, they can allow all those stuff.

The real issue is that our stories won’t even come with it. It won’t come with the touching... you know how the northern parts are, the way they dress and their personal life, so it won’t even be in the script. If I have to write scripts, I will see how to bring it about. These things are natural. Human beings are male and female.

I am not encouraging anything immoral. I am talking about an acceptable relationship between a married couple. For instance, if the wife falls down and her husband has to pick her up. Let us say she was sick. Even the audience will expect body contact. The husband should help her up. There must be contact. That is the natural thing to do. You do not tell somebody who is critically ill to get up or sing to her. You lift her up. But that’s the north. It’s not something that is bad. It’s just the norms and traditions and nobody wants to go against that. It’s better we respect it.”

At the time of this interview, Rahama had not issued the statement of apology. However, she was emphatic that nobody had written to communicate the supposed ban to her.

However, she agreed that the ban was a blessing in disguise. Suddenly, she has attracted global attention with the world renowned musician, Akon, requesting a working relationship with her and many heavyweights in Nollywood now taking more than a passing interest in her. It is a brand new day for Rahama. A new chapter of glory has been opened in her life. What was meant to bring shame and disgrace to her has become her stepping stone for greater honour.

With this chip on her shoulder, a fight that lay dormant inside Rahama has been stirred.

That momentary spark of revolutionary zeal was evident in the way she tapped the table lightly with her finger to emphasize her point.

“At this point in my life, I would love to be in the forefront of a campaign for women in Kannywood. I will love to be a voice. I love to fight for their rights. The limitations are very strict against women. For example, you pay a man N100 in Kannywood but a woman gets 20 per cent of that. Why? You have an association that almost 70 per cent are men, why? We have like 800 and something actresses in the north.

Where are they? That’s the right I want to fight for. It is obvious that they are not including women in things like leadership. The elections in the different guilds and associations in Kannywood are for men. Maybe we are not organised. Naturally, there is this bad feeling between a woman and a woman. I think the fault is ours. But I will still fight if I have the strength. You have to have confidence to fight with men. I’m a feminist.”

I DO NOT KNOW ANY OTHER PERSON WHO HAD BEEN BANNED IN KANNYWOOD BEFORE ME. I’M THE FIRST PERSON. IT IS HISTORIC. I DON’T WANT TO SAY MUCH BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS. THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME. IF THEY ARE TO JUDGE, WHY MUST IT BE RAHAMA. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO DO WORSE THINGS THAN RAHAMA. THE WHOLE CONTROVERSY WASN’T ABOUT THE VIDEO, IT’S JUST ABOUT RAHAMA. WHY? THAT’S WHY I SAID I DON’T WANT TO TALK. I DID NOT CROSS ANY LINE. KEEP KANNYWOOD ASIDE, AS A WOMAN, I HAVE LINES THAT I WOULD NEVER EVER TOUCH BECAUSE OF MY OWN FAMILY VALUES, I CAN’T CROSS THEM. ONE DAY, I WILL GET MARRIED. I’M A MUSLIM, A HAUSA/ FULANI, WHETHER I LIKE IT OR NOT. I CAN’T PRACTISE OTHER PEOPLE’S CULTURE. I’M AN ACTOR. I’M EXTREMELY CAREFUL

60

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • November 6, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT

with NseoboNg okoN-ekoNg 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Everybody Say Yeah, Yeah!

Nseobong Okon-Ekong

W

ith clenched fists and hands raised straight above his head, he would bounce up the stage, bow in salute to the four corners of the earth and then utter what has become one of his most famous phrases, ‘Everybody Say Yeah, Yeah!’ Of course, the crowd (yes, a crowd), it wasn’t possible to see Fela Anikulapo-Kuti without a crowd around him. He was not nicknamed ‘eleniyan’ (Yoruba for one thrives in a crowd) for nothing. They responded with similar enthusiasm every time. The response always came like a thunder, ‘Yeah, Yeah’.

‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ was the theme for Felabration 2016, the annual cocktail of activities in honour of Fela’s memory.

‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ was a rallying cry.

It was like saying, ‘people get ready’. It was the last minute call for preparation before the marksman fired his gun to start a race-it was an ‘on-your-marks, get set…’.

‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ was a cue for Fela, for the band and the audience. It was important to him to have undivided attention of all the participants that would guarantee a wonderful show. If his charismatic entry on stage did not grab your attention, the rallying call of ‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ would definitely do. Coming from Fela, ‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ was the final check. He was saying to the band and the audience, ‘I am ready. Tell me if you are’. The call was to everybody including members of his band.

The choice of ‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ as the broad theme for Felabration 2016 was instructive coming at the end of the first decade and just before the beginning of the second decade of his passage. For his daughter, Yeni who conceptualised Felabration, her siblings, Chairman of the Felabration committee, Theo Lawson and his team, it is time to echo that all important clarion call, ‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’ to be sure that everybody who should be on the train is carried along as Felabration enters a new decade in 2017.

Each activity on the Felabration calendar is increasingly finding its own steam as the years go by. The symposium attracts an intellectual crowd of idealists and theorists, the carnival feeds on energy from the street, the senior secondary school debate ensures that teenagers know what Fela and other great African revolutionaries stood for and

ANOTHER FRANCOPHONE CLUB NIGHT HOLDS The second edition of the Francophone Club Night initiated by Mr. Jimi Sadare of Effakata Promotions was recently held in Lagos at The Lekki Coliseum, The night was a super hit and all guests partied to various genres of French/World Music like, Zouk,Salsa,Rhumba, Ndombolo,Z oblazo,Makossa,Hiplife,Hilife,Cou peDecale,Mbalax,Kwaito,Afrobeat amongst a host of others.

Some French nationals had arrived earlier to have dinner at the exclusive restaurant of the La Vida -Bella lounge. That was before Deejay Raphael from Togo got on the deck.

From then on, it was non-stop partying for all including the Guineans in the house who at the strike of Midnight, were treated to an array of Acoustic Mbalax Music of the likes of Oumau Sangare, Yousuf Ndour, Salif Keita and Fatimata Diawara.

The event was anchored by,MC Oryx who introduced the Congo Boiz Band of the Democratic Republic of Congo who had been rearing to give Lagos a taste of the real

the week-long music concert is fast becoming a reference point and an endorsement platform for both established and emerging artistes.

From one venue, Felabration has grown into a multi-venue event with the different items on the agenda taking place at different spots. However, a special note must be taken of Freedom Park which has cultivated and sustained its own Felabration activities and followers. A good number of revelers are just happy to catch the Felabration fever at Freedom Park.

But that is talking about Felabration in Nigeria (and Lagos), Felabration has hit a global mark with similar activities in honour of Fela taking place simultaneously in major cities of the world. This, undoubtedly, points to the increasing popularity of the Afrobeat genre in the world music space.

‘Everybody Say Yeah Yeah’

Makossa/Soukouss deal.

Guests were not disappointed as the band belted out tunes in their sonorous voices while captivating everyone with their dance steps.

Both the male and female dancers wowed the crowd into a frenzy and gave a good account of themselves.

MICHAEL GEORGE HAILS ‘OBA’ Michael George returns with this beautifully crafted piece of music that exalts the King of kings (OBA) without reservation or language barrier, as it is written both in English and Yoruba languages.

With a creative blend of jazz, Neosoul and Afro elements, OBA is a masterpiece and a must have on your music playlist.

Produced by the multi-talented (Mystro) and wonderfully delivered with beautiful vocals from Michael George, OBA is your definition of pure class.

IBE-JII REAWAKENS OLD SOUNDS IN AYANFE The recently released single ‘Ayanfe’ from Ibe-Jii is his first gift to

the 00s of edifying verse, a world of chivalry and character - a beautiful, beautiful place.

Known for his familiar Yoruba vernacular, Ibe-Jii, the eclectic African storyteller, delivers his sensual tale of love and longing with musical verve, energy and sensitivity; using his musical journey to tell melodic tales of love, life and wonderment.

With Ayanfe, Ibe-Jii is set to reawaken old sounds, old values and old loves.

Rooted solidly in the western Nigeria culture renowned for its high incidence of twins and musical giants, Ibe-Jii wears his unusual birth marking and musical roots as ‘authenticity’ – an embodiment of sweet sound, great soul, warmth and sensitivity.

His journey is a subtle blend of the Taiye and the Kehinde, the seen and the undisclosed, the old and the new, African vibes and international sounds. His is a genre of storytelling.

Ayanfe is released from Ibe-Jii’s hugely acclaimed body of musical works,

GreenWhiteDope and is a joint collaboration of Bee Entertainment, Stargaze Management and Ibejii Music.

BONANG MATHEBA, AHMED SOULTAN, IKA JONG , HAUWA ALLHBURA TO HOST AFRIMA As the three-day All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA climaxes today with the awards at the Eko Convention Centre, the organizers have unveiled comperes drawn from the three majorly spoken languages in Africa— English, French and Arabic. They are Ahmed Soultan (Morocco); Bonang Matheba (South Africa and Ika Jang (Congo).

Ahmed Soultan is a Moroccan music star, who is also an

Matheba

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ENTERTAINMENT AFRIMA double award winner. He is a leader of the Moroccan Group, Nayda. Soultan is a multilingual artiste and celebrity, who speaks English, French, Portuguese and Arabic fluently.

Bonang Matheba, is a versatile South African media personality, who anchors the popular SABC 1 Music Live Show. She is also a winner of the International Golden Horn Award for Best TV Presenter.

Ika Jong is a multi-talented bilingual Congolese TV Broadcaster and celebrity.

However, the red carpet hosts are Denola Grey, Denrele Edun, Hauwa AllahBura; and Pam Happi. Denola is a style blogger, model, fashion enthusiast, broadcaster on Ebonylife TV, Nigeria.

Pam Happi, who is fondly called Miss P is a bilinguist and a household name in Cameroon. She is the renowned hostess of Miss P Show.

Hauwa Allahbura is a Nigerian model, actress and a TV personality whose rise to fame came when she won the Miss FCT pageant some years ago.

Adenrele Oluwafemi Edun, popularly known as Denrele Edun was one of the red carpet hosts of AFRIMA 2015. He is known for his unique fashion style and personality.

Over 154 nominees are campaigning for votes from the public for the various categories of awards.

MORE ACTION IN THE BLACKLIST Golden Globe-nominee James Spader returns as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 4 of the actionthriller The Blacklist on Wednesday 9 November at 8::30pm. Season 3 topped the drama and espionage with a fast-paced plot involving former FBI Agent Elizabeth Keen, who, having suffered through a traumatic childbirth, was tragically ‘killed’- and then quite unexpectedly discovered alive.

Throughout the arrival of numerous villains (including one Alexander Kirk, who claimed to be Liz’s father), the FBI’s most wanted criminal, Red, remained as cool as a cucumber-especially when he found out that Liz survived.

Season 4 opens right where season 3 left off: everyone finds himself in the middle of a crisis and there’s a job to be done. Again, Liz , her new-born baby, and bad-guy-turned-goodguy-turned-loving-father Tom Keen are in danger. Liz is still being held prisoner by Alexander Kirk, and his startling paternity revelation may have some serious implications.

CHINA UNITES WITH AFRICA THROUGH MUSIC Soulway Productions and Daara J Family have announced the mar-

UJ and Ramata

Makin Soyinka (r) with Hajia Memuna Jimada

Charles Novia, Emem Emah (m) and Nsikak AbasiEkong (r)

Cocktail and networking session at Africast

Sealing Digitization, Content Financing Under Atmosphere of Fun

Arguably, one of the major events to look forward to every two years, Africast, the biennial international conference of African broadcasters held its 11th edition in Abuja recently. Coordinated by the regulatory agency, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, the 2016 edition was a three-day event under the broad theme, ‘Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting: The Imperative of Financing Quality Content’.

Since its inception in 1996, it has become the must-be platform for stakeholders in Africa’s broadcasting scene to converge and exchange ideas. It was no different this year with all the major broadcast outfits and companies that trade with them in Nigeria showing copious presence at the event.

With the notion that content is both key and king, many African broadcast stations are laboring under the challenge of meeting the statutory percentage of home grown content.

Producing these content in-house or buying them from independent producers was one of the critical issues discussed at various turns during the conference.

Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed opened the conference with an assurance that the government was committed to achieving the 2017 Digital Switch Over deadline, while talking about the benefits available from DSO. He said, “This is why technology and broadcast content have remained critical issues at the various editions of AFRICAST. The digitization of

the technology of broadcasting is rapidly changing broadcasting and offering fresh opportunities – broadcasters are embracing platforms for diverse content and now require media tools with continuous access to content throughout their business. Content producers are delivering their programme content to ever more devices. The evolution of new broadcast platforms is threatening traditional broadcast platforms and channels.

The reality though is that the motivation apparently is that as broadcasters engage new platforms, the market opportunities are increasing, providing new revenue streams” Speaking directly to the theme of the conference, the Director General of the NBC, Ishaq Modibbo-Kawu revealed a plan to establish a content development fund, particularly for young people who wish to go into broadcasting.

The event which also featured film shows. A networking session curated by Barollo Productions was sponsored by DSTV. This aspect was carried out in a convivial atmosphere with lots of finger foods, canapés and drinks while skilled saxophonist, Yemi Sax serenaded guests with soothing tunes.

The gala night featured an Abuja-based juju music troupe on the band stand. The audience was also entertained by agile and spritely Koroso dancers from Kano State.

But the star attraction was Tar Ukor and his Mambisa troupe whose regal apparels were very captivating.

riage of Chinese and African music through the worldwide release of their first single, ‘Ramata’. This is the first time a Chinese producer is working with an African group.

The single is an ode to love, African rhythms and Chinese. The song which is produced by UJ is cowritten and performed by Daara J Family.

“When the media talk about Africa, they do not show us the beauty of this continent. I had the chance to meet a Senegalese who became my wife. I am convinced that it is possible to create a platform for cultural exchange between Africa and China, “said He Yujia, better known as UJ. This famous Chinese producer has written over 200 songs including the official anthem of France pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

“I want to change the image of Africa in China but also that of the Chinese in Africa,” he says. For this reason UJ worked with the Senegalese band Daara J Family.

He revealed the reason behind the project: “We share a common love for music and wanted both sides, the same things. That is why we went into the studio the night of our first meeting and we recorded our first musical collaboration.”

‘Ramata’ is a mixture of hip-hop and R & B heady song in Wolof, Chinese and English. A concept album is also in preparation. It will aim to produce tracks with various artists from the African continent.

Daara J Family is one of the most famous Senegalese rap groups.

Established in 1992 by Faada Freddy and N’Dongo D, Daara J has expanded beyond the borders of Senegal to carry the colours of Africa. Their influences range from hip hop to soul through traditional African rhythms.

Daara J Family has won the 2003 BBC World Award for Best African Album. Soulway is an independent label based in Shanghai and founded by UJ in 2009 with the aim to share music “Made in China” with the world.

HARRY POTTER POP-UP CHANNEL M-Net will treat viewers to a special M-Net Movies Harry Potter Pop-up Channel extravaganza until Sunday November 13, and it will run for 17 hours per day.

Leading up to the worldwide release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, an all-new adventure takes viewers back to the wizardry world created by J.K. Rowling, as all MNet customers will be able to watch all eight Harry Potter films.

In addition to these eight films, the M-Net Movies Harry Potter Pop-Up Channel will be packed with plenty of behind-the-scenes specials and features of this hugely successful movie franchise.

Every night at 7pm, viewers will be captivated by the magic of the Harry Potter stories and transported into the spellbinding world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The films will be screened in this time-slot each day in chronological order. But, if you can’t wait another day to watch the next film in the series, you can watch back-toback screenings throughout the day.

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Onoshe

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

Nwabuikwu

Is Recession Affecting your TV Habits?

N

ot too long ago, the issue was if the Nigerian economy was in recession. At the time, the honourable minster of finance, Kemi Adeosun, said Nigeria was only in recession, technically. Today, there’s no longer any argument as to whether Nigeria is in recession, technically or literally.

Now you don’t have to subscribe to them economic jargons. But I have a niggly feeling that most people agree that these are challenging times. My Pastor calls it the R word.

Others call it hard times. Some call it Buharian times. I choose to call it challenging times. Whatever your preference, even if you are lucky to be among the ultra lucky 1% of Nigerians who are living it up, you are bound to have come across family, friends, staff, colleagues or acquaintances who aren’t so lucky.

So we can safely assume everyone’s feeling the pinch, one way or another.

Times like these call for prudencepruning your spending. And so everywhere you turn, someone is

offering some advice on how to cut costs. I don’t have any figures or statistics but we can safely assume that the recession is having some effect on people and their TV viewing habits. The question from me to you is: How has the recession affected your TV viewing habits, if the R word has affected you at all.

Are you still subscribing to your pre-recession satellite TV package?

Or have you scrapped it altogether?

Or have you come up with some real Naija solutions?

But can we really do away with TV? Don’t Television and Films serve as a means of escape for viewers?

What better way to escape from your own reality than to focus on other people’s? I know many people who’d (only) suddenly start to feel the effects of recession if their access to international football leagues were blocked. How else would someone in Abuja rejoice over say Jose Mourinho’s misfortunes? Or over Pep Guardiola being brought down to earth after starting the English Premier League so well? Or

Wayne Rooney losing his first team place at Manchester United? Imagine laughing at someone who earns £300, 000 a week! How much is that in Naira again? We know the Naira is giving foreign currencies the mother of all battles. Still, £300k a week!

In effect, recession or no recession, we must watch TV. One way or another. So since we must pay to watch TV (and films), this brings me to the other half of the equation: the service providers. What can be done for the viewers? Even if there’s no price cut, is it possible to be more flexible in pricing? This is a good time to be creative, in marketing and pricing.

One thing I’d like to see is a situation where we are allowed to pick and pay for exactly (or most of ) the channels they want. Many people hardly watch more than a few channels regularly. Even with my job as a TV/Film critic/commentator, I don’t watch half of the channels on my subscription plan. It would be nice to pay for only what I want to watch.

REEL REVIEW Queen Of Katwe Director: Mira Nair Starring: David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwanga, Esther Tebandeke, Taryn Kyaze.

Queen of Katwe is the true life story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. Phiona, who is played by Madina Nalwanga, is fatherless and lives with her mother Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o) in Katwe, a sprawling slum in Kampala, Uganda. Even in that slum, Phiona’s family is worse off than many others. But fate comes calling in the form of Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) who runs a missionary programme to teach kids to play chess.

And it turns out, Phiona is a chess prodigy! She’ll go on to win many an important game and laurel.

Queen Of Katwe is not your everyday feel good film. There are unexpected twists and turns. As there are many angles to the story. Not unlike real life. There is the part about a young girl exceeding her dreams. There is also the aspect Pentecostals like to call being located by your destiny. We’re also reminded again about the plight of widows in Africa. Wrap all that with a mother’s love and the sacrifice she makes for her children. Because at the end of the day, even with all the Katendes in the world, without Phiona’s mother willing to sacrifice all she had, the story of Phiona may have turned out differently.

While Queen of Katwe may not be your everyday feel good film, it’s still a Walt Disney film. And there a few Disney-ic moments. When the Ugandan team arrive ‘Russia’ for a chess tournament, the snow looks straight out of Disney’s Frozen. Considering how cold Russia supposedly is, the team is under dressed. And yet not one of them appears shocked by the ‘cold’ weather!

And of course, the inevitable scenes of happy Africans breaking into songs and dancing. Apart from David Oyelowo, Nigeria made another appearance with Davido’s Skelewu and MC Galaxy’s

Sekem. For a moment I think for a moment the sound is from the cinema hall.

At the end of the day, David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o give a

good account of themselves. But Madina Nalwanga is ‘woman of the match’ for me.

All of this is to say you should go see Queen Of Katwe.

COME AGAIN? “Progressive Governors Forum urge Nigeria to show more understanding, support and cooperation to the Buhari administration.”

-NTA, Tuesday October 25, 2016, 4.01 pmish.

I’m sure the guys at the NTA had meant to say ‘Nigerians’ because I can’t imagine that the progressive governors were talking to Nigeria as a country. Although it would’ve helped if they told us the address of the Buhari administration. Something to the effect:Support the Buhari administration, residing at the opulent Aso Rock Villa; whose running costs have since nearly doubled if not tripled. It would have also helped to know the make up of this so called progressive forum. Does it include any governor owing salaries and pensions?

Come to think of it, exactly what are Nigerians who have been branded fantastically corrupt supposed to show understanding for? The assault on the judiciary? Or what should Nigerians support? Recession?

And exactly what does the government need the cooperation of Nigerians for anyway? The government seems to be doing just fine. After all, it lives in another Nigeria where investors are falling over themselves, where recession is just a word, where the real Nigerians are happier than kids in an amusement park.

“Cultist, oil bunkerers and kidnappers surrender arms under the Rivers State Amnesty Committee.”

-NTA, Tuesday October 25, 2016, 4. 02 pmish.

Was it only one cultist who surrendered arms? Anyway, this shouldn’t take away from the good news. But there’s still the issue of all these people surrendering arms ‘under the Rivers State Amnesty Committee’. How do you surrender arms under a committee?

Perhaps they surrendered the arms ‘to’ the committee? Even if they simply left their arms in one open space somewhere, the committee still gets the credit. We know that.

AD WATCH Time To Change The Chivita TVC ‘Sometime in February this year (2016), I wrote this article under the headline: “Does Van Persie Still Drink Chivita?

“It’s doubtful if Dutch International and Fernabahce Robin Van Persie (RVP) ever drank Chivita Orange to begin with. But let’s believe that like some other English Premier League players, RVP lived for Nigerian drinks like Chivita Orange and Malt. But what’s the justification for still running Chivita’s TV commercial shot when RVP was (still) a Manchester United player? The man doesn’t even play in England anymore as he has since left for Turkey. Shouldn’t it matter?

Fast forward to August 13, 2016. The Chivita TV commercial was still running.

That’s when I noticed that in addition to Van Persie, almost every footballer in the advert had left Manchester United. There’s Di Maria, I think there’s also Radamel Falcao and I’m sure one or two who have left.’

This is an excerpt from this column that was published four weeks ago. Now, I’m tempted to be running this article every week until Chivita listens. By the way, who knows the name of the advert agency responsible for this Chivita TVC?

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ON THE COUCH

MRS. MOJISOLA AKEJU (BUSINESS WOMAN)

I Never Knew I Would Attain 70 Interviewed by Funke Olaode

How do you feel at 70?

I feel fulfilled. I thank God for sparing my life. I never knew I would attain the age of 70 due to some health challenges. When I was approaching the age of 70 so many thoughts went going through my mind.

and I had a lot of dependants who I was training in the university then. Today, I have lawyers, doctor, and architect among them.

I quit teaching and went into full time business travelling to Europe and China importing household wares: kitchen utensils and gift items. The Nigerian economy was good at that time and I really enjoyed it while it lasted. I retired from business when I clocked 55. So life after retirement has been fulfilling and refreshing.

Can we have an insight into your background?

I grew up in a home where education was paramount. My mother was a business woman supplying food stuff to schools while my father was worked in the Ministry of Agriculture in Abeokuta. I was born in 1946 in the then Gold Coast now Ghana.

In a way, it was a privileged beginning for me because my parents believed in education and this had a positive impact in my life. I learnt from them that education is an investment and something one has to cherish. I didn’t experience discrimination as girl-child. Abeokuta had been exposed to education early. For instance, my maternal grand-father was an educated man as far back as 18th century.

Having a privileged background must have placed a burden of expectation on you to excel?

My parents had four girls and a boy. I am number three. I loved my father for one thing; he was always protective of us. There was a time an old man made a sarcastic comment and said ‘you are having female child, why don’t you marry another wife to give you boys.’ My father just answered him and said ‘don’t you see girls becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers and so on. I am okay with my girls.’ And girls take care of their parents more. With a supportive father like him, it placed a kind of expectation on us (girls) and at the same time put me on my toes not to disappoint him. He always advised us to face our studies that our certificate can take us anywhere. When I submitted my letter of retirement as a

For how long have been married?

I got married in 1971 to Mr. Johnson Ojo Akeju, native of Ado-Ekiti. I met him in my early 20s when he came to work in Abeokuta. He lived around our house. He was a civil servant then working with Cocoa Industry and later switched to National Youth Service Corps where he retired as a Director. He made the move and I found out that I liked him. We tied the nuptial knot 45 years ago. I couldn’t have wished for a better husband. He is a quiet and reserved person. Sincerely, he has been a wonderful husband and a faithful man. teacher at age 38 in 1984 to go into business, my father asked why I was retiring early. He persuaded me to withdraw the letter but I refused. I didn’t regret that decision because God prospered me as a business woman.

At what age did you start school?

I started school in 1952 at age six at St. Andrews Anglican Primary School Ibara in Abeokuta, Ogun State. That time, we would start from elementary one and two (which is like pre-nursery of today) before going to Standard One. In 1955, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo changed the school system. So I left primary school in 1959. I proceeded to Our Ladies of Apostle Modern School. I chose Modern School because of the orientation that after Modern

School, one would go to England for Mental Nursing. I was actually tilting my career towards that line. But I had an Uncle who was a Judge at that time. He advised me to go back to secondary school. I enrolled at Abeokuta Girls Grammar School and started in Form Two. After secondary school, I went to Adeyemi College of Education which was affiliated to University of Ife then where I was trained as a teacher.

I graduated in 1975 and started my career in Ibadan where I taught briefly. I moved to Lagos and continued my teaching career and finally retired in 1984.

Why did you retire early as a teacher?

I was passionate about the job but I discovered that the money was not enough

How well have you played your role as a mother?

I was strict with them. I made sure that they faced their studies. I am happy that they are well placed in their endeavours.

If you could turn the hands of the clock, what would you do differently?

I would love to establish a home for the less-privileged.

What lessons has life taught you?

Life has taught me to be good and kind.

Galatians 6: 7b says “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Any regret?

I don’t have any regret. We shouldn’t allow life challenges to overwhelm us.

EVENT

Promoting Good Vision and Safe Driving Funke Olaode

“I

t is better to lose a minute in life than to lose a life in a minute,” says the popular cliché. There is no doubt that good eyesight and visual perception are fundamental to safe driving.

This is very important as over 90 percent of decisions made while driving depend on what one can see. According to statistics, an estimated 23 per cent of drivers worldwide have uncorrected vision and need spectacle correction to improve visual capacity while driving. Also, an estimated 59 per cent of accidents have been linked to poor sight such as failure to use corrective lenses to view from afar.

While the risk of car crashes increase by nine percent in drivers who are visually impaired, it is alarming that an estimated 1.2 million people die and 50 million are injured in road traffic accidents yearly throughout the world.

The irony of it is that all drivers, both commercial and private including cyclists who should have their eyes tested annually pay little attention to this fact. To avoid road crashes, drivers with blur distance vision should get their prescribed glasses and make sure they wear the glasses when driving.

It is against this backdrop that the Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos branch in

L-R: Mr. Yekini Kareem, Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi, a beneficiary, Mr. Waheed Adewuyi and Mrs. Olabisi Shonubi at the event

collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission and Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (Yaba branch) recently organised a one-day awareness programme to sentisize drivers at the Yaba Motor Park on the danger of driving with blurred vision.

Emphasis was also laid on why drivers should have their vision screened.

President, The Nigerian Optometric

Association, Lagos branch, Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi, said the World Sight Day is marked globally every second Thursday of October.

The day is earmarked to further create and raise awareness on eye health and vision care amongst the populace with the hope of preventing blindness through knowledge and information. The theme for this year was “Stronger Together”.

Advising people to eat nutritional foods that can aid clear vision, Nwokedi stressed that what you eat determines who you are. “A good nutrition is the best. There are food that are rich in eye toxidant such a carrots, vegetables, fruits, ewedu, green leaves, orange or anything reddish fruit such as pawpaw. We encourage people to eat a rainbow, take lots of water, food rich in Omega three and vitamin A. That is basically what I can advise.”

Corroborating Nwokedi,Acting Sector Public Education Officer, Lagos Sector Command, FRSC, Olabisi Shonusi, said the FRSC was involved as a lead agency in traffic management. “What we are advocating is for people to get their eye checked and people should not shy away once they have blur or bad vision. Today, free glasses were given. This will encourage people that wearing glasses is not a disease. When you see the statistics of people who have had crashes it is about 59 per cent. Once you have a good vision it helps you to arrive at safe destination.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Waheed Adewuyi, a driver who didn’t know he had reading problem expressed his gratitude to the organisers. “I thank the organisers of this eye screening. I didn’t know I have reading problems. I am grateful for their effort in aiding my visual vision.”

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ENCOUNTER

How Man on Fire Stunt Brought Fame to Ani Iyoho Oladipupo Awojobi

have been for him to jump into the sand, revealing further that a generating set was used to pump water from a stream in the area, and that everything was on ground and that he was really safe for the role.

Ani was not actually a fan of Nollywood movies initially as he did not hide the fact that he was not watching Nollywood films then and that he didn’t know who Jim Iyke was, when he met him.

He stated that he told Jim Iyke pointblank that he would like to be part of Nollywood and start a career in the industry as an actor.

“Two weeks later, he called me and asked me to come and play a role and I was excited because it would be an experience. I started from there and he advised me that if I wanted to get more involved, I should register with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) at the National Theatre.

“I went there, and I was registered.

Later, I was auditioned for a movie that was produced by Emem Isong and directed by Lancelot Imasuen. From there, I kept going for more auditioning.

The fast rising actor believes the industry has been extremely challenging, but he made it clear that the challenges are not more than what happens in other industries, and what

W

hile growing up as a young boy, Ani Iyoho looked forward to becoming a celebrated actor.

He was emboldened to embrace acting as a profession by what he saw on television series, especially ‘Tales

By Moonlight’ on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and he later realised his ambition, when he had a chance meeting with popular Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke.

Twelve years after taking a bold step into the make-believe industry, he appears to have achieved his dream through a weird and daring stunt that assumed he was burnt alive.

The talented actor spent his earlier years in Kaduna and Lagos before relocating to his home state, Akwa Ibom.

As someone with a flair for arts, Ani joined the church choir and drama group then and many people knew that he was cut out for the acting world.

Ani Iyoho, who is now popular as ‘Man On Fire’, narrated how he dared to act a fire scene in a soon to be released box office movie entitled; ‘Behind The Wheels’ directed

by Stanlee Ohikhuere, and produced by Ugo Azikiwe and Kelechi Udegbe.

Dressed in a blue jean, stripe shirt and black shoes to match, Ani was anxious to reveal all the details of what gave him the nickname; “Man on Fire,” from the movie, where he was convinced to do a fire scene stunt, but which would later backfire after the picture of the scene was posted on the Facebook by the Director of the movie.

Reacting to an enquiry if his role in the movie and the controversy that followed the release of the picture from the fire scene has brought him fame, Ani reacted in the affirmative saying; “Yes, it has, but I still lost a bit of work. However, what I gained is more than what I lost. Some producers put me on their black list, they thought I scammed the world, when the pictures from the film were released on the social media, they felt that I am a black sheep.

“It is one of those things that added pressure and made me lose weight. But I gained more followers on the Facebook and instagram. I have got more people interested in my passion. I went extra miles to make the scene. We watch foreign movies and we are excited by what they do and we wonder if that could be done in Nigeria. Our viewers say a lot of things, what we did was what Hollywood and Bollywood had done several years back, we are trying to promote Nollywood,” he narrated.

As revealed by Ani, with disappointment written all over his face, many of his critics are oblivious of the fact that the pictures were sent to Facebook by the Director of the movie; Stanlee Ohikhuere.

He said; “the Director of the film actually put the pictures on Facebook and it went viral. Before you know it, the whole thing had been twisted out there and it went crazy. This happened because such a scene had not been shot in Nollywood and probably in Africa, before. So, people considered it unusual, which was why they did what they did.”

Iyoho revealed during the interview that he actually played the role of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer named Officer Benjamin in the movie, who had a big heart, and who would go about educating tanker drivers on safety procedure.

“However, there was a fire scene stunt we were to do in the movie, where I was supposed to get burnt. When I read through the script, I thought it would just be an ordinary scene. But when the director went

Iyoho

through the script, he said he would like if I was on fire with my hands up in frenzy all over, and I said ‘wow.’

“Actually, the credit goes to the make-up artiste, Dorothy Koffi, who said she could make it happen. She is actually my fiancee, and she did a lot to make it happen, she was in contact with the people in Hollywood. She contacted the people that would make the protective material that I would use for the scene.

“We finished the film earlier on, but we had to wait to achieve the fire scene. Some directors would have just done it anyhow, but Stanlee said no, the producers were Ugo Azikiwe and Kelechi Udegbe. They both made sure that it was done. The scene took about a quarter of the budget of the film. They were willing to do it because the director wanted it,” he stated.

The average height artiste, who was once nominated as the Best Supporting Actor for AMAA Award, described the aftermath of the release of the picture on Facebook as a very stressful period for him and Dorothy.

As he stood up to drive home his point during the interview, he emphasised that it was an emotional period for him, but that some people even sent their prayers and he felt loved.

“Actually, I lost weight and my woman also felt bad because of the rumours that came with the incident. It was mentally stressful for both of us, there were times she broke down and I would have to console her.

“People should know that we didn’t find it easy as well. We had a reputation that we had to repair; they were saying I wanted to use it to make myself popular. But really, I acted a few scenes in the movie. I have done major movies, played sub-lead roles, acted in movies through which they recommended me for awards. I decided to take up the role when the director mentioned the fire scene and I felt I was going to do something new.

“The producers ensured that they took all the necessary precautions, there were fire extinguishers, the police, the military, FRSC officials and fire brigade officials. I was not scared, though the money was okay, Kelechi Udegbe is a good friend of mine, we joined the industry almost at the same period and we have been close.

“I also wanted to work with the Director,

Iyoho

Stanely Ohikhuere, it was just a short scene.

He is one of the best cinematographers in the country. I believe that was the first stunt in Nigeria, and probably the first in Africa, where someone was supposedly burnt.

“It was a first time for everybody, including the director and I had done a lot of practice, he worked me out, he tested me. The make-up artiste had put the fire on me and tested it on herself with the safety devices so that she could be sure it would work.

“She got a fire blanket, she also got another costume, an anti-fire suit that I was going to wear. To make sure that the anti-fire costume was safe, she carried it and dipped it in the gel that she had ordered from abroad. I had so much protection such that I felt it was safer than walking on the streets of Lagos.

“I had at least 200 per cent assurance that nothing was going to happen to me and I came out with no burns. We had five fire extinguishers, and we had been using them and tested them, but one of them failed during shooting, yet four others were working,” he said.

Raising his voice higher and using all his body to express himself, Ani disclosed that the location that was chosen for the movie was close to Eleko Beach in Lagos and that the area is sandy.

The worst case scenario, he stated, would

happens to bankers, lawyers and others.

Most times, he stated, what attracts people to the industry are money and fame. “You would think you would get rich the next day, but it doesn’t work like that, a lot of hustles and work go into it. You have to build your network and contact list and go with the right people and the right auditions and all that.”

Ani was initially under the impression that there is a lot of tribalism going on in the industry.

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

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CHANGE, INDIGENOUS MUSIC AND LAGOS ANTHEM… PAGE 68

06.11.2016

ARDUOUS PATH TO RECKONING Winning work, Mayrose Ezennia’s “Bleeding Rose” (details)

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARDUOUS PATH TO RECKO

Against all odds, the annual Life in My City Art Festival (called LIMCAF) chalked u 10th anniversary outing in Enugu recently. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

I

t just had to be Mayrose Onyinye Ezennia’s “Bleeding Rose”. The work, contrived with threads and nails on board, clinched this festival’s overall prize worth N500, 000. A going-over of the exhibits alone would have been enough for any discerning mind to choose it as the winning work.

Finally, the Life in My City Art Festival huffed and puffed into its 10th edition.

All thanks to the efforts that preceded the breasting of this landmark edition’s tape.

The head of the festival’s competition’s jury, Dr Peju Olayiwola, aptly chalked it all up to one word: commitment. This was at the festival’s gala and grand awards night at the Institute of Management and Technology’s International Conference Centre on Saturday, October 29.

She had, in her remarks, lauded the “commitment to art and culture shown by the board of trustees, the organising committee, the patron of LIMCAF, the Obi of Onitsha and members of the LIMCAF family…” while sensing “the possibilities that exist in the private sector and the strength in fostering partnerships with one another”.

Hailing the festival as “a shining example to all”, the University of Lagos-based academic also acknowledged the efforts of the sponsors for providing “a wide range of prizes” and those of “the esteemed members of the fourth estate of the realm who continually spread word about this great event.”

Close up on this year’s competition.

Guided by the theme “Riches Within”, the jurors sifted their “selections from 94 entries from all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria comprising relief sculptures, sculptures in the round, textiles, paintings, photography, installations and ceramics,” Professor Laywola explained.

“I must confess that the artists gave us some real good work to do in selecting the winners for this year’s event. My co jurors have worked very hard in the past few daysProf Muazu Sani, ABU, Dr Kenny Badaru, Ike Francis, and the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy, Mr Aurelien Sennacherib.

The standard of entries for this year is very high and I can confidently say that like new wine, it gets better each year.”

Her appraisal of the entries is not unusual for competitions like this. There were good entries that skirted around the theme but did not address it.

The festival’s chairman, Elder K.U. Kalu, who the previous night had hosted participants to a buffet dinner in the garden of his private residence, said that “these ten years have been like a ride on roller coaster stretches of good years and not so good years, anxious years and years of devising answers to tricky logistic and funding challenges all of which make it all so worthwhile.”

Hence, Dr Layiwola’s optimism that this annual event will, by the special grace of the Most High, “continue to grow from strength to strength” is premised on the overwhelming goodwill that has trailed it from its inception. Take this year, for instance. It has been able to add the Lagos-based business mogul Dr Oba Otudeko, who is both the chairman of Honeywell Group, Bharti Airtel and First Bank of Nigeria, PLC, to its ranks of eminent attendees.

Prominent in this rank is the Obi of Onitisha, Nnaemeka Achebe and the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, personally graced the occasion and toured the exhibition in the company of the French Consul-General Laurent Polonceaux shortly before the festival’s official opening.

Dr Otudeko believes that the festival, which has come to be known by its acronym

L-R: Elder Kalu, Polonceaux, Gov Ugwuanyi and Dr. Otudeko at the exhibition LIMCAF, “will surely continue and grow the tradition of vibrant interest in art and culture for which Enugu was very famous in the past.”

Indeed, informed prognoses hint at an upward trend in its narrative chart. This is despite the reprises of difficulties trailing each edition. Dr Otudeko’s allusion in his remarks to the plummeting fortunes of Nigeria’s oil revenue made a case for events like LIMCAF. “There are many examples from other parts of the world that indicate that fully developed art tourism industries have contributed to economic growth and development,” he said, citing the Paris-based Louvre Museum and Gallery, which hosts over 9 million visitors a year. “Can anyone imagine the economic impact of that? If yes, than can we also imagine the economic possibilities from a fully developed art tourism industry in Nigeria, which would include festivals such as this?”

Of course, as the business mogul aptly pointed out, there are also the economic ripple effects like promoting careers and empowering young people as well as aiding the prosperity of the business activities around the sector. “The potential I see here also is that festivals like this are great examples of the many prospective areas of growing our economy, and also recreating and

consolidating our past through visual history, strengthening cultural understanding and national cohesion. I am told, for example that there are 11 centres across the country where mini exhibition entries are held before the final grand exhibition here in Enugu.”

Back to the competition, Ms Ezennia was joined in the podium of fame by Michael Onyekachukwu Okoye, Chinedu Lucky Izundu and Taofeek Abiodun Badru as the winners of the N250, 000 prizes for the Best Painting/Mixed Media/ Drawing, Best Sculpture/Installation/Ceramics and Best Textile Art, respectively.

There were also John Samuel Nnorom (Justice Anthony Aniagolu Prize for originality worth N100, 000), Samuel Ilori (Dr Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical Proficiency worth N150,000), Ibrahim Afegbua (CCA Lagos Prize for Best Lagos Entry orth N100,000), Emmanuel Otobong Usoro (Mfon Usoro Prize for the Best Uyo/ Calabar Entry worth N200,000), Adeshina Adeodu (Mfon Usoro Prize for the Best Uyo/ Calabar Entry worth N200,000), Henry Alohan (Thought Pyramid Prize for the best Auchi/ Benin/ Delta Entry worth N100,000), Kingsley Ifeanyichukwu Ayogu (Enugu Art Council for Experimentation worth N30,000), Valentine Izuchukwu Ani (Vin Martin Ilo Prize for Best Enugu Entry

worth N50,000), Samson Ejiofor (Art is Everywhere prize worth N50,000), Emmanuel C. Brendan (Most Prominent Young artist), Bede Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (French Embassy Prize) and Folashade Rashidat Ibrahim (Oyekola Prize for the Best Ibadan Entry worth N50,000) as well as the ten consolation prize winners: John Olawale Ojo, Jachimike Henry Nwasogwa, Ibrahim Babatunde Babalola, Ismail Babalola, Joshua Aondona Avav, Ebute Jonathan Okewu, Abimbola Oladipupo Akolade, Israel Ayodamola Fatola and Elizabeth Chioma Ekpetorson.

The festival’s growing acceptance among the art cognoscenti gives its adept devotees another reason to remain optimistic. Besides the presence of the jurors like the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-based Professor Sani Muazu, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta-based Dr Kenny Badaru and the University of Port Harcourt-based Ike Francis as jurors, the event was also graced by the Centre Contemporary Art, Lagos’s Bisi Silva, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka professor emeritus El Anatsui, Enugu-based artists like Bona Ezeudu and Obiora Anidi, Andy Okoroafor, the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy, Aurelien Sennacherib as well as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka-based Dr Krydz Ikwuemesi, among others.

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ONING

up a successful

Yet another reason is the personal attendance of Governor Ugwuanyi as the first chief executive of Enugu State to personally grace the grand awards and gala night. The governor “not only granted us the privilege of a courtesy call on him at our very first asking but also promised support in these very difficult times for the State and has now followed it up by being here to see things for himself,” Elder Kalu disclosed.

“No less encouraging and heart-warming is the highly significant hand of friendship extended to LIMCAF and the people of Enugu and the South East from West of the Niger by the very distinguished presence of the Chairman of this very significant anniversary, in the person of Chief Oba Otudeko, Founder and Chairman of the Honeywell Group of Companies.”

Elder Kalu also commended the sponsors of this year’s top prizes Professor El Anatsui and Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, Managing Director PELFACO Ltd. He also commended “other supporters and donors … members of the Board and the Organising Committee and of course to our Founder Chief Robert Oji and particularly our Patron, Agbogidi, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha” for their “unbelievable sacrifices of time and resources”.

ARTS & REVIEW\\FESTIVAL The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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CHANGE, INDIGENOUS MUSIC AND LAGOS ANTHEM Steve Ayorinde

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his year’s conference by theAssociation of Nigerian Musicologists (ANIM), which seeks to draw attention to the relevance of indigenous music in Nigeria at this time that I believe the word “change” has become something of a mantra, a sing-song buzzword or something in-between is a remarkable opportunity to discuss a refreshing subject and to show how this fits in well at the “Centre of Excellence”.

In its 12th edition this year, I have a feeling that the organisers are being magnanimous in their bid to draw attention to pertinent issues around what we consider as indigenous music in Nigeria and how, if we suspect or are convinced that there are issues affecting its fortunes, we can collectively attempt to navigate it back on the road to recovery or redemption depending on how we see the challenges confronting indigenous music.

This will be considered with the sole aim of hoping not to sing a dirge for any type of music that we consider being indigenous to any part on Nigeria at a time that “change” is on a creative rampage in our country.

First, let me attempt a description of what indigenous music is: Wikipedia describes indigenous music as a term for the traditional music of the indigenous peoples of the world. In other words, it can be described as the music of an “original” ethnic group that inhabits any geographic region alongside more recent immigrants who may be greater in number.

Like the languages of Nigeria that are a legion, various music types are indigenous to various tribes, peoples and states almost to the extent that it will be inappropriate to label any particular genre of music as the indigenous Nigerian music. However, as concerns for the survival of indigenous languages grow, the worry over the survival or relevance of various indigenous music forms has also grown, almost to the point of trepidation that certain music forms, like some dialects and languages, may soon become extinct if care is not taken.

There is basis for this fear. If we take the Yoruba nation, or for political correctness, the indigenous music of the Southwest, as an example, the seeming disappearance or transmutation of a number of such music styles - from Epe to Ekiti or from Odogbolu to Osogbo – gives the impression that musical forms likeApala,Awurebe and Waka not to talk of Iremoje or the Ewi chants, when we assess them from the musical cum performance art form, may as well qualify as endangered indigenous musical art forms simply because they are at risk of either falling out of performance use or transmute into other forms that derive their relevance from not just other languages but foreign, and in most cases, technology-driven instrumentation.

This fear is real when we consider that the proponents of certain types of musical art forms tend to either die with their brand of indigenous music or their music does not last beyond their prime. This assertion is reinforced when we consider the exit of once legendary musicians like Haruna Ishola,Ayinla Omowura, Ligali Mukaiba, or even Comfort Omoge who really have not had a continuation of their types of music blossom except for limited airplays on radio.

I hesitate to directly relate the suspected dwindling fortunes of a number of our indigenous music to the feared extinction that may befall some of our indigenous languages that are being drowned by western education and cultural dominance. I say this because I am aware that unlike languages, music can indeed be appreciated without necessarily understanding the language in which it is performed.

But then we must worry when a genre of music like waka, even while SalawaAbeni is still alive, has almost already become extinct or even when juju, with its two leading proponents – Chief Ebenezer Obey and King SunnyAde - appears to be gasping for breath in the midst of stiff opposition posed by Fuji, dance-hall indigenous gospel music and of course hip-hop/popular music.

And so I recognise that there is a cause for worry.

But I think I have an idea of where to politely point accusing fingers. I shall identify only two.

Firstly, the media, and in particular the broadcast media which appears to find more fulfilment, and, perhaps understandably so, more listenership in the contemporary hip music that now dominates the airwaves.

But I must not generalise hastily. I should recognise the courageous efforts of radio and televi-

Apala musicians

Steve Ayorinde sion stations that are wholly or in part devoted to the promotion of indigenous culture and preservation of heritage by broadcasting in local languages and thereby giving constant and copious airplay to indigenous music.

Secondly, I find the Music Intelligentsia deserving of blame.And by this term I mean the music scholars, or shall we simply say the musicologists, who I suspect to be guilty of creative discrimination if not snobbery when it comes to the time and resources devoted to either studying, teaching or encouraging the performance and sustenance of traditional musical forms and instruments.

How many music graduates do we encourage to major in algaita instead or guitar; in xylophone instead of the piano; or in bata or gangan drums instead of drum set or the drumlator? How much of encouragement do we give to a fresher in the Music department whose dream is simply to sing Fuji rather than assume that no successful Fuji music artiste requires formal education to be the next rave of the moment?

If we had welcomed with open arms those who trade only in their raw musical talent to seek formal education, forgive me, maybe we probably wouldn’t have had a preponderance of choir masters and music tutors as the flag-bearers of this association (ANIM).

At what point would we have the music intelligentsia stock Ogundare Foyanmu or Ligali Mukaiba’s music in the library of CreativeArts Department of the University of Lagos or the Ibadan Polytechnic and seek a comparison between that style of music and those of SefiuAlao or Muri Thunder and then cause both to be scored and performed as Mr Steve Rhodes of blessed memory once gloriously did with his Steve Rhodes Orchestra? That initiative of his was what gave a different feel and meaning to many of the popular hip hop

songs of the 1990s when Mr Rhodes had them scored and performed by a wind orchestra.

Or are we to assume that there is a class of music that is irredeemably noisy, lowly or just plain crass as to be considered unworthy of scholarship and sol-fa notation?

Shouldn’t it be appropriate to even ask the music intelligentsia if anyone has considered completing the journey that the late Steve Rhodes started when he embarked on a tortuous nation-wide research to collect and document, in print and sound, every known indigenous musical instrument with a view to preserving for generations yet unborn the sounds of yesteryears?

My argument is that history may suffer, musical heritage can get injured and scholarship will be deemed incomplete if we consider certain types of music “not for us” or beneath our class just on account of the language or the colloquial nature in which they are rendered or the social and educational status of their chief proponents and connoisseurs.

The term indigenous should, therefore, suggest strong affinity to the people, no matter how modest and it ought to be the role of the media and the music intelligentsia not to snub such music but to raise it within the possibilities that its surroundings allow.

This is why it should be worthy of rigorous analysis why Fuji, which traces its roots to apala, woro and the Islamic were chants now appear to have won more followership and produced arguably far more advocate-stakeholders than Juju, which shared association with highlife and Christian gospel music and was quicker to embrace western instrumentation while still maintaining its indigenous signposts.

Therefore, for me, the relative success of the Fuji music genre reminds us of the phenomenal success of the Southwest component of Nollywood, in maintaining an appreciable degree of fidelity to indigenous Yoruba language in its movies and television dramas. These two successes in my opinion offer a telling reassurance that I alluded to earlier that indigenous music, like the language where it derives its essence, may not be as threatened as we assume.

WithAfrica Magic Yoruba, Fuji music and media establishments like Radio Lagos (Tiwa n tiwa) and Bond FM, the likelihood of singing Nunc Dimittis for the Yoruba language in our generation is low if not improbable.

It is noteworthy that in the last five to 10 years of media rating in Lagos State, both Bond FM and Radio Lagos have consistently ranked among the Top 4 in terms of listenership, just below Wazobia FM in the No 1 position.

Is there an inherent lesson in having two

indigenous language radio stations in the top position for years, ostensibly saying that their language of expression is not threatened and that if there is a challenge at all, in terms of listenership, it would not come from the impeccable English-speaking, foreign-accented stations but from a “new comer” that chose “bastardised” English (pidgin) as its mode of communication.

Do we then accept that this factual analysis speaks to the survival of indigenous languages and by extension our indigenous music or is this mere euphemism for the parlous state of our education that exposes those who champion a new form of indigenisation in the lingual and music industries as merely propagating cultural renaissance just to mask their inadequacies in Western education?

If your sympathy is for the former submission, that “the indigenous” has enough merit and sufficient followership to guarantee its survival in the foreseeable future, shall we then request for music scores and reading of indigenous music of the traditional types of music like Fuji and Juju for documentation, preservation and scholarship the same manner in which we should demand of writers to produce screenplays and scripts from already shot hurriedly-directed Nollywood language films that are produced essentially from storylines and improvisational dialogue?

If the purity that the musical intelligentsia seeks in terms of sight reading etc. cannot be gotten before the music is performed, can it at least be produced after the music must have been made and become a hit? I assume of course that the music intelligentsia will not seek an escape route out of this tedious route to preserve some indigenous music by accusing me of putting the cart before the horse.

I make this submission in the hope that a state like Lagos can then be moved to throw a challenge at music scholars to assist the state in achieving that which it seeks eagerly, which is to produce a befitting anthem that will be rooted in history, culture and core language of the people; one that will soothe and inspire and will still be subjected to the notation and sight reading requirements of what the music intelligentsia considers to be “proper music”.

Ablessed state that works should be able to look ahead to the grand celebration of its 50th anniversary in May 2017 and desire to have its own anthem as a summation of its can-do spirit and a celebration of its excellence and aquatic splendour. I want to believe that this state should be able to look up to the music intelligentsia in this regard without expecting to resurrect a Fela Sowande or anAyo Bankole Snr. This is a challenge and I happen to know that a music-loving, art and culture-promoting Governor AkinwunmiAmbode will not likely forget in a hurry any one or group that honours Lagos with a deserving state anthem.

After decentralising in December last year the concept of Lagos Countdown that limited the arrival of the New Year to just one venue in just one day, GovernorAmbode decided to spread the joy by expanding the scope to a five-venue, five-day event through the One Lagos Fiesta, thereby giving the residents of Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry and Lagos Mainland the same type of Countdown funfair that Lagos Island had enjoyed consistently for years.

After opening the gates of the government house to jazz and afro-jazz artistes onApril 30th to celebrate the International Jazz Day, the same manner in which President Barack Obama celebrated the same day at the White House; and after announcing its partnership to work with the African Union Commission as the host city of the AllAfrica MusicAwards (AFRIMA) in Lagos this November, it cannot be in doubt that Lagos indeed grooves and has gotten its musical bearing right.

But it recognises that it needs support from this sort of gathering in its quest for a befitting anthem.

In concluding, therefore, I may have recognised enormous challenges ahead of the indigenous Nigerian music forms, especially at this time of change when globalisation, education, digital technology and apathy to one’s cultural identity seem to have formed a conspiratorial quartet.

But I see no gloom.

I see the need for a new positive quartet to emerge and speak out – the media, a reformed music intelligentsia, the government and general public to collectively demand that for our society to hit the right note, our indigenous music, like our mother tongue, must begin to consciously move away from the state of damning diminuendo and soar towards the height of a creative and rewarding crescendo.

––Ayorinde, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, first delivered this piece at the annual Conference of Nigerian Musicologists in Lagos on August 16 .

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

The Continuing Saga of Abuse in Displaced Persons Camps The federal government should take deliberate steps to change the vulnerable and dangerous situation in which internally displaced persons live, writes Vincent Obia

V

ictims of insurgency who are currently sheltered at the internally displaced persons camps across the country may have escaped the worst at the hands of the terrorists, but that has not stopped them from suffering the indignities of displacement. However, for this suffering to be orchestrated by the very people who should be protecting them and helping to ameliorate their situation is by far the worst form of dehumanisation they could face. Human Rights Watch says this is the situation of many in the IDPs camps in the North-east.

The United States-based non-governmental organisation dedicated to research and advocacy on human rights alleges in a report published last week that government officials and security agents have raped and sexually exploited many women and girls displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. The report identifies the main culprits as officials in charge of the camps, including camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers. It says while some of the victims are drugged and raped, others are forced into sex through false marriage promises as well as material and financial assistance. Many are abandoned by their abusers after being impregnated and left to suffer with their children, Human Rights Watch reports.

The federal government should take this report seriously and do everything to bring those behind the sexual exploitation of the IDPs to justice. But the government must also accept responsibility for the lapses that have made the displaced persons susceptible to exploitation.

The government has a statutory and moral responsibility to ensure the welfare and security of the IDPs. But it has been very slack in this responsibility, thus, exposing the displaced persons to multifarious abuses, suffering, and vices.

The Human Rights Watch report is a poignant reminder of the miserable world of the IDPs. There have been revelations about the diversion of funds and items meant for the IDPs. Not long ago, some officials of the National Emergency Management Agency were caught changing the bags in which rice procured by government, benevolent Nigerians, and foreign donors for the IDPs were sold, on purpose to resell them. Recently also, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Borno State also arrested some men alleged to have duped IDPs in the state into buying fake relief materials forms to the tune of about N27 million. The suspects were said to have sold 9,000 forms at N300 each to IDPs in some camps in Maiduguri with the promise of giving them special relief materials from the federal government.

Civil society groups and non-governmental

ezeibe.aguwa@thisdaylive.com 08093842953

organisations claiming to be working for the interest of the IDPs, as well as individuals and government officials have been fingered for various acts bordering on the diversion of funds committed for the welfare of the IDPs by governments, local and foreign donor groups, and wealthy individuals.

Though, over the past months, different institutions and organs of government have raised concerns about the attempts to take advantage of the IDPs, very little concrete action has been taken to stop the abuse. In June, in the wake of the allegations about the diversion of IDPs funds and materials, the House of Representatives passed a resolution mandating its relevant committees investigate the matter. Similarly, when he visited the reopened zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Maiduguri in June, the chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, said there had been complaints about corruption in the IDPs camps from international humanitarian organisations and other civil society groups that were donating relief materials to the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency. “What we are doing is gathering intelligence but the culprits behind the sufferings in the IDP camps will be invited sooner or later by the EFCC,” Magu had assured.

It is not clear if anything concrete has been done on those investigations and what the outcomes are. What is obvious is the deafening

silence that has been the federal government’s response to the raging concerns about exploitation of people in the IDPs camps. The result is the exacerbation of the dire conditions in the camps, where displaced persons are virtually abandoned and left to the mercy of the elements.

This is despite the hugely successful efforts to pull in contributors – in money and materials – to the wellbeing of the IDPs. Amid the frustrating conditions, many in the IDPs camps resort to various debasing and dangerous activities in a desperate bid to stay alive. Reports are rife about growing cases of prostitution and begging at the camps.

The latest report by Human Rights Watch should be a wake-up call for the government. President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the report.

And the Inspector-general of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has constituted a team to investigate the issue.

But the government must acknowledge the crisis that most unfortunately does exist at the IDPs camps and do the needful things to address it. As has been suggested in previous articles on this page, empowering the Victims Support Fund to take full charge of issues relating to the management of relief for the IDPs would be an excellent way to eliminate the corrupt tendencies that have dogged the IDPs aid system. By this proposal, all funds and materials meant for the IDPs from governments, individuals, and corporate bodies should pass through the fund, which is a trust largely insulated from political interference and managed by a group of prominent Nigerians led by General Theophilus Danjuma.

In addition, officials in charge of the camps must be held accountable for any mistreatment of those put in their care.

The federal government must act quickly to stop the man’s inhumanity to man going on at the IDPs camps. This is particularly urgent as the excruciating circumstances have the real possibility of bringing out the worst in the Boko Harm victims, many of who are still being reoriented away from terrorist susceptibilities.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Time to End the Empty Treasury Singsong

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resident Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday that he almost escaped from the Presidential Villa when he assumed office in May last year and, allegedly, met a virtually empty treasury. That comment was most unfortunate. Consistent with an official line that has run since Buhari took office one and a half years ago and is forever going on, the statement depicts the president as a leader who is overwhelmed by

the responsibilities of his office and is resigned to just making excuses for inability to make any difference.

This is more so when the empty treasury claim has largely been exploded by many of those who should know.

At this point, Nigerians are not interested in what Buhari inherited. What they want to see is his successful approach to the country’s problems and the legacy he is likely to leave.

– Vincent Obia

Buhari

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CICERO/ONDO GOVERNORSHIP

Akeredolu

Oke

Jegede

Top Candidates and Burden of Litigation With a few days to the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, the three leading candidates are encumbered withintra-partylegalbattleswhoseoutcomesmaynotaugurwellfortheparties.James Sowole,inAkure,reports

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ndo State is one of the seven states of the federation whose governorship elections hold outside the scheduled national general election calendar. The others are Anambra, Ekiti, Edo, Kogi, Osun, and Bayelsa states.

The alteration was caused by judgements arising from the April 2007 general election.

Yet, none of the other states has had the kind of pre-election matters currently being experienced in Ondo State ahead of the November 26 governorship election in the state. With the volume of litigation preceding the poll, the forthcoming election promises to be a watershed in the history of elections in the state. Whatever be the outcome of litigations involving the candidates of the three leading political parties would definitely be important reference material for the future.

The three leading parties in the election are the Alliance for Democracy, All Progressives Congress, and Peoples Democratic Party.

PDP Controversy

Of the three parties, the one whose matter has generated the greatest controversy is PDP, where the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided by Justice Okon Abang ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission should substitute the name of Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, with that of business mogul, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s candidate.

While Jegede emerged the candidate of PDP from the INECmonitored primary election held at the new State International Event Centre, The Dome, by the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP national caretaker committee, Ibrahim emerged from the Alli Modu Sheriff faction at a primary held at Premier Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The enforcement of the court judgement by INEC has greatly affected the campaign plan of Jegede, who was the first to move out and campaign for votes in the PDP-governed state. That was a time the main opposition party, APC, was still battling with crisis that erupted from its September 3 primary election that was held at the same Ondo State International Event Centre, The Dome.

The outcome of the APC primary led to the revival of AD, when the former candidate of AD, the pre-2003 election leading political party in the South-west, Mr Akin Olowokere, surrendered his ticket to the second runners up at the APC primary, Chief Olusola Oke. Since his coming to AD and his listing by INEC as the candidate of the party, the party has become one of the three parties being tipped to win the election. The name, Oke, has become a rallying point for the party that is now waxing stronger and stronger on daily basis despite complaints by some national leaders of the party on his emergence.

As at now, the case of PDP, where Sheriff and Makarfi factions are engaged in an intractable disagreement, looks most serious.

This is mainly due to the enforcement of the court judgement that has become a matter at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, with attendant controversy in the party.

The fate of PDP in the forthcoming election seems uncertain and confusing, as the legal battle has created lull in the activities of the party in the state. While it has been difficult for Jegede and his supporters to continue with their campaign, Ibrahim and his supporters have not been visible in the state, apart from the visit he paid to some communities in Ondo South senatorial district that terminated at his hometown, Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area.

Jegede’s campaign jingles have been suspended on the

airwaves. However, protests by various interest groups have continued, as INEC’s state headquarters has been playing host to different groups who came to show their displeasure at the court judgement on Ibrahim’s candidature and its enforcement.

AD Defection Dilemma

On the AD candidate, a suit has been filed at the Federal High Court, Akure, to challenge the sudden emergence of Oke, who the plaintiffs say was at no time a member of the party.

They allege that he was brought in by some National Executive Committee members and Olowokere, who emerged from the legally organised primary election. Though, apart from the filling of the suit, nothing has been heard about it, the fear of many is that should the matter be pursued, it would constitute a problem for the ambition of Oke. The national legal adviser of AD, Mr Kehinde Aworele, insists that the issue of Oke’s emergence remains an issue. Aworele has threatened to go to court to challenge Oke’s eligibility as the party’s candidate. He believes Oke does not meet the party’s requirements to contest on its platform.

According to Aworele, “Although, there is a pending suit before a Federal High Court in Akure, which I do not want to pre-empt, as the national legal adviser of AD, I will challenge Oke’s eligibility to contest on the platform of our party in court anytime from now.

“Obviously, for anybody to contest on the platform of AD, the person must have spent a minimum of 10 weeks as financial member, the requirement Oke did not meet. Besides, the process of presenting such candidate must be tabled at the quorum of the National Executive Council of the party and not just by three leaders, as they did in his case.

“Chief Olusola Oke is a senior lawyer; he should go and read the party’s constitution and should not be deceived by few leaders. Personally, I have nothing against him, but he cannot join the party through the back door.”

However, chairman of the Lagos State chapter of AD, Mr Ajayi Kola, said Oke should have communicated his intention to run on the party’s platform better. Kola said it was bad for the majority of the members to know that Oke was the party’s governorship candidate on the pages of newspapers.

The chairman said nobody was against Oke’s candidature, but urged him to go through the necessary procedure.

Kola stated, “What we are saying is that he should go through the normal way; if he wants to fly the party’s flag in the election, it is beyond two or three people. You do not make your intention known to party members on the pages of newspapers.

“We have hierarchy; we have a national leader, a national chairman, we have the National Executive Committee, and we have the National Working Committee. They are supposed to be briefed; he ought to have met these people and not go through the backdoor. “There are certain rules in the party’s constitution that the leadership of the party must iron-out with him before he receives the nod to go ahead.

“He is a very good candidate, a good brand and a saleable one at that; these people will be of great assistance to him if he meets with them. Nobody hates him. Oke is `a big fish’ which every party would love and want to have.”

APC: Squabbling Over Primary

For the APC candidate, the first runners up in the September 3 primary election, Dr Olusegun Abraham, has filed a motion ex-parte in court and listed the APC, Akeredolu, the national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and INEC as the

first, second, third, and fourth defendants, respectively. In the motion ex-parte filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba and supported by an 84- paragraph affidavit, Abraham sought some injunctions that may affect the candidature of Akeredolu if granted by the court.

Abraham’s affidavit contains mainly issues bordering on the list of delegates used for the primary election of the party and the accreditation of the delegates, which was done at three points outside the actual voting venue.

The plaintiff alleged that though, the chairman of the election committee and governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar, informed all the aspirants of a new delegates list dated 1/9/2016, he was not given the list to examine before the primary that held on September 3.

He alleged that he secured the new list after the conclusion of the primary and was therefore denied the opportunity of thorough check and scrutiny of the list before the accreditation leading to the primary election.

Abraham said after cross checking the list, it was discovered that a total of 157 strange delegates’ names were injected into the list of 12 local government areas of the state. He cited specific wards and local governments and names of officers that were allegedly substituted with those who were not delegates.

Abraham alleged that accreditation was hastily done, which led to the mix up that allowed non-delegates to vote.

Following these allegations and others contained in the affidavit, Abraham sought the following orders: “An interim order of injunction restraining the fourth Defendant/Respondent, either by itself, agents or privies from recognising the second defendant/respondent as the governorship candidate of the first defendant/respondent in the Ondo State governorship eection slated for 26/11/2016, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed in this suit.

“An interim order of injunction restraining the first defendant/respondent from parading the second defendant/ respondent as the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress for Ondo State election slated for 26/11/2016 pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed in this suit. “And interim order of injunction restraining the second defendant/respondent from parading himself as the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress for Ondo State election slated for 26/11/2016, pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed in this suit.

“And for such further order(s) as this Honourable court may deem fit upon reading the affidavit in support of the motion ex-pert deposed to by Dr. Olusegun Michael Abraham, Christian, Nigerian citizen and civil engineer of plot 2016, Ikare Street, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State, and filed at the Court Registry.”

After hearing Prof. Yemi Akinseye George SAN, with Kelvin Mejulu, and Omoba Joseph for the plaintiff/applicant, the court ordered as follows: “That the respondents shall appear before the court by noon on 28th day of October, 2016 to show cause why the interim preservatory orders sought should not be granted.

“Matter is hereby adjourned to 28th day of October, 2016 by noon for hearing” the motion ex-parte contained.

Though not much has been reported about the suits that affect the AD and APC candidates, unlike the case of the PDP, the general feeling in the state is that of uncertainty. Many believe the three leading candidates have legal encumbrances that can affect the conduct and outcome of the November 26 election.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

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CICERO/INSIGHT

Ambode: A Political Career on an Upward Trajectory A calm administrator with winning ways and a deservedly rising political profile, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode takes Lagos higher and higher. Vincent Obia writes

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beef-up security in the institutions in the wake of the recent kidnappings in schools.

The Vice Principal of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, in Epe area of the state, two students, and a teacher were kidnapped by gunmen on the morning of Thursday, October 6 from the school premises. Though, they were released five days later, the incident caused fear among Lagosians about the safety of pupils and students in the public schools.

In response to the problem, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board has commenced the perimeter fencing of public primary schools. Public relations officer of SUBEB, Mr Seye Adelusi, who disclosed this on Monday, said work had begun in many of the primary schools. He stressed that the board was also working to ensure that all schools in the state were manned by security guards, both day and night.

He stated, “The board is also planning to recruit security guards in public schools where they are lacking, to protect the children in such schools.

“We are also collaborating with other security agencies, like the Nigeria Police, Neighbourhood Watch, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to boost security in the schools.”

The security beef-up in schools has been of significant relief to parents and their wards in the state.

kinwunmi Ambode, 53, is not from one of the aristocratic families in Lagos State. He is the son of a teacher and did not school in England or America, as was the trend among wealthy folks in his day. But he has had a brilliant career.

Ambode joined the Lagos State civil service in the mid-eighties and voluntarily retired in 2012 after a 27-year-old meteoric career. Upon retirement, he founded Brandsmiths Consulting Limited to provide public finance and management consulting services to governments, their parastatals and agencies.

Accomplishment

Ambode was elected governor last year. He is one a half years in office, meaning that his four-year tenure is still in its early stages. But on the road to 2019, when his first term as governor of Lagos State will end and he may choose to seek re-election, Ambode has several things that Lagosians can see and begin to think beyond his first term.

An accountant by training, he has brought great credit to Lagos State in the area of revenue generation.

Even as federal revenue allocations decline due to falling crude oil prices and states grapple with desperate financial straits under Nigeria’s pseudo-federal system, Ambode’s Lagos has progressively devised innovative strategies to not just stay afloat, but also pursue its development objectives.

The state generated total revenue of N101.69 billion in the first quarter of 2016, netting a surplus of N4.85 billion as against an expected deficit of N29.92 billion. The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, said in May, during a ministerial press briefing to mark Ambode’s first year in office, that the revenue was above that of 2015, which stood at N97.28 billion in the first quarter. This means a revenue performance of N4.4 billion more than that of the same period last year.

This success story, despite a rocky year for government revenues, is the product of a visionary leadership that looked ahead and pursued broader revenue generation strategies. The Ambode government continues to project and create avenues for developing the state into the future.

Against All Odds

Nobody can gainsay the fact that the current quasi-federalism practised in Nigeria is not sustainable. It has replaced productive capitalism, the foundation upon which Nigeria was built, with consumption capitalism, which stifles creativity and innovation and tends to glamorise indolence. The current federalism establishes the rule of the idle and pressures the diligent to kowtow to idleness, a contradiction that spreads the culture of indolence.

Lagos State is in the vanguard of the progressive agitation for true federalism, which aims to return Nigeria to production and pull it back from the devastation and shame of effortless consumption. It has been difficult to push this campaign, though the pressure for restructuring and return of the country to fiscal federalism has been mounting. The few powerful beneficiaries of the current lop-sidedness have dug in their heels and would not allow the fundamental change that would move the whole country forward.

But the Ambode government is not deterred; it has continued to shine the light. At a time when many state governments are using the excuse of declining financial allocations from the federal government to build comfort zones in which they operate and justify the non-payment of their workers’ salaries, the Lagos State government has maintained an excellent record of regular salary payment.

Lofty Ambition

The government is taking internally generated revenue to another level. It is targeting a monthly IGR of N30 billion next year, planning to increase the IGR to N50 billion monthly in 2018, and projecting to grow from the N662 billion budgeted this year to a yearly budget of N1 trillion by 2018.

A fiercely ambitious administrator, Ambode told a town hall meeting in July that his government planned to reduce the state’s dependence on federal revenue allocation to between zero and 10 per cent within the next three years.

Recently, crude oil was, reportedly, discovered in the state.

But Ambode is not hinging his hope on oil rent. He plans to harness the rich tourism potentials of the state and build a robust service sector for Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The governor said at the town hall meeting in Badagry that his government planned “to develop the state’s tourism potentials to reduce our dependence on federal allocation. The future of Lagos is about service and tourism.

“We have a greater plan for Badagry. We are already implementing the plan with construction works going on in different parts of Badagry. Our plan is to make Badagry Nigeria’s hub of tourism.”

Prominent among the things that have come to light in

Outstanding Reputation Ambode Ambode’s patriotic drive to grow the revenue base of the state is his background in financial management. He was a civil servant and financial consultant for nearly 30 years before running for the office of governor.

Security

The governor has also excelled in security. He realises that his vision to make Lagos State Africa’s model megacity and a global economic and financial hub can only be achieved if people feel safe to invest, work, reside, and visit the state for business and leisure. His administration is investing heavily in security and working with key stakeholders to secure life and property. At a recent event organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, over N1 billion was realised in cash donations from individuals and corporate organisations. Many individuals and corporate bodies made commitments in cash and kind towards the maintenance of law and order in the state, while others pledged crucial technical support.

As part of the Ambode administration’s security strategy, the Rapid Response Squad, a Lagos State government security outfit coordinated by the Nigeria Police, is being regularly strengthened with funding, equipment, and transportation facilities. The government is also funding and equipping other security outfits coordinated by other federal security organs, like the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigeria Navy.

In line with the new world of information communications technology, the government is working on a plan to incorporate real time technology into the state’s security system.

The aim is to have a system through which the whole state can be electronically monitored from a control and command centre. This would facilitate the rapid deployment of security to prevent and counter violent crimes and protect life and property. The system, according to the government, would be deployed to sensitive places, such as banks, schools, strategic roads/junctions, government buildings, shopping malls and other public institutions.

To ensure security in every nook and cranny of the state, Ambode recently announced a plan to employ at least 5,000 neighbourhood watchers and deploy them across the state. On August 15, the governor signed into law the state’s Neighbourhood Safety Agency Bill. His chief press secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, 2016 was part of efforts to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the state.

Aruna said in a press statement, “We would go all out to make sure that this agency is activated and all our neighbourhoods will be covered, and then centralised with the state government with all the necessary equipment and resources to ensure that we establish what we call community policing.

That is the way to go.

“We will re-brand neighbourhood watchers and re-equip them to the level that neighbourhood watchers in all the local governments will have their vehicles and necessary equipment to complement security. “We are also working on employing additional 5,000 neighbourhood watchers in all our local governments and they will be paid by us.”

School Security

A crucial aspect of the administration’s security agenda is the perimeter fencing of public schools in the state. This is to

The Ambode government has enjoyed an excellent reputation. It has been associated with progressive initiatives and visionary leadership.

In a rare appreciation by an opposition party, last Monday, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party issued a statement to commend the All Progressives Congress governor.

Spokesman for the PDP chapter, Mr. Taofik Gani, said Ambode had taken government presence to many parts of the state that had been abandoned for eight years by his predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

“Without adopting the government of Ambode, at least we can now see signs of government presence in some erstwhile abandoned areas under former Governor Babatunde Fashola,” the statement read.

Background

Ambode’s down-to-earth style of leadership definitely has something to do with his origins. Born in Epe, a suburb of the state, he attended St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebutte Meta, Lagos; Federal Government College, Warri, and the University of Lagos where he studied Accounting, graduating in 1984 at the age of 21. He has a master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos and is a chartered accountant.

Ambode came into the service of the Lagos State government shortly after his one year National Youth Service Corps programme in 1985, as Account Grade II with the then Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (now Lagos State Waste Management Authority). By 1988, at the age of 25, he was appointed the Assistant Treasurer, Badagry Local Government Area. In 1991, he was posted to Shomolu Local Government Area as Auditor. He was later deployed to Alimosho Local Government Area as Council Treasurer. Ambode was posted back to Shomolu as Council Treasurer and transferred to Mushin Local Government Area as Council Treasurer.

He traversed the three senatorial districts of the state and many of the local government councils in different capacities within 10 years. This was a vital preparation for his later political responsibilities.

In 1998, Ambode was awarded the US Fulbright Scholarship for the Hubert Humphries Fellowship Programme in Boston Massachusetts. He also attended the Wharton Business School for Advanced Management Programme; Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, England; the Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland; INSEAD Singapore; and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, U.S.A. He became the Accountant General of the state in 2006 and held the position until 2012, when he retired. His six years stint as accountant general witnessed significant improvement in the state’s financial performance, with a transformation of the revenue generation, management, and budgeting strategies.

Election

Ambode won a clear victory at the poll last year, beating his closest opponent, Jimi Agbaje of PDP, by 801, 311 votes to 659,788 votes. But his election saw the stiffest opposition to a governing party’s candidate in the state since the Fourth Republic. PDP put up its best performance in the state at the last election.

Nevertheless, Ambode has since his inauguration on May 29 last year maintained a popularity that transcends party lines.

The story of his one and a half years stewardship has been that of success, hope, and resilience.

It is difficult to say how things will pan out before the end of his tenure. But so far, Ambode has demonstrated confidence in his strength at the wheel of power.

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Obaseki: My Focus Will Be on Governance Not Politics Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Edo State Governor –Elect, will be sworn-in this weekend in Benin City. In this media chat, he reiterates his campaign promises to build on the achievements of his predecessor.

He says his focus will be on governance and explains how members of his team will be chosen.

Anayo Okolie brings excerpts

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from where we are today but that things can only improve.

he new Oba of Benin has admonished you on several occasions to ensure you follow the footsteps of Governor Oshiomhole, how do you intend to do that and how loyal will you be to the traditional institution?

Of course, I have to be loyal because I need the institution more than Oshiomhole in terms of my developmental plans. In the past when they will come to government house, I will go to them and seek their advice. My goal is to bring in investment and this investment has to be located in their domain. I have to design a relationship so that they would help me create the environment, the stability and the security required to those investments. So my relationship with them will not only be cordial but symbiotic. It is not going to be a formality, they are going to be a active part because of the respect I have for them and the role they would play in stabilising the polity.

But there is this fear that you may not be as generous as Oshiomhole in your dealings with people?

The truth is that Oshiomhole was able to afford it because oil prices were high, if oil prices go back up and I get the revenue, I will but right now it is not the situation we find ourselves. We have to be more prudent but we are hoping that once the revenue picks up and the economy is more buoyant I have to take care of them, they are my employers. But right now when we are struggling to pay salaries and keep government running it will be imprudent to go and borrow to distribute but hopefully it will not last too long and certainly if the economy is as good as when Oshiomhole started, I will give as much. But honestly I will do my best to satisfy our people. I don’t think there is anything to fear about.

You said you will not accommodate opposition members into your cabinet, are you still stuck with that?

Yes. First, we don’t have a government of national unity, we won fair and square in an election, the people spoke and it was very clear the choice they wanted. My own agenda is very straight forward and different from that of the opposition. My party is very rich with people with ideas and even from the federal level down we have an agenda, a very progressive agenda to run and I don’t see how the PDP people will fit into my government.

I will come up with programmes that will benefit all and they will be glad I emerged as governor rather than their own candidate.

How are you going to deal with PDP leaders like Anenih, Igbinedion and others?

As far as I am concerned, from the polls, it was shown that they were rejected so I expect and hope they have read the hand writing on the wall and they will gracefully retire from politics. I heard one of them is retiring on his book launch and on that day he would declare that he is retiring from politics. The handwriting is clear, they should leave the coast because they really don’t have much to offer. They have offered everything they can in this democratic dispensation. So they should retire gracefully, they have played their part as leaders and now I think they should allow the younger ones to take over.

What will be your focus in the three senatorial districts?

The first thing is that we would conclude all existing projects. We will not have any abandoned project, I mean that is the hallmark

On Recession The recession throws up opportunities, because what is happening is that as a country we are not earning enough foreign exchange to buy and import the almost $30 billion goods that we consume in this country. Which means that there is now a huge opportunity to produce most of those goods and services within Nigeria. These production will be located in states and only those states that are well managed that investors will feel that their investment is safe and secure, those are the states that would attract those investments and companies. I want to position Edo as one of those, one of the top three so that when people come in, they are interested in producing goods and services in Nigeria, Edo must be one of the top three they consider.

Obaseki

of continuity but the focus is now more on economic empowerment. So for each locality we have identified the key economic drivers and our programme as a government will be to create an enabling environment in terms of security, infrastructure, and manpower to support those economic activities in each of the senatorial districts. For instance, in Edo North, thanks to the limestone that is already on ground in the Okpella axis, we will leverage on that to increase access to mining and agricultural opportunities. We have identified a few which we believe can be started up by the first quarter of next year, ditto in Central; there are people waiting to see the shape of the new government before they bring their investment in specific transaction we have identified. So those ones will be supported. In the South, the story will not be different. The buzz word today is Agro-business and as you will see even from my inauguration we are making sure that will be the starting point by inviting a lot of would be potential investors in Edo to now begin to feel comfortable coming in and taking a position economically.

On Gelegele sea Port, as we speak, proposals are being considered and once I am sworn-in we are going to get to setup a team to look at the amount that has been done and all what is required to attract the necessary investment.

We believe that we may not have to wait on the federal government, once we can establish its liability we can get the private investment to support it.

Why do you think governors always fight with their predecessors?

The reason, maybe because they are core politicians that wants to create an empire. We want to create a political empire but the good thing about Oshiomhole and myself is that we are not classic politicians. We have come in to take on some specific assignments which is more germane. For me, my goal is not to build a political empire, I would rather build an

economic empire for the benefit of my people.

I just want to focus on more governance than there is politics. If you look at it, we are one team that came into government and we are still working together as one. We have got to share a common passion for the state and that is the key driver and giving the way we have worked for the last eight years, I don’t see what will radically change today that will make us be at each other’s neck. I will love politics to be played at ... because Oshiomhole is our leader because that will give me enough space and time to work. That would be ideal because one of the drawbacks of my predecessor was the need to build a party and stabilise the politics, he had to spend a lot more time on the politics.

He could have accomplished more if he had more time to deal with issues of governance.

If I am fortunate enough to have people who can help me spend more time to manage the politics so that I can drive development, that would be ideal. That is why you need a party and a strong party structure where a party leader spend more time in helping to manage the politics. While the governor who is supposed to be the Chief Executive Officer implement the policies of the party but if I have to spend time settling quarrels at ward levels I will not have time to pursue issues of governance.

On the 200,000 jobs promise Yes, I am very optimistic because we didn’t get that number from the air. There are specific activities of social transaction that we are looking at which we will begin to unveil when we get into office. Like I said, we are fortunate that even at the federal level there is also concern and resources are being put in to ensure that government create enabling environment for businesses to thrive. The bulk of this job like I said are going to come from Agriculture, mining and government is going to be very active identifying the opportunities. It is hope that nothing will change too drastically

People are afraid, you may increase taxes in Edo? We should distinguish between taxation and extortion because what people are complaining about is extortion and the way people are trying to get levies and fines from them. That must stop and that would stop. There are only a hundred and sixty thousand people in Edo state today who pay taxes, that is the people that pay tax and the government receives.

What we need to do is to expand the base so that more people pay something and make the process fairer because right now it is not fair because only 160, 000 carry the burden of the entire state. You will find out that you don’t need to increase the amount of tax people pay but just make sure that more people who are eligible pay so that more people carry the burden of our development.

What do you hope to achieve in your first 100 days?

I have a four year term so I am not going to benchmark myself on a traditional benchmark.

There are certain short term milestones which we need to achieve whether in 50 or 120 days or 180 days we will determine how realistic it is to accomplish those short term goals and then look at the million and longer term work.

My goal is not to be desperate to play to the gallery and make the noise I feel people want to hear. For me, the important thing is to create something that is enduring, I am not going to white wash because I am so anxious to see things accomplished in a 100 days and therefore create white wash and phantom projects.

There are rumours that you want to appoint people from Lagos into your cabinet when sworn-in ans abandon those who worked for the party?

I don’t have any such plans, I have been here for the last eight years and I have worked with people and I believe we have very good quality manpower. Certainly I am not going to bring non-Edo people so even if they are going to come from Lagos, they are going to be Edo people.

However the emphasis is on good quality people who are representatives of where they come from in the state. So I will be working very closely with all the political leaders in the state in determining who we select or appoint, I will consult extensively with them but whoever we appoint must be people who the political leaders are comfortable with whether they come from here or outside.

Political leaders will determine who I will appoint. I am serving them and I must be loyal to all Edo people.

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

Kano: The Red Cap Controversy Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, are squabbling over the red cap symbol, which has been traditionally associated with the Kwankwasiyya group led by Kwankwaso. Ibrahim Shuaibu, in Kano, looks at the implications for politics

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he political atmosphere in Kano State is cloudy, as the immediate past governor, who is now a senator, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the incumbent governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, engage in a supremacy battle. The issue in dispute is the red cap symbol that has been associated with supporters of the Kwankwasiyya political ideology formed by Kwankwaso during the 2007 general elections.

Ganduje was the deputy governor when Kwankwaso was governor between 1999 and 2003 and between 2011 and 2015, before succeeding Kwankwaso as governor under the banner of All Progressives Congress in 2015.

Disagreement

The disagreement between the two leaders started after Ganduje took over as governor last year and, allegedly, began to side-line loyalists of the former governor who had worked assiduously to ensure his victory. Ganduje was said to have resorted to bringing into his government some of the political opponents of Kwankwaso in APC. Among the loyalists of Kwankwaso that were sacked from the government was the then Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Rabiu Bichi, who was one of those people that served Kwankwaso and also remained loyal to Ganduje at the time he was deputy governor. His removal from the cabinet came as a surprise to many people in the state considering that the governor and the former SSG come from the same senatorial district of Kano North.

Ganduje replaced Bichi with Alhaji Usman Alhaji, from Kano South senatorial district, who came into APC from the legacy party, the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, as SSG. It was also learnt that removal of Bichi was one of the immediate causes of the rift between Kwankwaso and Ganduje. Another issue that was said to have contributed to the faceoff was the inability of Ganduje to incorporate the Kwankwaso men into government.

A source revealed that some former commissioners under Kwankwaso teamed up against Ganduje because of the governor’s inability to continue with them in government and this resulted in the incitement of some APC members against the Ganduje government.

Growing Popularity

But there was also the allegation that some of the former commissioners never saw Ganduje as someone competent.

They had opposed him during the governorship contests. When Ganduje eventually emerged governor, many of them remained opposed to him and refused to congratulate him.

It was also learnt that some of the people from the Kwankwaso administration were acting as saboteurs and working against the smooth running of the government, just to discredit Ganduje before the populace.

Some of the former commissioners of Kwankwaso accused Ganduje in a radio programme and jingles because of failing to include them into his government.

This situation culminated in removal of the Alhaji Haruna Doguwa leadership of the party and its replacement with that headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Abass.

Doguwa is Kwankwaso’s loyalist

Ganduje Many local government chairman in the state threw away the red caps of the Kwankwasiyya ideology and declared their support for Ganduje. This situation was repeated in the House of Assembly, which passed a vote of confidence on Ganduje, with legislators throwing away their red caps.

Members of the National Assembly from the state have also thrown their weight behind Ganduje by throwing away the Kwankwasiyya red caps.

Among them are Senator Kabiru Gaya representing Kano South senatorial district, and Senator Barau Jibrin representing Kano North senatorial district.

Thirty six members of the House of Assembly, out of 40 members, are currently with Ganduje, while19 members of the House of Representatives, out of 26, have also declared their support for him along with their supporters across the state.

Ganduje has repeatedly on many occasion that he is the second in command in the Kwankwasiyya ideology, as he was the deputy governor of the state from 1999 to 2003; and also served as Kwankwaso’s political adviser when he was Minister of Defence during in the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

During the inauguration of some road projects in the state recently, Ganduje accused Kwankwaso of mismanaging projects. Speaking in the Hausa language, Ganduje said, “Wasu sun yi aiki wasu sunyi aika aika,” meaning that some have done good projects while others mismanaged the projects, an indirect reference to Kwankwaso.

Faceoff

It could be recalled that during the one year anniversary celebrations, the Kwankwasiyya group attempted to discredit Ganduje’s government by organising a mass wedding at the time when the government was celebrating its one year in office. To forestall any clashes, the security agencies had to intervene and barred the supporters of Kwankwaso and Ganduje from holding any public gathering without police permit.

Kwankwaso But the Kwankwasiyya loyalists organised and conducted secret mass wedding at Kwankwasiyya headquarters in Kano at Lugard Avenue before the police sealed off the venue.

A member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement told THISDAY, “The mass wedding was conducted secretly, with only the brides and grooms, next of kin, and some selected Islamic scholars in attendance.“

Red Cap Controversy

Recently, while addressing the press as part of Kwankwaso’s 60th birthday celebration, a group of Kwankwaso loyalists led by Alhaji Sharu Garba Gwammaja gave Ganduje 48 hours to shed his red cap or face legal action.

Gwammaja said, “Kwankwasiyya stands for peace, progress transparency, accountability, good governance and rule of law. Ganduje has betrayed the movement by not keeping to its ideals since he assumed office as governor of the state in 2015.”

Gwammaja said Ganduje had betrayed the entire movement. “This made it possible for about 2.3 million people to register as Kwankwasiyya members in the state,” he added.

But in a swift reaction, Ganduje threatened to probe alleged illegal activities of the immediate past administration of Kwankwaso, ranging from illegal land deals to education and infrastructure.

The Commissioner for Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, warned the Kwankwasiyya group over its “laughable allegation”, and threatened to institute a commission of inquiry to investigate Kwankwaso’s lack of transparency in governance. He cited the foreign scholarship scheme by the previous administration as of the ill-planned and poorly handled projects that were full of financial irregularities. Garba added that the government was not perturbed by such embarrassing scams but was going ahead to address the anomalies.

The commissioner stated, ‘’This deliberate distortion of facts and spreading of falsehood is capable of provoking the government to drop its

non-confrontational stance and a institute commission of inquiry to probe the previous administration, particularly, on illegal land deals, education and infrastructure.’’

On the allegation of abandoning the five-kilometre road projects initiated by the previous administration in all the 44 local governments areas of the state, Garba said the projects were characterised by contract scam, suspicion, financial mismanagement. He said no wonder the project had become the subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Ganduje said his government would not be distracted by the spread of falsehood by the Kwankwasiyya forum, which the administration believes is hell-bent on tarnishing the governor’s reputation. ‘’In addition, the statement is another futile attempt to hoodwink people of the fast and unceasing waning popularity of the red cap across the state, as more than 80 per cent of those that hitherto wore it have since dropped it,’’ the commissioner said in the statement.

The statement maintained that Ganduje had the constitutional right to wear the red cap, which was introduced and popularised by the late Mallam Aminu Kano, describing the threat by the Kwankwasiyya group as misguided, laughable, pathetic, pitiful, as well as a desperate attempt to misguide the public and bring the administration of Ganduje and his personality to disrepute.

Disregard

A political observer in Kano, Comrade Musa Lawan, said many people in Kano believed that Ganduje was side-lined during the administration of Kwankwaso. Lawan said Ganduje will soon outshine Kwankwaso considering his political ideology of involving competent people in government.

According to him, “People always forget history; this political hullabaloo is not something new in Kano politics and the entire country because anyone who succeeded his boss in office must always try to outshine his master. So the issue will sort itself out in before 2019 whereby those looking for political office to contest must surrender their loyalty to the government in power, not somebody who could not control the party.”

Division

The supremacy battle over the red cap symbol has generated tension among members of the APC in the state because of the popularity of the two personalities involved, Kwankwaso and Ganduje.

Kwankwaso, through his aides, is rooting for the grassroots for more supporters, while Ganduje as the governor of the state is busy executing projects to try to woo people to his political fold.

THISDAY learnt that the second term campaigns for Ganduje and President Muhammadu Buhari have already begun, under the theme: 4 +4 for Buhari and Ganduje 2019.

Supporters of Kwankwaso, apart seeking to control the grassroots, are also making plans and holding series of meeting with a view to paving the way for Kwankwaso to contest the presidency in 2019.

Whatever may be the case, 2019 will be a litmus test for Kwankwasiyya and Ganduje, as they battle for political control under the red cap banner.

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

CICERO/REPORT/RIGHT OF REPLY

Bagudu’s Pursuit of a Noble Cause As Nigeria continues to record high prevalence of cancer, MedicAid Care Foundation under the leadership of the Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, appears set to go the whole hog in tackling the disease. Paul Obi writes on the foundation’s recent efforts geared towards public awareness, prevention and treatment.

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s Nigeria continues to record high prevalence of cancer, MedicAid Care Foundation under the leadership of the Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, appears set to go the whole hog in tackling the disease. Paul Obi writes on the foundation’s recent efforts geared towards public awareness, prevention and treatment.

According to Emory University Professor of Hametology and Medical Oncology, Otis Brawley, the demand for cancer care delivery is likely to increase because of the projected increase in the burden of cancer due to aging and growth of the population. Between 2012 and 2030, newly diagnosed cancer cases are expected to increase by 70 percent and the cancer deaths projected to double simply due to the aging and growth of the population. The cancer burden and the demand for cancer care services are expected to increase in the coming years across Africa and around the world. Prof.

Brawley also stressed that African nations should not just focus on diagnosing cancer without recourse to effective treatment plan.

In the same token, a university don and Professor of Radiation Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof.

Ifeoma Okoye, recently highlighted the importance of early diagnosis of cancer. Okoye explained that, public awareness on cancer provides the opportunity to open up, in order to create awareness and reduce the proportion of late cancer diagnosis. “Through creating concerted public awareness on preventive measures and the need to go for screening for all kinds of cancers, the burden is drastically reduced,” Okoye stressed.

Following that strategy and advice is the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu. She believes that the increasing spate and risk of cancer in Nigeria has become alarming to be left in the hands of government alone. She warned that if drastic actions were not taken, Nigeria would be in great health crisis.

Bagudu, a Pediatric Consultant, spoke as part of efforts to contain the disease, which also involved a health walk in Abuja metropolis and other public awareness programmes.

To that effect, notable Nollywood stars were included in the programme to spearhead public awareness on the danger of cancer to society. The event brought many celebrities out with thousand other public walks expected to be staged around the country against the disease.

According to Dr Bagudu, awareness remains key in tack-

Bagudu ling cancer in various ways. She said, her non-governmental organization, MedicAid Care Foundation which sponsored the event, had been working on cancer in the country since 2009. MedicAid was founded to screen, treat and advocate for cancer patients.

Bagudu said: “This is done in various fund-raising events.

The proceeds of which are channeled towards ensuring the fight against cancer remains foremost and central in the minds of the Nigerian populace.

“The organization has conducted free CT scans on well over 20 cancer patients across the country and raised funds for the treatment of thousands more; raised funds for the support and treatment of cancer patients in the various

geo-political zones; and conducted free cancer screening for thousands throughout Abuja, Maiduguri, Zamfara and Kebbi,” she stated. According to her, MedicAid has trained 30 nurses on diagnosis and management of cancer. She stressed that despite global spread, the disease is still more common among the aged.

“Most of the cancers come from older generation. Cancer is a condition that comes about when any cell in that body that is living is capable of a change to become cancerous. So, every cell, apart from the dead ones can get cancer, all the internal organs can all become cancerous. “What happens is the normal replication process, the regenerative process that each cell goes through just gets out of hand. It is uncontrolled, and it starts firing anyhow. Things are not coming the normal way; what triggers it may be different, it could be a virus, it could be chemical…

“It is a disease of the aging generation. There is more diagnosis. There is more awareness among the educated population. The more educated you are, the more you are likely to know about disease conditions. But, there is more awareness now,” she stated. The First Lady observed that cases of cancer have reduced among youths because of increased awareness. She also promised that she could help persons who could not afford cancer test at the radiotherapy section of the National Hospital to do it free.

The wife of the governor informed THISDAY that her “organization has raised N40 million this year, and that she was working to make ultrasound test for cancer cost N500 for people in the country.

She further said that cancer risk factors were still very high.

According to her, consumption of processed foods, alcohol, smoking and lack of physical exercises make people more vulnerable to the disease.

Speaking, actress Joke Silva explained that the movie on cancer re-enact the challenges people go through in the fight against cancer. Silva stressed that the movie highlights critical aspect associated with cancer ranging from prevention, care, treatment and societal attitudes towards cancer patients.

MedicAid Care Foundation efforts is not just to create awareness on cancer but to also offer some remedies on prevention and treatment. This underscores the essence of a complete package required to fight cancer effectively. In Bagudu’s view, the desire to fight cancer will continue, and will be sustained through scaling up prevention and treatment measures. But beyond the assurances, a lot now lies in walking the talk.

Okolie and the Real Fear at the Supreme Court Simon Agadah

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eading the piece titled “Bayelsa: Who is afraid of the Supreme Court” by Anayo Okolie in Thisday, the Sunday Newspaper dated October 30, 2016, the impression, ordinarily, was that of a journalist weighing in on the pertinent issues in the Bayelsa governorship election regarding the appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Timipre Sylva, pending at the Supreme Court.

As such, the expectation should have been one of a careful analysis of the matter essentially elucidated on merit thereby educating the public on the substance of the case.

But a cursory look at the publication in question, especially in the latter part, Anayo Okolie’s mischief and blatant misinformation came too clear, giving the obvious fact that his skewed effort at misrepresenting the facts of the case was nothing but a hatchet job as Sylva’s surrogate. It was a publication to ventilate the same warped and fallacious positions Sylva and his acolytes had been taking on the governorship election which the incumbent, Seriake Dickson, won overwhelmingly.

Perhaps, the point must be made that Sylva and his cocollaborators are desperate in all forms to unseat Governor Dickson but that kind of mindless attitude will lead them nowhere as the mandate of the good people of Bayelsa State that was freely given to him will subsist and therefore he will also win resoundingly at the apex court as he did at both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal. Yes, it has to be emphasized that Sylva lost woefully in that election but being a desperate power monger, he’s exploring a gamble probably informed by his closeness to power hoping he could wangle a magic but it will end up in fiasco. A bad case is a bad case, no matter the understanding that the law is an ass.

Now who is really afraid of the Supreme Court? Is it Dickson or Sylva who has been dodging the Supreme

Court by evading being served the court papers regarding Dickson’s appeal to his own case that he, Sylva, lacked the qualification and integrity to have even contested that election? Or shall we ignore the indecent equivocations by Anayo Okolie that the questionable“election” in Southern Ijaw as canvassed in the piece and as Sylva had ignorantly presented over time were legitimate and should be accepted when there were no elections held and as supported by the verdict of the electoral umpire, INEC, local and foreign observers? Of course, the well -considered positions of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal on the phony election being concocted illogically by Sylva and his surrogates like Anayo Okolie signposted the decoy to mislead the Supreme Court on the matter but we trust that the apex court is no respecter of anyone and will accordingly dispense justice mainly on facts of the case to the extent that no election was held in Southern Ijaw as being peddled. As such Sylva’s case lacks merit no matter the media propaganda.

Thus if there is anyone who’s afraid of the Supreme Court, it can only be Timipre Sylva and his band of desperate acolytes trying riotously to influence the outcome of the case but we wait to see how this can be done in the face of the clear distortions and outright dubious orchestrations weighing down heavily on his case as lacking in merit. No one is in doubt that the good people of Bayelsa State will continue to defend their mandate freely given to their governor no matter whose ox is gored. The intimidation campaign which Anayo Okolie referred to in his piece would rather be properly assigned to his own jaundiced narrative which reeked of professional crookedness and misjudgment. But no matter, we must call a spade a spade. It is only in Anayo Okolie’s understanding of journalism that a piece meant to be an analysis (features) turned out to be a decoy to support a particular narrow end of a subsisting case, even taking an awkward stand on why the case must be decided in favour of Sylva. So what happened to objectivity? This is clearly an anathema in journalism, indeed an aberration, denouncing everything about ethical practice. This is why Anayo Okolie

Mohammed Mahmud, CJN

must now inform his sponsors that they need to be afraid of the Supreme Court because the apex court will not pander to such ill-motivated media insinuations but only interested in the merit of the case. Again, Anayo Okolie must endeavor to persuade Sylva to allow his lawyers open their doors to receive the court papers being served Sylva via Dickson’s appeal at the Supreme Court which has till date been evaded for obvious reasons. But what is sure is that reason will prevail and justice will be done no matter the length of time. Facts are sacred, still.

––Agadah, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Yenagoa.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

NESH 2016: The Future Starts Here!

Emma Agu

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or much of his adult life, Emeka Ugwu-Oju, current president of the South-East, South-South professionals has taken on the role of a catalyst in promoting the economic transformation of Nigeria. He is a firm advocate of private sector led development, undergirded by strong indigenous entrepreneurial elite and supported by a policy environment founded that is on good governance and global best practices. To achieve this, time and again, he has engaged in robust network facilitation and restless remediation in many facets of our national life. You will therefore not be surprised to find him one moment attending a conference or a meeting of the World Bank in Washington DC and the next moment, he is in Nigeria’s Niger Delta in covert negotiation with militants or back in Aso Rock interfacing with decision-makers.

That is why his recent baby, NESH should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows this ex-banker, foremost entrepreneur and bridge-builder. By the way, NESH is acronym for Nigerian Entrepreneurs Summit and Honours. It is not to be confused with NESG, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. They are different. Yet, they share similar concerns: to deepen those values that would lead Nigeria into the comity of the developed world. Ugwuoju outlined the objectives of NESH during its maiden press conference on October 5 thus: “NESH as conceived will hold annually and will provide an avenue for thought leadership and engagement, knowledge exchange, networking, benchmarking and appreciation of the contribution of entrepreneurs to national development.”

NESH, an annual event, will be driven by five key components: A plenary session, a round table discussion, presentation of NESH Top 10 High Impact Projects Watch list, an annual keynote speech and the honours and recognitions. Each segment of this five-layer structure has been conceptualized to provide a learning environment for mentoring, peer reviews and project evaluation, networking, policy initiatives and road mapping for sustainable development.

Thus, at NESH 2016 which has been slated

for November 16 and 17 at the Lagos Oriental, Victoria Island, Lagos, the keynote paper will be presented by no less a person than Dr. Benedict Oramah, Chairman and President of the Board of the African Import and Export Bank at a blockbuster event where the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is expected to lead the pack of dignitaries. For effect, and as a mark of its seriousness, NESH has Professor Osinbajo as its grand patron.

It is just as well that the vice president will be in attendance and nothing should stop him from coming, not even an engagement in any of the three strategic rooms in his house. This is because the plenary will take a presentation on the state of the economy from January 2016 to date with emphasis on its impact on Nigerian entrepreneurs. We shall therefore expect that, during the panel discussion to follow, the vice president will hear the unvarnished truth from those who, for better or worse, cannot be ignored if the change agenda of the government is to make any headway.

If the plenary promises to be revealing, the roundtable session is bound to be animated given the sectors slated for discussion. Oil and Gas; Agriculture; Transportation (Air/Rail// Road/Water); Industry-Power; and Taxation will take the center-stage in the section that has been designed, in the words of Ugwu-0ju, “to help ascertain rules and regulations that need to be fine-tuned or discarded if they are shown to be counter-productive.” The ultimate aim is to chart a roadmap for improving the enabling environment for Nigerian Entrepreneurs.

While these are all strategic, I am enthused by the NESH Top Ten Nigeria High Impact Projects (NIHIP) Watch list which entails identifying 10 key projects initiated by Nigerian Entrepreneurs and PPP arrangements that, in the considered opinion of NESH, hold the prospect of impacting positively on the Nigerian economy if completed and operational.

As Ugwu-oju stated, the objective of the watch list is to encourage timely completion of such projects and to minimize the negative impact of policy reversals on the projects.

To understand the significance of this, it should not be forgotten that time and again, political considerations and personal prejudices have often counted more in determining the survival of projects, no matter how wellconceived or their undeniable benefits to the

economy. By holding up such projects to public appreciation, scrutiny and emotional buy-in, NESH will be creating a new ombudsman/ watchdog template that could checkmate political impunity, huge corporate scams and lopsided economic development that have consigned the Nigerian state to the status of an economic midget in spite of the country’s towering resource endowment.

NESH has also taken a salutary step by including an honours section in its overall strategy for achieving accelerated and sustained entrepreneurial push. Although the 2016 list of honourees could look predictable, nothing should be taken away from these Nigerians who ventured out of their comfort zones, risked family resources and reputation to venture into the often unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Without them, chances are that Nigeria would still be reeling under the yoke of complete foreign economic domination.

Before the emergence of the likes of Aliko Dangote, Leo Stan Ekeh, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu, Allen Onyema, following on the footsteps of the Dozies, the Dantattas, the Sunbomi Baloguns, etc, the Nigerian economic landscape was dominated by foreigners, in the distributive trade, finance, electronics, foods and beverages or education. Today, that has changed significantly. The inclusion of Collins Onuegbu of Signal Alliance gives me especial joy because in him, through him, I have come to learn that sustained self-development, capacity building, passion, patience, grit, integrity and compassion for others, can never fail you. It is

years of its existence, the NDDF have provided a platform for information sharing and collaboration opportunities for government, private sector, and civil society organisations pursuing approaches for equitable and inclusive economic growth in the Niger Delta.

This year’s edition of the NDDF, the 5th in the series, was held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State on the 19th and 20th of October 2016. The Forum was sponsored by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in collaboration with Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDPI), the Imo State Government and DFID funded Market Development for the Niger Delta (MADE). Technical partners for the Forum include USAID Nigeria, DAI, NSRP, BRACED Commission and DEMAND Alliance. The theme of the two days event was ‘Towards Self-Sustaining Development in the Niger Delta: Narrating and Showcasing a Re-Imagined Niger Delta’. Participants were drawn from government, the private sector and Civil Society organisations all over the Niger Delta. Those in attendance include the Governor of Imo State, the NDDC Chairman, representatives of the governments of the nine Niger Delta States and the federal government, Development partners, Academicians, Activists and people from all works of life. Celebrities of Niger Delta extraction were not left out. Tee Mac, Nigeria’s maestro Concert Flutist, Hilda Dokubo and Monalisa Chinda, renowned Nollywood actresses and Mike Nliam, composer of the new theme song for the NDDF, were in attendance.

In his welcome address, Sam Daibo, the Executive Director of PIND stated that ‘with each edition, the attendance at NDDF increases, the number of stakeholders interested in the Forums increases, and in the last two years, we have been able to involve the governments of the host states

directly in the planning of NDDF in order for them to take ownership of and drive the policy recommendations that come out of the Forums.

We no longer need to convince anyone as to the importance of dialogue and collective action for the Niger Delta, as our partners now on their own individually take on policy recommendations and decisions reached at the NDDFs into their own respective work plans’.

While acknowledging the current challenges facing the Niger Delta, especially the re-emergence of violence by new militancy groups resulting from the hardship caused by the crash in global oil prices, Daibo stressed that PIND has been working towards a more peaceful and equitable Niger Delta for over five years and that they had great confidence in the region’s ability to realize its fullest potential. ‘In the face of these challenges, it is important to understand how we got here and to articulate our vision of how to move from where we are to where we want to go. We are putting NDDF to the service of this need to re-imagining a possible future, beginning with changing the narrative of the Niger Delta. We must promote a Niger Delta that ranks high in inclusive citizen participation in governance; where state governments operate with the concepts of transparency, accountability, and effectiveness; where diversity in economic pursuits are championed by state governments and executed openly; and a region that no longer grapples with violence but where peace reigns’ he stated.

Several goodwill messages were delivered by different partners and government representatives, including the new NDDC Chairman who noted that the problems bedeviling the Niger Delta were as huge as they were multifaceted and that the crash of the oil price and renewed militancy have further compounded the woes in

Ugwu-Uju

because of people like him that, in spite of our constant floundering as a nation, in spite of the shenanigans that dot our landscape, I retain my conviction that, my generation will not be the last to experience a public university system that treated students like human beings and not tools, a work environment that regarded salary as a right and not a privilege and a society that was ruled by conscience and not caprice.

We must congratulate Emeka Ugwu-oju and NESH for this addition to the frontiers of entrepreneurial structuring and benchmarking.

Nigeria may be a country of all sorts; every nation is. We could be bedeviled by all sorts of monsters; they are there in every country. But we must never lose hope in the genius of this country. It could sound trite, even stupid. But nothing explains our genius more graphically than the joke about three travellers, a German, an American and a Nigerian whose survival depended on the ability of each to throw something into the sea that the sea monster could not find. The German and American nationals each threw solid objects into the sea that were promptly retrieved by their assailant.

Guess what the Nigerian was said to have done: he opened a packet of sachet (pure water), emptied the content into the sea and derided the monster to go ‘find water inside water’! That simply parodies the Nigerian genius. Did Jesus not ask his disciples to be as gentle as a dove and clever as a serpent?

Ugwu-oju and his NESH group has challenged us to wear our thinking caps, engage our future in an honest, informed conversation and chart a route out of our present selfinflicted woes. It is only fitting to conclude by reproducing his words about the timing of NESH: “It is fortuitous that NESH will be commencing when Nigeria is in an economic recession. NESH as a platform will be in the vanguard of mobilizing Nigerian Entrepreneurs to lead the country out of the current recession.

NESH will also be in the forefront of promoting the patronage of Nigerian made goods and services by the governments and people of Nigeria, but on the condition that the goods and services will be Made in Nigeria for the World and not for Nigerians alone...”

Welcome to NESH 2016: the future starts here.

––Agu is a public affairs analyst

NDDF 2016 and Changing the Niger Delta Narrative Amaechi Christopher

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rom the multi product economy of the 1960s, Nigeria has metamorphosed into a mono product economy, completely reliant on oil. Every other source of revenue has been systematically abandoned by successive governments. All emphasis has been on oil, oil, and more oil. Scant attention was paid to other sources of government income because oil money was pouring in as global oil prices soared. For years the boom continued.

No one dared imagine Nigeria and indeed the Niger Delta, the proverbial cash cow, without oil.

It was inconceivable!

And then there was a burst. Oil price crashed.

And for a long time it stayed crashed and refused to rise. The cost of producing oil became more than the price it was sold. It was a harsh reality everyone had to grapple with. Other sources of government revenue had to be found and quickly. The inconceivable had not only become possible. It had become a reality. A harsh reality for many. A Niger Delta whose oil could no longer save Nigeria.

For organisations like the Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF), who envision a Niger Delta where all persons are able to live sustainable livelihoods, generate income and employment, and create economic opportunities unhindered by constraints from within and outside the market system in the region and beyond, who have advocated and continue to advocate a self-sustaining non-oil dependent development in the Niger Delta, it was a validation that the Niger Delta can exist and develop without relying on oil and that sustainable development is not dependent on oil. In the five

the region.

In declaring the 2016 NDDF open, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Executive Governor of Imo State, represented by his deputy Prince Eze Madumere, stated that the outcome of the round table meeting with all partners was the most important aspect of the NDDF and promised to drive all the projects to be implemented by PIND and the Demand Alliance Partners in various agricultural value chains in Imo State.

Proceedings at the Forum focused on four key topics of Peace, conflict mitigation, elections and development; Regional cohesiveness - The role of federal, regional and state government institutions; Climate change and the green economy; and Economic diversification and the digital economy, in the form of presentations, discussions, and syndicate sessions.

While the sessions focused on different topics, one recurrent theme in all the sessions was how to increase actionable opportunities for sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

Lately, the Niger Delta has been in the news for the wrong reasons especially with regards to oil spills and militancy. For fora like the NDDF and other initiatives working to change the narrative in the Niger Delta, the major task is to create an enabling platform for dialogue on a way forward for the region and to facilitate collaboration among key stakeholders in the region including the government, the local communities, CSOs, the private sector and donor communities. It is only when they succeed in this that a Niger Delta that ranks high in inclusive citizens’ participation in governance and development can emerge.

- Christopher wrote from Media Insight, Abuja

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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 • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

PERSPECTIVE Rivers as Nigeria’s Emerging Best Investment,Tourism Destination Simeon Nwakaudu

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t the time Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike traversed the 23 local government areas of the state seeking the mandate of the people, he made a solemn pledge. Wike vowed to deploy the human and financial resources of the state to create a New Rivers State where all residents will benefit from good governance, better opportunities and focused leadership. Seventeen months after taking over the reins of leadership in Rivers State, Wike has transformed the state into Nigeria’s development headquarters. The centre of economic rejuvenation targeted at insulating the people of the state from the harsh realities of economic recession.

Wike’s mass development projects across different sectors of the Rivers economy have elevated the state beyond the imagination of even the governor’s most ardent supporters. Everyone expected him to perform well as governor, but he has performed beyond expectations.

The development strides of the Wike administration have been in line with the mission of the New Rivers Vision Development Blueprint, which is, “To actualise the aspirations of the people of Rivers State for a balanced development and an enhanced quality of life for the present and future generations through responsive governance guided by the fear of God.” It has been a harvest of achievements for the people under the leadership of Wike.

The creation of a knowledge-based economy was one of the most fundamental objectives of Wike right from the beginning of his administration. One of the first projects that he commissioned in his first 100 days in office was the Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Faculty of Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. This Law Faculty, the best in West Africa, was completed after 20 years of abandonment. It has state-of-theart facilities such as electronic and conventional libraries, moot courts, 1200-seater auditorium, modern offices, and classrooms.

The governor also kick-started the construction of the College of Medical Sciences at RSUST and reinstated lecturers unjustly sacked by the immediate past administration in the state.

Today, all the courses at the Ignatius Ajuri University of Education have been accredited following the development of the necessary infrastructure in the school by the state government.

The Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, has received improved funding, leading to the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure by the school’s management.

In order to create more access to quality tertiary

Wike education in the state, Wike, in liaison with the Rivers State House of Assembly, transformed the former Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) to Port Harcourt Polytechnic.

For the secondary education sub-sector, 11 prominent secondary schools, spread across the three senatorial districts, have been earmarked for total rehabilitation, in addition to the introduction of boarding education. At present, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema, and Birabi Grammar School, Bori, are being rehabilitated as pilot schools. The state government has also approved the rehabilitation of Government Secondary School, Ogu, in Ogo/Bolo Local Government Area.

In addition, the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board and the State Universal Basic Education Board have been constituted by the governor, with both boards taking teaching and learning in Rivers schools to the next level.

The administration has kick-started a comprehensive rehabilitation of health facilities across the state. To this end, the State Executive Council has approved the rehabilitation of 13 hospitals. They are General Hospital, Omoku; General Hospital, Nchia; General Hospital, Abua; General Hospital, Isiokpo; General Hospital, Abonnema; General Hospital, Okirika; General Hospital, Opobo; General Hospital, Bodo; General Hospital, Ngo; General Hospital, Buguma; Psychiatric Hospital; Rumuigbo; General Hospital, Emohua; and General Hospital, Eberi.

Already, the upgrade of the Orthopaedic Department of the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital has been completed by the administration. The administration has improved facilities at the Braithwaite

Memorial Hospital to serve as a training centre for doctors and a temporary teaching hospital for the College of Medical Sciences of the RSUST. The administration has also started the process of assisting private hospitals to provide enhanced quality healthcare to the people of the state by inaugurating the Rivers State Private Hospitals Intervention Scheme.

Wike cleared a backlog of four months’ salary arrears owed civil servants in the state, which he inherited from the immediate past administration in the state. He also settled four months of pension arrears owed pensioners, which he inherited.

Workers welfare has been prioritised, with Rivers State being one of the few states that are up to date in terms of monthly payment of salaries. Wike has also embarked on extensive civil service reforms, with his introduction of the civil servants biometric capture, considered innovative across the country.

Right from the campaign period, Wike made women empowerment a critical aspect of his plan to develop Rivers State. It was on this premise that he chose a woman, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, as his running mate.

Since May 29 last year, women have featured prominently in appointments and execution of key projects. The governor appointed women into key ministries as commissioners and permanent secretaries, with several others serving as heads of departments and agencies.

The N2 billion empowerment programme for the less privileged in the state had several women groups fairly represented, as the governor tried to revive the informal economy of the state.

The Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, has on her own played a critical role in the empowerment of women. Only recently, her organisation, RivEthics, sponsored 237 women for the Access Bank Workshop for the training of women entrepreneurs.

For the first time in close to two decades, the urban centres of Rivers State have been renewed to attract visitors and tourists. The Wike administration has revived streetlights across Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas. This singular act has revived nightlife and improved security in the urban centres.

Additionally, traffic lights hitherto forgotten in Rivers State have been reintroduced by Wike. Aside the aesthetic value, the traffic lights have improved traffic management and reduced accidents.

Wike inherited an extremely dirty city, where refuse contractors abandoned the streets because the immediate past administration failed to meet their contractual obligations. Upon assumption of office, Wike empowered the Rivers State Waste Management Agency to clean up Port Harcourt and its environs. Though, it is still work in progress, a lot has been accomplished.

Within the last 17 months, the Wike administration has taken concrete steps to improve the supply of potable water to the people of the state. Two water projects, the Alesa and Agbonchia Water Booster Stations with over 50 kilometres water reticulation capacity, were completed and commissioned. The governor approved N189 million for the rehabilitation of the Okrika Water Scheme, while N200 million was approved for the funding of the EU/ NDSP Water Scheme for Akuku-Toru and Opobo/Nkoro local government areas.

The government also launched the Urban Water Sector and Port Harcourt Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

Despite the challenge of economic recession, Wike has ensured that security of lives and property receives priority attention. The Wike has over the last 17 months funded security agencies and their operations in the state to ensure security of lives and property. The administration acquired and distributed over 120 patrol vans for all security agencies, and rehabilitated over 20 armoured personnel carriers and gunboats. It also recently acquired six new armoured personnel carriers to be delivered to the police to enhance security patrol.

To tackle the menace of kidnapping in Rivers State, the governor initiated the amendment of the State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism law empowering the state to demolish houses from proceeds of crime and also confiscate resources earned through crime by criminals. This law was passed by the Assembly and assented to by the governor. The implementation of the amended law has made the state safer by dislodging kidnappers and cultists.

In furtherance of the implementation of the amended law, Wike has on different occasions personally led security agencies to demolish the hideouts of kidnappers and cultists in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas.

The administration has also strengthened community relations mechanisms in liaison with traditional rulers to ensure that communities build partnerships with security agencies to fight kidnapping and cultism. This has played a critical role in the reduction of insecurity in the rural and semi-urban communities of the state.

The amnesty programme introduced to try to reorient repentant cultists and kidnappers into honest living is the administration’s master stroke.

Its state-wide success is unprecedented, as it has helped in the drastic reduction of kidnapping in the state. Leaders from all walks of life have praised the programme.

––––Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, writes from Port Harcourt.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Remembering FO Babajide Afolabi Afonja Uloma Jide-Afonja

T

omorrow marks two decades since you passed on November 7, 1996. You were so full of life, love and many dreams for both of us. With the unbelievable void and emptiness, my life changed forever.

I’m sorry I waited 20 years to write you this letter. The fact is I never knew I could survive this long after you died. I felt there was no reason to live anymore. After all, our dreams together were shattered when you passed on less than two years into our marriage at the age of 31. I was just in my early twenties and had no bearing; I felt lost.

Sweetheart, I still remember that painful reality that was too devastating to comprehend. The hardest part of losing you, Jide, is learning to live without you, your touch, unfulfilled dreams. Your death will continue to stay with me; the burden never goes away.

It was more tragic losing you in a plane crash because I had to openly mourn you with the public interest in plane crashes which added more pain to the trauma.

The tragedy of your death was just too much for me to bear especially since I was just through with NYSC, without a job and eight and a half months pregnant with our second child, Mayowa.

You are my one true love. Irreplaceable.

Sweetheart, I was angry at God for taking you away so soon and leaving me vulnerable and broken. I hung on to every shred of hope that the Julius Berger crane would pull out the body of the aircraft from the Itoikin swampy river at Ejirin and maybe, just maybe, you could be one of the survivors.

That kept the fire of hope burning in me. I held on to that hope of a miracle from God. My family and friends let me hang on to

that hope for my sanity’s sake. I was angry with ADC Airlines when they informed you were presumed dead. I wanted everyone to focus on getting the body of the aircraft out from the swamp; to save you. When eventually the reality hit me, I wallowed in disbelief, self-pity.

My life became more focused when I got my job and concentrating on it thankfully kept me going. It has enhanced my confidence level and is an enjoyable source of diversion from my pains.

Sweetheart, I’m doing better now. Putting God first, being with the children and love from those who care about us keep me going.

I see you in our children. I know you would be proud of how well they have turned out; amazing young adults now.

I have a peaceful relationship with Mummy (your mum) who always gives me a listening ear and prays with me when life’s frustrations become too much. I really don’t know how she copes with her own pains. I know God is on the throne! Daddy Ibadan, and his wife have me and the children in their prayers always.

Sweetheart, your death has made me really appreciate the beauty of marriage and companionship. It goes beyond sex. I counsel my friends and all to enjoy their marriages and partners because life is indeed too short.

I wish you are here to see how well your fragile Uloma has grown.

So sweetheart, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry I didn’t say I’m sorry that often.

I’m sorry I complained about you going without me to watch Lagbaja in Ikeja.

I’m sorry I complained about your demanding job. I have one now and I love it.

I’m sorry I didn’t go with you to watch Yanni play live.

I’m sorry I refused to relocate to the U.K. I’m sorry.

I’m sorry I complained…about anything.

Sweetheart, I’m glad I met you.

You indeed wooed me…were patient enough to wait for me to love you in return as deeply as you did. You loved my naivety and imperfections.

Njide and Emeka still play Yanni Live in the Acropolis in your memory. They are always there, Faithful as ever.

Indeed, God has neither left nor forsaken our children ( Jide& Mayowa) and me. He has been meeting us at the point of our needs. The children have your eclectic taste in music, way beyond their age. I do not compare. Rather, I have learned to count my abundant blessings This doesn’t mean it’s easy. No it’s not. I still struggle and fall.

After all I am only human and still a work-in-progress.

Most times people ask me how I cope. I try to live each day as I see it, and hold on to God when it’s way too much to bear. I know He is always there.

Sweetheart I don’t know what the future holds for me and our children. But one thing is sure in our lives; that the “promises of God are certain but they do not all mature in 90days.” I hold on to His promises.

Rest on my darling until we meet to part no more.

Father God, thank You for always being there for me and the children no matter what we face. I know You will never fail me, even in my most intense trials. Lord, please remove all the sorrow and grief I feel sometimes in this my journey of life...help me to trust You more. I ask this in the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

––Uloma Jide-Afonja is eife to FO Babajide Afolabi Afonja, Co-Pilotof the ADC Airlines plane that crashed in Lagos on November 7, 1996.

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NOVEMBER 6, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Still on The Spiritual Side of Aso Villa ’Sina Kawonise

S

ince the publication of Reuben Abati’s testimonial piece on the “spiritual side of Aso Villa” on October 14, I have taken time to follow the reactions of key personalities to Reuben’s article.

Quite significantly, a former Minister of the Federal Republic and presidential spokesman, Femi Fani-Kayode, a predecessor of his in the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity (Segun Adeniyi), and his successor (Femi Adesina) have taken different positions on the very crucial matter articulated by Reuben.

Besides these insiders in the Aso Villa matter, a brilliant and compelling columnist of the Punch newspaper, Abimbola Adelakun, also wrote a rejoinder wherein she wondered if Reuben needed help. Abimbola’s piece can be easily dealt with in that she committed the social scientific error of ranking a philosophical/theoretical paradigm above another. A confessed agnostic, Abimbola committed the error of declaring as irrational and superstitious the existential reality of the spiritual experience of the theistic Reuben. Having confessed that “some of us have struggled to reconcile our agnosticism with curious phenomena for which we could not find immediate answers in scientifically tested knowledge”, Abimbola should have retained herself in the arena of her competence. There is a whole realm beyond the reach of science and empiricism as we know them today.

The empiricist is no more rational or saner than the rationalist philosopher/theorist or vice versa. To suggest that Reuben needed help just because he narrated an experience which Abimbola’s empiricist mind could not relate with is an offense to the basic tenets of social science precepts which anyone who underwent sound undergraduate training in any of the social sciences mustn’t commit.

Before attending to the viewpoints of the Aso Villa gurus, I need to make some clarifications just like Femi Adesina did in his rejoinder to Reuben.

I’m 54 years old. Like Reuben I taught in the University (I put in 7 years). Like Segun, Femi and Reuben, I have practiced journalism for about 30 years, 3 out of which I was Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of a national newspaper.

For 8 years, like the two Femis, Segun and Reuben, I worked for governments and closely with two governors, within which I served as a

State Commissioner. For 19 years till date, I’ve been involved in local and international businesses.

And like all the Villa writers, I’m a Christian. But unlike all the aforementioned, I contested to be governor of Ogun state in the 2015 election.

Now, I stated the personal details above to underscore the viewpoint I’ll be advancing in this rejoinder that in my varied professional, political and economic endeavours, there is no where I have encountered grave evil forces and fetish practices and occurrences as in government and politics.

Because Femi Fani-Kayode wholly endorsed and even amplified Reuben’s narrative, there’ll be no need for me to touch on his own article.

While Reuben raised the alarm that “Aso Villa is in urgent need of redemption” from forces of darkness that make many who worked therein to suffer strange ailments and commit inexplicable errors, Segun and Femi posited, while not denying that evil forces exist and may actually be in operation in the Villa, that their own experiences did not conform to Reuben’s of spiritual attacks and strange ailments.

Femi’s and Segun’s central thesis is that if evil forces operate in Aso Villa, so they do in all spheres of life and human endeavours. Very true. According to Femi, “such as is common to man…” is whatever evil occurrence that may happen to anyone in the course of their sojourn in the Villa.

Nothing in Reuben’s testimony suggests that evil happens only to those in the Villa. He spoke about ‘degree’ and ‘quantity’. But Femi must know the truism that “higher levels bring higher demons”. Like Femi and Segun, my “waist bellow” worked throughout my journey in government and politics. And I didn’t suffer any strange ailment. For me to be insulated from the spiritual vicissitudes of government and politics here in Nigeria, I prayed and fasted “beyond measure”.

Close relations and brethren in the church prayed for me without ceasing. And as much as lied in my power and the abundant grace of God, I made efforts to live a righteous live.

Besides Reuben who is a close friend, I’ve heard many former functionaries of the federal government relate to me the pervasiveness of rituals and fetish practices. My experiences in my tour of duties in government and politics confirm them.

And Segun was right on point when he affirmed that “when people seek power in Nigeria, whether in the political or spiritual realms, not a few of them go for diabolical means.” This is truest for government and politics in Nigeria.

It would be unnecessary to begin to reel out all

that I heard, saw and witnessed especially in the two years I actively campaigned to be governor of Ogun state.

And the reason why government houses across the country are so demonized is not farfetched. The Nigerian state, like all other African states, as vividly described by the eminent political scientist, Professor Mammoud Mamdani, is a “veritable Mount Kilimanjaro surrounded by a Lilliputian environment”. The state is the repository of the scarce resources that all crave for.

Government leaders are those in the institutional positions to dispense the resources. To have access therefore becomes what the late Professor Claude Ake described as “warfare” in which all arsenals - physical and spiritual - are deployed.

At the physical realm, why is it that Aso Villa is the most fortified spatial enclave in the country?

As it is in the physical realm so should it be in the spirit realm because of the sheer quantum of evil arrows that get shot into the place. Because of the sheer power and enormous resources reposed in government houses, it can’t be correct that the evil forces that will be operating in them would be “as is common to man”.

Yet, I do not subscribe to Reuben’s tone of surrender to those evil forces. And he sounded a little funny saying that the current Aso Villa should be abandoned to overcome dark spiritual forces. A sound Christian, as Femi correctly says, must have dominion over them and not yield an inch to them. Being acquainted with the Christian lives of Femi and Segun, I know for sure that they wouldn’t have been imperiled by those dark forces. But Femi should tell us his activities in the realm of prayer and fasting that afford him to “sleep so soundly” and “even snore” in his apartment in the Villa. Ditto Segun. I would be extremely surprised if Femi is not praying and fasting more now than when he was Managing Director of the Sun newspaper and President of the Nigerian Guild of Editor. It is the same way that I’ld be surprised if Segun didn’t witness less spiritual tension after his exit from the Villa.

Now I’m not suggesting that those who had ‘strange ailments’ were not right with God; neither do I say that being right with God makes one immune from those “things that are common to man”. The scriptures don’t advice me so and I have no competence to make such judgements. The scriptures actually have a few examples of good people (Job, the man born blind in John chapter 9, and our Lord Jesus Christ) who suffered bad occurrences.

Having an acute awareness of the presence and operations of dark spiritual forces, however,

Abati should never make us abandon rational and indispensable scientific means and actions that will make us overcome our development challenges. As Apostle James said, faith without works is dead. So also is anyone walking through this world without faith in the almighty God dead even though he may be physically alive. It is for this realization that the United States of America, in spite of its great scientific and technological advances still inscribes on its currency that “In God we trust”. The superpower has the last Thursday of every November as a national Thanks Giving Holiday. It is for the same reason that the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, organises prayers for this country.

Reuben did well by pointing our attention to a serious aspect of our national life: there is gross spiritual evil going on in the seat of power more than anywhere else. We do well to transcend empiricism and living in denial and cry onto God to deliver us from men and women who use evil powers to keep us down as a country. God admonishes us in the Holy Bible that we should pray especially for those in authority so that we may live a peaceful (and good) life. Why? Because they are more susceptible to dark spiritual forces.

May God deliver us and our beleaguered country from the hands of Satan, demons and their human agents in high places.

-Kawonise is a former Ogun state Commissioner for Information and Publisher NewsScroll. Email: sinakawonise@yahoo. com

Enugu Guber: Excessive Judicial Delays Offer No Sanctuary Obinna Obiegue

I

be struck out by the Court. But where he is diligently prosecuting his pre-election suit, the case cannot last more than few years. was reading the article captioned ‘Justice All over the world, election cases are handled with delayed is justice denied: the case of Obiechina dispatch! To argue that a gubernatorial or presidential Vs Chime, INEC’ published in the Leadership Newspapers of October 22, 2016 and written pre-election suit can last more than six years worse still, up to one hundred years, is tantamount to a

by Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba, when my veiled ridiculing of our very hardworking judges, the friend, a lawyer also, came in and raised the courts and indeed the entire justice delivery system argument that Benjamin Aduba’s argument and its capacity to improve. This is because, where prewill not stand as Aduba ignored this fact: election suits in our courts are not determined within That granting Obiechina the relief he is seeking will reasonable number of years, then our honoured courts mean that if a party wins a gubernatorial election, shall lose their honoraria and moral strength as the then her candidate can still be sworn-in even after last hope of the common man and this will question a hundred years; this will be ridiculous, set wrong our entire justice delivery system. precedence and against public interest.

One can only imagine such scenario playing out in Thus, even where he is found to have a good a decadent, very corrupt and unorganised society, but case, the Supreme Court will give it the Rule of Mischief Interpretation that all elective positions must certainly not in Nigeria! It is a hypothetical argument and not practicable in our justice delivery system. But, terminate at the expiration of four years from the date it was derived notwithstanding the difference in on critical pragmatic examination of the situation, the constitutional provisions for the terms of offices of given the current records of our courts, how many governorship or presidential pre-election cases shall the Executives and the Legislators. not be completed, even within four years that one I did not cue into his arguments for some strong should genuinely develop such fears? reasons. But for public interest, I am making my At any rate, it is also a way of making our courts view public, especially as no case on the issue is sit up to their sacrosanct duties. Besides, why deny the currently properly before the court. My friend’s Appellant his hard earned victory and rights because argument does not hold. First, because section of speculation on future imaginary limitations of the 181(2) of the 1999 Constitution as Amended clearly Courts? Or is it justice to deny a litigant who diligently provided that if the persons elected Governor and prosecuted his suit, his rights, if any, because of fear of Deputy Governor die or without legal restrains, did possible limitations of a public institution? not take their oaths of office before the inauguration The constitutional responsibility that this imaginary of the State Assembly, then INEC shall immediately absurdity does not occur rests squarely on the Courts. conduct an election for the Governor and Deputy And we must hail our courts, because Nigerian Governor of the State.

Thus this logic and its argument can only arise if a Courts are effective! For anybody to argue that this case is abnormally delayed in courts. Secondly, if the absurdity shall arise is a veiled attempt to mislead the appellant is not prosecuting the case seriously or did Supreme Court into telling the public that the Courts cannot discharge their constitutional duties effectively. not approach the Court early enough, the case shall

More importantly too, this problem can simply be solved administratively by engaging more Judges once the work load is high. Additionally, where such absurdity, unimaginably rears its head, future legislation should address it by making the tenure periods of the Executives fixed as it currently did with the Lawmakers or have time frame for completing pre-election suits as it provided for Electoral Tribunals.

If you argue that a National Assembly memberelect can no longer be sworn-in at the end of the tenure from which he derived his tenure mandate it is agreed because you are backed by section 64(1) of our 1999 Constitution as Amended. Also if you argue same for State Assembly member-elects, you are backed by section 105(1).

Equally, if you argue same for Local Government Chairmen- elects, you are backed by section 113(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as Amended. But, if you argue same for a Governor or President-elect, then which law backs you? Or you just want to spin out a mischief’s interpretation from nowhere, in order to extirpate the courts for delay in Obiechina’s case, which delay, as written by a well respected public commentator, qualifies for Listing in The Guinness Book of Records, or just as simply equation to block an unwanted person?

Though a party contests and wins elections, the tenure mandate, which is legally a different thing, was not donated to her. See sections 64, 105, 180, 135, 181, and 191 of our Constitution. The 1999 Constitution as Amended clearly donated the tenure mandate to the Legislative House in the case of the Lawmakers and to the person who in the eyes of the law is the gubernatorial or presidential candidate of the party that won the gubernatorial or presidential election in the case of the Executives.

It did not donate the tenure mandates to the political parties that sponsored the candidates. If the

gubernatorial tenure has been donated to the party, certainly I shall not write this piece and would rather advise Obiechina to forget the suit, since even if he is the right person, his party, which owns the tenure, has spent it with her wrong candidate and cannot be given another.

But, as it is, Obiechina has a case to pursue if we are fair and are not guided by selfish motives. The Constitution clearly provided that the president or governor shall serve four years from the date he is sworn-in.

Thus the period between when a governor or president is elected or deemed elected and when he shall be sworn-in is indeterminate. It is not rigidly fixed. The reason given by the Supreme Court for allowing Peter Obi to serve across two Republics was that the Constitution provided that Governors shall serve four years from the date the particular Governor took his own Oaths of Office in accordance with section 180(2). The reason given was not because Peter Obi took his Oath of Office before the end of the tenure from which he derived his mandate or that he was from a different political party otherwise Senators who over time recovered their mandates through Courts and displaced Senators from other parties or joined the Senate midstream the tenure they got their mandates, would have been allowed to serve across Republics and thus complete four years.

Senators do not serve across Republics, because the tenure of four years was donated to the House and not to individual senators or their parties. Senators are merely elected to serve during the life span of the senate Legislative House.

-Obiegue, a legal practitioner and political analyst, writes from Lagos (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Trump

Clinton

As America Decides...

With 48 hours to the November 8 US presidential election, Nduka Nwosu who has been following the presidential election campaign x-rays the two leading candidates - Hillary Clinton (D) and Donald Trump (R) – their chances and how presidential elections are decided in the US.

N

Will Hillary Clinton Shatter the Last Glass Ceiling? o one speaks better for Hillary Rodham Clinton than Hillary Clinton does. In her closing argument she drew the line between her opponent, the Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump and herself - While she has spent all her life working for the good of others, Trump has spent his life working for himself at the expense of others and his story of allegedly cheating the poor to enrich himself is well documented. Now he wants to be the 45th US President of the United States.

But time was when a Clinton win was taken for granted. Now that has changed with the race tightening by the day. Clinton had warned early in the day it was going to be a keenly contested race but at the end of it all, historians would chronicle another first in her series of other monumental achievements for womanhood. She is the first American woman in history to win the presidential nomination of one of the country’s major parties-the Democratic Party, first American First Lady to be elected to the Senate and now she is about to shatter the real glass ceiling to emerge the first US woman to be elected President of the United States.

Does that make her ‘Crooked Nasty’ Hillary as Trump has christened her?

May be, just may be on account of her email scandals, which President Barack Obama said was being blown out of proportion. Her traducer in chief says you cannot entrust the fate of a people to someone who is as extremely careless as ‘Crooked’ Hillary. What else justifies the appellation? Her secretive nature perhaps and the conspiracy theories of the Clinton dynasty. Well everyone has a conspiracy theory following him, the skeletons in the cupboard.

Clinton agrees she is not a saint, if she was not apologizing in the past, she is learning to do so.

The New York Times, among the over 100 newspa-

pers and magazines that have endorsed her for President had this to say:” Our endorsement is rooted in respect for her intellect, experience and courage. And on why Trump is unfit to be President it added for effect in a separate editorial: “Donald Trump is a man who dwells in bigotry, bluster and false promises.”

Clinton agrees she is not a ravishing charismatic politician like her husband, former President Bill Clinton, or Barack Obama. In her years at the White House, she was beautiful, charming and waxed philosophical like a woman who knew tomorrow. Her presence at the Beijing Conference for women redefined the destiny of the modern, educated woman and by asserting that women’s rights constituted the gist of human rights, she won more fame and critical acclaim to herself and whether she knew it or not, her match to power started . Clinton did not cultivate the charm, or more appropriately is not endowed with the charm and the ability to bewitch, even though she is a witch, according to Donald, of a Michelle Obama on the soap box. However, she has successfully amassed so much to herself, first Secretary of State to visit 112 countries including China and the other superpowers negotiating deals for her country. She was at the Situation Room with Obama expectedly, when Osama Bin Laden was taken out, was in Iran to discuss nuclear disarmament with the Ayatollah and his President and visited Russia looking at Vladimir Putin on the face, no blinks, and eye ball to eye ball. Could that be why Putin is alleged to be working with Trump, using WikiLeaks hacking of emails whose contents have ripped into Clinton’s ascendancy to the White House?

Will this win, if she does, be the expected slam dunk by Wall Street and Main Street fans or will it be a galloping to the finishing line to beat time?

The truth is that there’s palpable concern in her camp. Nothing is taken for granted, although the figures are giving clues for what November 8 results would look like - nothing too far away from what it was four years ago.

For Clinton her most worrisome nemesis has

been the email server scandal. Apart from being labelled extremely careless, there is no shred of evidence she had criminal intentions in the way State Department emails were handled. But she worked hard or so it seemed to destroy any information that would implicate her, like the alleged use of her office to garner resources for the Clinton Foundation, her unwillingness to reveal details of her lectures at Wall Street.

So the GOP latched on to the email issue and continued singing about it long after FBI director James Comey passed the matter to DOJ, which endorsed a no criminal charge to the chagrin of GOP members in Congress and the ‘Deplorables Movement’. Comey’s latest revelation that the FBI had stumbled on new Clinton emails in an unrelated investigation of the former spouse of her aide has however had impact on her poll figures. The good news for Clinton is that she is still maintaining a narrow lead even as her path to victory does not look as rosy as it used to be.

She is not resting on her oars with her campaign managers as they wade through the swing states exploring hidden opportunities in the demographic set up of each of those states where Trump is aggressively fighting to make up his numbers and cross the 270 Electoral College mark.

Can the Trump Brand Pitch Successfully to be the 45th?

The casino king is on the roll but on a higher pitch for the US Presidency. The question is can he successfully apply all the skills he has applied in his business deals where he fell and got up again, in the remaining 48 hours? His tremendous cut of Hillary’s Clinton’s double digit lead to a single digit in the last 14 days is beginning to look like another textbook report on the Art of the Deal.

No one believed that reality television star of the Apprentice fame and organizer of Miss Universe show would get to this point where the prospects of becoming the 45th President of the United States of America are becoming more real than another of the Trump mirage. When issues

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

US PRESIDENTIAL ELEcTION •

AS AMERICA DECIDES...

around Donald Trump are discussed, he appears as many things to different people - Donald Trump the man who ‘hijacked’ the Republican Party and started calling the shots to the disbelief of the stakeholders and kingmakers, the casino mafia king, the deal maker billionaire widely celebrated for his Art of the Deal, the man who collected a loan of two million dollars from his father and made billions out of it, the con-artist of the Trump University fame, the man who often declared himself bankrupt at different times boasting he walked away richer leaving his employees and investors groping in pains.

And talking of groping, this is Super star Trump who rules the feminine world and who bragged about kissing a lady without her consent.

The list is endless. More importantly, in 48 hours from now, he may be elected the 45th President of the US. For Donald Trump and his admirers, his many positive values are just what America needs now if it must be great again. His deal making skill, ability to outplay his business partners and even go into bankruptcy if it matters, are needed to bail the country out of its trillions dollar debt.

Trump made himself a brand name to reckon with in business, a man who fell and rose again, and then began to teach the next generation how to fall and rise and rise and ensure you will not fall again. He entered the fray by launching a pseudo political group called the Birther Movement, swearing the first black and 44th US President Barack Obama was not born in the US and by extension is not a US citizen. He claimed he was working hard to produce the evidence and never did.

In 2016, a few weeks ago when a Washington Post correspondent asked him if he was still stuck on that even after Obama had made his birth certificate public, he refused to say anything until he was advised by his aides who spoke for him to back down. And how did he do that? He claimed Hillary Clinton had originated the falsehood and he took it off from there. Reality checkers said there was no truth there. Trump defeated 16 Presidential aspirants from the Republican Party, calling the party’s most favourite and likely anointed son Jeb Bush a low energy candidate.

Eventually Bush stunningly faded out.

What does Trump have going for him? His unbridled nationalism. He believes Americans must reclaim America from those he views as ‘foreigners’ among them. He wants to expel Muslim ‘terrorists’ and Mexican ‘criminals and rapists’ aswell as African Americans who are part of the undocumented 11 million immigrants who must leave the shores of the US once he is sworn into office.

And what are the prospects? A study of the electoral college discussed in detail in another section of this report shows that Hillary Clinton holds the ace even with Trump’s rapid climb to his current rating. Make no mistakes about this, many victories have taken place even recently when a candidate with a two point national advantage at the polls was roundly defeated at the electoral college, Obama versus Mitt Romney and John Kerry against George Bush 2. The race remains very unpredictable at the battleground swing states where Trump continues to shake Clinton’s huge margins.

So Who Wins?

Who wins between a candidate who devoted 30years of her life to public service and one who has built a vast business empire and a brand name? Between the proponents of ‘Stronger Together’ and ‘Making America Great Again’?

Tough choices. Gong by Professor Alan Lichtman’s 13 keys to the White House, a formula, he claims, has consistently predicted the winner in a presidential US election for 30 years running, Trump is on his way to becoming the next tenant at the White House-the 45th President of the United States of America. And from here he hopes to “drain the swamp,” of corruption at the Capitol Hill.

Lchtman leaves a few provisos if Trump eventually loses, it should be anchored on the unusual nature of the campaign and the character of the man which has no precedence in American Presidential elections. He has defied all the rules of the game and yet has mass appeal anchored by his “basket of deplorables.” Listen to Lichtman: “Given all of these exceptions that Donald Trump represents, he may well shatter patterns of history that have held for more than 150 years, lose this election even if the historical circumstances favor it.”

In spite of this minus, Lichtman is still doubling down in his predictions. And he is not alone.

Trump and Clinton shortly after one of the presidential debates

Some 305 economists led by James Carter, former deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury under President George W Bush and later chief economist to the US Senate Budget Committee have endorsed Trump’s economic policy while denouncing Clinton’s. “Should Hillary Clinton win,” they warned, “her outdated policy prescriptions won’t return our economy to the faster growth rates it once enjoyed. And without more economic growth, her agenda won’t result in more jobs or a higher national standard of living.

Hillary Clinton’s economic agenda is wrong for America,” prescribing an agenda of economic freedom with a limited but effective government.

With policies that subscribe to a pro-growth tax reform, sensible federal spending restraint, regulatory relief, sound money, and freedom to trade.”

Moody’s Analytics, a stock market predictor, on the other hand gives it to Clinton because the economy is doing well and President Barack Obama’s soaring popularity is at an all-time high.

With price of fuel so low for American families.

Moody’s says its prediction has not failed since 1980 while Sam Stovall’s CFRA research gives it to Trump with 18 accuracies and three misses since 1944. The indicators: rising stocks within the last three months of the election will favour the party in power whereas a bearish rather than bullish stock market favours the party in opposition.

What about the real world of political prediction based on the strength of the candidates at the Electoral College?

Clinton’s performance with the swing states was being applauded until last week when it began to plummet, made worse by FBI’s James Comey’s disclosure that thousands of Clinton’s State Department emails were found in Weiner’s laptop.

Pollsters from across the country are amazed that Trump who was written off to suffer one of the worst Republican defeats in history against Clinton is now galloping like Usain Bolt to cause an upset. But precarious remains the word for him. He really has to work hard to win the strongly Democratic leaning battleground states.

Trump’s campaign has made clear exactly what its targets are. It is spending $25 million on TV ads in the final days of the campaign in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, Nevada and New Hampshire, where hope of overtaking Hillary Clinton has become real when the campaign of Trump has squared up with Clinton.

The hope is that the African American community, the Latinos and Hispanics would disappoint the Democrats in a lack luster turn out. In his path to victory, North Carolina where Clinton is leading Trump by two points has become crucial to a Trump victory.

The next 48 hours is still enough to cause a major shift that can earn Trump the coveted gold or end his oval office dream.

The Electoral College and How it Works The Electoral College will dominate the airwaves and the headlines on Election Day Tuesday. But what exactly is the Electoral College? Below is a quick guide on what it does and why it matters.

• What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors who cast votes to decide the President and Vice-President of the United States. When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, they will be choosing which candidate receives their state’s electors. The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (270) wins the Presidency. The number 538 is the sum of the US 435 Representatives, 100 Senators, and 3 electors given to the District of Columbia.

• How does the Electoral College work?

Every four years, voters go to the polls and select a candidate for President and Vice-President. In all but two states, the candidate who wins the majority of votes in a state wins that state’s electoral votes. In Nebraska and Maine, electoral votes are assigned by proportional representation, meaning that the top vote-getter in those states wins two electoral votes (for the two Senators) while the remaining electoral votes are allocated congressional district by congressional district. These rules make it possible for both candidates to receive electoral votes from Nebraska and Maine, unlike the winner-take-all system in the other 48 states.

• How are the electors selected?

This process varies from state to state. Usually, political parties nominate electors at their state conventions. Sometimes that process occurs by a vote of the party’s central committee. The electors are usually state-elected officials, party leaders, or people with a strong affiliation with the Presidential candidates.

• Do electors have to vote for their party’s candidate?

Neither the Constitution nor Federal election laws compel electors to vote for their party’s candidate. That said, twenty-seven states have laws on the books that require electors to vote for their party’s candidate if that candidate gets a majority of the state’s popular vote. In 24 states, no such laws apply, but common practice is for electors to vote for their party’s nominee.

• What happens if no one gets a majority of Electoral College votes?

If no one gets a majority of electoral votes, the election is thrown to the US House of Representatives. The top three contenders face off with each state casting one vote. Whoever wins a majority of states wins the election. The process is the same for the Vice Presidency, except that the US Senate makes that selection.

• Can you lose the popular vote and win the electoral college vote?

Yes, a candidate could lose the popular vote and win the electoral college vote. This happened to George W. Bush in 2000, who lost the popular vote to Al Gore by .51% but won the electoral college 271 to 266.

• When does the Electoral College cast its votes?

Each state’s electors meet on the Monday following the second Wednesday of December. They cast their votes then, and those votes are sent to the President of the Senate who reads them before both houses of Congress on January 6th.

• Why does the Electoral College matter?

The Electoral College determines the President and Vice-President of the United States. The Electoral College system also distinguishes the United States from other systems where the highest vote-getter automatically wins. This so-called “indirect election” process has been the subject of criticism and attempted reform, though proponents of it maintain that it ensures the rights of smaller states and stands as an important piece of American federalist democracy.

Source: Huffington Post

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SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Premier League: London Rumbles for Arsenal, Tottenham Derby

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rsenal will be hoping to maintain their strong home record against Tottenham in the season’s first north London derby at the Emirates today. The Gunners have lost just one of the last 26 meetings with Spurs at home in all competitions, winning 15 of those games.

Tottenham’s only win at Arsenal in the last 23 years came in November 2010 when Younes Kaboul netted a late winner in a 3-2 victory.

Arsenal are currently in stunning form, winning 11 of their last 12 matches in all competitions while Tottenham are enduring a tough run of results. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have failed to win any of their last six matches in all competitions, but were only three points off top spot in

the Premier League brfore the weekend matches.

Despite the winless run, this is Tottenham’s best ever start to a Premier League season and they are the only team in the league that are unbeaten (five wins, five draws).

Hector Bellerin is expected to return for Arsenal after he limped out of training on Monday with a minor knock.

The Spanish full-back was not part of the Champions League squad that travelled to Bulgaria to play Ludogorets on Tuesday.

Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal are also close to full fitness after injuries but will face late fitness tests ahead of the match. Kieran Gibbs suffered a shoulder injury in midweek and will also be assessed.

Pochettino has confirmed that Toby Alderweireld is out

of the derby, but Harry Kane will be in the Tottenham squad.

Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela are both rated doubtful while Moussa Sissoko will also be unavailable as he serves the final game of his suspension.

Eric Dier is likely to continue at centre-back alongside Jan Vertonghen.

Arsenal are winless in their last four Premier League north London derbies (D3 L1) - they’ve never gone five without a win against Tottenham in the league under Arsene Wenger. Pochettino is undefeated as a manager in his four Premier League north London derbies. No Spurs manager has ever gone unbeaten in their first five league games against Arsenal in top-flight history.

The team scoring first has failed to win this fixture on 23 occasions, the highest number

Mesut Ozil scored a wonder goal against Ludogorets in the CHampions League midweek

in Premier League history (15 draws, eight defeats).

The Gunners have scored at least once in 42 of their last 43 meetings with Tottenham in

all competitions. Arsenal have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games (W12 D7 L1).

Tottenham are without

defeat in their first 10 league games of a season for the first time since 1990/91. They eventually finished 10th that season.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah on Verge of History, Tackle Nasarawa United for FA Cup

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C Ifeanyi Uba are on the verge of making history today if they beatNasarawaUnited in the FA Cup finals taking place today at the Teslim BalagunStadiuminLagosby3pm.

Since the creation of Anambra State, no club from the state has ever won the trophy.

The FACup, virtually the oldest football competition in Nigeria, will witness for the first time, two teams that have never been to the final of the championship. The competition which started as War Memorial Challenge Cup in 1942, had ZAC Bombers of Lagos winning the maiden edition though it was then limited to clubs based in Lagos.

The cup was renamed Governor’s Cup with improved format in 1945 and in 1954, it was again renamed Federation Cup after the promulgation of Nigeria Football

FC Ifeanyi Uba players celebrate a goal in a recent match Association (NFA). In 1960, after a revised format the competition, it was renamed Challenge Cup until1999whensoftdrinkbottlers, Coca-Cola took up the sponsorship and consequently named it Coca-Cola FA Cup. At the expiration of a 10-year sponsorship deal with the then

NFA, the competition went back to its former name, Federation Cup. Meanwhile, the management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which is popularly known as the Anambra Warriors, yesterday urged all football lovers, all Ndi Igbo in Lagos and its indefatigable fans

all over the country to grace this great occasion.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah management declared free entry for everyone coming to watch the game, while free buses have been made available to convey supporters to the stadium.

President of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in a bid to ensure that the match is well covered, has invited allAnambrabased radio and television sports On-Airpersonalitiesandreporters to grace the occasion.

He said; “We kindly crave your usual support and indulgence as we look to lift this trophy which will automatically hand us a ticket for the CAF Confederation Cup come next season. We wish you a safe trip to Lagos as you gladly joinusinmakinghistory.MayGod continue to bless and strengthen you as you keep on supporting us.”

Chelsea Storm to EPL Summit, City Stumble

E

den Hazard scored twice as Chelsea exploited a slip-up

by Manchester City to claim top spot in the Premier League by clinically crushing Everton 5-0 yesterday.

Marten de Roon’s stoppage-time equaliserearnedMiddlesbrough a 1-1 draw at City and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea took advantage to move a point clear of Pep Guardiola’s side at the summit.

Arsenal and Liverpool could also surpass City before the weekend is out, the former

tackling Tottenham Hotspur in today’s North London derby and the latter entertaining Watford.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced one of their most scintillating performances in recent memory as the 2014-15 champions made it five straight wins without conceding a goal.

Hazard opened the scoring in the 19th minute, drifting in from the left to drill a shot into the bottom-right corner, and a minute later Pedro Rodriguez teed up Marcos Alonso for the

hosts’ second.

Diego Costa made it 3-0 three minutes before halftime, slamming home at the back post after Nemanja Matic flicked on Hazard’s corner to bring up his ninth goal of the campaign.

Chelsea’s fourth goal was a jewel, Pedro returning Hazard’s pass with a sweet back-heel and the Belgian dancing into the box from the right before lashing home with his left foot.

Pedro volleyed in the fifth, in the 65th minute, after Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelen-

burg parried a shot from Hazard.

City went into their game on the back of a stirring 3-1 Champions League win over Barcelona and Boro’s former Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes looked determined to restore Catalan pride at the Etihad Stadium.

He saved brilliantly from Sergio Aguero and David Silva, only for Aguero to put the hosts ahead in the 43rd minute by converting Kevin De Bruyne’s sumptuous cross for his 150th goal in 223 City appearances.

Murray

Tennis: Murray Now World No 1

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ndyMurraysayshe feels“veryproud” to become the first British singles player to be world number one since computerised rankings began in 1973. The Scot, 29, needed to reach the final of the Paris Masters to replace Novak Djokovic - and did so when Milos Raonic pulled out before their semi-final.

Murray won Wimbledon and Olympic gold in 2016, reached 11 finals in 12 events and won a personal record 73 matches.

“I never thought I’d be number one in the world,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s been many years of work to get here. It’s been such a difficult thing to do because of how good the guys around me have been.”

Murray, who has won three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals and helped Britain win the Davis Cup in 2015, will be officially confirmed as world number one when the revised

rankings are released tomorrow.

Novak Djokovic had topped the rankings for 122 weeks, and completed his career Grand Slam by beating Murray in the French Open final in June, his 12th major title.

Djokovic also won this year’s Australian Open, and Murray said: “The year that Novak has had, barring the last six weeks or so, has been incredible. The year I’ve had to have to barely get there has been unbelievably difficult.

I’ve had to work extremely hard.”

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS & FIXTURES Bournemouth Burnley Man City West Ham Chelsea Arsenal Hull Liverpool Swansea Leicester

1 – 2 Sunderland 3 – 2 Crystal Palace 1 – 1 Middlesbrough 1 – 1 Stoke City 5 – 0 Everton v Tottenham 1pm v Southampton 3:15pm v Watford 3:15pm v Man United 3:15pm v Southampton 5:30pm

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 6, 2016

High Life

85 with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

The Stamp of his Honor...How Mike Adenuga Bagged Ghana’s Highest National Award

• Why Globacom chairman holds two of Africa’s most coveted awards

I

f Dr. Mike Ishola Adenuga did not exist, who could invent him? Consider. Yes, Adenuga, GCON, CSG, is something of a visionary.

But at the core of his vision is a deep sense of scale; a profound passion for industry and respect for the universe, in their separate immensities. The Globacom boss and billionaire businessman nurtures abiding love and respect for fellow humans, particularly those whose minds can somehow span the depth of his industry and citizenship of humanity.

But there are nations and individuals that appreciate his worth too. Thus the recent conferment of Ghana’s highest national honour on him by the President of John Dramani Mahama. The Republic of Ghana, on Saturday, October 29, 2016 conferred its highest civil national award of “The Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG)” on Adenuga at a star-studded event at the Accra International Conference Centre, Ghana. President Mahama said the award was bestowed on him in recognition of his “unique and outstanding contribution to business enterprise both in Ghana and the continent of Africa at large.”

Adenuga doesn’t believe in false modesty. He is incredibly modest to a fault. His belief in himself and incredible tenacity got him to where he is today.

And he fought for his place in the global hall of fame and Africa pantheon of heroes.

LIKE OLIVER TWIST...OSUN GOVERNOR, RAUF AREGBESOLA, PURSUES LAGOS SENATORIAL SEAT Sweet are the tickles of vanity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel; thus the vainglorious politicians infinite attempts to leap like the toad in pursuit of its shiny jewel. Were Rauf Aregbesola, Osun governor, cut of less inflated stock, he would shun the infinite hunt for showy and vapid jewel. But like every other politician, he is led by eternal lust for power and perks. Little wonder he has resorted to more desperate measures to keep himself in Nigeria’s power corridors.

Strong indications have emerged that the Osun state governor may emerge as the next Lagos West senatorial candidate. This is because of recent developments in the

Mike Adenuga Jr. and John Dramani Mahama

By his industry, Adenuga seeks to engage, question and push boundaries. As a telecoms guru and pop-culture juggernaut, he has the platform to achieve just that. He’s never afraid of failure; he has never really failed perhaps because he plays the game extremely well. Adenuga has created a legendary brand in Globacom, Africa’s biggest telecommunication network which is both a burden and blessing. But rather than submit

Rauf Aregbesola

political landscape of Lagos where the governor is a very

to the rigours and pressures of commerce, he towers in excellence thus creating a powerhouse that Africa can be proud of. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Adenuga understands that changing the way Africans see themselves can also change the world. Thus he with extraordinary strength, he seeks to shape his immediate communities for the better every day. His commitment to the plight of the needy inspires all strong force to reckon with.

It was reliably gathered that Senator Solomon Olamilekan is poised to move to Ogun State where he is expected to contest for the governorship.

As at last month, two notable aspirants have set aside their ambition for Aregbesola’s proposed aspiration to go to the Senate. The calculation is that the Osun governor remains the only formidable politician who can easily deliver the senatorial district, which happens to be the biggest in the country.

At the backdrop of his recent maneuvers, pundits worry over the Osun governor ’s desperate tactics to hold on to power. Having spent eight years as a state governor, and over four years as a commissioner in former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, one would think that Aregbesola is done with the

and sundry that nothing looks better on a human than the clarity, courage and conviction of vision. Adenuga also understands that while there are many good causes and pressing problems, ultimately our chances of thriving as a species depend on tending and feeding the precious flame of knowledge for the benefit of future generations. Thus his investments are futuristic. They take the long and intensive view of growth and posterity. frills and intrigues and power.

But he isn’t. Aregbesola is dangerously spellbound by power. This may augur badly for the country in the long run; according to a very close source within the All Progressives Congress (APC) party structure, Aregbesola’s recent antics has caused ripples of dissatisfaction among the party’s chieftains.

Many would prefer that the incumbent Osun governor tow the path of honour and take a break from his political machinations. “It is what a true statesman and elder would do,” said the source.

PARTY ACROSS THE SEAS...

CHINELO BOB-OSAMOR CLOCKS 50 IN GLAMOUR AND STYLE

•WHY FRIENDS AND FAMILY CELEBRATE HER

Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. Yet very few women excite love

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HIGHLIFE

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Pastor Enoch Adeboye Goes Tough on Thieving Redeemed Pastors

t is on scriptural records that Jesus Christ, when winding up his mission of salvation about two thousand years ago, expressed his ambivalence about finding faith in the world when he returns.

He must have seen with precision the impending decadence awaiting Christendom after his departure.

With the increasing incidence of fraudulent pastors in the vineyard of the Lord, especially in the vast Redeemed Christian Church of God fold, the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has issued a stern warning to his protégé-pastors to be more forthright and honest in their handling of church finances. Multiple sources claim that the self-effacing powerful clergy had been inundated and buffeted with a groundswell of reports about the

unholy activities of some of his pastors, bordering majorly on financial shenanigans.

In view of this, the former academic turned pastor decided to call his junior pastors to order charging them on the virtues of accountability and transparency.

We gathered that this admonition was contained in a letter issued to all the pastors fingered in the corruption conundrum while warning them to stop it forthwith or face the full wrath of God. Further, Pastor Adeboye reportedly charged the erring pastors to be more responsible for their congregation by taking care of those in need while instructing the branch heads to have a petty cash book, asset register, income analysis and bank book to serve as a quality audit of the ministry’s account book.

Chinelo Bob-Osamor

in strangers, inspire poetry in books and sermons in stones like Chinelo Bob-Osamor, The lawyer, philanthropist and media proprietor inspires the good in everything. That is why friends and family left no stone unturned to celebrate her as she clocked 50 recently, in far away America.

Series of activities preceded the celebration of her 50th anniversary which climaxed in a birthday bash at Memphis Tennessee, USA. Her Sister, Dr. (Mrs) Nkiru Ezenwa and her amiable husband, Agbalanze Okey Ezenwa hosted her to a lavish birthday party at their palatial Mansion in Memphis

Enoch Adeboye

Tennessee. On hand to share her joy and celebrate her were her husband, children, friends and numerous well wishers. Speaking about the party, Chinelo said, “I was pleasantly surprised by the magnitude of the party, Great music, excellent cuisine and drinks. The warmth, love and affection was palpable, even guests who do not know me personally brought presents.

“Chinelo is a popular On Air Personlity(OAP) who hosts the award winning Television programs HEALTHWISE and DISCOURSE. Healthwise, the first health programme in Abuja was recognised and honoured by the Association of Resident Doctors back in 2003.

From inception, DISCOURSE has continued to educate and enlighten members of the public with interviews and features on topical and current issues and events.

The programme X-Rays the activities of government agencies and parastatals. She is the founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chike Okagbue Foundation ( COF), a foundation she set up to honour the memory of her late father; Chike Okagbue. The Foundation in line with the vision of her father focuses on Education. Chinelo BobOsamor is happily married to Bob Osamor esq. Deputy Director- General, Nigerian Law School and their union is blessed with three lovely Children. Here’s wishing her a happy birthday and looking forward to the second half of her life and the benefits that

will impart on the society.

ITS LOVE ACTUALLY! ON PASTOR FEMI PAUL’S MARITAL SECRET “He loves his bonds, who, when the first are broken, submits his neck unto a second yoke,” said Robert Herrick, late English poet. Herrick’s muse at the moment of deep introspection dwelt on the logic and vanity of a second marriage. You never can tell what he would say about Pastor Femi Paul’s decision to walk down the marital aisle for the second time. And since he married Evelyn, the second woman of his dreams, the founding Pastor of Grace Assembly Church has been over the moon. Since he took Evelyn as his wife, Pastor Paul has spared no expense to give her the best of everything money can buy. Pastor Paul got married to the woman of his heart many years ago in a secret wedding. The marriage, which produced a bouncing baby boy many months back, triggered an uproar within the Christian community as not a few people wondered why he chose to ignore the Christian doctrine, which forbids a married man from walking down the aisle with another woman unless the first woman is dead. It is interesting to know that Pastor Paul’s first wife is still alive; they are neither separated from each other nor divorced.

However, the self-styled man of God practices what he refers to as “Intelligent Christianity;” which is akin to taking God at His Word and

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No Ordinary Fete...Bolu Akin Olugbade Plans Grand Wedding Ceremony for Second Son •High society agog as Nigerian billionaire’s son sets to marry Fatayi-Williams’ grand daughter

T

here is unprecedented thrill in high society.

Nigeria’s circle of the filthy rich is agog like medieval Rome in the throes of Caesar’s wedding party. News of an epic wedding courses through the social arena like a comet garnishing New Year’s eve with flakes of gold.

Barring any last minute hitch, Bolu Akin-Olugbade, popular billionaire, is set to marry off Dademu, in grand style. The silent deep pocket is determined to make his son’s wedding the ceremony to beat. The wedding is billed to be the buzz of high society for a very long time. Bolu’s breathtaking Rolls Royce, will be the official car for the wedding celebration among other perks. Dademu, who is the second son of Bolu AkinOlugbade, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Owu Kingdom, will be tying the nuptial knot with his heartthrob, Lauretta Fatayi-Williams, on November 19, 2016. The handsome prince will finally walk his sweetheart of several years, to the altar to exchange vows for a lasting union. Lauretta is the granddaughter of Justice Fatayi-Williams, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria and the daughter of Dr Allan Fatayi-Williams and his wife, Marie.

Bolu Akin Olugbade

evangelism in 2004 by writing thought-provoking messages on billboards and stationing them in strategic places across the country.

Femi Paul

applying it correctly, and not twisting it sentimentally to suit one’s whims. The lawyerturned-pastor flaunts enviable academic laurels, and a vast work experience in legal practice, shipping, oil and gas. Pastor Paul was General Manager Operations at Ocean and Oil. He started billboard

NOW, OGONI’S LAWYER, YIMEBE JOI NUNIEH, IS COMPLETE Happiness is not an ideal of reason but of imagination, many a philosopher would contend, but to Okunnu, happiness is Segun Okunnu.

After many years of being a single lady, Joi has found immeasurable joy and peace in the love of Okunnu, her new beau. Segun has performed a rare feat indeed, he got Joi wishing on love and believing in marriage like an overexcited maiden in full bloom.

Today, she has shed past hurt like withered skin crust.

Now, she glistens in love and radiates uncontainable joy as she savours her marriage. She is happily married to Segun, a fascinating dude, with huge prospects in the local business sector. And neither of them attempts to hide or make any pretense about their love as they continually step out together confidently with pride and in each other ’s arms. Rivers State will not forget in a hurry how Nunieh represented the famous Ogoni

21 and eventually secured their release, which made her to be popularly known in Rivers State as “The Ogoni 21 Lawyer”. She has also represented some local and international communities in environmental matters and has successfully enforced the communities’ claims. As a human rights activist and

environmental crusader, she was the lead counsel in the petition brought by the Ogoni people, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), late Ken SaroWiwa and other families at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputaled Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission aka Oputa Panel.

Yimebe Joi Okunnu

Sunday November 6, 2016

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& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Okorocha to APC

“One year and several months after, we have not been able to manage this God-given victory very well and it is very worrisome” – Imo State Governor and Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, lamenting the party’s inability to properly manage its electoral success

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Four Blame the Leaders — or the Followers? And Other Things...

A

t my brother-in-law’s traditional wedding in Lagos last month, I was waylaid by a band of praise-singing drummers.

You know them: they shower you with sugary boot-licking songs designed to pull the wallet out of your pocket to disperse a confetti of naira notes on them. I normally avoid these professional flatterers. One of the them looked at me and concluded that I needed an extra tonic to bring out my wallet. He started hailing me as “senator”. A pall of sadness descended on me. The Nigerian society has been so traumatised by the political elite that being like them is now a life aspiration. After all, they live in the most beautiful mansions and drive the best cars.

In my article last week, “The Conspiracy to Destroy Nigeria”, I blamed the “predatory” political elite for the underdevelopment of Nigeria because their key motivation is personal comfort and not development.

I distinguished them from the “developmental” elite who — while not being saints or averse to personal benefits — are primarily motivated by a “vision of society” in terms of human, economic and political development. Nigeria remains in a perpetual state of underdevelopment, I argued, because it is the predatory elite that have hijacked government for decades. I proposed that the developmental elite should “hijack” power to develop Nigeria.

However, I have been challenged by the suggestion that the people themselves — the ordinary Nigerians — should be blamed for our misery.

George Orwell, the legendary English writer and journalist, once said: “A people that elect corrupt politicians, impostors, thieves and traitors are not victims but accomplices.” It is the opinion of many that since Nigerians collect rice and vegetable oil to vote leaders into office, they have only themselves to blame. It is also said that when the ordinary people celebrate filthy wealth and justify corruption, then they encourage predation. In sum, people get the leaders they deserve. Period. Now this is a very interesting argument.

I have listened to politicians complain that their constituents always bombard them with requests to pay school fees, hospital bills and rents. Constituents make all kinds of demands for “welfare”. Where do they think all the money is coming from? It is the contention of many politicians that the people push them into accumulating wealth with their loads of daily requests. They say people expect public officers to steal, hoping to lick the “trickle down”. And if you go into public office and fail to distribute the “goodies”, the people will not vote for you the next time. So the people are clearly the architects of their misfortune. Right?

This is a great debate that will not end soon. It is certainly not a subject to be discussed in a 1500-word article such as this, but I will put in my shift within the limitations. I think this leader-and-follower argument is like the classic chicken-and-egg case: which came first? The “chicken” question would be difficult to answer if you are an evolutionist — because of the complicated processes of natural selection, mutation, speciation and such like. If you are a creationist, however, it is not a difficult question to answer — God created the mother, and the mother gave birth to the child. So God created the chicken, the chicken laid the egg and there you have it.

On that note, I would argue that leadership comes first. Leadership shapes followership. The dog should

Buhari be wagging the tail, not the tail wagging the dog. I will make three arguments in this regard and then close my case for today. One, it is true that voters collect rice and cooking oil to “mortgage” their conscience at election times, but we are talking about impoverished people who are still dealing with existential needs — what to eat, where to sleep and what to wear. If someone is hungry, the person who gives him food becomes his god.

Politicians understand very well that keeping the people eternally indigent is a strong weapon of controlling their minds.

Conversely, in advanced societies where hunger has been conquered, politicians can’t buy the votes. No matter how poor you are in the UK, for instance, you will eat. At least 99% of the population don’t go to bed hungry. Politicians, therefore, cannot entice voters with ice cream. When I went to the village to bury my grandmother in September and I saw the poverty on the faces of the people, I asked myself: how would these guys not collect rice to vote? They looked so battered. Until we conquer hunger, voters will continue to be vulnerable to gastro-centric inducements. And you know what?

It is the responsibility of leaders to crush hunger.

The chicken comes first.

Two, politicians complain about being bombarded with monetary and material requests by their constituents. This encourages predation in public office, they say. A very good argument. Nevertheless, why are British voters not bombarding their MPs with similar requests? I will tell you why: quality education is free up to secondary school, while university undergraduates can take student loans; healthcare is free; and there is free or subsidised council housing for the homeless and less privileged.

No constituent can go to the MP and tell stories about school fees. And It is leadership that will implement these welfare policies. Again, the chicken comes first.

Three, the brazen display of influence and opulence by politicians and public officers has so damaged the value system that people have come to see them as demigods and role models. The astonishing transformation to millionaires and billionaires within a few months of being in office does something sinister to the brains of the ordinary people. Public office is the sweetest thing in Nigeria. People think getting there is the highest height any human being can aspire to. Ants are naturally attracted to sugar.

You can, therefore, understand the mentality of the drummers who think calling me a “senator” would be rewarded with naira rain!

In Nigeria, many people who failed in business go into politics and become billionaires. The people are not blind. They can see everything. If it were the other way — people make money in business and then go into public office to serve — the orientation of Nigerians will also be slightly different.

If politicians live modest lives, or sacrifice their comfort to serve, people will also see it. And when you are dealing with an impoverished and disoriented people, it would be unfair to blame them for mortgaging their conscience and voting in the interest of their stomachs. You cannot pour sugar on the floor and turn round to blame the ants for invading your privacy.

When we blame the abjectly poor voters for their choices, we seem to assume that they are intellectually alert, politically sophisticated and economically independent to make the right decisions. More so, we ignore the fact of betrayal — that the politicians campaign with promises to better people’s lives and end up doing something else when they are elected. Imagine that a voter listens to two candidates, and decides, with or without any inducement, that one is better than the other. He votes for the “better candidate” who eventually wins. But many “better candidates” end up as predators in public office. This betrayal factor damages the psyche.

In closing my case today, I admit that the political culture shapes both leaders and followers. But leaders and followers also shape the culture. In fact, humans shape culture and then culture begins to shape humans. We were not always like this. Our choices used to be driven by values. Something snapped along the line and reshaped our values and now we operate a cash-and-carry voting culture.

The “transaction” political culture works thus: ‘You need my vote to become a billionaire? Well, pay me in advance — I may never see you again!’

People have become so cynical to the extent that they see all politicians as the same: they are all out to cheat us.

The developmental elite, the ones I’ve been campaigning for, are victims of this cynicism.

They too have to pay the “transaction cost” if they want to get political power. The cost is very high because the field is very competitive, with the predatory elite ready to die in their bid for office.

The “good guys” cannot really compete, except they have godfathers, and this comes with its own price. The vicious circle is complete then! Of course, the people are not completely blameless — I will readily admit that. Why is it that public officers who try to be different are disdained and described as hypocrites, “aka gum” and fools by the people?

Do you blame the leadership for that too?

Nevertheless, I would argue that when people’s psyche has been disoriented and their values twisted for generations, they are bound to begin to see what is wrong as right and what is right as wrong.

We need a new vision of society, a new kind of politics, shared by both leaders and followers.

Leaders and followers have to be on the same page if Nigeria is ever going to graduate from underdevelopment. The real challenge today is: how can the voters and the politicians sing from the same hymn sheet in the national interest? One thing for sure: we need a complete reorientation.

And this is best achieved through leadership by example. The chicken. Again.

MENTALLY DISPLACED I once watched a Yoruba movie in which a blind man was being robbed of his alms by his “helper”. He cursed the chap with a simple prayer: if you take advantage of my disability to cheat me, may you also suffer my affliction. That was the first thing that came to my mind when I read allegations that officials were drugging and raping internally displaced persons in their camps.

The officials are not satisfied with stealing supplies meant for IDPs. This is a country where almost everybody claims to be religious, starting and ending every sentence with “God”. Yet wickedness and sadism are at the very centre of our hearts. What a country of godless people! Devils.

LOAN RANGER One and a half years into President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, I’m asking myself, again and again, the engagement strategy of his government. The APC controls both chambers of the national assembly — and the simplest benefit should be that the ruling party can push its agenda through with little resistance. How much consultation did Buhari do before presenting his $30bn loan request to the lawmakers?

The way the senate threw out the request without even debating it is an indication that things are falling apart. Even if the request would not be approved, at least it should be debated. I hope we are not heading for a lockdown. Worrying.

THE OUTREACH Talking about peace building, I have had heated arguments with people over the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta. Some hardliners, who are not averse to slicing the nose to spite the face, say the military should bomb the Niger Delta even if it would bring our oil production to zero. I don’t think President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was out of his mind when he chose the path of positive engagement in 2007, which eventually took oil production back to above 2 million barrels per day. It would appear the hardliners are losing and President Buhari has chosen the option of jaw-jaw. There is time for war and time for peace. Tactical.

THE LAST TRUMP Empires rise and fall. If American voters decide on Tuesday that their next president should be Donald Trump, it may be a sign of the times. It may just signal the beginning of the end of the American empire. I can imagine President Trump barring Muslims from entering the US, building a wall with Mexico and forcing the Mexicans to pay for it, and then aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We’ve had the Akkadian Empire, Roman Empire and British Empire — and like most things that have a beginning, there must be an end someday.

The American empire won’t last forever. It is not as if Hillary Clinton is a fantastic option.

But Trump? Ghastly.

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