Wednesday 7th December 2016

NCC: We Did Not Give Directive for Increase of Data Tariffs Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

Contrary to the general perception that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) gave network providers the directive to increase data tariffs, the commission said yesterday that it never gave such a directive.

The commission, which made the disclosure at an

investigative hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Communications at the National Assembly, Abuja, said all it did was to establish a price floor for all telecoms operators for the purpose of price regulation.

According to the

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umaru Dambatta, the price floor was first introduced in 2014 to serve as a check against “anti-competitive practices particularly by dominant operators”.

He further described the

price floor as a minimum price placed on a good, commodity or service to prevent dominant operators from engaging in “predatory pricing to drive down prices and drive out other operators from the market”.

Dambatta said against

this backdrop, NCC in 2014 imposed a price floor of N3.11 per megabyte for data services, but eventually lifted the price floor in October 2015 following the request by service providers to waive the price floor for data services “to enable a roll-out

Finally, Buhari to Present 2017 Budget December 14... Page 11

of infrastructure and growth of the data market segment”.

He added that in accordance with its mandate to promote fair competition in the telecommunications industry and avert monopoly by major operators, it took a decision to re-introduce the price floor with effect from

Continued on page 8

Wednesday 7 December, 2016 Vol 21. No 7902. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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New Mega Party Targets 16 Governors PDP unhappy with Atiku, Tinubu’s denials Olawale Olaleye With an eye firmly fixed on the 2018 governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun States and 2019 general election, the movers of the proposed new mega party are already

targeting at least 16 states of the federation whose governors they are confident will decamp to the new party, to bolster their chances of unseating the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The new opposition party

is believed to have the tacit support of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that currently controls 11 states in the country, a National Leader of the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC), Chief Bola Ahmed Tinbubu, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a major chieftain of the APC. Both APC leaders have, however, denied their involvement in the proposed party, saying they remained

committed to the APC. Some of the states being considered for the taking are spread across five crucial geopolitical zones of the country, with the calculation that once the new party is able to hold down these states, the

others could be turned into battleground states, where it would compete for votes with the APC to shore up its chances in the 2019 elections.

Continued on page 8

STATES ON THE RADAR OF NEW MEGA PARTY Lagos Oyo Osun Ekiti Enugu Ebonyi Abia Delta

Bayelsa Rivers Akwa Ibom Cross River Taraba Gombe Adamawa Benue

…APC Goes for Broke in Rivers

Party, PDP trade words over re-run polls INEC to deploy 10,294 personnel, IG keeps mum on withdrawal of Wike’s CSO Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Dele Ogbodo in Abuja Ahead of the Saturday’s legislative re-run elections in Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has gone for broke, in a bid to capture the three senatorial districts, eight federal constituencies, and 10 state constituencies up for grabs in the state.

While the ruling party at the centre knows that it will not win enough state constituency seats to give the Rivers State governor, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) much of a problem in the state, the APC, however, is hell bent on winning most, if not all the federal legislatives seats Continued on page 8

FAYOSE: READY FOR WAR...

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (in military fatigues), greeting traditional rulers after presenting his state's N93.4 billion budget for 2017 to the Ekiti State House of Assembly, in Ado-Ekiti... yesterday

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT NCC: WE DID NOT GIVE DIRECTIVE FOR INCREASE OF DATA TARIFFS December 1, 2016 following the commission’s discovery that “some service providers were actually pricing their services below cost, a situation which could spell doom for the industry”.

He disclosed that the rumour that NCC gave the directive for the increase in data tariffs was borne out of pure misunderstanding of its intentions, explaining that it only introduced a price floor of N0.90 kobo per megabyte which was considerably lower than the price floor of N3.11 kobo introduced in 2014.

Dambatta further explained that the need to re-introduce the price floor was meant to avert a price war between major telecoms players and smaller ones, adding that the telecoms sector contributes N1.4 trillion to the economy every quarter.

However, the angry reaction which trailed NCC’s announcement of a new price floor by the general public was triggered by the text messages sent by MTN to its subscribers that data prices would go up in compliance with the NCC directive.

It was learnt yesterday that the text messages sent by MTN were meant to affect only its subscribers who patronise its products whose rates are lower than the 0.90 kobo price floor, as MTN’s messages to such subscribers had stated that the price of data would go up in line with NCC directive on December 1.

Although the MTN’s texts messages appeared to be a true reflection of the NCC directive, they only ended up instigating the public against the NCC. It was also learnt yesterday that the introduction of the price

floor was not beneficial to major players such as MTN whose lower tariffs help to capture more subscribers.

In his submission, the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat, Mathew Willsher, said following the lifting of the price floor in 2015, data tariffs were forced down by 80 per cent. He however, added that a situation where the price floor has now been suspended might not be the best for the industry.

The CEO of MTN, Ferdi Moolman, said it was not true that MTN was behind the move for the data price hike, saying that the interest of Nigerians was the drive of the telecoms industry.

He added that an industry that is technologically-driven like the telecommunications, needs to apply new technologies, a trend he said

was affected by Nigeria’s rising inflation rate.

But Airtel, which was represented by its Director of Legal Services, Sola Adeyemi, said that telecoms operators would abide by the suspension of the price floor, saying operators would adjust prices to fit the price floor fixed by the NCC. The vice chairman of the committee, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who presided over the meeting, blamed the misconception of NCC’s price floor on poor consultations, adding that the ignorance on the directive displayed by the Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu, was a testimony to the insufficient consultations before the announcement of the new price floor.

However, Dambatta said fresh consultations on the

matter would continue, pointing out that the study to be carried out on the issue would be scientific.

The committee threw its weight behind NCC’s submission that it would engage in a scientific study before coming up with a price floor that will be acceptable to all stakeholders.

In his reaction, Shittu appealed for support to both the NCC and telecoms operators, arguing that whatever is necessary must be done to ensure that the telecoms industry which he described as the most vibrant sector is sustained.

He said: “I am appealing to the distinguished Senate that in the intervening period, they should try to encourage NCC to be the best that it can, they should try to assist us in the area of holding the

balance between the interest of operators and the interest of the Nigerian masses so that we can be seen to be providing the best.

“I want to say that whatever we would do, we should encourage NCC, we should also encourage operators and we should also encourage Nigerians to appreciate the reality on ground. My information is that in the West Africa region our tariff is the lowest...

“The fact that our currency has depreciated in terms of value will perhaps justify this assertion.

“What we are operating or experiencing in Nigeria in terms of the devaluation of the naira, in terms of over reliance on crude oil whose prices crashed, means that we must do the needful in ensuring that the industry is sustained.”

or indirectly, their membership would most likely be taken for granted, while the party is saddled with the task of concentrating on areas where it is considered to be relatively weak.

The movers behind the

new party are of the view that if they must make any meaningful impact in the elections in 2018 and 2019, respectively, then certain states are germane to the victory.

However, whilst the backers of the party are working on a

winning strategy, the Makarfiled PDP, sources confirmed yesterday, has expressed disappointment in the way Atiku and Tinubu denied their involvement in the formation of the new party.

The PDP leadership,

THISDAY gathered, while trying to empathise with the concerns Atiku and Tinubu might have over the news of their involvement in the

federal institutions to harass, intimidate and threaten the lives of perceived political enemies particularly Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was then governor of Rivers State.

“Under Wike’s watch, political thugs and criminal gangs have continued to kill and maim APC members and innocent citizens in Rivers State.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration has successively demonstrated the will to ensure that all elections are free, transparent and credible. Saturday’s legislative re-run elections in Rivers will not be different.

The administration does not subscribe to such evil machinations where government institutions are used to achieve political ends.

“The APC hereby calls on the security agencies to investigate the report of an arms build-up and be on high alert on the security situation in Rivers State under Wike’s watch and by extension the PDP in the lead-up to the Rivers legislative re-run elections.

“Wike’s criminal gangs and PDP thugs must not be allowed to steal the votes of the Rivers electorate on Saturday,” APC stated.

On Saturday’s re-run polls, INEC stated yesterday that it would deploy a record 10,294 staff to conclude the National and State Assembly elections in the state.

The commission said in a statement that fourteen categories of staff would be deployed for the Rivers poll – three Returning Officers for the three Senatorial Districts; eight Returning Officers for the Federal Constituencies; 10 Returning Officers for the Federal Constituencies; 23 Local Government Collation Officers; and 221 Registration Area Collation Officers.

Others include 57 Collation Officers (for collation only at Registration Areas RAs); 231 Supervisory Presiding Officers; 1,840 Presiding Officers; 6,609 Assistant Presiding Officers (I, II and III); 661 Assistant Presiding Officers (VP); 363 Reserve APOs (5%) of APOs; 21 Constituency Supervisors (3 SDs, 8 FCs and 10 SCs); 24 LGA Supervisors; and 223 RA Supervisors.

The elections will take place across three senatorial districts, eight federal constituencies, and

10 state constituencies.

Following court orders, in the aftermath of the 2015 general election, the commission had earlier scheduled to re-run the elections in Rivers State on Saturday, 19th March 2016.

The elections were however disrupted by violence as a result of which they were suspended.

It explained that at the time of the suspension of the elections, the exercise was at different stages.

The 21 constituencies where the elections will hold on Saturday in Rivers State are: (1) Rivers East (SD), (2) Rivers West (SD), (3) Rivers South East (SD), (4) Akuku-Toru/ Asari Toru (FC), (5) Degema/ Bonny (FC), (6) Okrika/OguBolo (FC), (7) Etche/Omuma (FC), (8) Ikwere/Emohua (FC), (9) Khana Gokana (FC), (10) Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo (FC), (11) Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni (FC), (12) Eleme (SC), (13) Gokana (SC), (14) Asari-Toru I (SC), (15) Asari-Toru II (SC), (16) Andoni (SC), (17) Khana II (SC), (18) Etche II (SC), (19) Ikwere (SC), (20) Bonny (SC), and (21) Degema (SC).

Also, the police IG said yesterday that the police force had begun the deployment of personnel in Rivers State for peaceful and fair elections.

He said there was need for collaboration between the police and sister security agencies for the polls.

Idris, who declined to comment on the alleged withdrawal of the CSO to Wike, said the police have a good working relationship with all the 36 state governors.

He advised state Commissioners of Police to ensure that Nigerians were not subjected to hardships on the roads during the Yuletide season.

“You should ensure that no hardship is created for citizens of Nigeria, try and ease movements on the roads,” he said.

The police in Rivers State also issued a notice restricting the movement of persons in the state from midnight on Saturday.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), said: “There will be total restriction of movement of persons and vehicles. Between the hours of 12 midnight on Friday, December 9, 2016 and

8 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016, both on land and waterways.

“The command further wishes to emphasise that important personalities and politicians are barred from going to any voting centre with their security detail.

“They are also warned to desist from moving from one place to another on Election Day, as provided under the Electoral Act. Movement is strictly restricted from places of abode to voting centres and back.

“The police and other security agencies will be moving to ensure strict compliance.”

He said the restriction was “intended to provide a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair, and violence-free elections that will stand the test of time”.

go home, while youths should remain to protect votes at the polling units to the collation centres.

“Youths must wait until the results are announced and party agents in possession of declared results.

“Nobody should intimidate you with security agents. How many persons can they kill? How many people can they beat up?

We must defend our votes.”

The governor added that on Saturday the people of Rivers State shall “drive Satan, the Lucifer and his devilish agents from Rivers State”.

“These are the people who embezzled Rivers money, used the funds to sponsor national politics. Saturday, December 10 is their day of reckoning.

“Satan will disappear from Rivers on Saturday. Why would someone hate his people so much that he teams up with outsiders to cause them pain?” he asked in apparent reference to his political foe, Amaechi Wike said that he remained committed to peace, pointing out that he had been making public statements on the elections and the negative plots of APC, because he believes that by alerting the world, the APC leaders, police and INEC plotting to rig would be called to order.

He called on the international community to assist in stopping APC from using the security agencies to rig the re-run elections alongside INEC.

NEW MEGA PARTY TARGETS 16 GOVERNORS The states already considered to be the strongholds of the proposed mega party are Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu in the South-east; Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Bayelsa in the South-south; Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Lagos in

the South-west; Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa in the North East; and for now Benue State in the North-central zone.

Since the governors of the 16 states are seen to be sympathetic to the cause of the mega party, either directly

Continued on page 10

…APC GOES FOR BROKE IN RIVERS in the state that will give it formidable control in the National Assembly.

In this regard, the party is banking on its winning formula used in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, and has deployed all the resources of the state to thwart Wike, including the withdrawal of his chief security officer (CSO) and the security aides of other politicians in the state.

The aim is to checkmate Wike, who the APC has identified alongside the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, of being behind the formation of the new mega party that could give the APC a serious run for its money in the 2019 general election.

Preparatory to the re-run polls in Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed a record 10,294 personnel in the state for the elections.

In the interim, the PDP and APC yesterday rained accusations against each other, ranging from security threats to rigging plots.

While the leadership of the PDP condemned last Monday’s withdrawal of the CSO to the governor, describing it as a deliberate attempt to endanger his life, the APC alleged PDP was raising a false alarm and merely covering up for its arms build-up.

Specifically, PDP accused APC and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, of plotting to use the security agencies to intimidate Wike and render him vulnerable to attacks.

In a statement issued by the spokesman of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP yesterday, Mr. Dapo Adeyeye, the party called on the Inspector General of Police, (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and the Director General of Department State Services (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura, to as a matter of urgency restore all the security aides to Wike and secure the Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It said the APC and its leaders should be held responsible should anything happen to Wike or supporters of the party.

PDP further alleged that the new methods being applied by the APC for the Rivers re-run elections is the withdrawal of the security detail of the

governor in order to endanger his life and possibly intimidate him to succumb to their rigging plans.

“This is not acceptable and if anything happens to the governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, his family or any of our party member or supporter in Rivers State, Rivers people and indeed all Nigerians should hold Chibuike Amaechi and his party leaders responsible.

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear on the grounds by which the security of a sitting governor can be withdrawn. This is a big slap on our constitution and must be condemned by all wellmeaning Nigerians before the APC reverses all the gains of democracy we have nurtured since 1999.”

In its riposte, APC dismissed the allegation of threat to life of the state governor by the PDP, describing it as a cover up for the massive arms build-up by the governor in readiness for the elections.

A statement issued by APC’s National Secretary, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, denied being involved in any plot to assassinate the governor or use security agents to intimidate PDP supporters, adding that Wike and his party were being haunted by their horrible past misdeeds.

“The report by the Rivers State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleging the withdrawal of Wike’s security aides and an assassination threat on the governor is a hoax meant to deflect attention from the reports of an arms build-up and other sinister plots the Wike-led PDP administration plans to execute on election day,” it said.

APC called on the security agencies to investigate the report of the arms build-up and to be on high alert on the security situation in Rivers State.

“Nobody is after Wike.

The governor and the PDP’s diversionary and false alarm are hinged on the reality that they will lose the legislative re-run elections once security is tightened in Rivers State.

“Again, the PDP and the Rivers State governor are haunted by their horrible past misdeeds. Nigerians recall how Wike, then a PDP minister used

Wike Berates INEC Meanwhile, the Rivers State governor yesterday condemned the INEC for refusing to be transparent with the list of collation officers that would be used for Saturday’s elections.

The governor also called on the electorate not to be intimidated by the plot by the police, INEC and APC to use state violence to intimidate voters and cart away election materials.

Speaking in Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Areas yesterday while flagging off the rehabilitation of General Hospitals in Opobo and Ngo and the completion of the Ogoni Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road, Wike said that INEC was keeping the list of collation officers secret, so that it will use APC members for this strategic role.

He noted that some constituencies were declared inconclusive during the March 19 re-run elections because APC members appointed as collation officers by INEC fled when they realised that PDP was winning.

The governor asked INEC to release the list of collation officers for public scrutiny and for transparency and accountability.

He said: “INEC must make the list of collation officers public. No matter what INEC does, the list of collation officers must be known.

“We must remain vigilant.

After voting, women should

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

Wizkid Gets First Grammy Nomination Ayo Wzk d Ba ogun has been nom nated for a Grammy Award one of the most revered awards n the mus c ndustry The N ger an s nger was a contr butor on V ews an a bum by Drake Aubrey Graham wh ch was nom nated n the a bum of the year category reported on ne news med um The Cab e The Grammy Award for a bum of the year s presented to the ma n art st the featured art st(s) the producer the eng neer and/or m xer and the master ng eng neer The nom nat ons wh ch were announced yesterday had a number of shock ng om ss ons nc ud ng One Dance a song by Drake featur ng W zk d and Br t sh s nger Ky a The om ss on w defin te y ra se many eyebrows as One Dance was the number one song on the B board charts for up to ten weeks W zk d who has had a ste ar year and has toured a ongs de the kes of Chr s Brown In sp te of the snub One Dance has a ready won severa awards n 2016 one of wh ch was the Teen Cho ce Award for Cho ce R&B/H p-Hop Song Beyonce Drake Ade e Chance The Rapper Kanye West Just n B eber R hanna were the most nom nated art stes by the Record ng Academy

Haram from Sambisa Forest President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Dakar, Senegal assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorists was in sight, saying the Nigerian armed forces have taken over Sambisa Forest. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, Page 11

EDITORIAL The Value of Open Debate

T H I S D AY

Wizkid B onde the atest a bum by Frank Ocean an R&B s nger and songwr ter was not nom nated because he fa ed to subm t h s mater a for cons derat on

“I d rather th s be my Co n Kaepern ck moment for the Grammys than s t there n the aud ence ” Ocean to d the New York T mes ast month

crew are show ng to the fi m As of the ast count 13 c nemas had seen R ta Ramsey DKD and Ib F beres ma beh nd the counter se ng t ckets nteract ng w th fans tak ng se fies and conduct ng aud ence react ons Th s s from A ah to Abu a from The Pa ms n Lekk to Pa ms n Ibadan and from Ced P aza n Abu a to F mhouse n Suru ere – they have been turn ng up w thout warn ng and mak ng the c nema goer s day The mov e s D rector Izu O ukwu famous y descr bed as the “Steven Sp e berg” of N ger an c nema s notor ous for be ng a ot more comfortab e beh nd the camera But even he was on tour he had th s to say for h s fi m “I have done my part Now t s t me for aud ences to do the rs and assess f we d d our part we In t a responses are encourag ng I must say Go ng on tour has he ped me see where next I shou d take my art of fi mmak ng ” When qu zzed on the next steps the Execut ve Producer of the mov e Tonye Pr ncew sa d “Hav ng been recogn sed

by Ho ywood Toronto and London we thought that be ng recogn sed back home may be ask ng too much But what we are see ng here s s mp y m nd b ow ng

Se ng out shows s one th ng but se ng them out when they are over app ng I have never seen done before There s no p ace ke home None “On top of that the fact that 76 ust won four awards for best scr pt best actor best d rector and best overa fi m at the recent Afr can F m Fest va and you cou d not have asked for more Commerc a and art st c success s hard to ach eve together “Usua y you w do we to ach eve e ther We w cont nue to tour the country to engage w th the fans and surpr se N ger ans at the r oca c nemas through the ho days and nto the new year ” Pr ncew sa d the next stops for the mov e crew are Kano Owerr Ben n Asaba Warr and Port Harcourt “We have a ready made our money back w th our Ho ywood dea but the best reward for us s a chance to see N ger ans eyes ght up when they fee the mpact of 76 ” he added Many fans emerged from the screen ngs w th overwhe m ng exc tement One of the fans flew n from Accra ust to watch the fi m another drove from Ibadan to come and watch t on y to find out t was a so show ng n a the three c nemas there 76 s show ng now a over N ger a

concerned observers about the Makarfied PDP not rea y need ng an a ance or merger the m nute t sett es ts eadersh p cr s s may be og ca but noted that the batt e to unseat an ncumbent pres dent n N ger a was not an easy one to be prosecuted by one party a one however strong hence the need for co-operat on from peop e of ke-m nds to poo resources He noted that w th the PDP go ng nto ta ks w th anyone as a un ted fam y th s wou d g ve t better grounds for negot at ons and that the concerns about anyone se ng out or undo ng the party wou d be unfounded once the other fact on has been comp ete y neutra sed “At east we know that the A Modu Sher ff fact on s work ng for and w th the APC So the fears about the k nd of damage they cou d do wou d have been adequate y checkmated w th the r ex t “The co aborat on s therefore mportant and key to the success of our co ect ve p an to take over the government and ead the nat on to a better p ace ” he sa d He descr bed the ssue of the pres dent a cand dacy as too ear y n the day s nce the conso dat on of the

proposed party was yet to take p ace “It s true that the APC w ng of the proposed party m ght have been ponder ng the r opt ons on the cho ce of cand date for the pres dency but the PDP too has ts own take on a of th s and there are many opt ons from wh ch the dea cand date can be chosen “But first we need to t dy up the ama gamat on and other th ngs w fo ow ” he sa d The source d d not however d sm ss the nfluence of former Pres dent O usegun Obasan o on the cho ce of a pres dent a cand date for the mega party but expressed concern about Obasan o s oppos t on to At ku and former Pres dent Good uck Jonathan both of whom he sa d the former pres dent had vowed never to have anyth ng to do w th “H s take on At ku s part cu ar y worr some because he once sa d even f he d es today and At ku was coast ng home to the pres dency he wou d beg God to et h m come back to fe fin sh h m off and then return to God “You may want to augh th s off but t s deep and speaks so much about h s d sda n for these two persons At ku espec a y” he sa d

• WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER

7, 2016

EDITORIAL

15

he recently concluded presidential elec- tion in the United States of America has presented different nations with a diversity of takeaways.

For us in Nigeria, the lessons are many but the most significant, as we reiterated even before the contest...

Page 15

NEW MEGA PARTY TARGETS 16 GOVERNORS proposed party com ng out too ear y n the day however some members of the PDP fe t that they shou d have known what they were up aga nst from the outset Accord ng to a PDP ch efta n “We wou d have expected At ku and T nubu to have been more strateg c n the r react ons to the news “They ust proved that they cou d deve op co d feet at the s ghtest wh ff and are not rea y prepared to take on the cha enges that e ahead The r den a s cou d be a setback for the mega party as there s no way the format on can progress w th th s k nd of att tude “We know t s go ng to be tough but we must be ready to ve w th the consequences ” From the perspect ve of the PDP the source sa d the party was on the verge of putt ng ts house n order and was prepar ng to start a new chapter add ng that once the cha enges re ated to the eadersh p tuss e are c eared t wou d be n a better pos t on to fu y concentrate on the ta ks for a new mega party wh ch he descr bed as the on y oker for the 2019 e ect ons He sa d the argument by some

Two-Minute Briefing NEWS Buhari: We Have Chased out Boko

Nigerian Movie, ‘76’, Heads Straight to Number One at the Box Office

The hot y ant c pated mov e 76 the first No ywood fi m to get an nternat ona sa es and d str but on dea s out w th a bang at c nemas and n ts second week s nce ts re ease t s st topp ng the charts and se ng out aud ences Peop e wa t ng t weekends to watch the fi m have been eft d sappo nted as many arr ved c nemas to find the mov e comp ete y so d out Some say t s the qua ty of the fi m that s generat ng the buzz as t has eft aud ences wowed by the h gh product on standards t has set Others say t s the act ng as R ta Dom n c and Ramsey Nouah put up such ste ar performances that they have not on y g ven the r fans another reason to ce ebrate them they have won over a new eg on of mov e enthus asts Many who never watched N ger an fi ms before have been converted after watch ng 76 It s not the usua comedy or No ywood fi m but t has a the moments of aughter act on pa n tears and downr ght edge of your seat exc tement a wrapped nto one No matter the theory on the success of 76 what s c ear though s that ts mpress ve numbers cannot be removed from the comm tment the cast and the

STARTERS

POLITICS Bolaji Abdulahi as Symbol of Executive,

THE VALUE O

T

The presidential

election in the

F OPEN DEBA TE

United States he recently concluded holds lessons presidential election in the United for Nigeria presented differentStates of America has nations with of takeaways.

For us in Nigeria, a diversity neither understan are many but the lessons d nor can they the problems. articulate national reiterated even most significant, as we issues and before the contest, While the US value of open presidential campaign debate in presentin is the was exposed electorate with s lasted, the world to a multi-dim candidates contesting a rounded picture g an ensional picture Trump who eventually for the highest of of both Donald The American emerged winner office in the land. the The two candidate system and Hillary may not be perfect s were challenge deny the fact on all aspects that but nobody will d to air their viewsClinton. of the society were voting for the voters usually have an they aspired to importantly, idea of who they and what they it was govern. our presidenti represented. public to rigorously an opportunity for the media More On the contrary, al candidates have mostly ascended without any ideas and interrogate their past records. moral credential the office they would need about policies, programm s and es and to help the them actualise people situation is not such vision. helped hese debates without any exception by the fact that the political The were They were above thorough and all encompa parties , just platforms offices. ssing. for winning politicalare, that were virtual all accompanied by campaign In this regard, road-shows. candidates traversed At the end, the s under considera it is commendable that the major United States the length and Senate has tion a bill to establish to breadth of the Commission. a Presidential cap it all, there canvass their programmes This Debates and views. To were make it mandator bill should be expeditiou gave the American three major national sly passed to y for scheduled debates which debates to hold hand, the depth, public an opportunity WE CANNOT among to assess, first CONTINUE WITH those who temperament character, knowledge, comportm THE CURREN and T ARRANGEMENT lead Nigeriaseek to ent, mantle of national sincerity of the candidate WHERE OUR at specific s to carry the leadership.

LEADERS ARE T H I S DAY intervals in the The winner in EDITOR PRACTICALLY course DEPUTY EDITORS IJEOMA NWOGWUGW of the presidenti HANDPICKED win the election. these debates did not necessaril U BOlAJI ADEBIYI, AND ANOINT al MANAGING JOSEph UShIGIAlE But the polity y have to campaigns. The ED lightened on DEPUTY MANAGINGDIRECTOR ENIOlA was enriched BEllO the value and FACTIONS OF BY RABBLE DIRECTOR KAYODE CHAIRMAN of such debates conform to their great issues at stake, and how better enEDITORIAL KOMOlAfE SOME RENEGA BOARD OlUSEGUN EDITOR NATION’S would own expectatio the candidate CONCLAVES ADENIYI CAPITAL IYOBOSA we have run s ns. Regrettab WHILE MOST DE include elevating UWUGIAREN a democracy OF THEM NEITHER of virtual silence ly, in Nigeria, presidential level.

UNDERSTAND national discourse and especially at the NOR CAN THEY raising the standard been made over In a handful of states, some ARTICULATE attempts had the years to hold NATIONAL ISSUES of leadership These attempts selecwere volitional debates among candidate AND T H I S DAY tion process among PROBLEMS s. most contestan rather than mandator N E W S PA P EDITOR-IN-C ERS ts GROUP EXECUTIVE HIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKAL I M I T E D political parties. these contestan ignored them. Even in instances y, hence OBAIGBENA DIRECTORS ts turned recently, Nigerians where ISRAEl IWEGBU, ENIOlA BEllO, up, what usually be described As we stated KAYODE KOMOlAfE, EMMANUEl followed could as debates in EfENI, IJEOMA GROUP FINANCE those who aspire must begin to imbibe a the true sense not DIRECTOR OlUfEMI NWOGWUGWU culture by At every election DIVISIONAL to lead our people, of the word.

DIRECTORS natorial and presidenti cycle since 1999, pETER IWEGBU, ABOROWA especially at the which MBAYIlAN had routinely fIDElIS ElEMA, presidential ANDOAKA, al levels, are subjected guberrefused to debate DEPUTY DIVISIONAL ANThONY OGEDENGBE process of public what debates their opponent candidates DIRECTOR OJOGUN to a engagement. to attend.

SNR. ASSOCIATE s we cannot continue VICTOR DANBOYI If we must developrigorous ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC organising presidenti In any case, the fickle or chose DIRECTORS OJEh CONTROLLE hENRY NWAChOKO attempts at leaders are practicallywith the current arrangem as a nation, al debates RS ABIMBOlA of amorphou TAIWO, UChENNA R, SAhEED ADEYEMO ent where handpicked and s organisations had been under the auspices factions of some GENERAL MANAGER DIBIAGWU, anointed by rabble our not backed by As we therefore renegade conclaves pATRICK EIMIUhI NDUKA MOSERI GROUP HEAD any legislation seek to build fEMI TOlUfAShE while most of . our democrac we must also ART DIRECTOR them accept that a y on meritocra DIRECTOR, OChI PRINTING PRODUCTIOOGBUAKU II process that involves cy, interrogations N ChUKS ONWUDINJO will definitely such rigorous TO SEND EMAIL: bring out the the candidate first name.surnam best and worst s thus making e@thisdayliv e.com of it easy for the informed and electorate to make rational choices.

T

Letters to the Editor

Letters in response to specific readers may TO OUR READERS send such letters publications in THISDAY opinions on topical along with their should be brief local, national (150-200 words) 1000 words). and internatiocontact details to They should and straight be sent to opinion@nal issues providedopinion@thisdaylive.com. to the point.

Intereste We also thisdaylive.com they are well-written and should alsowelcome comments andd along with the not be longer email address than (950and phone numbers of the writer.

THE CASE F

I

OR PRO-BIAFR A AGITATOR S

t is no longer mdu Buhari news that ever since President assumed the Muhamon May 29, guarantee 2015, one of mantle of leadership of his noticeably Nigeria Internationd by internation focuses so far al recently had al laws and practices, wanton killinghas been the incessant, key security the Amnesty condemnation to lend its strong premeditated of unarmed People of and people of Eastern members clampdown of the Nigerian governme voice in total enclave – for Biafra (IPOB) and Christiansof the Indigenous Nigeria – comprisin and massacre nt persistent the Niger-Del obviously no protesters. of these unarmed of the Biafra and cruel g ta not based on cause. More Nigerian state, region – are obviously the Igbo and folks of and peaceful the falsehood often, if the According to not at war with first to attack killing was that the IPOB Nigeria where unlike the case in Buhari’s the less than 150 this highly esteemed such had to members of the Nigerian members were the international unarmed having a field the terrorist Boko Haram Northern part of be killed in group, the Indigenou civilians belonging body, no day and upper sect is increasing return, it wouldarmed forces and as ed on the spurious region, yet virtually to the separatist s People hand ly be stupidly murdered in victims of Buhari’s grounds that the predicatall states within in the raging war in cold blood using of Biafra, were brutally at the moment the weaponry by the totalitarian and hapless and unsuspect torture, live obstructing members of military siege more militarized and/or Biafra enclave are bullets and ing fascist governme the free flow the the Nigerian Biafra other placed under with (which of traffic and Remembr nt were terrorists in than the region which heavy for thus needed its graphic report ance Day of May Armed Forces - during breeds and Nigeria. And clear the way the military entailed to be dealt 30, 2016. harbours machination all titled Bullets killing for motorists AI findings of the Islamist-inof this is the result of Were Raining And further to Meanwhile, and other road them) in order to clearly showed to mess up the evil Everywhere, - Chief in an in protesters all users. that or of spoil these the assertion the protesters, the apparent attempt were the first Christmas celebration series of killings South-East and that the peaceful to court the members of of peaceful South-Sou for people of with a single Buhari-led government trouble the armed forces which over the is yet to come video record Strangely, as 90 percentage th geo-political zones in was neither and/or attack Armed Forces showing members out if the killing Christians.

Nigeria, here nor there. of the population being same was of killed not Buhari’s the agitators. provoking enough, of this bloc or that are killed Nigerian Yet, in all of are had to even Islamist soldiers and other 18 by the pro-Biafra the But thus far, go extra miles unfortunate this, nobody seems to security killer its environs be talking. Even of all, the United forces aftermath of the reverse has always in Anambra invading churches at to be the conscience most Nations which every peaceful been the case Onitsha and state their of killing Nigeria Biafra agitators in ideally is meant protest duly spree and the in furtheranc abuse, oppression of the world on in Nigeria, all organised by the happened to hacking of peaceful matters of human e of demand for , subjugatio probe in or seek in pursuit etc; that are a protesters rights worship. refuge in these all rife in Nigerian, ethnic cleansing, that thousandssovereign state of Biafra. of their legitimate genocide, Ditto the African hallowed placeswho today, is And besides Indeed, as heart-rend of mowed down of members of this separatist T H I S indifferent the fact any meaningfu Union which has not apparently D AY • WEDNES ing as these appear that . group have of Nigeria in in their prime for merely nasty incidents DAY, DECEMB President Muhamm change of its l action in any member so far reflected through demand for thronging the been with his morbid are, ER 7, 2016 policy of non-interf state the remarkabl self-determination streets the internal thought and adu Buhari is not yet it does e towards pro-Biafra as adequately affairs of member erence Group through blood-suck to non-indiff Politic the AU are erencesin peaceful protesters ing inclination states.

Eastern Nigeria waiting for the UN and Editor Olawa le and the the eventual Perhaps, in general. As blood-letting Email Olaleye upsurge in Nigeria before it stands now, people of old wale.olaleye@ in widesprea regional responsibi the Christian being alive thisdaylive.c to their global d Onyiorah Paschallities. and 08116 Chiduluemije, 759819 SMS om Abuja

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IDWEEKPOL ITICS Legislative Peace Deal THE NE W The ancient town of Ilorin, the Bolaji Abdul S M A K E R Executive, Le ahi as Symbol of Kwara State capital was last week gislative Peac e Deal thrown into festive and joyful mood T following the announcement that a former Commissioner for Education and Minister of Sports andYouth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has emerged the new National Publicity Secretary... Page 18

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The appointme National Publi nt, last week, of a form between the city Secretary of the All er Minister of Sports, Malla presidency and Progressives m Bolaji Abdu Congress the Bukola Sarak he ancient lahi town of Ilorin, Kwara State the i-led Senate, is indicative of the new as the new capital was last week thrown into writes Hammed peace deal mood followingfestive and joyful Shittu that a former the announcement Commissi

oner for Education and Youth Developm and Minister of lahi has emerged ent, Mallam Bolaji Sports the new National AbdulSecretary of the Publicity (APC) in the ruling All Progressives Congress country.

The overw From his Ubandaw aki ward, local level of the acceptancehelming and APC in the state, the leaders state members of of Abdullahi the by the people and the choice of APC jubilated round town for Abdullahi as Publicity Secretary immediate of his the new National of the APC. not enough, Ilorin and community in other stakehold As if this was from his associates other parts ers in the state, the state was of were also elated , friends and well-wish ers not a surpri The overwhelm about the developm as he had exhibi ent. se ing acceptanc by the people e of Abdullahi ted of his sterlin immediate Ilorin and other g leader parts of the community in surprise as he qualities since ship state was not a qualities sincehad exhibited sterling leadership into the public he ventured gallery, when he ventured into the public when he first gallery, tion of a formerhe first joined the administr governor of joined now Senate Kwara State athe administrati President, Bukola and first as a Special Saraki in 2003, Assistant on former govern on of a Research and Strategy for Education later elevated as Commissi and State and now or of Kwara . oner While in these Senate President, warmed himself two capacities, Abdullahi Bukola Sarak in the discharge to the heart of in 2003, first i of his responsib Kwarans development ility Assistant on as a Special footprints in and growth of the state. to the Even his the coordinati and ResearchStrategy business and on policy formulatioof government would be remember elevated as and later n in the state ed by the people.

Commission Abdullahi for Education er Abdulahi...A “Omoluabi”, fondly called by his admirers PC’s new megaphone as writer, who an astute journalist and had prolific choice national issues written numerous articles as the best on in the thing to come Newspapers while working with THISDAY country. In to the APC had long prepared a congratul ahead of providing atory message former Commissioner for the task issued by his Special qualitative and great Assistant Shuaib leadership former achievements, Abdulkadir, and sterling on in any area Mallam Bolaji Minister of country.

Ahmad stressedMedia, is coming he finds himself.

Abdullahi’s No wonder, on board with Abdullahi choice to have happened is one of the best that that will be wealth of experience during former he was appointed a Another chieftain helpful minister things duties of to the party. administration.president Goodluck Jonathan’s He said the and responsibiin the discharge of his gress, Alhaji Abubakar the All Progressives Conformer Jonathan first Kawu Baraje the choice the Minister appointed him enced journalist and minister as an experi- of our party. We havelities as the Spokesma also lauded of Youths Developm n He said of Abdullahi as APC no doubt that spokesper reputable newspape former columnist moved to spokesperson. there was no ent the sports the new r in the country with a ambassad son will continue to doubt that ministry. At and later with requisite offices, the the be a good would ensure effective or of the APC Ilorin-born journalist was the two position in knowledge to handle suchis armed the party, governme communication election to have done in Describing the between his choice as Nigeria”. believed sensitive terrain, nt and the the appointm party. He recalled that would ever a wonderful job that no Baraje, in a trip to people.

Kwara APC Nigerian forget. since and said “We, all a familiar office in a statement issued from the APC has ent of Mohammed as On December members of Ilorin, said the leaders his media minister, been striving 1, 2016, leaders All the north central to find suitable in Kwara State, wish Progressives Congress adequately embodied the former minister of the APC from candidate to fill zone of the with good qualities is you a successful qualified him in office”. to organise a He therefore the vacant office. country decided mini party convention for the post. tenure that described Abdullahi replace the The APC chieftain Also, the in Abuja to pointment as a round Kwara slot chairman, ’s ap- Ilorin noted that in the national antecedents peg Ubandawaki maintaining committee west local governme looking at his as former commissio of working that APC needsin a round hole, Abdulahi ward, State enable office, Alhaji APC after the occupant nt and minister ner in Kwara Lai Mohamm of the society, the party improve his expertise to Alagbede comes from, Alhajicouncil, where laudable in the

by President its image in Muhonmonu achievements last administration, the especially with lauded the Muhammadu ed, was appointed the recorded were choice of the ated, saying minister APC’s the current for Informatio Buhari as Minister in the country. the Party needed situation appreciformer versatile n, Orientatio He described National Publicity “His qualities Since the appointm n and Culture. a technocrat journalist like Secretary. and ent of Mohamm Abdullahi for the APC that Abdullahi as a loyal member can say is that are never in doubt, hails from Kwara Given that the post. and all I Abdullahi had used his ed, who the party couldn’t State as minister, of state came add a of the office former positions better and values to as from the same have selected the position of the National more suitable to journalistiMohammed, Baraje at the ward, the development of task ahead. of APC has noted c knowledg the party become vacant Publicity Secretary local and state As a former candidate for the e and integrity that his with the good Education in by its Youth He recalled levels. that Kwara State Commissioner for Leader, Timmyand had been run him and editorsworking relationship coupled PDP while servingwhen there was a crisis and Minister and Youths leaders of the Frank.

However, Development, between of Sports APC from the in the serve in all the media as minister he resigned achievements of Kwara, his track records under as another outfits would Kogi, Nassaraw north central zone opportunity of his leader, his position and queuedJonathan, out his And in fact, are there for everybody converged at a, Plateau, for him to carry mandate Senator Saraki, since he last behind to see. decision convention a hotel in Abuja and held Niger, Ministry has He commend effectively. served, the adding then to leave to fill the vacancy. hardly been ed the party Sports had a mini former Jonathan’sthat his of the party, The ruling At the conventio the same” . executives, earned him especially cabinet Buhari, elders party also respect that n devoid of APC in Abdullahi was hailed choice all the Saraki and President Muhammadu any hitches, Abdullahi as its spokesma unanimously of thus earnedhis ward would never members playing other party issued on by National Publicity n. In a statement elected the pivotal stalwarts for forget and him the name: its State Publicity new Secretary of zonal executive role as well as the North emergence “We, the members Omoluabi” Secretary, Alhaji the APC. His Sulyman Buhari, the too was not Central of the party of APC at Ubandanw party ward as a trained believed to a surprise as Baraje for settling possess the journalist cumdescribed Abdullah formerin Ilorin west local he was who aki Abdulahiprayed Allah to continue for him. requisite qualities brilliance to government, astute politician, is temperam minister hails the wisdom, to give run where to and entally fit for from are proud knowledg and solidly “Particularly, discharge his Congratulating the ofice. his new behind him duties effectively e and skills With the in the new of him for the generality the National we welcome the decisionjob.

APC, Speaker the new image maker and efficiently leadership of the shows of in variousexperiences of Mallam position.

Assembly, Dr. of the Kwara State With Abdullahi of the country. of our party utmost respect Abdullahi past House of Ali Ahmad which positions as the for the existing the APC, new image an arrangement described Abdullahi’ occupied and maker of for zoning the astute journalist, he will as polishing the party is set to have s “As a former national offices in our new office.” surely excel Editor of THISDAY party. in that wouldin view of an improveda new image He therefore relationship newspaper, commence lauded the between the the task of APC, since moving the effort of Saraki on he comes from the public and of active journalism APC forward the backgroun in the as , which will impetus for no doubt served his success in the new position.

FEATURES Agboyi: Lagos Community Bereft of

Modern Amenities FEATURES When you see the hub of Agboyi Agboyi: Lago community, you remember the Bereft of Mods Community ern Ameniti famous Makoko in the heart of es Yaba. And when you see Makoko, the first two things that cross the bridge of your mind are malaria and poor health facilities especially for pregnant women and children.

W Page 20 20

WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER

7, 2016, • T HI

S D AY

Acting Featur es Editor Charle s Ajunwa Email charle s.ajunwa@this daylive.com

hen you see the Agboyi communithub of y, you remember the famous Makoko in the Yaba. And when heart of Makoko, the you see things that cross the bridge first malaria and of your mindtwo are for pregnant poor health facilities especially women and were the same children. issues on ground And these community, at Agboyi a slum After the risky in Ketu area of Lagos. wooden reporter had canoe ride, very obnoxiouabout 10 minutes walk this in the water on the s, bacteria-infested stagnant entire narrow Now, there path in of five - on stood Mrs. Kafila - Agboyi. a mother the doorway diagonal Traditiona of her l Birth Attendan house, a outlet. She t's had all her She said. "I children at (TBA) will never except to immunise go to health home. centre my children.

They treat I trust TBA. me well. I had my five at home. I won't go to children health centre."

While she vehement ly affirmed home delivery in TBA and - whose two as the safest, her neighbou r doorstep of months old baby laid near the "Yes, I also her room - quickly chorused had my baby safer with at home. Home , the TBA women is Sadly, Kafila, by you." who lost her two years husband about ago, spoke further in the language that she said theythe TBAs are way better. Yoruba Adding, are like doctors "When we themselves. have any complaint Sometimes, s, we go there. she TBA is always refers us toTthe health D AYcentre. there for usH I S • WEDNESDAY, the day; no every time closing."

DECEMBER of Undoubtedly, 7, 2016 residents patronise and home birth more TBAs not minding are labelled that they unskilled tools are unsterilis personne ed and operatel, whose environmental in poor conditions; to high maternal thereby, contributin and infant in the country. mortality rateg Interestingly, bold and daring

BUSINESS Survey Shows Positive Prospect of

BUSINESSW

ORL

D Business Expansion The fourth quarter (Q4) 2016 Business Expectation Survey has indicated that at 46.5 index points, the positive outlook in the volume of business activities reflects prospects for Survey Show expansion in the first quarter of of Business s Positive Prospect Expansion 2017. Page 23 R A T E S

NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

11.5250% 15.280%

NIBOR

A T

3-MONTH

6-MONTH

1-MONTH 2-MONTH

13.2020% 16.3877%

ss Email chika.a Editor Chika Amanze-Nw manzenwach ukwu@thisda achuku ylive.co 0803329415m 7

3 0 , 3-MONTH 6-MONTH

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Immediat e past President Ajibola; MD/CEO, , Unity Bank Chartered Institute of CIBN Exco members Plc, Bankers of Nigeria to the Bank Mrs. Tomi Somefun and in Lagos…recently Treasurer, Unity(CIBN), Mrs. Debola Osibogun Bank Plc, Sunny ; President CIBN, Bakwunye, during Prof. a courtesy visit Segun by the

CITYSTRINGS Olumo Rock: A Tourist Haven

23

Group Busine

N O V E M B E R NITTY

17.6799% 20.3732%

2 0 1 6

17.4737% 19.4674%

EXCHANGE RATE N305//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes

Ecobank

Ecobank, the Offers Voluntary voluntary HIV pan-African banking group HIV Testing recently offered this year’s Worldtesting for its staff as free part several membersAIDS Day. Ecobank Group of activities marking CEO, Ade Ayeyemi of senior managem volunteered and ent to HIV remains take the test. Ayeyemi were among staff who one said: As a leading of Africa’s most pressing “Effectively tackling pan-African middle of Africa, bank with the public health challenge s. hands with the Ecobank, has a leadershilargest footprint in the status is an world to end this epidemic p responsibility to join important step for good. Knowing Board members in the battle one’s parent company of Ecobank Transnati to end AIDS.” onal Incorpora of the group, participate ted joined (ETI), the the company’ in the global “Hands s employees organised by to the Joint United up for #HIVprevention”ca (UNAIDS).The mpaign campaignexploresNations Programme and encourag differentaspects on HIV/AIDS es people to ofHIVprevention be done to strengthe express their views on what positive individual n prevention efforts. needs to Two-thirds s – about 25 through the of all million HIVEcobank Foundatio – are in Africa. fighting the Ecobank, n, has epidemic Ecobank Foundatio on the continent been at the forefront of . In Septemb n renewed its to Fight AIDS, er 2016, the partnersh USD3 million Tuberculosis and Malaria, ip with the Global Fund programmes to end the epidemics for committing an additiona have l for HIV, provided put millions of people good. The partnership’s on antiretrov tuberculo of mosquito iral nets to protectsis treatment and distributetreatment families from d millions malaria.

SimbaPay

SimbaPay – LaunchesMoney a TransferService has announce London based digital money transfer and Uganda. d the launch of its money Using transfer serviceprovider – Ugandans living the SimbaPay app to Ghana or website, in Europe can Ghanaian in Ghana or Uganda now instantly. “This send money to mobile s and Ghanaians and phones Obinna Chima is the perfect Christmas gift when SimbaPayUgandans living in Europe to CEO for SimbaPaywill expand coverage who have been asking The fourth ECONO MY , Nyasinga Onyancha to their home countries quarter via existing The distributi Business Expectati (Q4) 2016 mobile ,” said. previously could money wallet services, “By delivering money sector showed on of firms by competitio on Survey has indicated 04th that services n (44.1 index Ghanaians and not access formal financial many recipients who sector points, the that at 46.5 index of 2016 with a sample points), Ugandans living services can positive outlook size numberconstituted the highest unclear economic 1,950 business countries now in the volume laws Europe ) with a bank of responden in nationwi enterpris (UK & European do so.” of business account, debit ts (35.3 per index points), unfavour(43.5 able to use de. A response es cent), followed activities reflects prospects Union the SimbaPay political card or credit able by rate retail computer. Transfers for expansion of 99.5 per cent was app from card will in the first (26.2 per cent),wholesale/ points), climate (38.5 index achieved during the quarter of made using any mobile phone, tablet be access to credit industrial seconds (24.3 reporting 2017. per SimbaPay to Also, the employm recipients’ mobile cent) and constructi or index points) (37.3 quarter, (14.2 and covered are credited Money. This and insufficie ent index on demand within stood at 23.4 per cent). eliminates the money wallets such nt Construction, the Industry, (36.5 index as paperwork.

Continuing, Wholesale/Retail ing a favourabpoints, indicat- Trade points) as SimbaPay alsoinconvenience of queues MTN Mobile the major factors and Services money and bank and of businesse a further analysis business delivers old constrain school employment le outlook. The money transfers sectors. s with expansio ing The activity in the and Kenya with account to other African plans by via mobile n sector, showedoutlook index by from survey was conducte current d quarter sector in the next quarter. that the services the updated addition in 2017.more destinations and countries such as Nigeria sector (10.4 showed partners being Also, a survey frames of both per companies to In April 2016, SimbaPay sought prospects for cent) had higher the the CBN and wholesale/retail tradethat the responde breakdown of the for National Bureau nts indicated Techstars in join the first ever Barclays was selected as one of lowed by the creating jobs, fol- (NBS).

10 Africa. nesses showedby type of busiof Statistics disposition for expansion remittance industry The app continues Accelerator powered by an index of that trade (5.7 per wholesale/retail was The survey response to disrupt the 61.0 points. with were import-or 13.8 per cent rate 99.5 per cent In 2015, SimbaPay with its focus on extreme cross-border iented, 2.0 (4.5 per cent) cent), industrial under in the quarter larly, construction, servicesSimi- cent were per speed and was named export-or review.

Demo Africa industrial sector and per (2.7 per cent) and construction 2015. SimbaPay the Overall Winner at convenience cent were both iented, 7.8 firms Respondents sectors. the prestigiou from Europe import and The Central were drawn expansion plans for indicated export-or s to all Nigerian also launched free, instant from iented, and Q4, 2016 with indices banks last year. transfers (CBN), revealedBank of Nigeria tion, the Industrial, Construc 76.4 Wholesale/Retail - 55.3 points, of 58.3, 56.5 and cent were neither import- per this in a IFAD to Streng posted on export-oriented trade and respectively. nor its website. report Services sectors. then SmallA total of 108,750 (Table 2, sections The surveyed The Q4, 2016 The Services 16). The distributio scale Irrigat poor rural are expected Business 36 sector is made fied insufficien firms identi- employm n of firms by pectations ion to benefit fromhouseholds in four regions t power Survey (BES) Ex- Intermediation,up of Financial (62.4 between the a financial agreemen of Ethiopia carried out index points), supply small size ent size showed that Hotels and International during the was Restaurants, Renting firms constitute financial t signed Fund for Agricultur and Ethiopia period activities October 24th per cent of d 81.3 & Business problems (55.6 index to boost small-sca al Developm today responses, medium to Novembe Of the total programm points), high and ent le interest Commun (IFAD) irrigation r Social Services. rate (53.8 index size firms 14.2 ity & points), schemes. e cost of a US$102 million unfavourable large size firms per cent, and million, IFAD loan and a $12.5US$145.3 WEDNES economic from the Adaptatio climate (52.7 4.5 per cent. million DAY,is providing index points), n for Smallhold grant, includingDECEMB (ASAP) Trust $11 million ER 7, 2016, • T er Agricultu Fund to help H I S D AY Continued re Programm effects of climate smallholder on page 24 e farmers to change. The Government adapt programme of Ethiopia Acting is co-financ to the ($18.7 million) Featur themselves by the Goddy Egene (12 esedEditor and by the beneficia The agreemen million). : Charles Ajunw F. Nwanze and t was signed inEmail charles.ajunwries a Rome by President CAPITA L MARK of IFAD, Kanayoa@thi sdayli UN agencies, Ambassador of Ethiopia ET issues. The delisting Stockbrokers Mulugeta Alemsege to Italy and ve.com registered Rome-based means the that sharehold trade on the d Gessese.

NASD OTC to Plc; Premier Brewerie trade those ers can no longer all trading platform where curities Exchange Seshares on the instruments s Plc ; have started Costain (W.A) Plc; NSE. Howeve not to woo some listed r, Navitus on Energy THISDAY the NSE but that are that were of the companies Ropes Plc and Nigerian investigation showed tered by the regisWhat is most delisted from Plc for recurring some Securities that Nigerian Stock the and at this time important non- trade stockbroking firms that Exchange Commiss Exchange (NSE) compliance with is for last week us on ion(SEC) to NSE and also can be traded the listing have favorable requirements THISDAY through licensed, on NASD trade fiscal and checks in of have revealed monetary, foreign the areas the exchange to approachOTC have begun stockbroking. . of timely exchange, The NSE last Many of trade policies. shareholders and some week delisted accurate rendition such These of Lennards of securitie the affected polices of operaare very critical tional and s (Nigeria) Plc; companies not listed on the NSE financial accounts. to bring their Mandrides P.S Some currently are back on track. to get us & Compan being of the compani OTC platformshares to the the y had corporat es also complete of domestic We need lots NASD OTC. traded on instead of and foreign e governan ly losing out. on the platform An operator investments ce The NASD confirmed to Plc provides THISDAY that the shareholders

It was in the evening of Friday, 18 November, 2016, as scheduled, the announcement went round, reminding us that it was time for the tour to Olumo Rock. Of course, you know the mood that follows such announcement. Joy, laden with anxiety and anticipation rent the air.

Page 36

CITYSTRING S Olumo Rock : A Tourist Hav en

NASD Ope rators Woo Nigerian Stoc Firm k Exchange s Delisted from the

Recently, Pete Ikija, Abeokutar Uzoho joined a grou p of tourists North, Ogun to visit and climb State, and repor the ts that the expe dition was a ancient Olumo Rock in pleasurable expe rience Continued on page 24

Tourists at

INTERNATIONAL Ghana Election: Third Time Lucky

Tourists climbing

I

the Olumo Rock

Director General,

Muda YusufLCCI

in Abeokuta,O

gun State

Olumo Rock of refuge for was a place the old Egba people in 1830.

Because of the role it history of theplayed in the rock has been people, the a god. God deified as molded thebenevolently put an end rock. God also and strife ofto the wandering the people. because of this, So sacrifices are annually, the gods.The performed to sacrifices is essence of the of the climbeto pray that none Rock will be rs of Olumo and to also a casualty that Olumoremember significant Rock played a the old Egberole in the life of people

the Olumo Rock

t was in the evening 2016, as scheduledof Friday, 18 November, moved , the announce went round, ment vehiclesin a long convoy. In their reminding us generosity, other for the tour that to Olumo Rock. it was time as they on the road facilitated we were then our you know had to clear Of course, allowed to the mood that for us to pass movement In excitemen announce by. Passers-by follows such on their part halted their ts, we could enter the complex.

God benevolen standing tall gazing and anticipatio ment. Joy, laden with movement, behold Olumo standing, as if reaching anxiety alreadyand smiling at us as visitors to such n rent the the sky, in its Rock put an end to tly molded the rock. God air. For the knew our mission we kept going-they form.

WEDNE first time the wanderin natural people. expedition. natural resort, it wasSDAY Not quite long, g and strife also DECEMBApproach So because a pleasurable ing the gate, and destination. of the ER 7, 2016 of this, annually, are performed Michael Ogunbiyi, we were beckoned overhead The visit to T H I S D we brick •beam, sacrifices to the gods.

AY saw a curved Rock Head of Tourism, by Mr. sacrifices ‘Olumo Rock with lined up for the rock was part of the Tourist Complex, the inscription is to pray that The essence of the the just concluded activities Olumo of who was none of welcome I felt a sense Tourist Complex’. Immediat and Book Olumo 2016 Ake Festival, which of accomplis ely, said in and address us. “Ekaabo” to officially remember Rock will be a casualtythe climbers Ogun State took place Arts here, I asked, rhetoricall hment. So I’m Yoruba (Welcome), he and to also that Arts and Cultural at the the y, as we alightedfinally us, especially language, apparently role in the life Olumo Rock played a significant Abeokuta, vehicles. We Centre, reminding where of the old Egbe the non-Niger tried to pass from in Yoruba Africa converged literary artists from Kuto, intercepted Continuin ians that we people,” he through but land, and so, by said. were significan g he said, “Olumo discuss African to exhibit their worksacross stern but not hefty security men who were in their own should welcome Rock is also t in the sense way. And looked harmful anyway. and coordinato us Indeed, the issues.

Who is your responded “O se!”(Thankwithout hesitation, we historical and religious that it has become a r, the security people of Ikija, monumen culture were the you) munity housing man process, on the same to show that is, the comquestione and tradition t. It Mrs. the ancient of the people holds the Arts and Book Lola Shoneyin, Director,d? In gave us a cursory page. At this point, that we their values as Abeokuta in Olumo Rock, of Egba, Ogunbiyi general, really Ake assuring that well as their historical felt our presence and appeared and Festival and leader of “Olumo Rock history of the rock. heritage,” the visitors would the trip, old discussed with as we was a place the rock as After getting Egba people of refuge for hear them. more about they tour the clearance from in 1830,” he the rock site.

Beginning tells the security, “Because of the role it played in us, adding us into the the tour proper, Ogunbiyi the people, the history the rock has ushered of art works art gallery, a building been deified where different are kept. as a god. historical cultural From there, we moved to the gallery where the portrait of

INTERNATIO NAL email:foreig

43

Ghana Election: Lucky for GhanaThird Time for Ghana Opposition Leader Nana Lea Opposition der Nana Akufo-Ad do?

Akufo-Addo? ndesk@this

daylive.com

Ghana’s main oppositi on presiden

Ghana’s main opposition presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo may have lost the two previous elections, but it is how he handled those losses that resonate with many in the buildup toWednesday’s poll. Page 43

SPORTS NFF: We Will Pay Falcons When We Get the Money from FG The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised to pay the victorious Super Falcons, but that will be when they have the cash to pay them. Page 55

policy tial Akufo-Addocandidate Nana industrithat he says will may have lost his wife Rebecca alise the two previous The plan the country. a TV . She told elections, but it is how lish factorie is to estab- “very show that he was a s in each those losses he handled Ghana’s loving” of 216 “He is alsofamily man. with many that resonate passiona te “The time districts . about has come to Wednes in the build-up us for always his politics. He’s to move day’s cared about He is credited poll. developm our industri al venting possible with pre- presiden ent forward,” the and wanted to do Ghana his bit for his country,” tial violence in 2012 by not a rally in candidate told she added. rejecting the Mr eastern Ghana. outcome Akufo-A ddo “There must a loss by 300,000 votes to current be jobs in credited with helping is our country build Presiden to . The lack up the New John Mahama of Patriotic - and callingt jobs, which is for mass protests the case Party, which first conteste under this an election .

Instead, he in 1992 whend poses a threatgovernm ent, Ghana sought redress and legal to returned to accepted defeat stability of our the future party democra multiafter the Suprem In the north, country.” of military cy after years e Court upheld the Mr Akuforule.

Addo said result.

His politica there would The 72-yeara function l career ing dam be spans more former chief old son of every than “in decades village” to ceremon ial justice and agricult and he was four support active in political movemen ure.

Presiden t Edward Akufo-A His critics, ts in his early ddo has retained his the governi mainly from the 30s, when he criticised military governm ng Nationa promise to 2012 electoral Democr l ent of high-sc hool provide free have atic Congres s, the time. educatio n. dismisse d He studied But the former in both promises as his and the lawyer, fulfil impossible attorney UK before Ghana to general working but as a lawyer in Mr Akufo-A foreign minister and insists ddo served France and they ’s campaign is now gimmick s. are not just Abuakwas an MP for the a “one district, focused on a South constitu Mr Akufo-A one factory” ency getting good ddo is also b e in e a s t e r n G h a n tween backing from 1996 an a 2008. d

Finland Crav es with Nigeria for Better Relationship Media

Kunle Adewale

working and Finland Embassy fashionable good reason in Nigeria people,” she said. has indicated Suomela-Chowdh company in to promote a ensure a good its intension to Finland media relation Embassy wasury said is a Finish Nigeria if there to foster a better interest.” focusing on business, In her short trade and movie between Nigeria relationship pact with stay This was made and Finland. admitted Nigeria, just as she the country, Suomelain Chowdhury that the Finland Ambassadknown by the not had completely country was Benin Pirjo Suomela- or to Nigeria, to do City, Kebbi, visited challenge-free Ibadan, business.

Chowdhury, Abuja, Ijebu-Od when she As e, where paid visit to THISDAY a courtesy accommopart of Finland took time to visit the Cocoa Processing dating gesture Corporate headquarters Company. exchange and She noted yesterday. in Apapa, Lagos Nigeria, programme with Finland would that next year, she Suomela-Chowdh Nigerians said about 5,000 100 celebrate are ury, who years of Independ her once worked Finland either presently in adding as a reporter ence, a Finish newspap studying or with that planning to the embassy is er for two into business. summers, said bringing Suomel a-Chow together young Nigerians journalists had three Nigerian who once workeddhury, computer training, and Finish in Finland’s kind benefitted from freelanc which would gesture this year. e journali as a also serve as a The ambassad cultural exchange. st in or said she the United Kingdom “Nigeria is has so far a very diverse said Finland enjoyed Ther , country H I Sstay D AY ˾want in Nigeria, would but WEDNES saying it’s been to DAY DECEMBalso potential but with lots of very fascinatin en trade a relations strength ER 7, 2016 challen ges with security hip with Nigeria, “Nigerian g place. that cannot saying, fascinating, youths are very a trade “We would want be ignored and the country most informat relations the has wide ion about spectrum. hip in a the country We have a challenge,” is on security she noted.

WEDNESDAY SP

NFF: We Will ORTS Pa We Get the y Falcons When Money from FG

Angela Merkel End ‘Wherever Lega orses Burka Ban lly Possible’

55

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ik hazuagbe@th isdaylive.com

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the wearing of full-faced slip since her decision veils should to allow about a million be prohibited German constitutio country “wherever asylum in the nal law it is legally into Germany during lastseekers would probably possible”. prevent Europe-wide year’s from migrant crisis. seeking a completethe CDU At a meeting However the she backed a of her CDU party, chancellor centre-right burkas in public. Nevertheleban on burka ss, Merkel made , who has courts and other ban in schools, since her distaste forMrs 2005, still retains been power face veils state buildings. full It is widely accepted clear. wide support.

She was re-elected In practice, that a total ban would Christian very few women Democratic Union violate Germany’ The Nigeria constitution.

(CDU) leader cover their faces in Germany. s Football on Tuesday Federation this is about symbolism (NFF) has promised with 89.5%the But Mrs Merkel was of the Under-17 cast by to votes boys . Mrs Merkel pay 1,000 victorious about has faced the delegates. who won leader but faces re-elected the FIFA Under-17 CDU Super significant“In Falcons, Mrs party Merkel’s but relation public World will be when and to all challenge in anxiety comments by the right-winga toughthat Cup Chile aboutare last year, theys have drew the in the cash to thunderou integration anti-immig the process these, we USA-base of after applausetourname the asylum AfD party in ration pay a million d forward Francisca of sorting from her nt. Andabout out our partythem. next year’s polls.

NFF General faithful but sorted just Ordega has seekers.

TSA domicilia She we accounts hasasgradually She has seen out Coach regretted playing has also represent Secretary, it will dismay Mohammed those who hardened her her approval Samson so that we ry for the Super Siasia’s asylum have Sanusi, looked ratings policy, Falcons, saying at Under-17 and ed Nigeria receive making with the players Europe’s who her wages met wetohad “The U17 as soon as ourfor as example, it easier, due grants can she would have defender Under-20 levels, but she the funds, to deportFIFA from another of the African and officials of liberal have been and U20 teams opted and CAF, values. after foreign-bo Olympics blamed for country because for of women’s said the neglect performa champions .” criminals. the $80,000 prizern including the lack the Agura the at football by of the money from of Sanusi also Hotel the World nces at their recent yesterday AWCON, the footballsupport for women’s country is most regrettabl said the federation recalled , the Super once it is available.” in Nigeria.

“If I had not e. poorly Cups, but they were Eagles were that But in her reaction is not monies happy owing Ordega won prepared for played owed to the coaches, but players and Tanzaniafor the match against inability of the these her third Nigeria at full internatio for competitions.

NFF to pay, women’s present severe level, trust me nal and were paid economic challenge “If this continues Cameroon lastAFCON I would have in played , Nigeria s inform funds for that match was when weekend and somewhe that it can will soon cease available by made only continue frustrated Ordegare else,” a in Africa to be a force government. seek the understan to because there blasted.

“As I speak with ding of these persons, as be no future will you, we still Super Falcons.” travel agents well as hoteliers, the owing the Super Eagles are for and managem matches against and staff until ent the situation and Algeria, but the Zambia improves. memos have gone to government “There is are being looked and no gainsayin that at,” he said. g there “We must is severe Hon. economic commend the challenges all organisat and Dalung).Minister (Solomon government ions, whether energetica He has been lly pushing feeling the or private, are cases the government’spinch. It is not teams.of the various national doing; it is not We did the anybody’s doing. memo We know the Women Africa Cup for we have financial Nations in October and of to you (players commitment being it is processed and officials of Super Falcons) Stating that as we speak.” and we embarked have not at the NFF has any time stated on otherwise. But aggressiv drive to e the money not readily is solution find a permanen moment,” heavailable at the players to the issue of owingt told the team. and coaches, “I have Sanusi said to you, to come to appeal now corporate players situation of understand the to the lending a listening are ear NFF leadership to understan the federation, federation and the ’s finances of the countryd the situation soon would improve. and exercise at the present “We are patience.

“We will pay to get moniesalso working you are being you all monies from outstanding former sponsors as we receive owed as soon national of government, same from the what teams, to complemethe L-R: SSA (Sports) nt Chairman just as we paid we are expecting to Lagos Governor, , House government. from Sports Commissi Committee on Youth,Mr. Anthony Adeboye; Commissioner Sports and on, Mr. Deji Tinubu; this month for Informatio at the media Social Devt, Hon. Adedamo n and Strategy, briefing on the Mr. Steve Ayorinde; forthcoming la Kasunmu and SA Sports/Ch CAF Beach Nations airman, Lagos Cup to be hosted

by Lagos Kunle Adewale believe this championship Lagos State Governm a good platform Technical Manager is ent has concluded plans to showcase lover. He is very conscious of Rivers United FC, to hosting an the best of what Lagos about youth is really unimport unpreced to has said thatStanley Eguma, main ant as our Soccer ented Africa Beach offer in terms of culture can in Lagos state development oursay positive things about focus there Cup through entertainm is and So we will be players to see if no talk of of Nations. sports. whycountry. We see no reason ent,” decided to embark At a are respondin the new Nigeria cannot In his address,he said. charges facerevenge when his philosoph g to our herald press conference to on Beach host the Enugu Rangers the Special various sporting activities y. the competiti Adviser Soccer the second game in to prevent on, the Sports to the governor state’s Commiss We have also World Cup. the youth pre-season Nigeriaof the annual we“We also want to know on and Chairman social from for ioner for made plans have reached if Information of Lagos Soccer, vices. For the Beach shuttle State Sports Football League Professional required the standard and Commission, there are provision fans to the buses to convey (NPFL) Super to give Nigeria Steve Ayorinde, saidStrategy, Tinubu, revealed Deji 4 Tourname creditable representa hosting Akinwun s working arena. We are also nt. the competiti that Governor for engaging the fans,” closely with The tourname on is aimed Tinubu. mi Ambode, said Organizin tion in projecting next year’s CAF the Local is keen Lagos positively at about sports and today December nt starting League. g Champions the Tinubu said is determined commend Committee for to to make world.

7 runs through Sunday, December is working the government closing able opening anda the state the “We are not “Sport with the 11. hub of Football ceremonies,” The Flying going for activities is paramount in the sports in Africa. revenge Tinubu Federatio Nigeria said. of the state to toe with Antelopes go toe because against Rangers Local Organising n and the and we the“Our job was made easy the Pride of In his reaction, Committee from 6:45pm by Rivers amount we know that the governor, who is a sport stage a hitch-free champions to president, Seyi NFF Ist Viceof stiff competitio the Nnamdi this evening at will “We want people Akinwun hip. n Enugu in theAzikiwe Stadium, not face in the new season we to see and promises a ‘world-class’ mi, will come from soccer event. beach of Match-da stand out fixture y one.

“So we have Rangers alone.

Rangers trounced Rangers,” he to look beyond Olawale Rivers 4-0 the last the told the club’s United official Ajimotok website.

Mongomo, E’Guineaan in ‘the Cathedral two sides met at Zamora, was Rivers United in Mongomo but Eguma ’ on September 4 Rangers and assess Equatorial to said that will represent Enugu Equatorial Guinea he be the last insists revenge will in Nigeria investmen Guinea’s strategic Championship, which Open visit because undertook the thing on his the could be tonight. officially had of the mind League.2017 CAF Champion s toward ts in golf is inching tees off on Thursday with received about report he the future.part of our schedule in “The main field of almost global recognitio Equatorial We will be very a The nation’s if that happens,’ happy tournament thing about this and n 27 countries 70 golfers from Guinea Open and the best four teams after the European large is to ascertain ’ Zamora said. continental representa including Nigeria. number of African hinted Tour level of preparedn the golfers that Zamora, who tives listing it was considerin ess of players in next year’s CAF competition also doubles usually attend it. in the squad. g as the Assistant the yearly 3e (Rangers, Rivers “You never know CHAMP IONS Challenge “The team that United, Wikkis Equatorial Guinea Actuaries Tour Director where Tourists next Ti LEA the Op of R a

NPFL S UPER

Eguma: Ran F O U R Lagos Set for Classy Africa gers Beach Soccer Not About Rev Game Nations Cup Tourn enge

ey

European Tour Considers Listin g E’Guinea Open on

Schedule

11

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Buhari: We Have Chased out Boko Haram from Sambisa Forest Asks elite to embrace change

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Dakar, Senegal assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorists was in sight, saying the Nigerian armed forces have taken over Sambisa Forest.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke at a meeting of the panel of Heads of State at the third Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, The president said also hailed the increased cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.

The president also assured the international community that the security situation in Nigeria had improved significantly. ‘‘About a month ago, I spoke with the President of Chad and I was pleased that a number of Chadians and Nigerians that were Boko Haram members are surrendering to him en-masse. The good news I have is that the end of the rainy season has come in the North-eastern region of Nigeria. ‘‘Members of the Multi-

National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are in their respective positions and at an agreed time, they will move simultaneously and spontaneously for us to see the end of Boko Haram.

We are now operating in the Sambisa Forest and as far as Boko Haram is concerned in the Lake Chad Basin area, I think they are done for,’’ the president declared.

Highlighting the gains of the cooperation among the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries comprising Chad, Niger, Cameroun, Benin Republic and Nigeria, the Nigerian leader told the gathering that Boko Haram was no longer holding any territory or local government area in his country. ‘‘Those who live in the North-east know that Boko Haram is no longer holding a single territory in the 774 LGAs in Nigeria. But they have a system of using IEDs and they indoctrinate mostly teenage girls and send them to soft targets to churches, mosques and market places. That too is becoming very rear. ‘‘I think Boko Haram shot themselves in the foot when they gave their ideology a religious connotation by killing children in their schools, people in the mosque and churches and

shouting Allahu Akbar. ‘‘This is a major contradiction as no religion advocates hurting the innocent. You can’t kill people and say Allahu Akbar. You either do not know what you are saying or you don’t believe it,’’ Buhari said.

Noting that Nigeria was capable of surmounting its security challenges, he appealed to the international community to focus more attention on addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and unemployment in Nigeria. ‘‘In the southern part of the country, stolen Nigerian crude is being illegally transported through the Gulf of Guinea and installations offshore are being subverted. We also have the problem of unemployment in Nigeria.

With a population of 180 million people of which 65 per cent are under the

age of 35, young Nigerians are looking for any kind of job to survive. ‘‘We are addressing the situation (unemployment) by turning to agriculture and solid minerals because we are lucky to be blessed with arable land, water and resources,’’ the president noted.

Also, the president has called on the Nigerian elite to stop insisting that things should be done the ‘old way,’ which impoverished the nation.

A statement by Shehu, said Buhari spoke yesterday at a meeting with a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora, on the margins of the third Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa in Dakar.

The president said his administration was on the right track to improve the image of the country by entrenching accountability and probity in governance.

Buhari told the 11-man Nigerian delegation of association leaders resident in Senegal and Cote D’ Ivoire, that the last 16 years of poor handling of the nation’s resources and infrastructure have continued to impact negatively on the country.

“This administration is pleased we won the election, we are pleased Nigerians are cooperating with us.

But the problems are so enormous that we need the cooperation of Nigerians, particularly the elite.

“They (elite) should reflect on the condition of the country, and stop making expensive demands because things cannot be done the old way,’’ the president said.

On the welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora, Buhari assured them that the federal government would continue to promote good neighbourliness

and improve the negative perception about Nigerians abroad.

“Nigerians are known for their competitiveness and I am very passionate about Nigeria. I will continue to preach good neighbourliness and work hard to improve the numerous human and material resources in the country,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian community in Cote D’ Ivoire, Alhaji Adebayo Yahaya, commended the president for his bold and unflinching fight against corruption, saying ``Nigerians are praying for your success, don’t relent, do not lose hope, the almighty God is behind you.’’

Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian community, Senegal, Mr. Osas Edigin, told the President that Nigerians in the country had enjoyed excellent relationship with their hosts.

Finally, Buhari to Present 2017 Budget December 14 Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Six days after the initial proposal date for the presentation of the 2017 budget, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday formally announced his preparedness to present the 2017 Appropriation Bill on December 14.

The presentation was said to have earlier been conceived for presentation on December 1.

But the document was formally approved on November 30 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

However, Buhari, in separate letters addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said the budget which was designed to bring Nigeria out of recession, would be presented before a joint session of the National Assembly next Wednesday.

“I crave the kind indulgence of the National Assembly to grant me the slot of 1,000 hours on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 to formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2017 budget proposal and our plans to get the country out of recession.

“Please extend Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards to the distinguished senators, was I look forward to addressing the joint session,” the letter read.

The preparation towards the presentation of the budget had been mired in controversy, as the executive and the National Assembly particularly the Senate had traded blames over the 2017 budget process.

The blame game resulted in delays in the passage of the Medium Term and Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) which was submitted by Buhari on September 30 in accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA).

However, the planned presentation of the budget next Wednesday, as was also the case last year, is in violation of the FRA which provides for the passage of the MTEF and FSP as the benchmark for presentation of the annual budget.

The idea was that provisions in the MTEF as approved would serve as guidance to the executive in the preparation of the budget for the next fiscal year.

SERVICE OF SONGS FOR OLOROGUN L-R: Children of the late business mogul, Olorogun Michael Ibru, Christana; Oskar; his wife, Wanda; Peter; and widow Mrs. Oyenike Ibru, at the service of songs for the patriach of the Ibru family in Lagos...yesterday

SUNDAY ADIGUN

Okonjo-Iweala: I Have Nothing to Do with Fake 2019 Campaign Poster The former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has denied media reports linking her with the 2019 presidential election.

A statement by her media coordinator, Mr. Paul C Nwabuikwu, said in an effort to invest their efforts with phony credibility, those behind the project have even gone to the extent of designing

a fake campaign poster embossed with her image.

Okonjo-Iweala said she was busy with important international duties and has absolutely nothing to do with these speculations and activities.

She noted that she neither discussed nor endorsed anybody to print posters on her behalf.

The former minister urged Nigerians, particularly the media to

ignore the mischievous exercise and its sponsors.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to speculative media stories linking former Minister of Finance, Dr. OkonjoIweala with the next presidential election scheduled to hold in 2019.

“In order to invest their efforts with phony credibility, those behind the project have even gone

to the extent of designing a fake campaign poster embossed with her image.

“This is to clarify that Okonjo-Iweala who is busy with important international duties has absolutely nothing to do with these speculations and activities.

“She has neither discussed nor endorsed them with anybody. We urge the Nigerian media and public to ignore this mischievous exercise and its sponsors.”

12

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Lagos Prosecutes 16 Firms, Shuts 300 for Selling Unsafe Water Unveils investor’s plan to inject $135m into waste management

Gboyega Akinsanmi Based on the prevalence of water-borne diseases in the state, the Lagos State Government has dragged 16 water-producing companies to courts for flagrant violation of water consumption regulatory provisions despite repeated notice.

The state government has also shut down 300 water facilities out of 600 it inspected recently in Badagry, Ojo, Alimosho, Oshodi, Isolo, Amuwo, Festac and AjeromeIfelodun for failing to comply with regulations relating to water permit and quality.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, disclosed this in a paper he presented at the ministry’s monthly meeting, noting that the state government would continue to sanction water-producing firms that violate regulatory provisions relating to water consumption in the state.

The commissioner addressed the meeting alongside the Special Adviser on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abidemi Adeyemi, as well as the heads of departments

Female Journalist Regains Freedom from Kidnappers in Benue George Okoh in Makurdi The female journalist, Mrs. Yuadoo, Tor-Agbidye, who was three days ago kidnapped in Makurdi, the Benue State capital by unknown armed men has regained her freedom.

Mrs. Tor-Agbidye, a staff of the state owned Radio Benue, was released to her husband by her abductors Monday evening after series of negotiations with her family members.

Narrating her ordeal to journalists, Mrs. Tor-Agbidye said her adductors took her to a forest close to Aoundona in Gwer Local Government Area.

She said: “After breaking into the house around 4a.m., they blindfolded and took me in my car. We drove for some hours and I didn’t know where we were heading until much later while in bush. I started hearing voices where I was kept, it was then that I realised that we were in a thick forest in Masev area of Gwer Local Government Area because of the manner they speak their own Tiv in that area.

“While there, they kept in touch with my husband and family members warning that they would kill me if they failed to cooperate with them but at the same time they would turn to me and assure me that they would not hurt me.”

and agencies.

At the meeting, the commissioner disclosed that the state government had carried out compliance monitoring and enforcement in Badagry, Ojo, Alimosho, Oshodi, Isolo, Amuwo, Festac and AjeromeIfelodun.

During the monitoring, Adejare said over 600 waterproducing facilities were inspected, disclosing that 300 of the facilities were enforced and sealed for violation of regulatory provisions relating to licence, permit and quality.

He added that 16 companies were charged “to court for prosecution on flagrant violation of water consumption regulatory provisions despite repeated notices” the state government issued on the affected water facilities.

According to him, this is the first time such offenders were prosecuted. It will send the right signal that the state government is determined to sanitise the water sector and deliver safe water to all residents of Lagos State.

The commissioner observed

that since the compliance monitoring and enforcement exercise took off, the level of compliance “has tremendously increased to thousands among the sachet water and jar producers.

“All water service providers and high volume consumers of water such estates, hotels, hostels, food and beverages producers are advisers to obtain licenses and borehole permits from the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission in compliance with the provisions of the law and pay

for the volume of water they consume.”

He, thus, noted that a surcharge of five percent “is payable by consumers of water and wasterwater. For sugar drinks, the surcharge between 10 and 20 per cent is applicable. The surcharge is not taxation on water. It is payment for the water itself as it is consumed.”

On waste management, the commissioner disclosed that the state government had struck a deal with a renowned investor to invest N86 billion

2016 Deloitte Alumni Cocktail Theme

State of the Nation: How can we make an impact that matters?

Keynote Speakers Mr. Donald Duke

Mr. Chidi Okoro

His Excellency Former Executive Governor Cross River State

Managing Director/CEO UAC Foods Limited

Thursday, 8 December, 2016

5:30 pm

8th Floor, Civic Towers, Plot GA1, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue Victoria Island, Lagos

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a more detailed description of DTTL and its member firms.

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in domestic waste management in the state, though did not disclose the name of the investor, He said the new plan in waste management would involve Public Private Partnership (PPP) in domestic waste management and that the investor was coming to invest with about $135 million in four years and the deployment of over 600 new Mercedes Benz compactors and the engagement of street sweepers in all wards in the state.

TT H DECEMBER 7, 2016 H II SS D D AY AY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY DECEMBER 2, 2016

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 2016

COMMENT

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

FILTERING THE INTERNET (2)

L

Sonnie Ekwowusi demands better internet services

ast week, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) tried to introduce about 300% internet tariff increase in Nigeria. Naturally, many Nigerians kicked against the attempted price hike. Some alleged that the Buhari government was out to ban the social media. Obviously bowing to opposition against the tariff hike, it seems the government has now rescinded its decision. The truth of the matter is that internet tariff hike will strongly be resisted in Nigeria at the moment. Therefore, instead of hiking tariff to the ire of many users, the NCC should focus in the meantime on improving the quality of internet services in Nigeria.

Internet users might consider paying a higher tariff in the future if they are getting quality services.

An effective way of guaranteeing quality internet services is by filtering the internet. In this effect, the NCC should adopt the internet filtering methods practised in other countries. For example, former British Prime Minister David Cameron marked out concrete ways to block access to online pornography in the United Kingdom. Cameron had repeatedly warned the British public that internet pornography was capable of “corroding childhood”. “In a really big step forward, all the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have re-wired their technology so that once your filters are installed, they cover any device connected to your home internet account”, said Cameron. In copying the good example of the United Kingdom on this matter, all Nigeria ISPs should be made to rewire their technology so that once filters are installed, it will cover any device connected to home internet accounts. Although the Indian government banned access to internet sites hosting pornography in 2014, the ban was later lifted following public protests. Kamlesh Vaswani, the lawyer who pushed for the ban believes that online pornography has a direct co-relation with crimes against children and women. According to him, “watching porn itself puts the country’s security in danger, encourages violent acts, unacceptable behaviour in society, exploitation of children and lowers the dignity of women. China’s internet filtering methods are very wide and more extensive than in other countries. They include Internet Protocol (IP) blocking, Domain Name Servers (DNS) filtering and redirection, Uniform Resource Locator (URL) filtering, Packet filtering, Man-in-the middle attack, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). In Russia, an internet user does not browse anything. Russia has what is called the blacklist laws. For example, in July 2012 the state of Duma enacted a law that calls for blacklisting of certain internet sites especially those that promote drug usage, advocate suicide or contain child pornography as a means of protecting children from their harmful contents.

Many cases bothering on the colossal damage done to young internet users have arisen in United States in recent year. One of such cases is the famous case involving a teenager from California called Justin Berry.

At 13, Justin Berry thought the internet was the best place for him to make friends but he ended up becoming a drug and sex addict that led to his ruin. Testifying before members of the congressional panel, Justin said that they were many kids like him in the US who, unknown

IT IS REASONABLY JUSTIFIABLE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PRESERVE PUBLIC ORDER, AND THIS MAY INVOLVE THE PROHIBITION OF ACTS WHICH, IF UNCHECKED OR UNRESTRAINED MIGHT LEAD TO DISORDER

to their parents, had been ruined by online drug and sex addiction.

That is why in many states in the US today it is illegal to post or text suggestive or sexually explicit images to minors. Child pornography charges have been brought against internet users luring young people into the online activity known as “sexting”. US parents are now being encouraged to be pro-active in supervising the use of the internet by their children (It is said that one out of every five children in the US has had sexual solicitation from the internet chat room.)

It is sad that despite the outlawing of child pornography in Nigeria, Nigerian minors have unimpeded access to pornography through the internet. Expensive mobile phones have suddenly become social status symbols in Nigeria. You will see a small boy or small girl in, say, Junior secondary one or two, proudly browsing pornography on his or her mobile phones even in presence of adults.

But in their defence, some Internet service providers and internet users in Nigeria argue that filtering or censorship of the internet violate their right to freedom of expression guaranteed under section 39(1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution. This argument lacks merit. No freedom is absolute, otherwise freedom will become lawlessness. Therefore, the press freedom guaranteed under section 39 (1)(2) is curtailed under section 45(1) of the same constitution to the effect that: “nothing in section 39 shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society (a) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or (b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.”

In the popular case of DPP V CHIKE OBI (1961), the question was whether section 51 (laws reasonably justifiable in a democratic society) invalidated the freedom of expression in the constitution. The Supreme Court, per Ademola C.J.N, said that it is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society to take precautions to preserve public order, and that this may involve the prohibition of acts which, if unchecked or unrestrained might lead to disorder, even though those acts would not themselves do so directly. The Supreme Court said the same thing in QUEEN V AMALGAMATED PRESS OF NIGERIA LIMITED and ATTORNEY-GENERAL and IMO STATE V UKAEGBU. This reasoning of our supreme court is in agreement with the aphorism in the celebrated case of COLLYMORE V ATTORNEY-GENERAL, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO and the American case involving one Sam Ginberg. In the former case, the Chief Judge reiterated, among other things, that freedom of expression is not a license for promoting obscenity.

Preservation of public morality is so essential that in the case of SOBAYO V DAILY TIMES, Justice Emmanuel Fakayode said: “If a newspaper publishes news about any person breaching any of the moral standards of society, such newspaper is discharging a moral duty, which the public in general has a reciprocal interests to receive; it is such publication that helps as social sanction to keep the society’s moral welfare where the law is deficient.”

BRIDGING THE RELIGIOUS DIVIDE

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, preaches the virtues of interfaith dialogue and the need for the north to emphasise their areas of strength, writes Turaki A. Hassan

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or many devout Christians, the idea of combining the practice of their faith with active partisan politics is so antithetical that the mere thought of it is seen as a sign that one has backslidden from pure Christianity.

This is because active partisan politics, especially in Nigeria, is said to be a dirty game and adjudged to be associated with the things that Christianity vehemently preaches against: lying, covetousness, stealing and mentioning God’s name in vain; amongst others.

Therefore when a group of politicians under the aegis of Northern Nigeria Christian Politicians converged on Abuja penultimate Saturday to honour the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, many critical observers were quick to dismiss it as an incongruous gathering. Not a few also wondered aloud the capacity of politicians to hide under any guise to advance their cause.

But when Speaker Yakubu Dogara was given an opportunity to speak there was no room for political rhetorics, he hit squarely at the very issue that has continued to draw the northern part of the country backward: distrust among Christians and Muslims.

According to Dogara, rather than accentuating the areas of division among the various groups, ethnicity and religions in the north, what politicians of every colour and creed should do is to emphasise our common humanity and our areas of strength thereby underscoring the miracles that will be performed if all of us: Muslims, Christians, other faiths and the diverse ethnic nationalities come together to further our collective aspirations of building a better society and country that all of us would be proud of.

He noted that these faith-based prejudices are

not stereotypical of the north and are indeed a latter day phenomenon adding that there are many among our Muslim brothers who sincerely believe that the Christian community in the North deserves a fairer deal and more equitable patronage. According to him it is the presence of those with such disposition and the dogged efforts of some such leaders who worked in the spirit of unity in his support that resulted in his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“There are those who said look, time has come for the North to go back to those days of Sardauna where those who call themselves, or are referred to as the core North, will deliberately fashion out ways of patronising their Christians brothers in the North,” he said.

Dogara, who praised the efforts of some notable northern Muslim political leaders in cementing the hitherto fractured relations between the two dominant religious groups in the north, admitted that had northern Muslim leaders prevailed on their Reps not to vote for him, he would never have emerged as speaker.

It is his belief that the support he got from northern Muslims and the appointment of Mr. Lawal as SGF by President Muhammadu Buhari, is sending strong signals to all northern Christians that there is now as open invitation to them from their Muslim brethren for a renewed friendship that will foster unity and religious tolerance in the region, as in the days of the late sage and Premier of defunct northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

As the speaker noted, one can say without fear of contradiction that it takes only a person of President Buhari to appointment a Lawal, a Christian from Adamawa state as the SGF, which is the first time such a plum position is ceded to northern Christians despite strong opposition from those who believed in maintaining the status quo.

“It may interest you to know that among Sokoto State members, we lost only two votes. If all the members from Sokoto State alone had decided to vote for my opponent, there is no way we would have won that election. And in Zamfara, we lost one vote. But what does that speak to us? It speaks volumes: It’s an invitation to all of us to go back to the ways of our founding fathers. What ways?

When we used to work together and when we used to live together as brothers and sisters. That is the only way that we can live in peace which is a key ingredient for development. Without peace, we cannot even practice our religion. And as long as we don’t enjoy peace in our region, there is no way that we will experience development because even if we are developed, lack of peace will destroy it.

Syria is a case in point. So that is the challenge before us. As they open their arms to embrace us, we should also open our arms to embrace them so that we can write a new political history” he told the gathering amidst thunderous applause.

Dogara also used the opportunity of the occasion to send a message to other Nigerians who think that their nests can be better feathered if Nigeria is dismembered into smaller units.

Sounding deeply religious as he always is, the speaker told the audience at the packed main hall of the International Conference centre that those who habour such sinister thoughts had better perished them as God did not make a mistake in creating the Nigerian nation.

He said: “For some of us who think Nigeria is a mistake, or that the North, having aggregated so many ethnic groups and then two dominant faith, is a mistake, I want to advise us to have a rethink.” According to him, “the one who put together Nigeria and the North is God and He has a purpose or reason for putting together the North or Nigeria that way. Therefore, anyone fighting for the disintegration of this country will not succeed

because I believe God has a plan for Nigeria and likewise, anyone fighting to eliminate any faith in Northern Nigeria or for the destruction of Northern Nigeria will not succeed because I believe God has a plan for northern Nigeria too and until God is done with his plan, the north will remain as it is and similarly Nigeria will remain as it is. If anyone can upturn that, it means he is greater than God”. Gladly no one is greater than God. Instructively, the emergence of Dogara as speaker, though supported by many prominent northern Muslim leaders as he himself acknowledged in his speech, one man stood out among them all, and that is Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who worked tirelessly along with the others to bring about the present leadership of the House so as to give a sense of belonging to northern Christians in the APC government.

Indeed, the unity and northern nationalism that existed in pre-independence Nigeria up to the end of the first republic; which has continued to remain a reference point and is being preached and talked about till today, was brought about by the two prominent leaders of the time - Sardauna and his friend and confidant, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria.

Coincidently, whereas Dogara hails from same place as Tafawa Balewa, Tambuwal is not only from Sokoto just as Sardauna but he is also the governor there. It is worth recalling that just as Sardauna was able to galvanise support and rally people from all ethnic and religious groups in the north and even appointed northern Christians such as Sunday Awoniyi, Jolly Tanko Yusuf and others of blessed memory as his close aides and associates, Tambuwal too, seems to be threading Sardauna’s noble path in his time.

Hassan is the Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs to Speaker Yakubu Dogara

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

EDITORIAL THE VALUE OF OPEN DEBATE

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The presidential election in the United States holds lessons for Nigeria

he recently concluded presidential election in the United States of America has presented different nations with a diversity of takeaways. For us in Nigeria, the lessons are many but the most significant, as we reiterated even before the contest, is the value of open debate in presenting an electorate with a rounded picture of the candidates contesting for the highest office in the land.

The American system may not be perfect but nobody will deny the fact that the voters usually have an idea of who they were voting for and what they represented. On the contrary, our presidential candidates have mostly ascended office without any ideas about policies, programmes and the people they would need to help them actualise such vision. The situation is not helped by the fact that the political parties are, without any exception, just platforms for winning political offices.

In this regard, it is commendable that the Senate has under consideration a bill to establish a Presidential Debates Commission. This bill should be expeditiously passed to make it mandatory for scheduled debates to hold among those who seek to WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH lead Nigeria at specific THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENT intervals in the course WHERE OUR LEADERS ARE of the presidential PRACTICALLY HANDPICKED campaigns. The value AND ANOINTED BY RABBLE of such debates would FACTIONS OF SOME RENEGADE include elevating national discourse and CONCLAVES WHILE MOST OF THEM NEITHER UNDERSTAND raising the standard of leadership selecNOR CAN THEY ARTICULATE tion process among NATIONAL ISSUES AND political parties.

PROBLEMS As we stated recently, Nigerians must begin to imbibe a culture by which those who aspire to lead our people, especially at the gubernatorial and presidential levels, are subjected to a rigorous process of public engagement. If we must develop as a nation, we cannot continue with the current arrangement where our leaders are practically handpicked and anointed by rabble factions of some renegade conclaves while most of them

Letters to the Editor

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neither understand nor can they articulate national issues and problems.

While the US presidential campaigns lasted, the world was exposed to a multi-dimensional picture of both Donald Trump who eventually emerged winner and Hillary Clinton.

The two candidates were challenged to air their views on all aspects of the society they aspired to govern. More importantly, it was an opportunity for the media and the public to rigorously interrogate their moral credentials and past records.

T T H I S DAY

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

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

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

hese debates were thorough and all encompassing.

They were above all accompanied by campaigns that were virtual road-shows. At the end, the major candidates traversed the length and breadth of the United States to canvass their programmes and views. To cap it all, there were three major national debates which gave the American public an opportunity to assess, first hand, the depth, character, knowledge, comportment, temperament and sincerity of the candidates to carry the mantle of national leadership.

The winner in these debates did not necessarily have to win the election. But the polity was enriched and better enlightened on the great issues at stake, and how the candidates conform to their own expectations. Regrettably, in Nigeria, we have run a democracy of virtual silence especially at the presidential level. In a handful of states, some attempts had been made over the years to hold debates among candidates.

These attempts were volitional rather than mandatory, hence most contestants ignored them. Even in instances where these contestants turned up, what usually followed could not be described as debates in the true sense of the word.

At every election cycle since 1999, presidential candidates had routinely refused to debate their opponents or chose what debates to attend. In any case, the fickle attempts at organising presidential debates had been under the auspices of amorphous organisations not backed by any legislation.

As we therefore seek to build our democracy on meritocracy, we must also accept that a process that involves such rigorous interrogations will definitely bring out the best and worst of the candidates thus making it easy for the electorate to make informed and rational choices.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

THE CASE FOR PRO-BIAFRA AGITATORS

t is no longer news that ever since President Muhammdu Buhari assumed the mantle of leadership of Nigeria on May 29, 2015, one of his noticeably key security focuses so far has been the incessant, premeditated and wanton killing of unarmed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Christians of the Biafra enclave – for obviously no cause. More often, if the killing was not based on the falsehood that the IPOB members were the first to attack members of the Nigerian armed forces and as such had to be killed in return, it would be stupidly predicated on the spurious grounds that the hapless and unsuspecting victims of Buhari’s totalitarian and fascist government were obstructing the free flow of traffic and thus needed to be dealt with (which for the military entailed killing them) in order to clear the way for motorists and other road users.

Meanwhile, in all of these series of killings of peaceful protesters, the Buhari-led government is yet to come out with a single video record showing members of the Nigerian Armed Forces being killed or that are killed by the pro-Biafra agitators.

But thus far, the reverse has always been the case in the aftermath of every peaceful protest duly organised by proBiafra agitators in Nigeria, all in pursuit of their legitimate demand for a sovereign state of Biafra. And besides the fact that thousands of members of this separatist group have been mowed down in their prime for merely thronging the streets of Nigeria in demand for self-determination as adequately

guaranteed by international laws and practices, the Amnesty International recently had to lend its strong voice in total condemnation of the Nigerian government persistent and cruel clampdown and massacre of these unarmed and peaceful protesters.

According to this highly esteemed international body, no less than 150 unarmed civilians belonging to the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, were brutally murdered in cold blood using torture, live bullets and other weaponry by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces - during the Biafra Remembrance Day of May 30, 2016. And further to its graphic report titled Bullets Were Raining Everywhere, the AI findings clearly showed that the assertion that the peaceful protesters were the first to court the trouble and/or attack members of the armed forces was neither here nor there.

Strangely, as if the killing was not provoking enough, the same Buhari’s Islamist soldiers and other security killer forces had to even go extra miles invading churches at Onitsha and its environs in Anambra state of Nigeria in furtherance of their killing spree and the hacking of peaceful protesters who happened to be in or seek refuge in these hallowed places of worship.

Indeed, as heart-rending as these nasty incidents are, it does appear that President Muhammadu Buhari is not yet through with his morbid thought and blood-sucking inclination towards pro-Biafra peaceful protesters and the people of old Eastern Nigeria in general. As it stands now, the Christian

people of Eastern Nigeria – comprising the Igbo and folks of the Niger-Delta region – are obviously not at war with the Nigerian state, unlike the case in Buhari’s Northern part of Nigeria where the terrorist Boko Haram sect is increasingly having a field day and upper hand in the raging war in the region, yet virtually all states within the Biafra enclave are at the moment more militarized and/or placed under heavy military siege than the region which breeds and harbours terrorists in Nigeria. And all of this is the result of the evil machination of the Islamist-in- Chief in an apparent attempt to mess up or spoil Christmas celebration for people of the South-East and South-South geo-political zones in Nigeria, which over 90 percentage of the population of this bloc are Christians.

Yet, in all of this, nobody seems to be talking. Even most unfortunate of all, the United Nations which ideally is meant to be the conscience of the world on matters of human rights abuse, oppression, subjugation, ethnic cleansing, genocide, etc; that are all rife in Nigeria today, is apparently indifferent.

Ditto the African Union which has not so far reflected through any meaningful action in any member state the remarkable change of its policy of non-interference to non-indifference in the internal affairs of member states. Perhaps, the UN and the AU are waiting for the eventual upsurge in widespread blood-letting in Nigeria before being alive to their global and regional responsibilities.

Onyiorah Paschal Chiduluemije, Abuja

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Bolaji Abdulahi as Symbol of Executive, Legislative Peace Deal

The appointment, last week, of a former Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi as the new National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress is indicative of the new peace deal between the presidency and the Bukola Saraki-led Senate, writes Hammed Shittu

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he ancient town of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital was last week thrown into festive and joyful mood following the announcement that a former Commissioner for Education and Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has emerged the new National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.

From his Ubandawaki ward, local and state level of the APC in the state, the leaders and members of the APC jubilated round town for the choice of Abdullahi as the new National Publicity Secretary of the APC. As if this was not enough, other stakeholders in the state, from his associates, friends and well-wishers were also elated about the development.

The overwhelming acceptance of Abdullahi by the people of his immediate community in Ilorin and other parts of the state was not a surprise as he had exhibited sterling leadership qualities since he ventured into the public gallery, when he first joined the administration of a former governor of Kwara State and now Senate President, Bukola Saraki in 2003, first as a Special Assistant on Strategy and Research and later elevated as Commissioner for Education.

While in these two capacities, Abdullahi warmed himself to the heart of Kwarans in the discharge of his responsibility to the development and growth of the state. Even his footprints in the coordination of government business and policy formulation in the state would be remembered by the people.

Abdullahi fondly called by his admirers as “Omoluabi”, an astute journalist and prolific writer, who had written numerous articles on national issues while working with THISDAY Newspapers had long prepared for the task ahead of providing qualitative and sterling leadership in any area he finds himself.

No wonder, he was appointed a minister during former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Jonathan first appointed him the Minister of Youths Development and later moved to the sports ministry. At the two offices, the Ilorin-born journalist was believed to have done a wonderful job that no Nigerian would ever forget.

On December 1, 2016, leaders of the APC from the north central zone of the country decided to organise a mini party convention in Abuja to replace the Kwara slot in the national working committee of APC after the occupant of the office, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was appointed

by President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister for Information, Orientation and Culture.

Since the appointment of Mohammed, who hails from Kwara State as minister, the position of the office of the National Publicity Secretary of APC has become vacant and had been run by its Youth Leader, Timmy Frank. However, leaders of the APC from the north central zone of Kwara, Kogi, Nassarawa, Plateau, Niger, converged at a hotel in Abuja and held a mini convention to fill the vacancy.

At the convention devoid any hitches, Abdullahi was unanimously elected the new National Publicity Secretary of the APC. His emergence too was not a surprise as he was believed to possess the requisite qualities and brilliance to run the ofice.

Congratulating the new image maker of the APC, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad described Abdullahi’s

The overwhelming acceptance of Abdullahi by the people of his immediate community in Ilorin and other parts of the state was not a surprise as he had exhibited sterling leadership qualities since he ventured into the public gallery, when he first joined the administration of a former governor of Kwara State and now Senate President, Bukola Saraki in 2003, first as a Special Assistant on Strategy and Research and later elevated as Commissioner for Education Abdulahi...APC’s new megaphone

choice as the best thing to come to the APC in the country. In a congratulatory message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, Ahmad stressed that Abdullahi’s choice is one of the best things to have happened to the party.

He said the former minister as an experienced journalist and former columnist with a reputable newspaper in the country is armed with requisite knowledge to handle such sensitive position in the party. He recalled that since the appointment of Mohammed as minister, the APC has been striving to find suitable candidate to fill the vacant office.

He therefore described Abdullahi’s appointment as a round peg in a round hole, maintaining that APC needs his expertise to enable the party improve its image in the society, especially with the current situation in the country.

“His qualities are never in doubt, and all I can say is that the party couldn’t have selected a better and more suitable candidate for the task ahead. As a former Commissioner for Education in Kwara State and Minister of Sports and Youths Development, his track records of achievements are there for everybody to see.

And in fact, since he last served, the Sports Ministry has hardly been the same” .

The ruling party also hailed choice of Abdullahi as its spokesman. In a statement issued on by its State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the party described Abdullah as a trained journalist cum astute politician, who is temperamentally fit for his new job.

“Particularly, we welcome the decision of the National leadership of our party which shows utmost respect for the existing zoning arrangement for national offices in our party.

“As a former Editor of THISDAY newspaper,

former Commissioner and former Minister of great achievements, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi is coming on board with wealth of experience that will be helpful in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities as the Spokesman of our party. We have no doubt that the new spokesperson will continue to be a good ambassador of the APC in Nigeria”.

Describing his choice as a trip to a familiar terrain, Kwara APC said “We, all the leaders and members of All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, wish you a successful tenure in office”.

Also, the chairman, Ubandawaki ward, Ilorin west local government council, where Abdulahi comes from, Alhaji Muhonmonu Alagbede lauded the choice of the former minister APC’s National Publicity Secretary.

He described Abdullahi as a loyal member of the APC that had used his former positions to add values to the development of the party at the ward, local and state levels.

He recalled that when there was a crisis in the PDP while serving as minister under Jonathan, he resigned his position and queued behind his leader, Senator Saraki, adding that his decision then to leave former Jonathan’s cabinet had earned him respect that all the members of APC in his ward would never forget and thus earned him the name: Omoluabi” “We, the members of APC at Ubandanwaki ward in Ilorin west local government, where former minister hails from are proud of him and solidly behind him in the new position.

With the experiences of Mallam Abdullahi in various past positions occupied and as an astute journalist, he will surely excel in the new office.”

He therefore lauded the effort of Saraki on the task of moving the APC forward in the

country.

Another chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje also lauded the choice of Abdullahi as APC spokesperson.

He said there was no doubt that the election would ensure effective communication between the party, government and the people.

Baraje, in a statement issued from his media office in Ilorin, said the former minister is adequately embodied with good qualities that qualified him for the post.

The APC chieftain noted that looking at his antecedents as former commissioner in Kwara State and minister in the last administration, the laudable achievements recorded were appreciated, saying the Party needed a technocrat and versatile journalist like Abdullahi for the post.

Given that Abdullahi came from the same state as Mohammed, Baraje noted that his journalistic knowledge and integrity coupled with the good working relationship between him and editors in all the media outfits would serve as another opportunity for him to carry out his mandate effectively.

He commended the party executives, elders of the party, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, Saraki and other party stalwarts for playing pivotal role as well as the North Central zonal executive of the party for settling for him.

Baraje prayed Allah to continue to give Abdulahi the wisdom, knowledge and skills to discharge his duties effectively and efficiently for the generality of the country.

With Abdullahi as the new image maker of the APC, the party is set to have a new image polishing in view of an improved relationship that would commence between the public and the APC, since he comes from the background of active journalism, which will no doubt serve as impetus for his success in the new position.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

UPDATE&TRENDING

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Banire’s Brief Sabbatical

With the rejection of his resignation by the All Progressives Congress’ National Working Committee, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire showed exemplary leadership, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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onths before his recent travail, during a chat, the National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) noted that top on his agenda was his willingness to resign his position and pay more attention to his legal profession where he is sure to make good money.

Despite having played politics well in Lagos to becoming one of the strong rallying points for his admirers and loyalists, his angst was simply that people play dirty politics laced with bitter rivalry in this clime and the underlying intrigues were appalling to him.

So, he prefers to go back to his work, make more time for his God and continues with his good leadership advocacy as being propagated by the United Action for Change (UAC), which he is the convener. Therefore, when he quickly opted to tender his letter to step aside when his name was mentioned in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigating a gift of N500,000 given to an old judge-friend, whom he insisted sought his financial assistance to defray part of the burial expenses of his late mother about three years ago, he was also tactically actualising his long desire to quit politics.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, Banire had insisted he was innocent. He maintained that as one of the leading advocates against judicial corruption, no matter how the investigation went, it would not be possible to connect him to bribing a judge he never sat before his court.

As if waiting for it, within the period that he put in paper and now, Banire had returned to what he desires most, mentoring the younger generation that is to take over the mantle of leadership in the near future. It is something he is very passionate about.

Hence, the UAC 2016 Leadership Training Programme held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at the Federal College of Education

Banire...in a different world

(Technical), Akoka, Lagos, where Banire, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Garba Abari; Prof. Pat Utomi and others addressed hundreds of Nigerian youths was one of his first actions when he thought he had been able to shrug off active politics from his itinerary. During the event, youths in the country were urged to tackle the challenges preventing them from attaining their best and forge new ways to contribute to their personal and national developments.

Addressing the youths during the opening ceremony of the three-day event with the theme: ‘Dynamic Youth and National Rebirth’, Banire harped on the need for the coming generation of Nigerians to strive to improve themselves and contribute positively to national development.

“Success is a not destination, it is a journey.

Success is when you impact on your fellow human-beings and your society and that is continuous. You can impact on your society in your respective spheres without waiting to be a councillor, House of Assembly, House of Representatives member or a senator”, adding

that the ideal of the non-government and apolitical group is to make Nigerian youths learn, teach and do leadership characters. “We want to enthrone good leadership in our nation. You should be able to show anybody that you are a changed person. You have to impact on other people in your community. We will continue to monitor your progress until you become our leaders.”

Urging them to desist from the act of selling their votes during elections, the renowned lawyer and activist, who recently resigned his membership of the APC National Executive Council following allegations that he bribed a judge despite denying it stated: “We should be different. Let us do things properly. We must embrace the change; not by word of mouth but by way of action.

Utomi, who said “Our generation has been a disaster in Nigeria” and advised the Nigerian youths said: “The way to solve the problem is not to look to government while searching for solution”. According Utomi, who made reference to his over N200,000,000 investment being frustrated by a state government, “Government does more to stop progress than make it happen”, suggesting that “We should pretend as if government does not exist.”

He prescribed entrepreneurship as a major way out for youths willing to make remarkable progress and impact. He added that at a time like this when Nigeria is experiencing recession, younger generation should think out of the box, be creative and fill a position in the value chain.

On his part, the NOA DG emphasised on the need for the country to place more importance on youth empowerment, stressing that “This is the time to prioritise youth issues in Nigeria because if not, we shall continue to sit on a keg of gun powder”. He said aside constituting 65 per cent of the Nigerian population; the youths constitute the strongest, vibrant and creative segment of national population.

He advised that the “Youth should be interested in what is happening in their environment

PERSPECTIVE

because they have roles to play in changing what is happening around them. The change begins with you. It should be manifested. It makes you a good citizen”.

For those close to Banire, the APC NWC rejection of his offer to step aside in a letter dated December 1, 2016 and signed by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, means two things: it gave him a huge relieve that he is trusted by his party and it has also taken him away from his comfort zone. The party said its NWC resolved that “your (Banire’s) voluntary submission for investigation by the EFCC and subsequent offer to step aside from your position as National Legal Adviser to the party is an exemplary representation of the credo of our party. The NWC is proud of your conduct in this respect. After intense discussion, the NWC unanimously decided not to accept your offer to step aside as the National Legal Adviser.”

According to the APC, its decision was hinged on the fact that Banire’s offer is “inappropriate since your responsibility as the National Legal Adviser of our party will not, in any way, impede any ongoing investigation by the EFCC, more so, as the allegation has no nexus with the party.

“The party is currently saddled with a number of sensitive litigations and your role in professionally handling the ongoing cases is critical.

The NWC is of the view that we keep to the credo of our jurisprudence, where an accused is considered innocent until otherwise proven guilty by a competent jurisdiction. In this case, you have not even been accused”.

The party therefore sought Banire’s understanding in its decision to refuse his offer to resign from the NWC. This has no doubt gone down well with many of Banire’s followers, not because of the office, but because someone they consider as a decent and well respected politician was not disgraced out of office, particularly as some are of the strong opinion that his ordeal had political undertone.

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Behold, He Comes…

The level of rage and discontent in the country calls for serious reflection, reckons Femi Fani-Kayode

T

here is a deep rage in me that rises by the day. When I hear the voices of the voiceless and I see the suffering of the despised and the oppressed in our land, it wounds my soul.

When I hear the cries of the poor and those that have been reduced to eating one meal a day by a King and court that delights in spreading nothing but hardship and poverty, it stirs my anger.

When I hear the wailing of mothers and fathers whose children, whether they be Shiite Muslims, Biafrans or northern Christians, have been butchered by the military or any of the other agents of our King and state, it kindles the spirit of the Man of War that resides in me.

When I see the tears of the mourners where entire communities have been subjected to genocide and where the weak, the vulnerable and the innocent have been slaughtered simply because of their ethnicity and faith, it kindles a fire in my soul. When I see the injustice and the wholesale persecution that is meted out to all those that dare to say “no more” and “enough is enough” to the tyranny of the tyrant, I marvel at man’s inhumanity to man and the sheer depths of his cruelty.

Yet why bother feeling anything at all? Why cry more than the bereaved? Why should I care? What is the essence of writing poems in a nation that despises prose? What is the point of lamenting about an evil regime before whom 90 per cent of the population that they torment cower, tremble and bow. What is the point of risking life, liberty and limb for a docile and stoic people, who are not prepared to stand up and fight for their own liberty and freedom and who have an obsessive aversion to opposition, activism and dissent.

Alas they do not possess the strength and power of the Vikings, the fighting spirit of the Spartans, the courageous soul of the Romans or

Buhari

the ferocious tenacity of the ancient Greeks. They do not have the brave heart and decisiveness of the Zulu, the firm resolve and yearning for freedom of the American, the unconquerable resilience of the Russian, the gallantry of the French or the lion-heart of the British.

They do not share the passion and indomitable spirit of the sons of Israel, the courage of the Abyssinians, the pride of the Carthaginians or the decisive ruthlessness of the Hun. Submission, conformity, timidity and a weak, debilitating and telling silence in the face of tyranny, persecution, incompetence and injustice has become the order of the day in our shores.

The more our government takes our people for granted, destroys their lives, sheds their blood, crushes their spirit, breaks their bones, shatters their dreams, drains and devalues their money, takes their jobs, violates their God-given and constitutionally-guaranteed rights and makes them suffer, the more they applaud them, cringe before them and smile.

What manner of “broom and change”-inflicted witchcraft is this? They say that it is only in hell that the suffering and afflicted worship and praise the one that torments them. Yet it happens in Nigeria as well.

Just look at our modern day kings and rulers as they sit and feast in their opulent palaces of pomp and pageantry and their citadels of wickedness and darkness whilst hunger ravages the people and hardship pervades the land. Their wealth is both obsessive and obscene and their tyranny and oppression has no limits or bounds. They are the darkness that seeks the darkness and cruelty is their pleasure and delight.

They came from the second heaven and they are known as the Nephilim. Half human, half demon entities: hybrids whose life-force is Satan and whose disposition and genetic make-up is reptilian. They rule our nation with an iron fist – killing, maiming, robbing, destroying, detaining and shaming all those that dare to oppose them. Not even the women and children are safe from their wicked vice and relentless torment and perfidy.

Yet for the sake of our nation, our loved ones and our children, we that are strong must resist the harbingers of poverty, misery and suffering. We must reject the messengers of death and disease.

We must oppose the sons of perdition and the destroyers of our dreams and aspirations. We must fight the servants of the Baphomet, the children of the devil, the bondsmen of Lucifer and the seed of the Midianites and the Amalekites.

And in this battle, we must not fear because the Lord is with us, victory is assured and I hear the sound of abundant rain. The Finger of God has been loosed. The Hosts of Heaven have been stirred. The army of the Lord is on the march. The Ancient of Days has risen with a two-edged sword in his hand.

Behold He comes, riding on a cloud, shining like the sun, at the trumpet call. Lift up your

voice, it’s the year of Jubilee, out of Zion’s hill salvation comes. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Defender of the Faithful and the Bright Morning Star rises and roars in His power and glorious splendour.

He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the Creator of the Universe, the Beginning and the End before whom the stars, the sun, the moon and the entire firmament bow. Regardless of the darkness and suffering that we see in the land today and the evil grip of the tyrant, for our nation, deliverance is at hand and salvation beckons.

Why? Because the Lord is our light and our salvation, whom shall we fear? Why? Because He is mighty in battle and none can stand before Him. Why? Because in the end He makes all things beautiful! Why? Because He is the comforter of our souls, the father of the fatherless and the husband of the widow! Why? Because regardless of the darkness of the night, joy comes in the morning!

Why? Because there is no God like Jehovah!

Why? Because He never forsakes His own. Why? Because no matter how long it takes light always dispels the darkness and good always prevails over evil. Why? Because at the mention of His name all things visible and invisible and all that is tangible and intangible must stand to attention and bow! Why? Because all tyrants die and meet a bitter end! If nothing else remember this: Behold, He comes; behold, He comes; behold, He comes.

And when He does, we shall rebuild and restructure our nation, end the suffering, take away the hunger, restore our economy, strengthen our borders, enhance our unity, recognise and honor our ethnic nationalities, bring self-respect and dignity to our people, guarantee our civil liberties, engender and defend our freedom and make Nigeria great again.

-Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016, • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Agboyi: Lagos Community Bereft of Modern Amenities Rebecca Ejifoma who visited Agboyi community in Ketu area of Lagos where women prefer to give birth at home with the help of traditional birth assistants, writes that the insectinfested slum needs a well equipped hospital and other modern amenities to improve living standards

Agboyi community surrounded by stagnant water

W

hen you see the hub of Agboyi community, you remember the famous Makoko in the heart of Yaba. And when you see Makoko, the first two things that cross the bridge of your mind are malaria and poor health facilities especially for pregnant women and children. And these were the same issues on ground at Agboyi community, a slum in Ketu area of Lagos.

After the risky wooden canoe ride, this reporter had about 10 minutes walk in the very obnoxious, bacteria-infested stagnant water on the entire narrow path in Agboyi.

Now, there stood Mrs. Kafila - a mother of five - on the doorway of her house, a diagonal Traditional Birth Attendant's (TBA) outlet. She had all her children at home.

She said. "I will never go to health centre except to immunise my children. I trust TBA. They treat me well. I had my five children at home. I won't go to health centre."

While she vehemently affirmed in TBA and home delivery as the safest, her neighbour - whose two months old baby laid near the doorstep of her room - quickly chorused, "Yes, I also had my baby at home. Home is safer with the TBA women by you."

Sadly, Kafila, who lost her husband about two years ago, spoke further in the Yoruba language that the TBAs are way better. Adding, she said they are like doctors themselves.

"When we have any complaints, we go there.

Sometimes, she refers us to the health centre.

TBA is always there for us every time of the day; no closing."

Undoubtedly, residents patronise TBAs and home birth more not minding that they are labelled unskilled personnel, whose tools are unsterilised and operate in poor environmental conditions; thereby, contributing to high maternal and infant mortality rate in the country.

Interestingly, bold and daring Mrs. Aina Abiodun is a Traditional Birth Attendant in

Agboyi 3 among the only two registered in the community. According to her, she is a professional with over 15 years of practice and has registered her centre, Damy Clinic.

And with her skills, she said has been helping the women of Agboyi smile home with their babies. "I am a professional in this business. I do my job well and try my best to serve the people, too. And by God's grace, mothers have always smiled home

The water causes mosquito, and makes the children have fever coupled with the unhygienic environment…The government should let its presence be felt here.Yes. It provided mosquito-treated nets for us. But give us a good hospital. What we have now is just a health centre and community health officials. Give us better manpower in terms of medical doctors and qualified nurses

with their babies cuddled in their arms."

While Abiodun charges between 5000 and 7000 naira for delivery of one baby, she told THISDAY that she takes 15,000 naira for twin delivery. "Just two months ago, I had a patient with twins of both sex. She delivered safely. I am very happy because both mother and kids are healthy."

But then she lamented their one obstinate challenge. "But it becomes a very difficult task before we can contact the canoe riders to help us take the patients out of the community.

There is no road for vehicles or tricycle.

When asked at what time or sign does she refer the pregnant women, Abiodun affirmed, that if the pregnancy is a complicated one and needs referral or the child is not properly positioned, “I refer them to hospital in nearby town like Alapere. We don’t wait until it gets to unredeemable situation. An instance is the recent case, the patient went to the hospital on foot. I did not delay her due to the experience we had. The operation was successful."

Health status of the pregnant women Sadly, the midwife noted that fever remains the commonest ailment among pregnant women. She explained that once they went for test at Alapere they will be presented with the causes, and scan to confirm the status of the pregnancy.

"They usually come to TBA first before we refer them to health centre for some tests.

When it is time for immunisation, we refer them, and ensure they take all the necessary steps the PHC prescribes. Through their booklet from the PHC, we check to know their status; if they have HIV or other things.

So, I work hand in hand with PHC." Now, worried about her skills in caring for the women and children, Abiodun said she had attended several training with the Board of Traditional Medicine at Onikan, Gbagada and also PATH2 training in Lagos.

“Local herb, for instance if the baby suppose to come with head but refuses, there is no orthodox medicine that can handle it, it is

only herbal that can do it, also if the child bends or the placenta comes first there are things that we give them to ensure normalcy at birth,” she noted.

And to complement her efforts in easing the health needs of most pregnant women, Abiodun sells babies' wears and women kits like diaper, sanitary pads, baby clothes and utensils, drugs, tradition herbs (agbo). "I make good sales here. The people buy from me.

I even treat elder ones, too."

Health of the children While close to the Agboyi pedestrian bridge at the junction at my arrival, I heard screams of delighted children swimming gracefully in the brownish smelling water, which they say is the natural colour.

What are the health consequences of their action, I asked curiously, "The most common sickness among children is fever, they may be stooling and vomiting, and once it’s getting too much, we refer them to health centre and from there they can be referred to another hospital outside the community if it is beyond them."

According to research, there are various illnesses associated with contaminated water.

Recreational Water Illness (RWI) are caused by germs that are spread by swallowing contaminated water can be present in swimming pools, hot tubs, water, parks, lakes (Agboyi) and oceans.

Findings show that most common RWI is diarrhea caused by germs like Crypto and E. Coli. Other RWI infections are: gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, wound.

This is as children pee in lakes and fecal matter, too.

Now, there are fishes of varying kinds and sizes -tilapia and catfish, mosquitoes renting spaces on the water, lava of various insects over your feet while in the water. It is this same water the children swim in daily and possibly swallow some involuntarily.

Chief Osolomade of Agboyi 1, Mr. Jelili Bayioku Salau decried that there is a type of insect that bites the legs; it weakens the

21

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016, • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

of insect that bites the legs; it weakens the children's immune system, too. The water promote sickness among teenagers in Agboyi.

Swiftly on the heels of this, the chairman of Ward Health Committee, Agboyi LG Ketu, Mr. Olusegun Adeboye, said "The water causes mosquito, and makes the children have fever coupled with the unhygienic environment.

It is God that is protecting us because when our children get sick or pregnant woman goes into labour at night - the health centre only opens between 8am to 3:30pm Mondays to Fridays.

"The government should let its presence be felt here. Yes. It provided mosquito-treated nets for us. But give us a good hospital. What we have now is just a health centre and community health officials. Give us better manpower in terms of medical doctors, qualified nurses. There is no way our people will not access it and our lives will improve here regarding health and environment."

Drinking water With such poor environmental condition, Agboyi residents say potable water becomes an issue, Unanimously, they chorused that a bag of sachet water costs between N170 and N200. "Water is expensive here. So, most times, we get our drinking water from the rainfall. We set our buckets outside and fetch."

Children swimming in dirty water

Transportation by boat While I sailed for minutes on the river to Agboyi, there was no life jacket in the wooden rickety patched canoe filled with people. Everyone began to make confession to whoever cared to listen since it was a Friday (day of confession), "I cannot swim."

"They cannot swim and do not own boats.

Since there is no road, it is hard to cross the child to other side of the community whenever they need to go to the hospital."

Now, Agboyi 1 alone comprises over 15,000 persons. Residents include Hausas, Igbos, Ijaws and the Eguns. It has got four compounds including Oko-Agbon, Papa, Cele and Ilaje. "All these people if they don’t get to Agboyi one, they can’t go out.

“In March this year, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and our House of Assembly representative, Tunde Ibrahim came to inspect and promised us a bridge that will connect Agboyi 3, 2 and 1. So they assured us that by 2017, the link bridge would be erected. Our prayer is that they will not forget us.”

The state of the PHCs It was just last year that the Minister of Health, Mr. Isaac Adewole, said that the federal government would build 10,000 PHCs in the country - each in a political ward - in three years.

While many lauded this effort, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, while addressing a group of doctors in Lagos recently said "The ones already available are not working. There are no qualified manpower to provide the necessary care to our down trodden people and you want to erect more buildings.

"What the government is supposed to do is train the medical manpower that will do the work 100 per cent at our already existing

The PHC in Agboyi seemed abandoned but for the two persons found in it. A healthcare centre, surrounded by the stench of stagnant water with swam of bacteria and mosquito, is the current state of the centre

One of the nursing mothers carrying her baby, flanked by children after school hours

The frontview of Agboyi community

PHCs across the country. How many of the machines for dialysis are working? And you talk of building more structures. Our down trodden people in Lagos are really suffering."

The PHC in Agboyi seemed abandoned but

for the two persons found in it. A healthcare centre, surrounded by the stench of stagnant water with swam of bacteria and mosquito, is the current state of the centre.

Although Salau commended the PHC in

Agboyi for always trying, he said it could not do beyond its strength. "We are pleading to government that before the bridge is constructed, the workers in the PHC should render 24 hours service to save the lives of

22

IMAGES

THISDAY •WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

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

L-R , Managing Partner, Lawfields Solicitors and Advocates, Jide Bodede presenting the Best Ads Classified site of the year award won by OLX Nigeria to Senior Manager, Business Development, Mayokun Fadeyibi;, Business Operations and finance Manager, Goodluck Ikporo and , Brand Marketing Manager, Fife Aiyesimoju all of OLX

L-R: Abuja chairperson, Arise Women, ,Rose Eshiett;National Convener, Arise Women, Pastor Siju Iluyomade; and Head of Dafara, Esu Joseph Makeri., during the inauguration of the newly provided Borehole by Arise Wome in Dafara Village, Kuje Abuja.. recently

L-R: New Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigeria Army, Sobi, Brigadier General Suleiman Idris, Immediate Past Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Benjamin Sawyer and Kwara State Governor Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed during a courtesy visit to The Governor at Government House, Ilorin..recently

L-R Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr Kufrey Ekanem during the commissioning of block of six classrooms donated by the company to Baptist Primary School Ereko Ijebu Ode Ogun State....recently

L-R: Chairman,Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads(CeBIH), Mr. Dele Adeyinka; Managing Director, SystemSpecs,Mr John Obaro and Former Chairman ,CeBIH, Mr Tunde Kuponiyi during the 6th CeBIH Retreat, tagged ‘Disruptive Technology and the Future of Payments’ in Abuja...recently

> L-R: Managing Director, OPITO International, Graham Gall; Manager, Safety & Global Functions, Shell Petroleum Development company of Nigeria (SPDC), Amadi Amadi; and Group Chief Executive, OPITO International, David Doig, at the conferment of the OPITO International ‘Safety Partner Award’ on Shell Nigeria at the OPITO Safety & Competence Conference in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia...recently

L-R: General Manager, Regional Operations, MTN Nigeria, Obinna Nweje; General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge; Snr Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor, Chibuzor Aholu and GM, Business Intelligence, MTN Nigeria, Anthony Obi, at the official launch of MTN 4G LTE in Port Harcourt.. recently

L-R; Executive Director, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote; Director, Corporate Affairs, Jagal, Mrs. Joy Okebalama and Group Chairman, Jagal Energy, Mr. Chris Bennett during the courtesy visit/facility tour of the Executive Chairman of NCDMB to Nigerdock Nigeria Plc. in Lagos...recentlly

23

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

N O V E M B E R

NIBOR 11.5250% 15.280%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

17.6799% 20.3732%

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH

13.2020% 16.3877%

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

3 0 , 3-MONTH 6-MONTH

2 0 1 6

17.4737% 19.4674%

EXCHANGE RATE N305//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Ecobank Offers Voluntary HIV Testing

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Immediate past President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs. Debola Osibogun; President CIBN, Prof. Segun Ajibola; MD/CEO, Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun and Treasurer, Unity Bank Plc, Sunny Bakwunye, during a courtesy visit by the CIBN Exco members to the Bank in Lagos…recently

Survey Shows Positive Prospect of Business Expansion

Obinna Chima

The fourth quarter (Q4) 2016 Business Expectation Survey has indicated that at 46.5 index points, the positive outlook in the volume of business activities reflects prospects for expansion in the first quarter of 2017.

Also, the employment index stood at 23.4 points, indicating a favourable outlook. The employment outlook index by sector, showed that the services sector (10.4 per cent) had higher prospects for creating jobs, followed by the wholesale/retail trade (5.7 per cent), industrial (4.5 per cent) and construction (2.7 per cent) sectors.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), revealed this in a report posted on its website.

The Q4, 2016 Business Expectations Survey (BES) was carried out during the period October 24th to November

ECONOMY 04th 2016 with a sample size of 1,950 business enterprises nationwide. A response rate of 99.5 per cent was achieved during the reporting quarter, and covered the Industry, Construction, Wholesale/Retail Trade and Services sectors.

The survey was conducted from the updated survey frames of both the CBN and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The survey response rate was 99.5 per cent in the quarter under review.

Respondents were drawn from the Industrial, Construction, Wholesale/Retail trade and Services sectors. The Services sector is made up of Financial Intermediation, Hotels and Restaurants, Renting & Business activities and Community & Social Services.

The distribution of firms by sector showed that services sector constituted the highest number of respondents (35.3 per cent), followed by wholesale/ retail (26.2 per cent), industrial (24.3 per cent) and construction (14.2 per cent).

Continuing, a further analysis of businesses with expansion plans by sector in the next quarter showed that the wholesale/retail trade indicated disposition for expansion with an index of 61.0 points. Similarly, construction, services and industrial sector firms indicated expansion plans for Q4, 2016 with indices of 58.3, 56.5 and 55.3 points, respectively.

The surveyed firms identified insufficient power supply (62.4 index points), financial problems (55.6 index points), high interest rate (53.8 index points), unfavourable economic climate (52.7 index points),

competition (44.1 index points), unclear economic laws (43.5 index points), unfavourable political climate (38.5 index points), access to credit (37.3 index points) and insufficient demand (36.5 index points) as the major factors constraining business activity in the current quarter.

Also, a breakdown of the respondents by type of businesses showed that 13.8 per cent were import-oriented, 2.0 per cent were export-oriented, 7.8 per cent were both import and export-oriented, and 76.4 per cent were neither import- nor export-oriented (Table 2, sections 16). The distribution of firms by employment size showed that small size firms constituted 81.3 per cent of responses, medium size firms 14.2 per cent, and large size firms 4.5 per cent.

Continued on page 24

NASD Operators Woo Firms Delisted from the Nigerian Stock Exchange Goddy Egene Stockbrokers registered to trade on the NASD OTC Securities Exchange have started to woo some of the companies that were delisted from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week THISDAY checks have revealed.

The NSE last week delisted Lennards (Nigeria) Plc; P.S Mandrides & Company

CAPITAL MARKET Plc; Premier Breweries Plc ; Costain (W.A) Plc; Navitus Energy Plc and Nigerian Ropes Plc for recurring noncompliance with the listing requirements of the exchange in the areas of timely and accurate rendition of operational and financial accounts.

Some of the companies also had corporate governance

issues. The delisting means that shareholders can no longer trade those shares on the NSE. However, THISDAY investigation showed that some stockbroking firms that trade on NSE and also trade on NASD OTC have begun to approach shareholders of some of the affected companies to bring their shares to the OTC platform instead of completely losing out.

The NASD Plc provides

the trading platform where all instruments not listed on the NSE but that are registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), can be traded through licensed stockbroking.

Many of such securities not listed on the NSE are currently being traded on the NASD OTC. An operator on the platform confirmed to THISDAY that the shareholders Continued on page 24

Ecobank, the pan-African banking group recently offered free voluntary HIV testing for its staff as part of activities marking this year’s World AIDS Day. Ecobank Group CEO, Ade Ayeyemi and several members of senior management were among staff who volunteered to take the test. Ayeyemi said: “Effectively tackling HIV remains one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges.

As a leading pan-African bank with the largest footprint in the middle of Africa, Ecobank, has a leadership responsibility to join hands with the world to end this epidemic for good. Knowing one’s status is an important step in the battle to end AIDS.” Board members of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the group, joined the company’s employees to participate in the global “Hands up for #HIVprevention”campaign organised by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).ThecampaignexploresdifferentaspectsofHIVprevention and encourages people to express their views on what needs to be done to strengthen prevention efforts. Two-thirds of all HIVpositive individuals – about 25 million – are in Africa. Ecobank, through the Ecobank Foundation, has been at the forefront of fighting the epidemic on the continent. In September 2016, the Ecobank Foundation renewed its partnership with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, committing an additional USD3 million to end the epidemics for good. The partnership’s programmes have put millions of people on antiretroviral treatment for HIV, provided tuberculosis treatment and distributed millions of mosquito nets to protect families from malaria.

SimbaPayLaunchesMoneyTransferService

SimbaPay – a London based digital money transfer provider – has announced the launch of its money transfer service to Ghana and Uganda. Using the SimbaPay app or website, Ghanaians and Ugandans living in Europe can now send money to mobile phones in Ghana or Uganda instantly. “This is the perfect Christmas gift to Ghanaians and Ugandans living in Europe who have been asking when SimbaPay will expand coverage to their home countries,” CEO for SimbaPay, Nyasinga Onyancha said. “By delivering money via existing mobile money wallet services, many recipients who previously could not access formal financial services can now do so.”

Ghanaians and Ugandans living in Europe (UK & European Union countries) with a bank account, debit card or credit card will be able to use the SimbaPay app from any mobile phone, tablet or computer. Transfers made using SimbaPay are credited within seconds to recipients’ mobile money wallets such as MTN Mobile Money. This eliminates the inconvenience of queues and old school paperwork. SimbaPay also delivers money transfers via mobile money and bank account to other African countries such as Nigeria and Kenya with more destinations and partners being sought for addition in 2017. In April 2016, SimbaPay was selected as one of 10 companies to join the first ever Barclays Accelerator powered by Techstars in Africa. The app continues to disrupt the cross-border remittance industry with its focus on extreme speed and convenience In 2015, SimbaPay was named the Overall Winner at the prestigious Demo Africa 2015. SimbaPay also launched free, instant transfers from Europe to all Nigerian banks last year.

IFAD to Strengthen Small-scale Irrigation A total of 108,750 poor rural households in four regions of Ethiopia are expected to benefit from a financial agreement signed today between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Ethiopia to boost small-scale irrigation schemes.

Of the total programme cost of US$145.3 million, IFAD is providing a US$102 million loan and a $12.5 million grant, including $11 million from the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) Trust Fund to help smallholder farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change. The programme is co-financed by the Government of Ethiopia ($18.7 million) and by the beneficiaries themselves (12 million).

The agreement was signed in Rome by President of IFAD, Kanayo F. Nwanze and Ambassador of Ethiopia to Italy and Rome-based UN agencies, Mulugeta Alemseged Gessese.

What is most important at this time is for us to have favorable fiscal and monetary, foreign exchange, trade policies. These polices are very critical to get us back on track. We need lots of domestic and foreign investments Director General, LCCI

Muda Yusuf

24

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD SURVEY SHOWS POSITIVE PROSPECT OF BUSINESS EXPANSION The overall confidence index (CI), which stood at –29.0 points in Q4 2016, indicated respondent firms’ pessimism on the macro economy, however at 32.2 points, the overall CI points to greater confidence on the macro economy in the next quarter.

The pessimistic outlook of respondents in the current quarter was driven by the opinion of respondents from services (-9.4 points), industrial (-7.9 points), wholesale/ retail trade (-7.5 points) and construction (-4.2 points ) sectors. Conversely, the expected drivers for the optimism on the macro economy in the next quarter are services (12.3 points), wholesale/retail trade (8.4 points), industrial (6.5 points) and construction (4.0 points) sectors.

Also, the drivers (by type of business) of the pessimism on the macro economy in the current quarter were “neither importer nor exporter” (-22.0 per cent), followed by “importer” (-3.9 per cent) and ‘both importer & exporter” (-2.8 per cent). In addition, the drivers (by size of business) of the pessimism on the macro economy in the current quarter were the small (-23.7 per cent), medium (-4.3 per cent) and large (-1.0 per cent).

NASD OPERATORS WOO FIRMS DELISTED FROM THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE of the delisted firms can have exit route if they bring their shares to the NASD. “We know that some of the companies got delisted due to non-compliance in terms of timely information disclosure. However, while the NASD OTC also has rules that must be complied with, there is category under which the companies would not be under serious obligation for too much information disclosure,” the broker said.

He explained that companies that do not want high level of governance are placed in the pink category, unlike those that want high corporate governance that are placed in the blue category.

NEWS

Onu: Nigeria Spent N450bn on Foreign Technologies in 2015 Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Chairman, Nigeria Association of Information Technology Enabled Outsourcing Companies (NAITEOC), Mr. David Onu, has said the country spent an equivalent of $1 billion last year on foreign technologies.

Speaking at the 4th National Outsourcing conference, in Abuja, Onu said, government should compel foreign companies to partner local outsourcing companies in importation of both hardware and software ICT components into the country.

He said: “We did a study last year by NAITEOC and we saw that over $1 billion was spent both by the public and private sectors on foreign technology products.

“If 30 percent of that amount was spent locally you can imagine the number of jobs that would have been created.

We hope that we can work in partnership with government to promote the outsourcing business.”

According to him, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa are doing same to promote local content in the ICT sector, adding: “With the right policies and synergy and everybody

working together, this can be done through converging discussion to grow the sector.”

In his remark, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Ali Ibrahim, admitted that Nigeria’s economy is facing challenges, adding that efforts by govern-

ment and the private sectors are geared towards reversing the negative growth.

He said: “It is only apt and imperative for countries to adopt tried, tested and certified efforts such as BPO which require significantly less capital investment, technological requirements and entry barriers that

would engender such massive economic and social benefits.”

According to him, India is using BPO to grow its economy using private sector led operation coupled with legislation and Acts of congress to bring about a vibrant outsourcing industry.

He added: “India is today contributing over 3 percent of

global outsourcing business and contributing a significant percentage of GDP by 2010.

“Growth of the BPO industry and its contribution in job creation is attributed to leap from 101,000 in 2014 to 930,000 gainful employments recorded in 2015, and an annual income of $25 billion.

CHANGE OF BATON

L-R: Chairman, Capital Express Assurance Limited, Alhaji Isa Sali; outgoing Chairman, Otunba Ademola Adenuga; and Group Chairman, Otunba Adekunla Ojora, at the introduction of Sali as a new Chairman of the Capital Express Assurance Limited in Lagos … recently

Stanbic IBTC Pension Boss Sees Huge Growth Opportunities in Pension Sector Ebere Nwoji The Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Eric Fajemisinmi, has said that despite the numerous challenges currently facing Nigeria’s economy, there are still huge growth opportunities in the pension sector administration and management.

Fajemisinmi, therefore said his company would leverage on the micro pension scheme, when the scheme finally kicks off, to increase the number of its Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders.

Fajemisinmi, who stated this at a media parley organised

by his company in Lagos recently, noted that micro pension scheme is another way of increasing pension adoption.

Describing Micro Pension as the pension industry’s strategic initiative to have inclusive and expanded pension coverage, the IBTC Pensions boss, noted that the 7. 3 million Nigerians registered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is a far cry from a population of 180 million Nigerians.

He said that the micro pension scheme, will be targeting the informal sector of the economy, which is about 70 per cent of the country’s

population.

Expressing the hope that the scheme will commence next year, he said the regulator, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is currently in advanced discussion with the federal government to add good incentive to the scheme to attract the informal sector into it. He said this has become necessary because the micro pension by its nature is different from the joint contribution like the current CPS. “The scheme must have a sweetener to attract the informal sector into it. PenCom is currently proposing to the FG to either give tax incentives or

access to loans to the wouldbe beneficiaries, as this will persuade more operators in the informal sector to embrace it. Definitely, there must be something to attract people to subscribe to it and that is currently being worked out,” he stressed.

He promised that IBTC Pension Fund Managers has put all machineries in place to key into the scheme, as soon as it is launched.

Fajemisinmi, also lauded the reforms being put in place by PenCom through the Pension Reforms Act (PRA 2014), noting that this has further strengthened the scheme.

He listed some of the improvements in the guideline to include; compulsory payment of pension by state governments, reduction in the number of employees a company must have to subscribe to CPS, from five to three, among others.

Stanbic IBTC Pension, he said, had invested in bonds and equities, which currently give good returns on investment to its numerous RSA holders across the country.

In a bid to continue to serve the customers better, he stated that the PFA has launched a new app on Play Store to allow customers enjoy seamless services.

PenCom Solicits Support of Judiciary in Deepening Knowledge on CPS Ebere Nwoji Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritime)

The National Pension Commission (PenCom), has solicited for the support of the judiciary in propelling and deepening public knowledge and understanding of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPC) in Nigeria.

The Director General of PenCom, Chinelo Anohu Amazu, made the appeal at a workshop on the CPC organised for Justices, Judges and Senior Judicial Officers by the commission in Abuja recently.

She told the judges at the workshop that the important role of the Judiciary in ensuring that the pension reform remains on course and deepened, as

enshrined in the PRA 2014 cannot be overemphasised.

“Therefore, in discharging this task, the Judiciary requires a forum such as the present one, for in-depth discourse on the provisions of the PRA 2014, as well as legal and institutional frameworks of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Accordingly, this workshop has been structured to achieve these important objectives”, said the PenCom boss.

She said to ensure total understanding of workings of the CPS scheme by the participants, PenCom, had carefully considered and selected the speakers at the workshop, in order to ensure effective delivery of its content.

“They include the pioneer Director General of the Commission, Mr. Muhammad Ahmad, Senior Legal practitioners and Pension Operators, adding that their papers would also be discussed by distinguished judicial officers and legal luminaries.

According to her, topics covered at the workshop have also been carefully designed to provide a clear and lucid understanding of the pertinent legal and regulatory aspects of the CPS that would enhance the knowledge of the Judicial Officers.

Major areas of discussion at the workshop include general overview of the CPS in Nigeria; the Application of Regulatory

and Supervisory tools in the Nigerian Pension Industry; Perspectives on the Administration of Retirement and Terminal Benefits; Appraisal of the Regime of Administrative Sanctions, Offences and Penalties under the PRA 2014; An Examination of the Compliance and Enforcement Activities of PenCom and the Effectiveness of Dispute Resolution Mechanisms under the PRA 2014.

She told the legal luminaries of her expectation that at the end of the 2-day Workshop, the Justices and Judges would consider the workshop worthwhile due to the knowledge shared and imbibed on the Contributory Pension Scheme.

“The National Pension

Commission (the Commission) organised this workshop within the ambit of its mandate of conducting public awareness, enlightenment and education on the establishment, operations and management of the CPS, as stipulated in Section 23 (f) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014. This Workshop is the third in the series organised specifically for the Honourable Justices and Judicial Officers as part of the continuous effort to disseminate knowledge and understanding of the rudiments and mechanism of the CPS, in order to facilitate the onerous task of adjudication on pension matters by the Honourable Justices and Judges of the apex and lower courts,” she stated.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

25

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NCDMB Applauds LADOL Compliance with Local Content Law Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has lauded activities at the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL), saying the indigenous oil and gas logistics service provider is a testimony of the success story of Local Content laws in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the regulatory agency, Simbi Kesiye Wabote stated this in Lagos when he led a team of his officials and other top industry service providers on a facility tour of the base at the Apapa Ports Complex, Lagos.

LADOL is currently playing host to the fabrication of a $3.8 billion oil and gas logistics service facility commonly known as the Floating Production Storage and Offloading –FPSO rig, otherwise called the Egina project.

The project, which has been applauded as first -of- its- kind in the sub-Saharan Africa is being handled by the Korea-based Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) on behalf of Total Oil Exploration, with LADOL serving as its local content partner.

Accompanied by top management officials of some multinational oil companies

comprising of Adax, Chevron, Eni and TOTAL, the Executive Secretary pointed out that the visit was essentially to carry out an on –the-spot assessment of the level of local content compliance on the project so far.

Wabote who noted that the compliance level was satisfactory, said he was particularly gratified that such remarkable fit was coming from a 100 per-cents Nigerian-owned facility, “even as they are moving up in compliance with our directives.

“It is really a pleasure to be here for the first time since my appointment, though my agency has been working closely with LADOL over the years. We are here specifically to appraise the Egina project, and I can safely say that LADOL is a poster child of Nigerian Local Content development with over 90 per-cents Nigerians working in the facility.”

While urging the management to remain committed to its set goals and objectives in ensuring cost savings, jobs creation as well as technology development, he said the board will apply, “all available instruments to galvanize patronage for the facility.”

He said: “The current administration is working hard to create

jobs, and that is part of what LADOL is doing here. They have embraced local content and that has a multiplier effect of lowering cost of doing business.”

Explaining further, he said when activities such as the Egina fabrication are taking place where the facility would be required, cost is reduced.

“Security of supplies is also an important factor here. It reduces cost tremendously, and that is good for business, “he added.

Earlier during the facility tour, the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi told her guests that the location of LADOL in Lagos was informed by the growth in oil and gas activities in the country, and that a deep offshore logistics company in the region will guarantee an effective control of domestication of deep offshore activities in the industry.

She said deliberate efforts were made in arriving at the choice of the location in order, “to make sure that we build facilities that are cost efficient where people will be able to come in and come out 24/7.”

According to her, with facilities such as LADOL in the country, healthy competition with other emerging oil and gas countries in the global arena is guaranteed.

NLC Moves to Save 531 Jobs at Abia Line Network Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia As Abia Line Network Transport Company flounders under harsh business environment, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has initiated moves to save the jobs of 531 workers of the state owned company.

To this end, labour leaders from NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council have held meetings with the management of the beleaguered transport company and produced a position paper articulating the problems of the firm and the way out.

It was gathered that the labour leaders after listening to the management of Abia Line came out with a different view of the challenges facing the company and why it has been difficult for

the company to pay workers for several months now.

Among other things the labour leaders came to terms with the fact that Abia Line has over bloated work force mostly female workers who were employed by the last management of the company largely to satisfy political interests.

Abia chairman of NLC, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe told THISDAY that labour was indeed making strenuous efforts to save jobs at Abia Line, adding that the position paper on the way out of the daunting challenges facing the company was ready. He said that the document containing the life lien for Abia Line would soon be submitted to both the management of the company and the state government to act on it.

Though the general manager

of Abia Line, Mr. Ugochukwu Uwaeke acknowledged that the company was experiencing hard times as its activities have slowed down and investors’ confidence waned, he nonetheless assured that once a conducive business environment was put in place by government the company would find its feet.

The situation at Abia Line has become so dire that the company now has less than 200 buses down from over 2,000 franchised buses hence it its revenue generation has dipped drastically, leaving the company to struggle for breath.

But the state ministry of transport appears not to be helping matters as directives from the ministry was making it hard for the state-owned transport company to compete with private transport operators that have loading bays within the city centre.

Goldberg Unveils “Your Excellency”as Credential Campaign Raheem Akingbolu Nigerian Breweries Plc has unveiled Goldberg lager beer as “Your Excellency” in a new credential campaign launched in Lagos and Ibadan. According to the company, “Your Excellency”, as an appellation for Goldberg, reinforces its leading position in the market.

Corporate Communications/ Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Patrick Olowokere, said “as you know, the honorific, “Your Excellency” is used to address the highest authorities in many political, religious and monarchical circles. As a beer brewed to golden standards by the master brewer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Goldberg’s excellent credentials earns it the name “Your

Excellency” among its peers.

Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Agu, further emphasised the fact that as a brand that demonstrates its high regard for the culture and traditions of its target consumers, it’s not without a valid reason that “Your Excellency” is the befitting title for the befitting beer, Goldberg. “No other beer brand matches Goldberg’s respect for the people’s culture. From its support of world renowed cultural festivals in Nigeria including the Osun Osogbo festival, the Ojude Oba festival, the Udiroko festival, the recent installation of the new Oba of Benin to its promotion of Fuji music, Goldberg demonstrates that it occupies a class of its

own in adding value to the way of life of the people.”

According to Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni, “just as “Your Excellency” is at the apex of all kinds of addresses used for occupants of certain positions of high standing all over the world, that is how “Your Excellency” is a befitting address for the befitting beer, Goldberg.”

The launch of the campaign attracted a large turnout of consumers as well as the company’s distributors in Lagos and Ibadan. The events featured colourful cultural performances as well as an appearance by wave making Lil Kesh in Lagos and the popular Small Doctor in Ibada.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

Black Friday, True or a Hoax I love retail therapy! My husband says I am most energetic and animated when we go shopping.

He is a typical man who hates shopping and especially hates the idea of following me shopping. I fit the bill of the stereotypical woman who likes to go from one shop to the other checking out bargains and going back to the first shop to eventually buy the item of interest.

My reasoning, like all women is that I do not want to be cheated.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I saw the adverts, flyers and billboards screaming at me about the huge sales for Black Friday. Very loud and clear it was! Many retailers promised between 30 percent to 70 percent discounts on goods in their stores.

The most striking were the hypermarkets taking vantage positions on the express ways, which must have cost them a bundle going by rates charged by outdoor advertising agencies.

I was hooked and looked forward to the shops opening. I wanted to start my Christmas shopping on time. Early on 25 November, I went into one of the hypermarkets that had promised seventy percent discount and was grossly disappointed. Everything I planned to stock up on was not on sale and this great discount that had been promised was not evident to me.

To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I ended up buying a few necessities and leaving, but the shop was full, paying for my items was challenging because of the long queues.

I went home to nurse my disappoint, then heard about somebody who went into this same store 4 days before to buy electronics before the sale started.

She was told by the sales men to come in on Friday, because the Black Friday sales would start then. She went into the store again on Thursday and saw the items still priced at Monday’s price and promised the sales men, she would be back the next day to buy the items.

Promptly, the next day she went into the store and was shocked to find out the sales price was the previous normal price of the item.

She thought, this could not be true, as this was the price she saw before.

On enquiry, she was told that new stock came in on Wednesday and they had to reflect the current price in view of dollar rate realities.

You cannot begin to imagine how disappointed she must have felt at this occurrence. She felt betrayed and deceived, more because she had seen the price the day before and felt they were lying.

In view of the above, is Black Friday, true or a Hoax? What is the true history of Black Friday and how did it get its name? “Black Friday is the phenomenon that takes place in the US on the day after Thanksgiving Thursday, when millions of consumers who get the day off from work or school crowd the stores for what is traditionally considered the beginning of

Christmas shopping season.

It is also said to be the day retailers finally begin to show a profit for the year (in accounting terms, moving from being in the “red” to “in the black”) after operating at an overall loss all year round through to mid- November.” The day also became popular because retailers knew they could draw crowds by discounting prices. Black Friday became the day to shop, even better than last minute Christmas sales and prices are meant to be slashed.”

The operating word in the last sentence is slashed. For the lady with the hope of buying electronics, she did not enjoy a sale in fact the price was jacked up to her disappointment. According to Maurie Backman, Black Friday is one of the worst days to shop. He says, the goal of a typical Black Friday salesman is to attract customers to buy by offering a few product at so-called discounts. Then once those “deals” run out, the retailers still have you in their hooks, because you are already in their stores or their sites, at which point you are more likely to buy something else – even if it is not on sale, which is what happened to me.

He goes on to say, that one thing to keep in mind is that advertised “deals” tend to be very limited in quantity. Even if you are willing to camp out in the parking lot to be one of the first people in line when the door opens, you might still lose out on the product you were hoping to buy.

Also, in speaking about deals that were too good to pass up, when I saw the proposed discounts, I developed my long list of choice items to buy only to find out that these items were not on sale. This is because many retailers cannot afford to give such items at great discounts even if they advertise so. I found out that only the second rate items and versions known as “derivatives” were on offer for such discounts.

Forbes magazine asked a pertinent question “is Black Friday the one day that retailers in an act of holiday goodwill, commit financial seppuku for your benefit?

Or is it a duplicitous marketing gimmick where, at best, you’ll save a few dollars on a TV brand that did not exist three weeks before?” Of course not! Nobody loves you that much.

According to a study conducted by a consumer watch dog. The report found that 49% of 2015 Black Friday deals in the UK were actually cheaper at other points in the year? The report tracked prices for 178 items across multiple major retailers for three months before Black Friday 2015 and found that the retailers were purporting to offer huge discounts when in fact the items hadn’t been the higher “was” price before then – prices had been significantly jacked up for Black Friday .

My conclusion is that though some retailers may actually be true to the concept of declaring “real sales” on “Black Friday” not all are keeping faith with this declaration. Black Friday deals and sales in general should always be taken with a pinch of salt unless you trust the retailer and have been convinced over time that it is real to avoid being conned.

- Marie-Therese Phido is Sales & Market Strategist and Business Coach Email: mphido@elevato.com.ng tweeter handle @osat2012 TeL: 08090158156 (text only)

26

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

EQUITIES WATCH

Guinness Nigeria in Dire Need of Equity Financing Given Guinness Nigeria’s huge financing cost arising from foreign borrowing, there is urgent need for the firm to consider equity financing, writes Goddy Egene When Guinness Nigeria Plc recorded a loss of N2.347 billion for the year ended June 30, 2016 for the first time in 30 years, the Managing Director/CEO of the company, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, had attributed the loss to tough economic environment and challenges with naira devaluation.

“Our performance this year was impacted by two major factors, one being the very tough economic challenges around consumer spending, driving consumer preferences towards value brands across the sector, the other, and more significant factor being the effect of foreign exchange policy and the devaluation of the Naira. When you take out the impact of the latter, our underlying performance for the year was broadly in line with the prior year in spite of the pressure on the top line,” he said.

No doubt the above challenges are still prevalent in the system and although the board and management of Guinness Nigeria are striving to ensure a better performance, the reliance of the company on debt financing is posing a big challenge. This was obvious in the first quarter (Q1) result ended September 30, 2016, which showed a loss of N2.226 billion, as against a profit of N362 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.

First quarter financial result According to the performance of Guinness Nigeria for the Q1, revenue was N23 billion in 2017 up from N21.7 billion in 2016. Cost of sale rose from N12.4 billion to N16.4 billion, leading to gross profit of N6.572 billion compared to N9.304 billion. Guinness Nigeria strived to reduce marketing and distribution expenses from N5.527 billion to N6.572 billion, while administrative expenses fell from N2.473 billion to N2.327 billion. As a result, operating profit stood at N685 million, down from N1.447 billion in 2016.

However, a spike in finance cost led to the company ending the quarter with a loss. Specifically, Guinness Nigeria recorded finance cost of N2.226 billion in 2017, up by 212 per cent from N929 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2016. Of the finance cost, N906 million was interest expenses on loans and borrowings, as against N699 million in 2016.

But N2.203 billion was incurred as loss on foreign exchange transactions, due to impact of the devaluation of the naira on the company’s foreign loans.

Consequently, the company ended with a loss of N2.226 billion, compared with a profit of N362 million in 2016.

Commenting on the Q1 result, Ndegwa said the revenue growth was in spite of continuing challenges in the operating environment.

“The environment remains tough but we have seen contributions from our mainstream and international premium spirits brands as well as continuing growth of our value brands. These were the key drivers of the 6% revenue growth recorded for the quarter. Our cost of sales was impacted by the high inflationary environment and continuing currency devaluation leading to a reduction in operating profit. The higher finance cost in the quarter is due to the impact of unrealised foreign exchange losses as a result of the currency devaluation.”

He noted that going innovation will continue to be a big part of the company’s strategy as it looks to deepen its participation in the mainstream and value segments.

“We will also continue to invest behind our brands with a key focus on building the right portfolio for future growth and re-shaping our organisation to take advantage of what is likely to continue to be a challenging market in the short to medium term,” he added.

enhanced focus on the spirits business. In view of this, our outlook on the company remains relatively positive in the medium to long term.

As such, we have cut our earnings per share (EPS) forecast by around 11 per cent on average over the 2018-19E period and our price target by nine per cent to N72.68.

The analysts said the despite the y/y sales growth and a 25 per cent decline in opex, a gross margin contraction (-1,424bps to 28.6 per cent) and an increase in net finance costs (+212 per cent y) were significant, and drove the losses reported.

“Further down the profit & loss, the company reported a post-tax loss of N2.2 billion which compares with PAT of N362 million reported in Q1 2016. On a sequential basis, sales declined by -29 per cent q/q which we attribute to seasonality - the end-Sep quarter is one the brewers’ weaker quarters. The pretax loss compares with N3.6 billion in Q4 2016 while the post-tax loss compares with –N2.9 billion in Q4 2016,” they said.

Looking ahead, the analysts said they expect elevated finance charges.

Although Guinness Nigeria was able to grow

New Spirits brewing lines In a move to boost to the company’s ambition to source 75 per cent of its production raw materials locally in the next two years, Guinness Nigeria recently inaugurated spirits production lines in Benin City, Edo State.

Some of the brands to be manufactured locally include Smirnoff X1, intense chocolate vodka, Smirnoff Extra Smooth Vodka, Gordon’s Dry Gin, Moringa Citrus Blend, McDowell’s No. 1 Reserved Whisky, McDowell’s VSOP and Royal

GUINNESS FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL SUMMARY 30 28 26 24 22

Sept. 2015/ 2016

N23bn

Sept. 2016/ 2017

N21.7bn

20

Sept. 2015/ 2016

18

N16.4bn

16

Sept. 2016/ 2017

14

N12.4bn

12

Analysts’ comments Assessing the results, analysts at FBN Quest said results were disappointing.

“Consequently, we have cut our earnings estimate for full year (FY) 2017E significantly.

Regardless of the near term challenges, we expect to see modest signs of recovery on the back of its import substitution strategies and

sales during the quarter, the ongoing fx challenges weighed on its results. Firstly, gross margins contracted by over -1,000bps largely because a significant portion of its raw materials are sourced externally. Also, the company booked an fx translation loss of N2.2 billion. We recall that Guinness Nigeria took on a $26 million loan in the end-Jun 2016 quarter. While the CBN’s intervention to maintain fx stability has seen some modest results, the naira may still see a mild depreciation by the end of the year.

We expect finance charges to remain elevated until the company is able to refinance its US$ denominated debt,” they said.

10

Sept. 2015/ 2016

08

Sept. 2016/ 2017

N9.30bn

N6.57bn

06

Sept. 2015/ 2016 Sept. 2016/ N2.327bn 2017

04

N0.929bn

02

Sept.

2015/ 2016

(-N2.22bn)

Sept.

2016/ 2017

N0.362bn

0

REVENUE

COST OF SALES

GROSS PROFIT

FINANCE COST

LOSS AFTER TAX

Challenge Finest Premium Whisky.

Speaking on the development, Chairman of Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Savage said.

Guinness Nigeria has a strong heritage in Nigeria and in Benin the company built its brewery there in 1974 with a robust portfolio of brands.

“Today, we add to that strong heritage with the commissioning of our spirits production line in Nigeria – a first for Guinness Nigeria.

With this line, we are now able to produce previously imported spirits locally and we are able to offer a wider variety of products to our consumers at a more affordable price point,” Savage said.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to making a marked and positive difference in the lives of Nigerians via strategic social interventions.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, Guinness Nigeria is interested in more than running a profitable business, we are also enriching our communities with investments in the areas of provision of water, health facilities and education scholarships to mention a few.

As an example, in the water sector to date, we have impacted over 1.5million people in Nigeria through the provision of potable water to 25 communities in 14 States across Nigeria,” Savage said.

Also speaking, President, Diageo Africa, John O’Keffe, noted that the inauguration of the spirits line, reinforces Guinness Nigeria’s position as the first and only Total Beverage Alcohol (TBA) company in Nigeria.

“Guinness Nigeria is now able to offer a truly broad portfolio of beer, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks to consumers at every category and price point. Innovation is a competitive advantage for us in this market and we have a strong innovation pipeline with plans to introduce some exciting new products for our consumers to enjoy. Also our commitment to local sourcing is further strengthened by the commissioning of this plant that will produce preciously imported spirits, using locally supplied raw materials. As part of our broader local raw materials (LRM) sourcing, we are looking to increase our locally sourced production inputs to 70 in the coming years,” O’Keffe stated.

27

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Azevedo: Nigerians are Full of Entrepreneurial Spirit The Head of Investment, Africa Head of CIB Portugal, Citibank, Mr. Miguel Azevedo, in this interview with Nume Ekeghe in London recently, expressed optimism that the entrepreneurial spirit in Nigeria would lift the nation out of the recession faster than expected. Excerpts What is your assessment of the Nigerian economy?

The Nigerian economy is obviously suffering from its commodity dependency and low oil prices. And they cannot do anything about low volumes of oil extracted, which they should be able to do something about. One area of focus is to get oil production up to two million barrels per day that is absolutely critical in the very short term. Over the medium term, I think we need guidance from the government in terms of agriculture policies, industrial policy and diversification of the economy. I am extremely optimistic in terms of the ability of Nigerian individuals, Nigerian small corporates, and Nigerian medium size corporates to making their businesses work. Nowhere in the continent would you see the entrepreneurial spirit that you see in Nigeria. Over the medium term, you need to unleash the currency to be available and I know that in the short term, it is going to be extremely painful, but there is no alternative in my view. And over the medium to long term, everything boils down to infrastructure.

Still on the currency, how do you think we can address the current challenge in the foreign exchange market?

The market is not working freely and I think people will only bring FX into Nigeria if they believe that things will work properly and are sustainable. So you need to allow markets to work. It would be very painful in the shortterm, I think and to be honest, I don’t see any alternative. The truth is that you have to allow the market work and if you do that, then you create a positive spiral and things would start happening.

As the Head of Investments in Africa for Citibank, what are the major concerns investors have about Nigeria, aside from the currency issue?

Currency is the main concern and it is the pinnacle of everything because all the inbalances in the economy translate to currency weakness.

Investors will come in if they see the structural issues being addressed. No one is expecting the infrastructure or the power problems to be addressed all at once. People need to see very specific examples of things happening- refinery working, railways working and power plants dispatching electricity. You need that to happen so people regain confidence. So if you have 10 very symbolic and visible projects materialise for people to say “okay the problems are being addressed - let’s go in and take advantage of the growth”. Otherwise people would say it is not really happening I better wait. And there is nothing more lethal than “I better wait” because if you keep waiting, it won’t happen.

Nigeria is in a recession, specifically what reforms would you advice the federal government to put in place so that the economy can come out of this situation?

Power and transportation - these are the two priorities. Power, I mean the whole thing; transformation of gas to power. You have good examples of things happening but you need to replicate that and you need more of those. For example the power plant Azura, you would need five Azura. You have the refineries; you may need more of that. You need railway projects and then you need to have clear agriculture policies in terms of incentivising people. If you allow people have access to land, fertilisers things will happen. There is no quick fix, if you use to live with oil at $100 per barrel and now it is at $50 per barrel, it will take time. But guess what, maybe it is a blessing in disguise. This will force Nigeria to diversify.

Effectively, economies only diversify through external pressures.

What is your assessment on the banking sector in Nigeria?

There are different levels of banks in Nigeria. There are some banks that are very well capitalised and very solid. Others have some

Azevedo

difficulties and basically what you need is to ensure that banks have the right levels of capital and the right ability to adjust to some of the challenges on the credit side. Of course you know that there was a massive involvement of local and international banks in financing acquisition oil blocks. That needs to be flexible; you need to give more time for those loans to be restructured. But that happens everywhere so I don’t see much of a problem there. In order to see efficiency in the banking system, increase consolidation. I think that makes sense for banks to be more efficient, more productiv e and more profitable. We have seen that everywhere around the world so I would expect that to happen in Nigeria.

Presently, we are a population of over 180 million and large percentage is still unbanked. What would you advise we do to address this?

I think new technologies will help a lot and would make available financial services easier and close to the final user. This is a very big element and this will be done by new organisations and existing organisation. I know that the banks are investing massively in becoming digital and the development of agriculture and light manufacturing that will attract people into the formal economy. That will in itself make people feel the need to be banked, so it is a combination for providing more services in an easier way but also bringing people into the formal economy where they need the banking services. It will take time because the size of the unbanked population is massive but I can give you one statistics off my head which is not in Nigeria but in Kenya. There was one

relatively small bank launched a service were they can give small loans ranging from $1 to $50 for a short period of time. They launched that process and in one year, they have 3 million new clients. Right now, they do more than 100,000 transactions per day. That is $33 million transactions per year. So the demand is there, the need is there, if you make you make it available, it would happen.

Are you saying that if we can create access to small loans it would increase the inclusion of the unbanked?

I think so. These are very small loans people use to buy agricultural products and then they sell or to buy fertilisers to produce. This is really individuals getting money to put to work and is what creates jobs. Because I think one big challenge for Nigeria is to create jobs for more people.

With the election of Donald Trump as United States president, what do you expect from the U.S-Africa trade relationship, particularly with Nigeria?

Let’s wait and see, let’s not anticipate more trouble. Sometimes, if you look back in history, some of the US administrations that were more friendly and supportive are not necessarily those that speak more about Africa. So speaking is one thing and actually doing is another. I don’t think the US would become totally protective, I don’t think so. And to be honest, and what we have seen in terms of the rhetoric’s of Donald Trump during the campaign doesn’t really apply to Africa. I don’t think he sees any problem in terms of the relationship between the US and Africa. I think Africa is a very large market

for American companies and that is good for America. So obviously in the short term and through the financial market rates going up ad that is negative for Africa, but that is not designed to hit Africa but it is a negative development.

I wouldn’t be too worried, I think Africa has a lot more it needs to do for itself rather than thinking about the US president.

You had mentioned earlier about financing infrastructure from within, can you shed more light on that?

Nigeria is actually a very interesting country, and the level of savings in the pension funds is quit massive, about $30 billion. So a portion of that can be made available to invest in infrastructure and to give very reasonable returns in the long term. And if you do that, it would attract capital and you need to attract capital to build infrastructure. But to attract capital from outside, you have to have capital from inside the country and if you put the two together, you would generate good return. Also you need to structure them properly. It is not like investing in a power plant or distribution company and then no one collects the electricity. The whole system needs to be consistent and needs to be working. But if you get private entrepreneurs to really go for it and there is profit in it, it will happen. And if you allow a lot of people to get to the middle like state owned companies were people don’t necessarily maximise the interest of the company. Anywhere in world that is the reason we have privatisation because private companies are more efficient than state owned companies. So create a framework, get some local capital and external capital will come and then things will happen.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Wema Bank Continues to Sustain Growth Wema Bank Plc has continued to show resilience despite the challenges facing the industry, writes Obinna Chima There is no doubt that the Nigerian banking sector has been facing some challenges due to weakness in the country’s macroeconomic indices.

From a decline in the quality of assets in the industry, to rising non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio, decline in core liquid assets, among others, some banks have been struggling to weather the storm.

Fitch Ratings recently noted that the banking industry will remain challenging considering low oil prices, continued disruptions in oil production and constraints regarding the forex liquidity. As such, the industry could witness a rise in non-performing loan (NPL) ratios, though Fitch expects banks to remain profitable in 2016.

However, the rating agency affirmed Wema Bank’s Long-term National Rating of Wema Bank at BBB-. This, the agency said was reflective of the bank’s stable outlook and continued viability, in spite of the challenging macro-economic environment. The Long-term IDR of Wema Bank also remained Stable at B-, as the rating was driven by the bank’s VR. It stated that it does not expect any material change in the bank’s intrinsic creditworthiness.

Wema Bank’s strengths, which underpin its long and short-term ratings, include the bank’s strong risk management culture, low NPL exposure and good liquidity levels.

Managing Director of Wema Bank, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, stated that the rating was an affirmation of the bank’s continued transformation, risk culture and positioning, as one of the major players within Nigeria’s retail banking landscape. He said the bank’s affirmed rating further reinforced its resolve to remain a smarter and efficient bank, driven by innovation and technology. ]The Journey So Far The bank celebrated its 71st anniversary in May this year. Established on May 2, 1945 as Agbonmagbe Bank, the financial institution has undergone rapid transformation. Widely reputed as the longest surviving and most resilient indigenous Nigerian bank, Wema Bank Plc has over the years, diligently offered a fully-fledged range of value-adding banking and financial advisory services to the Nigerian public.

Incorporated in 1945 as a Private Limited Liability Company (under the old name of Agbomagbe Bank Limited) and commencing banking operations in Nigeria the same year, Wema Bank later transformed into a Public Limited Company (PLC) in April 1987 and was listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in January 1990. On February 5, 2001, Wema Bank Plc was granted a universal banking licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), thus allowing it over the years to provide the Nigerian public with diverse financial and business advisory services.

Wema Bank after staying for seven years as a regional bank decided to upgrade to a national bank and has rising from a negative position, to a profitable financial institution, despite the challenges in the industry.

In its 2016 half year financials, Wema bank reported an 11 per cent rise in profit and a 15 per cent rise in turnover. The bank delivered an Interest income of N20.2 billion, a 15 per cent increase from N17.5 billion in the first half of 2015, while its fee and commission income also jumped by 42.3 per cent, from N2.2 billion in the first half of 2015 to N3.1 billion in the first half of 2016. The bank also recorded a 13.7 per cent growth in total assets, from N344.64 billion in the first half of 2015 to N391 billion in the first half of 2016.

Furthermore, its operating expenses grew marginally by 2.7 per cent.

“Six years ago, we took a decision to refocus the bank’s operations on its areas of strength and build a sustainable institution. We took advantage of the new licensing regime and applied for a regional authorisation with a pledge to expand in the near future, once the turnaround project was completed.

Oloketuyi

“The bank’s transformation was implemented in three phases -first to stabilise the bank, second to prepare the building blocks for growth and third to go for growth. We are now within the third phase of the transformation project,”

The 2016 financial year has been characterised by deceleration on a number of economic indicators coupled with increasing energy costs, intensified by rising inflation, all within a tough operating environment. In spite of these challenges, Wema Bank has been able to deliver a modest improvement in the first half of the year

Oloketuyi explained.

He added: “The 2016 financial year has been characterised by deceleration on a number of economic indicators coupled with increasing energy costs, intensified by rising inflation, all within a tough operating environment.

“In spite of these challenges, Wema Bank has been able to deliver a modest improvement in the first half of the year. We commence the second half of the year with a sense of cautious optimism; well aware that the economic fundamentals point to an economy heading for further slowdown, yet hopeful that additional fiscal initiatives will be implemented to stimulate growth.”

Capital Raising The bank receyelp raised N50 billion tier-2 capital, by issuing a bond. The first tranche was N20 billion and the second tranche was N30 billion.

“In recapitalising an institution, what you need to watch out is your optimum capital.

Sometimes, if you make it all tier-1, it may not just be the optimal that you need. So, sometimes you also need to have some dose of tier-2.

“In 2009 when we took over, we had a distressed institution and all indices pointed to that direction. As at December 2009, the audited financial statement showed a negative capital of N45 million and the bank was totally on its knees. The share of market we had then was less 0.6 per cent. Equipment and processes and the platforms we were running were obsolete and the core banking application we had which is the platform we use to serve our customers, was old to the

level that it couldn’t be supported by those who supported them.

“The non-performing loan ratio was 89 per cent and the performance of the bank was poor. So, we came in and said we need to have a containment strategy to stop the bleeding and stabilise the bank. So, between 2010 and 2014, was largely to give life back to the bank.

“A distressed bank needs to be turned around to a performing bank. Of course, you need capital for any business, more so for banking which is a regulated business. So, the first major assignment we did was to recapitalise the bank. Today we have been able to completely turn around the bank,” Oloketuyi explained.

Promoting Financial Inclusion In its bid to promote financial include, Wema Bank in collaboration with Etisalat Nigeria recently collaborated to introduce the ‘WemaEasySavers,’ a tier-1 savings account, targeted at youths. The USSD based account is a seamless process where existing Etisalat customers can open instant account by dailing *945*10# and can be used instantly for transactions of up to N30,000 daily. However, it can be upgraded any time to other account types that give higher transaction limits.

Speaking at the launch, Oloketuyi said the initiative marked the beginning of greater things to come and greater services in Wema bank as the bank forges ahead with its growth strategy.

He also said the bank has been stabilised and on the path of growth, and has invested a lot on technology which positioned it to receive this strategic partnership with Etisalat.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

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Advertorial

30

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 T H I S D AY

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA www.cbn.gov.ng

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF ENTERPRISE NETWORK SECURITY (SECURE GATEWAY) SOLUTION FOR THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

CBN/ITD/RFP/ENS/2016/011 1. The Central Bank of Nigeria (hereafter referred to as “CBN” or “the Bank”), being the apex Bank of the country, occupies a central position in the economic and social development of Nigeria. In order to fulfil its vision of being the best in class among the world's central banks has deployed Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and enterprise applications to support its core business processes and enable delivery of its strategic objectives. The Bank seeks to improve its security posture by upgrading some of its devices; that provides protection for CBN's application servers, for perimeter security/remote access and solution for web content filtering.

2. CBN now invites sealed bids from bidders for the supply and consulting services for implementation, training and maintenance support after warranty of the following: a.

Lot 1: Solution to provide protection for CBN's application servers. b.

Lot 2: Solution for perimeter security and remote access. c.

Lot 3: Solution for web content filtering.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is being extended to a set of eligible and competent Vendors.

3. Proposals from single vendors or from multiple vendors working together as a team will both be considered. The ideal vendor(s) will have certified knowledge and verifiable capacity and experience in the software industry. Experience in the public or banking sector is preferred, but not mandatory.

GENERAL REQUIREMENT Interested and competent vendors wishing to provide the above service to CBN must submit the following documents for verification:a.)

Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission b.)

Certified true copy of Memorandum and Article of Association. c.)

Evidence of payment of tax for the last three (3) years as and when due. (Such evidence should reflect the value of the projects undertaken by the company in the last three (3) years). d.)

Evidence of registration with Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). e.)

Current Pension Clearance Certificate from PENCOM. f.)

Evidence of Compliance Certificate with the provisions of Section 6(1)(3) of the amended Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Act No.19 of 2011. g.)

Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers. h.)

Evidence of Three Star Checkpoint Partnership Status. i.)

Current company's audited statement of account. j.)

Comprehensive company profile including registered address, functional contact email address, GSM phone number(s), facsimile number(s). k.)

Verifiable evidence of similar jobs successfully executed in the past. l.)

Reference letter from bank stating financial ability to carry out such service(s).

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT While items “a” to “h” above are mandatory, availability and completeness of the others will attract rating.

COLLECTION OF BID DOCUMENTS Interested companies who possess the above minimum requirements may collect the bidding documents on the payment of a non-refundable fee of N50, 000.00 (Bank Draft in favor of Central Bank of Nigeria) from: The Secretary, Major Contracts Tenders Committee 2nd Floor, Wing C CBN Head Office Complex, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT Nigeria.

Phone No: 09-462-37216 SUBMISSION Completed tender documents, including all the above listed documents should be forwarded in wax sealed envelope boldly marked at the top left corner: “REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF ENTERPRISE NETWORK SECURITY (SECURE GATEWAY) SOLUTION FOR THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA'' And addressed to: The Secretary, Major Contracts Tenders Committee 2nd Floor, Wing C CBN Head Office Complex, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT Nigeria.

Phone No: 09-462-37216 E-mail: mctc@cbn.gov.ng Closing Date th All submissions must be received at the above Office not later than 12:00 noon on 19 January, 2017.

Opening Date th All submissions will be opened immediately after close of submission of the bid on 19 January, 2017.

IMPORTANT NOTICE A) Nothing in the advert shall be construed to be a commitment on the part of the CBN. B) The successful company(s) will be notified formally.

For further information, please call: 07002255226

Signed: MANAGEMENT

31

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Bayelsa Beyond Oil Emmanuel Addeh writes that with the renewed attention to fish farming by the Bayelsa government, obviously due to falling oil prices, and the state’s comparative advantage in aquaculture, it’s only a matter of time before revenues from the sale of seafood would compare favorably with other revenue sources With the dwindling federal allocations to states, and growing citizens’ dissatisfaction with their leaders, Nigerian political leaders seem to be learning the hard way how not put all their eggs in one basket.

Before now, being the fourth highest receiver of the monthly windfall, coming just behind Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta, ‘business as usual’ was the name of the game. After all, there was always the next Abuja rendezvous to look forward to.

But in the last one year, it has, perhaps dawned on many Nigerian governors, especially those from the Niger Delta that they could no longer rely on income from oil due to its unpredictability.

In this connection, the Bayelsa State government seems to have seized the gauntlet, given the volatility of revenues from oil accruing to the state, which at a point peaked at over N20 billion naira and then fell to an all-time low of N2.5 billion just a few months ago.

The Seriake Dickson administration is probably living up to the saying that ‘good things can emerge from very bad situations’ and appears to be considering its options away from the black gold.

As in Nigeria, unemployment remains a major problem in the state and compounding this has been the effect of the biting economic recession which led to the laying off of able-bodied young men and women who hitherto earned a living working (mostly as casual workers) offshore in oil serving firms around the Delta.

Weighing the looming consequence of a jobless, highly energetic youth population, the government has gone back to the basics, one for which it was popular before oil became the ‘be all and the end all’...fishery.

Bayelsa State has always had relative advantage in fishing and farming, given the God-given topography. Therefore, it only made sense for the government to go back to its roots.

Indeed, experts in the field of agro-business assert that the southern region of Nigeria where Bayelsa State is located, has one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and could actually feed the whole of West Africa if it seriously gets to work.

Also, the state has one of the highest rainfalls in Nigeria, with an annual average of approximately 140 centimetres per year (and up to 400 centimetres in some areas), with just a short dry season between November and March.

So, aside the renewed attention given to rice farming, especially its investments in 4,000 hectares of rice farm at Peremabiri, 5,000 hectares at Isampou and 2,000 hectares at Kolo and the establishment of a cassava starch processing plant with a capacity to produce 600 tons of industrial starch per annum and an out growers scheme of 600 hectares cassava farm, the state has recently turned to aquaculture.

Aquaculture, the rearing or culturing of fish in a largely confined system of water became the next port of call, probably because of over-fishing in the high seas, rivers and lakes, brought about by commercial fishermen, which has drastically reduced fish stocks to an alarming level.

Indeed, there would be a ready market for this, since local fish supply cannot meet the rising demand in Nigeria as a result of population growth, resulting in heavy dependence on imported frozen fish from China, Korea, and Norway into the country.

To bridge this gap, the Bayelsa State government has begun massive investment in that branch of agriculture and would in the next few months, indeed less than three, begin harvesting. But that would be like a drop in the ocean. So, the government says it is expanding the scheme to all the crannies of the state.

In fact, as at 2013, the then Minister of

Already, thousands of persons have been penciled down for employment in the fish village after a thorough screening process, including those that would man the ponds, the administrative staff and those that would work in the hatchery and the feed mill

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson

Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, speaking at the 27th Annual general meeting of Fisheries Society of Nigeria in Yenagoa, posited that the federal government was spending about N97 billion on the importation of 700,000 metric tons of fish annually.

According to him, the country needed 2.66 million metric tons of fish annually to meet national fish protein requirement, but according to him, sadly, Nigeria was only producing 680,000 metric tons from local sources including 200,000 metric tons from aquaculture.

The former minister added at the time that at least N117.7 billion was also spent annually on the importation of fish feeds. The current Bayelsa government probably took a few notes from the revelations from the ex-minister.

It has therefore set up a system that runs through the entire chain, including the establishment of fish ponds, construction of hatcheries and a feed mill that would produce the animal feed which would lead to the saving of scarce foreign exchange.

With more than 500 ponds already functioning in the aquaculture village in Igbogene, outskirts of Yenagoa, and the location of at least a cumulative 800 ponds in all the eight local governments of the state, the governor may just be preparing the ground for exiting the current recession and youth unemployment.

Already, thousands of persons have been penciled down for employment in the fish village after a thorough screening process, including those that would man the ponds, the administrative staff and those that would work in the hatchery and the feed mill.

“It’s a huge village, so we would buy the fish from the workers. They have flats that they would rent within the village, but they are paying far less than what obtains outside.

“Almost everybody working there will live in the village. There’s the tourism aspect of it. People can come and have a tour and then there’s the observatory and this is about 50 points because of the size of the farm,” the state Information Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, told THISDAY. It was learnt that each observatory point would have a security post with radio facilities to link up with others as to the security situation at other points to reduce cases of intrusions.

“Once you cross the line without clearance, security will pick your activities as a trespasser.

So it’s a very secure environment,” he added.

With an expected 5000 fish per pond (50 by 100 in size) per season, the Igbogene fish village alone would produce at least 2.5 million edible fishes per season and 7.5 million in a year.

Coupled with the 800 fish ponds in the eight local councils, coming on stream soon, producing four million per season and 12 million per year, the state could just be on its way to economic recovery.

Furthermore, the hatchery would take all fishes that have eggs and incubate them to replace the harvested ones, thereby continuing the circle.

On an inspection of the fish farms at the weekend, the governor said that the feed mill would produce the whole feed that would be required to take care of the entire school of fishes spread all over the ponds in the state.

He said that with the new improved fingerlings, the maturity period of six months would be reduced to four, which would enable the farmers produce for three seasons in a year instead of two.

“We are also looking at the new fish breed that produces in four months, so that we can have three harvest seasons in a year and this will enable many people to be employed.

“Right now, it has already been extended to two local governments in Southern Ijaw and KOLGA, outside Yenagoa, and we are going to replicate it in all eight local councils with each one having about 150 employment per settlement. Special vehicles will also be made just like our keke, to move tourists around whether on family trips or as individuals,” he noted It was further learnt that there would be a training centre, where the youths of the state will be trained to be able to set up their own private farms and fisheries.

When the feed mill kicks off in a few weeks, farmers in the state who currently travel to Port Harcourt and Lagos to buy feeds, would be getting their feeds from the government-owned mill at a lesser cost, it was learnt.

On the sustainability of the programme, given the short life span of government run businesses in Nigeria, the state government said they would be run by private people who would ensure that the best practices are brought to bear.

“The success of the harvest depends on the profit. Since it will be privately run, the issue of sustainability will not arise and everybody will be carried along,” he said Dickson further disclosed that efforts to fully diversify the state economy beyond oil and gas were fully on course with the massive investment in both farming and fishing in the state.

He explained that the agricultural policy of the state was targeted at empowering young men and women, towards boosting fish production and wealth creation and urged beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity provided by government by linking up with the Ministry of Agriculture and the team that is in charge of the project.

While expressing appreciation to the officials handling the project, particularly the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Doodei Week, Dickson said that the fish farms, are expected to be self-sustaining to boost the revenue of the state.

He expressed optimism that in the next three months the project would be put to use to complement other efforts in the agricultural sector to promote food sufficiency.

It is believed that if the current momentum in the sector is maintained and devoid of unnecessary politicking which the governor has always vowed to shun, then Bayelsa might just become a model state on how to wade through economic recession.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

EDUCATION Maintaining Quality amidst Recession As schools continue to grapple with the challenges caused by the current recession in the country, the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Mandate International, an educational support organisation, Dr. Nelson Ayodele explains to Funmi Ogundare why private schools must maintain their quality and standard and how his organisation has been supporting growing schools for the past 20 years The current recession in the country has no doubt affected and is still affecting various sectors including education. As a result, parents and schools have had to adjust to the reality and those who could no longer afford certain categories of schools for their children had to scale down to the ones they can afford.

Instead of making parents withdraw their children from schools, the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Mandate International (SMI), Dr. Nelson Ayodele believes that if the schools do the right things and maintain their quality and standard, they will still have people that can afford their services.

“It is not only recession that makes parents withdraw children, poor quality of service can make parents withdraw children from schools.

I have been telling all the schools that we work with that this is the time to retain their quality.

Don’t dilute or reduce any content, improve on what you have; this is the time to differentiate between those who are really ready to offer quality education from those who are not. Those who are ready to offer quality education are not badly affected by the recession as others who have never taken quality as a priority over the years.”

He argued that there is no loyalty based on sentiment, but on values, adding that since parents know what they want, private school owners should do the right thing.

“If they are not getting the values, you can’t blame them for withdrawing their children. The schools must put in place the right curriculum, welfare package and training for teachers, providing the right security for the school, giving the children the right food, being current in terms of globalisation and standardisation and the proprietor also attending training programmes.

These are things that will impact on the learning of the children.”

Ayodele regretted that some schools are still using blackboard, saying that as long as such schools remain in the 20th century standard, they may not have the 21st century. “Parents are interested in schools that will bring out the total children.”

He said those that have imbibed the ideals his organisation try to put across to them have witnessed tremendous growth and expansion in their institutions and that many of them have gone from having just one school to having multi-campuses, and also having two to five schools.

“Many of them have moved out of rented premises to their own permanent properties and a lot of them have started their own full boarding schools outside Lagos on large expanse of land and a lot of them have gone farther transforming themselves from just teachers to school proprietors. There are teachers we have trained over the years and motivated.

Even the students that have gone through our trainings all over the world are doing well in their various fields of endeavor.”

Asked how the performance of an ideal school is monitored, he said: “We visit their schools regularly; for instance, if you had attended an international school improvement summit and the next time we visit your school, we will see obvious evidence of improvement like infrastructural upgrade, repainting of your school and renovation of the gates. The results they have been obtaining over the years have improved and their population is on the increase because we always believe that when you do things right as a private school, even as an organisation, you will tend to improve your customer service, more customers will come.

“That is why I said in terms of growth and expansion, most of the schools have imbibed the ideas we are trying to project in their various summits and conferences. On the negative as well, unfortunately, schools that have not been able to do all the things we have been talking about, in terms of improvement and standisation

Ayodele

have closed down right now. Student population has declined, profits have declined and there is nothing to show for what they are doing, so they had to convert their property into shopping mall and residential apartment.”

On how his organisation has helped schools that are falling apart out of the doldrums, Ayodele said it gave them guidelines and prescription such that if their schools are experiencing challenges, they could improve on their customer service, facilities, curriculum, teacher training and extra-curricular programmes for the students.

“When the guidelines are not taken, the schools will begin to experience withdrawal of children. Once population declines from 300 to 200 to 25, at the end of the day, every other parent takes his/her child out of the school and it closes down. We have series of schools did not survive because the challenges of running a private school are huge. If you need to do it very well, you need to do it with some good guidance. That is what we have been trying to do with the schools.”

Ayodele said over the years, his organisation has partnered financial institutions like banks for loan disbursement to schools that are ready to improve, saying, “if you collect a loan and put it into infrastructure upgrade and improvement of your school, welfare of teachers, and a good structure and classrooms, more parents will come. When your population increases from 150 to 250, paying back the loan will not be a problem for you. At the end of the day, most of them who utilised the loan

effectively have been able to pay back. The banks and the parents are equally happy and the school is on a sound footing.

“When they follow these guidelines and get the financial support, we get the right response from the organisations and it will reflect in the number of people that make enquiries and the number that register,” he stressed, adding that the only way to bridge the gap between the highbrow and low income private schools is to take the lower level proprietors to visit the big schools so that they can see what a good school is all about.

“We have also taken some proprietors on foreign trips for courses and conferences, we visit international schools over there and when they see the structure, environment and classrooms, by the time they come back, they try to replicate such in their schools. That is what makes the difference at the end of the day when parents want to have a good look at their schools again.”

On the issue of taxation being levied on private schools, he appealed to the government to reduce the taxation, saying, “even in foreign countries where private schools are coming to do what the government is supposed to be doing, such schools get rebates and grants from government. Here if government cannot give subvention and grants to private schools, then let them not overburden the schools with multiple taxations.

“Though we know that as responsible corporate

citizens, schools are meant to make payments to relevant authority and pay their taxes and register their schools and fulfil some statutory obligations to the government, but it should not be something that will be overburdening.

We are appealing to the government to reduce the taxation and give educational practitioners some form of rebate. Private schools have taken much burden off the government and they should be appreciated for this in all honesty.”

Explaining why the conferences, seminars and workshops organised by his organisation have been tailored towards private schools alone, the CEO said: “We have made efforts in time past; it is just that it is a little bit cumbersome to reach out to public schools, the process and procedures take a long time. There is bureaucratic bottleneck in the approval and before you know it, the term is ended. With private schools, just with a phone call we can tell them our intention and if it is an important need, they will ask us to come and within three days, we have completed the transaction with them.

“Meanwhile in a public school, the same transaction will take nine months before approval could be given. What we do is that when they have something to do, we run programmes for them such as teacher training programme under Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

We have done a free leadership training for some of the public schools which is done as a corporate social responsibility and we have been able to prepare them for their WAEC exams. I remember that we did one in Ikorodu about two years ago, which reflected in the general results of that area.

“We have more activities within the private school system. I have been working with NAPPS and APEN for almost 20 years. I have also worked with AFED; they normally attend some of my programmes. We are glad that the schools that we have worked with are growing and so far it has been a mutually beneficial thing. All the wealth of experience I have personally gathered as I travel around the world for summits and conferences, most of the ideas I get, I bring them down here and share it with the associate schools that we have relationship with.”

Commenting on the standard of education in the country, Ayodele said: “The public schools are still making a lot of efforts to make standardisation cut across the board. For the government, in as much as they need to improve the standard, the allocation that comes to them has dwindled, there is very little they can do, but we will still need to give kudos to a couple of state governments who have set up some model schools, built some new structure that people can see as a ray of hope for raising the standard in public education.

“I am an optimist and I believe that things are going to get better. Things are generally better today than they were before in most of the public schools across the country. I can say that the standard of education is gradually improving not as bad as people paint the picture. I know that with concerted efforts, it can be part of every stakeholder. Asked where he sees SMI in the next 10 years, Ayodele said: “We are going to continue doing what we are doing on a more global level. We intend to start running programmes across West Africa; we are planning to start a West African leadership programme for students where they can gather for instance in Ghana and Togo. We are trying to partner some international agencies that will support the programme so that the children can have more exposure to other countries across West Africa.

“We intend to ensure that our educational practitioners get more exposure to global standard through organising trainings. For instance take them to the Scandinavian countries, including Japan and Korea where educational standard is high. We will definitely be transcending national boundaries in times to come.”

33

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

EDUCATION

FUTA Crisis: Council Inaugurates Investigation Committee Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Dr. Mohammed Shata, has expressed the council’s resolve to address the lingering crisis at the institution in an indepth and holistic manner and to provide a platform for dialogue among all concerned stakeholders .

Briefing journalists in

Abuja, he said the council has resolved to set up an investigation committee that is expected to submit its report and recommendation to the council in the next six weeks.

According to him, the committee will examine the immediate and remote causes of the crisis; make recommendation to the council on appropriate measure to resolve the crisis and recommend to the council actions to be taken to forestall such crisis in future.

Shata, who noted that the effects of the crisis have caused immense loss and damage to the university following protest by aggrieved members, said all efforts made earlier to resolve the crisis were to no avail.

Three staff unions of the university, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Aca-

demic Technologists (NAAT) are calling for the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola based on the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the report from the Auditor General.

The crisis also led to the suspension of 23 workers of the institution which include the chairmen of the

three protesting unions, Dele Durojaiye (SSANU); Bayo Aladerotohun (NASU) and A. Omoraka (NAAT), for alleged insubordination and disobedience to the constituted authority.

While urging the committee to work in a transparent manner and consult widely among stakeholders within and outside the university to accomplish the task with

fairness and integrity, the chairman called on the unions to sheathe their swords, call off the protest and go back to work.

“Let me assure the university community and the public that FUTA Council is committed to restoring peace and normalcy to the campus and will leave no stone unturned to achieve this objective.”

WAEC Honours Outstanding Candidates, Schools, Staff Uchechukwu Nnaike A former student of Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State, Master David Babalola, has been honoured by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the overall best result in the May/ June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

He scored nine A1 in nine subjects; Data Processing, Civic Education, English Language, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Yoruba Language.

The first runner up was Philip Alabi, a former student of Our Lady and St. Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State, who made A1 in eight subjects, while the second runner-up was Miss Lewechi Nkata, a former student of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, who also made A1 in eight subjects.

They were presented with the National Distinction/Merit Award for the May/June 2105 WASSCE at the 54th annual meeting of the Nigeria National Committee of the council in Lagos recently. However, none of them was around to personally receive the award as they are currently in the university, while Babalola and Alabi are studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, Nkata is studying Chemical engineering at the

University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The council also honoured Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan and Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja with the Omo N’Oba Erediauwa Coronation Trophy for producing the best male and female candidate for the examination respectively.

Loyola Jesuit College also won the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Trophy for producing the best overall results in the examination.

The Lagoon School, Lekki, Lagos emerged winner of the WAEC Endowment Fund Prize Books for producing the first best aggregate results in the examination; Sagab College, Ikorodu, Lagos came second, while Wellspring College, Omole, Lagos came third in the same category.

A total of nine staff of the council who were employed in 1996 were also honoured with the Long Service Award for their hard work, honesty and commitment to excellence and for serving the council for 20 years without blemish.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Nigeria National Committee, Mrs. Anne Okonkwo, said the council over the years has improved on its service delivery and embraced technology to power its activities including online registration and e-marking.

CONGRATULATIONS

L-R:The Chief Executive Officer, Corona Schools, Olufunto Igun; member of the Governing Board, Mr. Niyi Yusuf; trustee member, Mrs. Demi Ibare-Akinsan; Chairman, Corona SchoolsTrust Council, Kunle Adebajo; the Head, Corona School, Victoria Island, Funlola Olorunishola; and the Director of Education, Corona SchoolsTrust Council, Maureen Ihonor, with the pupils of Corona School, Victoria Island, winners of this year’s interschool quiz competition organized by the council in Lagos... recently dan ukana

Varsities Can Survive Recession with Prudence, Says EKSU VC Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Following the current recession in the country which has affected every facet of the economy, including educational institutions, the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Prof. Samuel OyeBandele, has called on state owned universities across the country to make inward looking the thrust of their administrations to survive the recession.

Bandele, who said this at a church service at the Deeper Christian Life Ministry to mark

Sokoto to Convene National Conference on Girl-child Education in 2017 Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to convene a national stakeholders’ conference on girl-child education early next year.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, the conference will be organised in collaboration with UNICEF and the Sultan Foundation and will have presentations from experts from across the world on how to address the falling standard of education, especially female education in Sokoto in particular, and the nation as a whole.

It said at the end of the two-day conference, practical guides will be outlined on how best to transform the education sector and address disparity issues of girl-child education.

“We appreciate the need to have all hands on deck as we proffer solution to challenges confronting the education sector in our state.

“This necessitated the need to organise a national conference on girl-child education to bring together experts from home and abroad and development partners to discuss and agree on the best approach to revamping the sector.”

The statement added that resolution from the conference will provide updated guideline for achieving set targets for female education in Nigeria.

It emphasised that the state government is giving female education the necessary attention it deserves.

“Few days ago, we announced the establishment of the Agency for Girl-child Education which is expected to coordinate all issues related to female education from basic to tertiary levels in our state.

“We are working to ensure that officials of the new agency interface closely with local and international stakeholders to properly monitor the progress of our girls in schools and what needs to be done to boost enrollment, retention and completion of all girls in schools in Sokoto State.”

It said President Muhammad Buhari is expected to attend the conference.

his one year in office as the vice-chancellor, maintained that government alone cannot fund education hence the need for individuals, private organisations, as well as corporate bodies to support the sector in the interest of the country’s future.

He said the institution’s ability to meet up with its financial needs, especially payment of staff salaries regularly since he came on board was because despite being on government’s subvention, it still paid attention to aggressive generation

of income internally through various ventures.

Bandele, who said he became vice-chancellor of three universities without engaging in anything dirty, added that he made sure every section of the university was headed by competent hands that are not only good academically, but also had the required exposure and vast public sector experience to move the institution forward.

He expressed his determination to take the university to the next level by bringing his

experience to bear as past vicechancellor of two universities.

According to him, the industrial harmony being enjoyed at the institution was also due to the mutual understanding and respect that exist between the management and all unions and associations.

He thanked the visitor to the university, Governor Ayo Fayose for considering him for the appointment, which he said was based only on merit, as he never at any time lobbied to be vice-chancellor. He also promised to continue to justify

Winners of 2016 NSE Essay Competition Emerge Peace Obi A 14-year-old student of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, Miss Ifeoluwa Abiodun, has emerged winner of the 2016 Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Essay Competition for senior secondary school students in Nigeria.Abiodun was announced the winner ahead of over 7,400 participants at the award ceremony in Lagos recently; she received N500,000 in scholarship fund for university education; N250,000 worth of equity investment and a laptop.

Her school was also rewarded with three desktop computers and a printer.

Miss. Udeaja Nneoma of Sacred Heart College, Apapa, Lagos and Gbenjo Victoria of Good Shepherd Schools, Meiran,

Lagos emerged first and second runners-up respectively. The three students were also honoured with a closing gong ceremony at the exchange.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the competition is one of NSE’s financial literacy and inclusion initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical knowledge required for long-term personal financial planning. He said it serves as an essential platform to get the perspectives of youths on key challenges relating to financial literacy and inclusion in Nigeria.

“The competition’s overall goal is to develop a culture of wealth creation among our youths towards building a financially savvy generation.”

Onyema added that the exchange has implemented and supported a number of programmes in line with the National Financial Literacy Framework (NFLF), which he said contributes to raising the level of financial literacy in the country. “To date, we have executed over 200 free capacity building workshops aimed at enhancing investor understanding of the basics of investing. The multiplier effect of these workshops is phenomenal, as approximately 16,000 retail investors from the grassroots can now make better investment decisions. “I am proud to say that with the NSE essay competition, we have established a strong foundation for improving the financial literacy and capability of Nigerians.

34

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

EDUCATION

Foundation Takes Anti-corruption Campaign to Schools Funmi Ogundare In an effort to stamp out corruption from the society, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation recently took the ‘Corruption Not in My Country’ campaign to public schools in Lagos to make students imbibe good manners, acts of honesty, punctuality, regularity and other positive values that can make them stand out.

The capacity building campaign, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), under the project on support to anti-corruption in Nigeria and funded by the European Union (EU) saw stakeholders emphasising on dignity, self-confidence, diligence and hard work irrespective of their social or economic background.

Speaking at the programme held at Lagos Progressive Junior School, Surulere, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, expressed concern that corruption has eaten deep into the polity and is affecting the way schools ought to be run properly, adding that since the youths are the future of the country, they should aspire now to change the society.

“This is a period when students are assertive, but vulnerable. If someone is telling a teenager about a short-cut to make money, it makes him vulnerable

to corruption. You can aspire to change the society; there is nothing wrong in doing the right thing.”

He described the scourge of corruption as that which undermines the essence dignity, adding that if youths believe that they can do well, even if corruption is thrown at them, they will not embrace it.

Fadeyi said the initiative was sold to the last administration in 2007, but the foundation did not get any support, but when the Buhari administration came on board, the foundation was given an enabling environment to fight corruption.

“There is corruption everywhere. I have a passion to tell Nigerians to stop pointing accusing fingers at government alone, it starts within us.”

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Tola Santos-Anjorin, said the campaign was timely and that it has keyed into the present administration’s change attitude.

“Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the society and taking it down to the secondary schools will help to develop the right attitude towards changing our society. I think it a good programme in the right direction to change the attitude and perspective of children.

“There are a lot of things that children do and they don’t know they are corruption. For instance, they steal and the fear is no longer there, even these days rules and regulations are not been adhered to

in schools.”

She expressed her readiness to talk to other principals to ensure that those who were at the programme to represent their schools create a small group to tell them about what they leant, as it would change their mindset.

A brand ambassador at the programme, Mr. Hafis Oyetoro, decried the role played by some parents in exam malpractices in desperation to watch their children excel, adding that any success one attains without hard work and from corrupt act is failure in disguise. A television presenter, Mrs. Osayuwamen Peace-Saleh, regretted that the desperation to excel in exams makes people get involved in malpractices and appealed to parents not to subject their children to ‘make it at all cost syndrome’ as it tends to subject them to undue social pressure. “This is another causative factor of corruption.”

An presenter of ‘Your View’, a family and national value-oriented flagship programme on television, Mrs. Morayo Afolabi Brown, argued that everyone seem to be trading the blame on corruption, but as it is, even the youths are now victims of petty and grassroots corruption. “This is why the campaign is giving teeth to the scourge against the national malaise.”

She advised the students to contribute their quota to nation building by shunning the tempting environmental allures of corruption.

CATCHING THEM YOUNG

The Executive Director, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, (second left), with students of some public secondary schools during a training session against grassroots corruption in Lagos... recently

BAF Unveils Remodeled School in Lagos In line with its mission to create an environment that enables the less privileged children to enjoy the kind of education enjoyed by the privileged ones, the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation (BAF) recently inaugurated the renovated and remodeled Nathan Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, which was renovated under its School Improvement Programme.

It also it also presented 300 sets of school uniforms to the pupils of Yaba Model and Nathan Nursery and Primary Schools At the ceremony which was chaired by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin, the foundation said it is determined, resolute and focused on its cause of ensuring that pupils of public primary schools are provided with a befitting and effective learning environment.

In his remarks, Sopeyin recalled that six months ago, the foundation inaugurated the newly renovated Yaba Model Nursery and Primary school and expressed the

delight of the state government at what he termed, “a most welcome development for the progress and development of education in Lagos State.”

He assured the foundation that the investment would in no time begin to yield fruits, just as he called on other individuals and corporate organisations to support the government to develop the sector.

According to the Chairman, Board of Directors of the foundation, Mr. Babatunde Akinleye, the scope of the renovation work carried out by BAF is extensive, covering the renovation and painting of the school structure; provision of school furniture and cabinets; creation of a new and modern toilet facility; and the provision of pipe borne water.

“As part of our intervention, the foundation is setting-up a library and a well-equipped and fully functional ICT centre for the use of the two adopted schools.

In line with its holistic approach to the academic development of Nigerian

children, he said the foundation engages the teachers in an impactful, rigorous and continuous professional development to ensure a sustainable improvement in the learning outcome of the pupils.

As a non-profit organization working to strengthen primary education in Nigeria, the foundation partners government, private sector and civil societies to bring about development in public primary schools.

Since its inception 11 months ago, it has invested millions of naira into basic education through the adoption of public primary schools, construction of social amenities, setting up of libraries and ICT laboratory, training of teachers, common entrance preparatory classes and provision of secondary school scholarships for outstanding pupils.

The foundation said it will continue to work with well-meaning Nigerians, donors, partners and volunteers towards the achievement of its goal of improving the quality of education in the country.

‘Man in the Mirror’ Michael Jackson ‘I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways...’ sings Michael Jackson.

The mirror, usually a sheet of glass with a metal coating on its back faithfully reflects your image when you stand in front of it and could affirm or refute people’s criticisms, comments, complements or denigrations about you. The ability of the mirror to affirm or refute what is said of you essentially lies with you and the cares and burdens you bear. The ageless truth knows how heavily the mind could impact on your personality and functioning and warns that you guard your heart. In your heart resides emotions, sentiments, passions - all that you need for quality daily living. Guarding it is extremely effortful - I’m sure you could each write a book on what colossal efforts it takes to keep living, surviving, achieving, dreaming, smiling or what have you.

On a more mundane and practical note however, I ask you, ‘what do you see when you look at yourself in a mirror?’ Right from ancient times when man saw his reflection on water, he has tried to improve his image that is mirrored back to him. In modern times, men and women, among other beauty therapies, are using skin lightening creams and lotions, bleaching creams, skin lightening supplements, skin exfoliation, laser treatment, chemical peeling and application of skin lightening homely remedies. Your skin’s tone refers to the quality of your skin colour. It also has to do with the natural firmness of your facial skin. Your skin tone is established by factors such as heredity, genetics, exposure to sun, hormones, what you eat/your diet, etc. The main factor however that determines your skin tone/ colour is melanin. Melanin is a skin pigment whose ratio is decided by your genetic makeup. If you have more melanin, you will have a darker skin tone and if lesser, you will be fairer skinned.

Due to some factors, people experience uneven skin tones from time to time. Because of our stressful lifestyle and high population levels, skin pigmentation has become a common problem. These may come as freckles, spots, acne marks, sun darkening, etc. When there is skin pigmentation especially if facially, people tend to lose self-confidence. Many then resort to use skin lightening treatment to reduce the contracting markings in order to achieve some evenness. Some use toning creams and lotions, skin exfoliation and other remedies as I have earlier mentioned. Personally I favour the more homely remedy treatment. Applying milk or honey, avocado or almonds, sandalwood or cocoa butter, or baking soda to the face and other parts of the body to treat skin pigmentation have been beneficial for me. I stumbled across this effective recipe with camwood a while ago to tone and I hereby recommend it to you: Ingredients Camwood (one table spoon) - Osun (Yoruba), Majigi (Hausa), Uhie (Igbo).

Banana (one) Honey (two table spoons) Procedure Marsh or blend the banana to a smooth paste. Add the honey and camwood and mix them in thoroughly. Rub this mixture into your face in a circular motion. Leave it on for about one hour. Rinse your face with tepid water. Review the glowing positive result of a more evenly toned face and skin after about two weeks of daily use.

In addition please note that camwood has been scientifically found to have some levels of anti-microbial activity and is useful in the treatment of a variety of skin infections. When you add it to waterbased creams like Aqueous Cream, a greater anti-microbial activity is achieved...

Omoru writes from the UK

Kwara to Spend N2bn on Infrastructure at KWASU Campuses Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Kwara State Government has set aside a total of N2 billion for the construction of ultra-modern infrastructure at the two campuses of the state owned university (KWASU) in Ilesa-Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area and Ossi, Ekiti Local Government Council Area.

The university was set up to be a multi-campus university with the main campus at Malete in Moro Local Government Area.

The main campus kicked off almost 10 years ago while the two other campuses are yet to take-off since the university started operation.

Speaking with journalists on the outcome of the state executive

council meeting at Government House, Ilorin, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe said “the council approved N2 billion for the construction of ultra-modern infrastructure at the two campuses at Ilesa-Baruba and Ossi.”

“The contract is based on public private partnership arrangement and to be repaid on agreed terms through Kwara Infrastructure Fund (IFK) window.”

He added: “The state executive council approved participation in the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) which is a federal government project through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”

35

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

EDUCATION

Stakeholders Seek Establishment of Nigerian Varsities Ranking Council Kuni Tyessi in Abuja To improve the ranking of Nigerian universities globally due to their inability to attain the first 1,000 slots in the world, stakeholders from the Nigerian university system have called on the federal government to establish a university ranking council.

It is expected that the council which will be known as the Nigerian Universities Ranking Council (NURC) will be supervised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and will assist in the critiquing of the institutions which are being assessed based on quality

of education, faculty, research output, and per capita academic performance.

The call was made by Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, who was the guest speaker at the maiden international lecture series titled ‘Global Rankings and the Nigerian Higher Education System’ held at the lecture theatre of the NUC in Abuja.

Banjo said in a contemporary world, a university is seen as a higher institution which typically engages in capacity building at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as conducts research in all branches of learning

among others; however, their ranking can be problematic as it is reduced to numbers and sometimes with problematic indicators. He said in view of the large generational, historical, linguistic, national, regional and continental diversity of the over 17,000 universities which must be considered in a fully inclusive ranking project, the daunting challenge is now, if ever possible, to formulate globally acceptable and effective comparability criteria and performance indicators for assessing the quality and excellence of every university in every nook and cranny of the world.

“To set up a credible, verifiable, consistent, transparent and reliable ranking scheme for the Nigerian universities must first be identified. For this purpose is recommended that a Nigerian Universities Ranking Council be set up.”

“The NURC will be funded through the NUC, through which it will also report periodically to the minister of education about the competitiveness of Nigerian universities in the global academic arena.”

Other discussants at the lecture were Prof. GOS Ekhaguere, who was the lead discussant, Prof. Francis Egbokhare and Dr. Tunji Okopa.

RUNNING THE CLASSROOM

CHIOMA ERUOTOR

A Mother’s Love A mother’s love is forever unconditional. She is the one that gave you life. A mother feels the love for her child from the moment they begin to kick inside her. She feeds you, nurtures you, constantly caring for you from the moment she finds she is carrying you in her womb.

A mother’s love is an eternal love. She is the one that shows you every skills and characteristics trait you have in you. She is the one that is proud of you no matter the world’s opinion of you. She is the one that you call in the middle of the night or early morning, just to say “hi mom” she is the one that you go running to when you are physically or emotionally in turmoil simply because “mama knows how to make you feel better.”

Even at the most craziest of times in your lives, a mother’s love is always felt and needed. When you feel that she oversteps her boundaries it is because she loves you. When the time comes you feel you need your freedom, she understands but will never let go. A mother’s love has a beginning and will never have an end.

A mother’s love is unconditional. She will wipe your tears when you are hurt. She will clean your wounds when you bleed. She will help you stand tall after you fall. She is the one who will always give you her all.

Role of Parents in Helping Low Achiever Child When a child is conceived, parents begin forming a set of

HONING SKILLS

L-R: The Head of Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. FestusTettey; a student of Chrisland School that came second in the 50 metres girls final, Admirable Aluzoha; the winner from Chrisland School, Wole Auromeda; third place winner from Grace High School, Vincent Ebube, and the Category Manager, Dairy, Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Ayodeji Abiodun during the Loya Milk swimming competition for secondary schools in Lagos… recently

Pan-Atlantic Varsity Graduates AWAReS 2016 Class Peace Obi The School of Media and Communication (SMC), Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos recently held a graduation ceremony for the 2016 class of its professional programmes: Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWAReS) and Advanced Media Management and Writing in a Digital Age (AMDA).

In his remarks, the Dean, SMC, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, said the graduation ceremony marks a step forward in the university’s commitment to producing professionally competent people for the field

of communications.

“Today, we have added another drop towards attaining our goal which is to produce people who will contribute to the development of the society. So this group is one more contribution towards this goal.”

Congratulating the graduands on the successful completion of their programmes, the dean urged them to be good ambassadors of the institution and to build on what they have learnt.

While stressing that constant improvement of their skills through continuous education will give them an

edge in terms of knowledge, competence and quality service delivery, he said it would also distinguish their contributions in their workplaces and the society.

Obiaya hinted that SMC does not only run professional programmes, but as part the PAU’s effort to widen its circle of influence through its high quality manpower development, offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes. “As you can see, we are widening our circle of influence at different levels. We are not only doing professional education programmes, but also we are growing even in our

undergraduate programmes, PGD, masters and PhD. With all of these, we see ourselves making a great impact in the field of communication in the nearest future.”

The guest speaker, Mr. Kene Mkparu, who spoke on ‘Cultural and Economic Values of Cinematography in a Developing Country’, said Nigeria is a country with many intelligent minds. He identified lack of critical thinking as a missing link in the country’s education system, saying that it has impeded the people’s ability to tap into the huge opportunities around them.

‘Youths should be Empowered for National Transformation’ Ugo Aliogo The founder of LEAP Africa, Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, has called for increased empowerment of youths to provide them an opportunity to play key roles in national transformation and global competitiveness.

Nwuneli, who made the call in Lagos at the 2016 reunion dinner of Warwick University Nigeria Alumni Association with the theme ‘Empowering the Next Generation for National Transformation and Global Competitiveness’, called for the transformation of the education system and refining of the curriculum to foster

creative thinking, risk taking and other critical skills that would prepare them for the 21st century challenges.

She challenged the private and public sectors to create opportunities for youths to gain valuable work experience through internship, work study, field projects and volunteer engagement, adding that when youths gain practical experience, it would shape their perspectives and prepare them to select meaningful careers and embark on entrepreneurial activities.

“In the United States, schools actively partner the private sector to match students with internship from the first semes-

ter. They are also encouraged to work in the university, which contributes to their fees and to engage in the field projects for companies during the term.

It behooves us to collectively foster the culture of ethics, creativity entrepreneurship and innovation among our youths and ensure that more of them become solution providers.”

Nwuneli said there is an urgent need for more support structures for youths, including career counselling centres, incubators, accelerators and technology parks, adding that universities and vocational institutions should have career centres or direct referral pro-

grammes to a city-wide career centre similar to Workforce One in New York. She charged parents to make conscious efforts to imbibe strong positive values, especially in the aspect of language and culture in their children and regretted that youths’ understanding of their culture and language is being eroded, “some youths romanticise the language and culture of their parents, but struggle to embrace it.”

She also regretted that youths are increasingly engaging in politics, not as a platform for public service, but as a gateway from poverty, adding that most youths are used as political thugs and errand boys.

expectations about who that child will become. Among these is the belief that the child will be bright, and that he will be able to hold his own in school and society meets these expectations.

Parental guidance is one of the most significant aspects that determine the success of a child. This becomes even more crucial for a child who suffers from slow learning and related challenges. Lack of appropriate parental support and understanding could result in extreme frustration and a social trouble in a child who has learning disabilities.

What parents need to do The first step to help a slow learner is to accept the child with the shortcomings. It is essential to understand that slow learning is not a medical condition. Hence, it requires special attention and care with enormous patience, encouragement, complete trust and faith in the child’s success.

Appreciate the efforts: It is quite common that a slow learner is not able to set foals or have time frames due to distractions.

As a parent, it is extremely important never to push your child to achieve anything that challenges his/her abilities.

Appreciating the child for every small success would build confidence and show consistent improvement in his or her accomplishments.

Extended time limits: Judging the capabilities of the child and helping him/her complete tasks he/she is capable of within extended time limits would make him/her feel appreciated.

However, it is important to not to let your child under-utilise his/her potential.

Identify interest: Kids with slow learning abilities easily get distracted. Find what brings life and happiness to the child, it could be painting, drawing, singing, or sports and encourage him/her by taking part in such activities at home or school this would greatly improve his/her performance.

Create a chart: Creating a chart that sets time for various daily activities would give the child a sense of responsibility and involvement, while encouraging him/her to complete the tasks on time.

Develop patience: It is hard to be patient when a child does not live up to your expectations. Developing patience is a necessary asset in parenting the slow learner. He needs your support and encouragement.

He needs to know that you have faith and trust in him, regardless of his learning ability.

Keep the doors of communication open: Be available to discuss school, friendships or other aspects of his life without insisting on such sharing.

Recognising academic and social success and careful choices help him to be aware of his appropriate behaviors. Exploring academic and career options together assist the child in effective decision making.

Above all, since the attention span of a slow learner is less, making your child work for multiple short sessions rather than a single, long session for any activity would offer better results. One of the major responsibilities of the parent is to interact with the teachers to understand if there are other areas where your child requires help.

Eruotor writes from Lagos

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016, • T H I S D AY

CITYSTRINGS Olumo Rock: A Tourist Haven

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

Recently, Peter Uzoho joined a group of tourists to visit and climb the ancient Olumo Rock in Ikija, Abeokuta North, Ogun State, and reports that the expedition was a pleasurable experience

Tourists at the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta,Ogun State

Olumo Rock was a place of refuge for the old Egba people in 1830. Because of the role it played in the history of the people, the rock has been deified as a god. God benevolently molded the rock. God also put an end to the wandering and strife of the people. So because of this, annually, sacrifices are performed to the gods.The essence of the sacrifices is to pray that none of the climbers of Olumo Rock will be a casualty and to also remember that Olumo Rock played a significant role in the life of the old Egbe people Tourists climbing the Olumo Rock

I

t was in the evening of Friday, 18 November, 2016, as scheduled, the announcement went round, reminding us that it was time for the tour to Olumo Rock. Of course, you know the mood that follows such announcement. Joy, laden with anxiety and anticipation rent the air. For the first time visitors to such natural resort, it was a pleasurable expedition.

The visit to the rock was part of the activities lined up for the just concluded 2016 Ake Arts and Book Festival, which took place at the Ogun State Arts and Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, where literary artists from across Africa converged to exhibit their works and discuss African issues.

Indeed, the people of Ikija, that is, the community housing the ancient Olumo Rock, and Abeokuta in general, really felt our presence as we

moved in a long convoy. In their generosity, other vehicles on the road facilitated our movement as they had to clear for us to pass by. Passers-by on their part halted their movement, standing, gazing and smiling at us as we kept going-they already knew our mission and destination.

Approaching the gate, we saw a curved overhead brick beam, with the inscription ‘Olumo Rock Tourist Complex’. Immediately, I felt a sense of accomplishment. So I’m finally here, I asked, rhetorically, as we alighted from the vehicles. We tried to pass through but were intercepted by hefty security men who looked stern but not harmful anyway. Who is your coordinator, the security man questioned? In the process, Mrs. Lola Shoneyin, Director, Ake Arts and Book Festival and leader of the trip, appeared and discussed with them.

After getting clearance from the security,

we were then allowed to enter the complex.

In excitements, we could behold Olumo Rock standing tall as if reaching the sky, in its natural form.

Not quite long, we were beckoned by Mr. Michael Ogunbiyi, Head of Tourism, Olumo Rock Tourist Complex, who was to officially welcome and address us. “Ekaabo” (Welcome), he said in Yoruba language, apparently reminding us, especially the non-Nigerians that we were in Yoruba land, and so, should welcome us in their own way. And without hesitation, we responded “O se!”(Thank you) to show that we were on the same page. At this point, Ogunbiyi gave us a cursory history of the rock.

“Olumo Rock was a place of refuge for the old Egba people in 1830,” he tells us, adding “Because of the role it played in the history of the people, the rock has been deified as a god.

God benevolently molded the rock. God also put an end to the wandering and strife of the people. So because of this, annually, sacrifices are performed to the gods. The essence of the sacrifices is to pray that none of the climbers of Olumo Rock will be a casualty and to also remember that Olumo Rock played a significant role in the life of the old Egbe people,” he said.

Continuing he said, “Olumo Rock is also significant in the sense that it has become a historical and religious monument. It holds the culture and tradition of the people of Egba, their values as well as their historical heritage,” assuring that the visitors would hear more about the rock as they tour the rock site.

Beginning the tour proper, Ogunbiyi ushered us into the art gallery, a building where different art works are kept. From there, we moved to the historical cultural gallery where the portrait of

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016, • T H I S D AY

CITYSTRINGS

the Alake, the first mosque in Egba, and other landmark objects are equally kept.

We then proceeded climbing the rock from the base and came to a place called the ‘Olumo Rock main shrine’.

“I’d like to welcome you to the Olumo Rock main shrine,” he says, smiling. “In the ancient African setting, you have to understand that some personalities were deified as gods. Here, we have people like Sango, Ogun, Obatala, and Oya, etc. During sacrifice, a big black cow is normally presented to the gods. In this occasion, the priest and custodian of the Olumo Rock shrine, ‘Abore’, and Alake, the paramount ruler of Egba land, would enter the shrine to pray for the people of Egba, and for the peace and unity of Nigeria.”

From the main shrine, we were taken to a place called ‘Abe Okuta’ meaning ‘beneath the rock’. Climbing 120 steps from the base of the rock takes us to the ‘Lishabi Garden’. Lishabi was said to be among the most famous warriors that led the Egba people to this place of refuge in 1830. He was regarded as the chief warrior of the old Egba people.

“As a mighty and fearless warrior, he played a significant role during the war. When the people seemed to be losing faith and were gripped by fear of the enemy, Lishabi fearlessly stood in front and boosted their morale, assuring them that they would conquer. Eventually, the Egba people conquered and found the place, and named it after Lishabi as a reward for his bravery and heroic display.”

At the Lishabi garden, there is a beautiful tree called the ‘pansheke tree’ which is said to be medicinal. “The pod of the tree is called ‘Pansheke’.

The pod when cut, makes an onomatopoeic sound ‘shekeshekesheke’ hence calling the tree ‘pansheke’. The Lishabi garden is also called pansheke garden.”

After the Lishabi garden, we moved up to the house of Chief Sanni. At this juncture, Ogunbiyi handed us over to the Tour Guide, Mr. Jeremiah Ayobanmi, who gave us the history of Chief Sanni. According to him, Chief Sanni was the Osin of Itoko during his life time. Pointing at the grave of Chief Sanni, Ayobanmi said he died on 23 January, 1956.

“The Osin chieftaincy title is given to someone who sits at the left hand side of the king at the palace. When the government took over the place as a tourist site, they cleared the monuments to avoid blocking the way for tourists when they want to pass. The house of Chief Sanni was used as the Egba war time hideout. It was there the people took refuge for three years,” he explained.

“Egba people were under the old the Oyo Empire. They wanted independence and went to fight. They consulted Ifarekun, and he instructed them to go and take refuge at the rock. On their way to the rock, they met a woman, called Adagba. Adagba was the one who discovered the rock and invited the Egba people to take refuge there. The people stayed and ate there for three years. While sojourning at the rock, they constructed five rooms. Four have collapsed due to lack of maintenance. The remaining one was where they kept their wives and children, while the men and the warriors among them

After a brief stay at the Abeokuta, we finally made it to the peak of the rock which measures 137 metres above sea level. Standing atop the rock, we could behold different important areas in Abeokuta. Looking behind, we could see a river known as the Ogun River which runs from the north through the south of Ogun State. Also seen from the top of the rock is the first central mosque called Kobiti

THISDAY Reporter,Peter Uzoho,at the Olumo Rock

Tourists at the Lishabi and Pansheke garden

Elderly women who clean Chief Sanni's palace at the Olumo Rock

would surround the rock so that their enemies would not gain access to the place.

“On the surface of the rock are six holes which their wives used to pound and grind food items during the war. When the war ended in 1833, the people of Egba consulted the Ifarekun to confirm if they should leave the place for their former destination. But Ifako asked

them to remain there, revealing to them that that was where God had put an end to their wandering and suffering. So they named the place Olumo Rock.

“After the war, when the people of Egba came out from the rock, people were asking them where they hid during the war, and they, Egba people, responded ‘we hid ourselves under the rock’. Under or

beneath the rock in Yoruba language means Abeokuta, which is where the Ogun State capital originated from,” he noted.

After a brief stay at the Abeokuta, we finally made it to the peak of the rock which measures 137 metres above sea level. Standing atop the rock, we could behold different important areas in Abeokuta.

Looking behind, we could see a

river known as the Ogun River which runs from the north through the south of Ogun State. Also seen from the top of the rock is the first central mosque called Kobiti.

Having achieved the feat of climbing to the peak of Olumo Rock, with strength almost exhausted, Ogunbiyi who had been up there waiting for us, congratulated us and led us to a song to conclude our expedition.

38

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 T H I S D AY

Apply Now START CLASSES JANUARY 24, 2017

2016/2017 Spring Admission On-going

Admission is open to the following categories of applicants: 1 Current UTME (JAMB) Candidates with acceptable scores 1 Transfer students from overseas and local universities 1 Direct entry applicants with any of the following qualifications (or equivalent): Diploma, A-Level, IJMB, First Degree and NCE

HOW TO APPLY

Complete a free on-line application @ www.aun.edu.ng OR contact one of the following Admissions Representatives for assistance via Email at admissions@aun.edu.ng or phone: Lagos: Yvonne Folake O. 08079901234 Port Harcourt: Ifeanyi Arinze 08075493243 Warri: Jemine Omedei 08057125762 Enugu: Oluchi Abazie 08056200091 Abuja: Nguwasen Begha 08077400585, Yonodu Osung 08052000703 Kano/Kaduna: Idris Isa 08075493251 Yola: Victor Bassey 08055026923

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Ghana Election: Third Time Lucky for Ghana Opposition Leader Nana Akufo-Addo?

Ghana’s main opposition presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo may have lost the two previous elections, but it is how he handled those losses that resonate with many in the build-up to Wednesday’s poll.

He is credited with preventing possible violence in 2012 by not rejecting the outcome - a loss by 300,000 votes to current President John Mahama - and calling for mass protests.

Instead, he sought legal redress and accepted defeat after the Supreme Court upheld the result.

The 72-year-old son of former chief justice and ceremonial President Edward Akufo-Addo has retained his 2012 electoral promise to provide free high-school education.

But the former lawyer, attorney general and foreign minister’s campaign is now focused on a “one district, one factory”

policy that he says will industrialise the country.

The plan is to establish factories in each of Ghana’s 216 districts.

“The time has come for us to move our industrial development forward,” the presidential candidate told a rally in eastern Ghana.

“There must be jobs in our country. The lack of jobs, which is the case under this government, poses a threat to the future stability of our country.”

In the north, Mr AkufoAddo said there would be a functioning dam “in every village” to support agriculture.

His critics, mainly from the governing National Democratic Congress, have dismissed his promises as impossible to fulfil - but Mr Akufo-Addo insists they are not just gimmicks.

Mr Akufo-Addo is also getting good backing from

his wife Rebecca. She told a TV show that he was a “very loving” family man.

“He is also passionate about his politics. He’s always cared about Ghana and wanted to do his bit for his country,” she added.

Mr Akufo-Addo is credited with helping to build up the New Patriotic Party, which first contested an election in 1992 when Ghana returned to multiparty democracy after years of military rule.

His political career spans more than four decades and he was active in political movements in his early 30s, when he criticised the military government of the time.

He studied in both Ghana and the UK before working as a lawyer in France and served as an MP for the Abuakwa South constituency in e a s t e r n G h a n a between 1996 and 2008.

Finland Craves for Better Relationship with Nigeria Media Kunle Adewale Finland Embassy in Nigeria has indicated its intension to ensure a good media relation to foster a better relationship between Nigeria and Finland.

This was made known by the Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, when she paid a courtesy visit to THISDAY Corporate headquarters in Apapa, Lagos yesterday.

Suomela-Chowdhury, who once worked as a reporter with a Finish newspaper for two summers, said three Nigerian journalists had benefitted from Finland’s kind gesture this year.

The ambassador said she has so far enjoyed her stay in Nigeria, saying it’s been a very fascinating place.

“Nigerian youths are very fascinating, the country has

working and fashionable people,” she said.

Suomela-Chowdhury said Finland Embassy was focusing on business, trade and movie pact with Nigeria, just as she admitted that the country was not completely challenge-free to do business.

As part of Finland accommodating gesture and exchange programme with Nigeria, she said about 5,000 Nigerians are presently in Finland either studying or into business.

Suomela-Chowdhury, who once worked as a freelance journalist in the United Kingdom, said Finland would also want to strengthen trade relationship with Nigeria, saying, “We would want a trade relationship in a wide spectrum. We have a

good reason to promote a company in Nigeria if there is a Finish interest.”

In her short stay in the country, SuomelaChowdhury had visited Benin City, Kebbi, Ibadan, Abuja, Ijebu-Ode, where took time to visit the Cocoa Processing Company.

She noted that next year, Finland would celebrate her 100 years of Independence, adding that the embassy is planning to bringing together young Nigerians and Finish in computer training, which would also serve as a cultural exchange.

“Nigeria is a very diverse country but with lots of potential but with security challenges that cannot be ignored and the most information about the country is on security challenge,” she noted.

Angela Merkel Endorses Burka Ban ‘Wherever Legally Possible’ German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the wearing of full-faced veils should be prohibited in the country “wherever it is legally possible”.

At a meeting of her CDU party, she backed a burka ban in schools, courts and other state buildings.

It is widely accepted that a total ban would violate Germany’s constitution.

Mrs Merkel was re-elected CDU leader but faces a tough challenge by the right-wing anti-immigration AfD party in next year’s polls.

She has seen her approval ratings

slip since her decision to allow about a million asylum seekers into Germany during last year’s Europe-wide migrant crisis.

However the centre-right chancellor, who has been power since 2005, still retains wide support.

She was re-elected Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader on Tuesday with 89.5% of the votes cast by about 1,000 delegates.

Mrs Merkel’s comments drew thunderous applause from her party faithful but it will dismay those who have looked to her as Europe’s defender of liberal values.

German constitutional law would probably prevent the CDU from seeking a complete ban on burkas in public. Nevertheless, Mrs Merkel made her distaste for full face veils clear.

In practice, very few women cover their faces in Germany. But this is about symbolism. Mrs Merkel has faced significant party and public anxiety about the integration of about a million asylum seekers.

She has gradually hardened her asylum policy, making it easier, for example, to deport foreign-born criminals.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Hints on Plans to Restructure Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has disclosed that the apex bank, under its Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) has over N250 billion which has not been fully disbursed as well as a N220 billion micro, small and medium enterprise development fund, with just N80billion utilised so far. According to him, the central bank is interested in how small holder farmers can benefit from the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), through the micro, small and medium enterprise.

Emefiele , a member of the Presidential Task Force on Agriculture, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists at the Odeda Farm Institute, Odeda during the Task

Force’s inspection of the facilities of the Institute and some farm centres in the state.

The Presidential Task Force, which also included the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and the Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, were earlier conducted by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, round Eriwe Fish Farm in Ijebu-Ode, Greenhouse Technology Centre, Kotopo in Abeokuta and Owowo Farm Settlement in Ewekoro local government area.

Emefiele added: “When we find a state that is serious and ready to work with us, we burst the commercial agricultural credit scheme facility that we have because the President has mandated that those who are serious, we must support. That is the essence of this.”

He added that the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) will be prop-

erly restructured by the Federal government towards assisting farmers to boost agricultural production in the country and ensure food sufficiency.

Emefiele said that if the restructuring was eventually done, it would help the bank to perform its primary responsibilities well.

The CBN governor explained that the team was mandated by the president to go round the entire federation on a fact-finding mission on how to resuscitate some of the age-long agricultural potentials of the country. He added that the President specifically tasked the team to locate how to ensure increase in the production of cassava, maize and resuscitate cocoa production in the southwest emphasising maize production will support the poultry productivity in the South Western part of the country.

Survey Reveals Positive Outlook for Credit Conditions Obinna Chima The fourth quarter credit condition survey of households, small businesses and corporate entities indicated increases in the availability of both secured and unsecured credit. According to the fourth quarter (Q4) Credit Condition Survey Report 2016, posted on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) website yesterday, spreads on overall secured and unsecured lending to household widened in Q4, 2016 and was expected to remain widened in the next quarter.

Also, it indicated that lend-

ers reported that household demand for house purchase lending increased in Q4, 2016 and was expected to increase in the next quarter. Demand for unsecured credit card lending increased in Q3, 2016, and was expected to increase in the next quarter, according to the survey.

In addition, demand for unsecured overdraft/personal loans from households decreased in Q4, 2016 but was expected to rise in the next quarter.

Furthermore, demand for corporate lending increased across all firm sizes in Q4, 2016 and was expected to increase further in the next

quarter. However, corporate loan performance to all size businesses deteriorated in the quarter under review.

“In the current quarter relative to the previous quarter, lenders reported an increase in the availability of secured credit to households.

Lenders noted that a brighter economic outlook and tight wholesale funding conditions were major factors behind the increase. The availability of secured credit was also expected to increase in the next quarter with tight wholesale funding conditions as the major contributory factor.

CIBN Seeks Support of Stockbrokers to Promote Nigeria The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has called for support of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as operators in the stock market in their quest to showcase the investment opportunities in Nigeria.

The President, CIBN, Prof.

Segun Ajibola, made this call during a courtesy visit of the Council to the Exchange, where he also rang the closing gong at the NSE in Lagos on Monday.

The CIBN boss said the 22nd edition of the World Conference of Banking Institute (WCBI) to be hosted by Nigeria in April next year, would be a good opportunity to showcase the countries potential.

“It is an opportunity to

showcase the investment opportunities in Nigeria and to correct certain paradigms about Nigeria. We believe by the time the world comes here in April next year, we would be able to present Nigeria to the world.

“At the end of that conference, we believe we would see an increase in foreign investments in the country. We are looking up to the operators in the capital market to assist us in convincing the whole world about,” Ajibola said.

While speaking on the activities of the CIBN in the economy, he said the institute is mandated to play some critical roles within the Nigerian state.

He pointed out that for the financial services industry, the

CIBN plays advocacy role for all stakeholders and promotes ethics, professionalism among bankers. Furthermore, he told the stockbrokers that the CIBN has collaboration with local and international institutions and bodies to develop capacity, adding that it also works with universities and polytechnics to develop capacity and certification.

“We also ensure that code of conduct is strictly adhered to, and our benchmarks are not below international standards.

And when there are cases of infraction, we have, by virtue of the provisions of our extant law, a disciplinary tribunal that has the powers of a High Court to discipline erring members.

Heirs Holdings, Moroccan Firm Sign MoU Heirs Holdings and leading Moroccan bank, Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on investing, co-financing, and exchange of information encouraging the identification of mutually beneficial investment opportunities across Africa.

The framework document, which outlined cooperation areas between Heirs Holdings and BCP, was signed by Heirs Holdings Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, CON, and Chairman/CEO of BCP Mohamed

Benchaaboun.

Both organisations, which have invested significantly in growing pan-African networks, will collaborate to identify common areas of interest and encourage investments in Morocco, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

According to Elumelu, “This is an opportunity for the private sectors of both countries to collaborate to leverage on opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

It shows that our leaders are committed to intra-African trade and to prioritising commercial

relationships across borders. As businesses that both share a Pan-African perspective, we recognise the importance of intra African trade as a pillar of the continent’s economic transformation.”

Benchaaboun highlighted the opportunities in Nigeria and beyond in Sub-Sharan Africa.

He said this agreement marked the beginning of a long-term partnership that will deepen African integration and help build confidence in our countries, as well as the continent as a viable investment destination.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

21,684,965.22

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,125,933.16

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,379,187.93

---- Demand Deposits

7,746,745.22

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

5,004,677.26

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,424,953.01

--Other Assets Net

-9,738,841.27

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,370,199.87

--Currency in Circulation

1,684,725.89

--Banks Reserves

3,685,473.98 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, MONDAY, 5 DEC 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $51.32 a barrel on Monday, compared with $50.49 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

47

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

6-Dec-16

5-Dec-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

158.16

160.00

-1.15%

2,695,126,651,174.80

9.20

17.38

4.80

5.00%

3.64

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

144.00

145.00

-0.69%

1,141,790,527,872.00

4.03

35.46

3.76

2.52%

6.92

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

23.10

23.00

0.43%

679,860,240,074.40

4.90

4.79

1.72

7.54%

1.40

805.00

815.00

-1.23%

638,088,282,860.00

8.81

93.06

3.76

3.54%

20.60

14.30

14.35

-0.35%

448,969,861,139.80

3.91

3.59

0.93

12.83%

0.63

342.90

342.90

0.00%

189,730,106,327.70 -44.58

-7.69

2.44

4.64%

0.48

07 Lafarge Africa Plc

40.90

40.90

0.00%

186,295,484,029.00

-9.39

-4.55

0.91

7.03%

0.96

08 Unilever Nigeria Plc

48.00

48.00

0.00%

181,598,220,000.00

0.69

69.35

2.74

0.10%

19.36

9.80

9.66

1.45%

179,825,601,907.00

0.68

14.59

0.31

6.28%

0.29

44.07

44.07

0.00%

174,978,923,373.15

0.03

1,507.19

2.45

2.95%

4.18

11 Access Bank Plc

5.50

5.50

0.00%

159,103,843,970.50

2.59

2.13

0.45

10.00%

0.36

12 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.32

4.32

0.00%

156,727,553,711.04

1.75

2.47

0.47

13.89%

0.36

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

14.50

14.50

0.00%

145,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.37

1.07

0.67%

1.27

14 FBN Holdings Plc

3.32

3.21

3.43%

119,172,372,069.44

0.21

15.23

0.21

4.75%

0.18

15 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

323.31

323.31

0.00%

116,584,054,157.22

19.32

16.78

1.29

2.22%

6.31

16 Guinness Nig Plc

76.32

80.33

-4.99%

114,929,386,508.16

-3.06

-29.10

1.30

3.60%

3.40

17 Total Nigeria Plc

304.44

276.15

10.24%

103,364,028,056.28

38.02

6.60

0.32

5.58%

3.74

79.30

71.94

10.23%

103,286,751,467.90

3.31

19.74

0.55

5.29%

1.97

129.36

129.36

0.00%

82,866,769,357.68

-0.05 -2,832.18

0.89

1.70%

3.73

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.08

6.08

0.00%

72,960,000,000.00

1.03

5.65

0.49

8.62%

1.12

21 International Breweries Plc

19.00

19.00

0.00%

62,590,736,320.00

0.02

843.25

2.35

1.32%

5.71

4.56

4.70

-2.98%

54,877,862,156.64

-3.15

-1.38

0.21

17.20%

0.33

23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

18.99

18.50

2.65%

49,834,264,181.13

-1.19

-16.09

0.12

10.42%

0.51

24 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

35.00

35.00

0.00%

46,200,000,000.00

-2.95

-11.88

0.40

4.29%

2.43

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

38.01

38.01

0.00%

36,258,119,100.00

4.82

7.88

5.51

0.26%

2.25

0.82

0.76

7.89%

31,751,217,888.50

-0.47

-1.52

0.53

0.00%

0.37

27 U A C N Plc

16.10

16.10

0.00%

30,925,916,630.70

3.37

4.80

0.41

6.17%

0.41

28 Cap Plc

34.00

34.00

0.00%

23,800,000,000.00

2.28

14.45

3.46

3.48%

13.50

29 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.82

0.79

3.80%

23,749,320,267.44

0.39

2.04

0.15

20.25%

0.12

30 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.70

3.70

0.00%

21,762,897,521.50

0.76

4.85

0.60

3.78%

0.76

11.15

11.30

-1.33%

20,941,952,746.00

0.50

22.05

0.74

11.81%

2.02

32 FCMB Group Plc

1.04

1.00

4.00%

20,594,819,212.24

0.61

1.63

0.12

10.00%

0.11

33 Wema Bank Plc

0.53

0.55

-3.64%

20,444,467,022.93

0.06

9.57

0.43

0.00%

0.46

34 Sterling Bank Plc

0.70

0.73

-4.11%

20,153,292,688.20

0.29

2.50

0.19

12.50%

0.25

35 Diamond Bank Plc

0.86

0.91

-5.49%

19,917,934,512.48

-0.29

-3.13

0.10

0.00%

0.09

36 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

6.95

6.65

4.51%

18,413,596,727.10

0.85

7.83

0.94

8.27%

2.38

37 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.64

1.64

0.00%

17,220,000,000.00

0.28

6.17

0.90

2.91%

0.86

38 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

14.10

14.15

-0.35%

16,861,858,480.80

-2.98

-4.74

0.60

2.12%

1.93

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

15.20

15.20

0.00%

15,200,000,000.00

5.69

2.67

1.06

0.66%

0.41

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.97

0.97

0.00%

10,061,561,982.64

0.42

2.31

0.45

12.37%

0.54

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

0.97

0.97

0.00%

7,692,291,728.26

-0.40

-2.42

0.16

16.33%

0.23

42 Skye Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,940,150,705.00

-2.93

-0.17

0.04

60.00%

0.07

43 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.52

0.52

0.00%

6,078,455,729.84

-0.10

-5.17

0.10

0.00%

0.07

45 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

46 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

4.05

4.05

0.00%

5,089,544,952.30

0.22

18.50

0.46

2.47%

0.47

47 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.57

0.57

0.00%

3,950,216,553.60

0.22

2.65

0.14

8.47%

0.40

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.13

2.17

-1.84%

3,660,937,489.35

0.30

7.45

0.91

31.39%

0.11

49 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.21

2.21

0.00%

3,589,523,437.50

0.15

14.62

0.45

9.05%

0.60

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.46

1.46

0.00%

2,190,000,000.00

0.24

6.20

0.33

3.42%

0.34

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc 05 Zenith Bank Plc 06 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

09 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 10 Presco Plc

18 Forte Oil Plc. 19 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

22 Oando Plc

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

31 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

8,303,365,831,418.22

TOTAL MARKET CAP

8,855,113,806,377.24

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

93.77%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 5-Dec-16

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

25,743.03 8.86

25,671.23 8.83

-0.28% -0.28%

106.96 8.33

106.64 8.30

-0.30% -0.30%

Close 6-Dec-16

Change %

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 6-Dec-16

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open 5-Dec-16

Total Nigeria Plc Forte Oil Plc. Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc FCMB Group Plc

276.15 71.94 0.76

304.44 79.30 0.82

10.24 10.23 7.89

6.65 1.00

6.95 1.04

4.51 4.00

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open 5-Dec-16

Diamond Bank Plc Guinness Nig Plc Sterling Bank Plc Wema Bank Plc Oando Plc

0.91 80.33 0.73 0.55 4.70

Close Change 6-Dec-16 % 0.86 76.32 0.70 0.53 4.56

-5.49 -4.99 -4.11 -3.64 -2.98

Downward trend resumes as ASI drops 0.28% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Tuesday, December 6th, 2016 ends on a bearish note as stock market close red due to profit taking activities. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE subsectors: Banking, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas (Save Insurance). Trading activities increased in volume as 189.41 million shares worth of N2.49 billion in 2,894 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 175.06 million shares worth of N3.14 billion in 3,048 deals which exchanged hands on Monday. Topping in volume terms were Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc and GTB Plc, while GTB Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and FBNH Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with 0.28% (-71.80) decrease to close at 25,671.23 from 25,743.03 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N8.83 trillion from N8.86 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with a higher decrease of 0.30% to close at 106.64 from 106.96 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at 8.30 trillion from 8.33 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 26 stocks gained on the bourse today while 17 stocks declined, 62 leaving stocks unchanged. Total Nigeria Plc emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 10.24% to close at N304.44 per share. It was followed by Forte Oil Plc with a gain of 10.23% to close at N79.30 per share.

Others on the gainers list include: Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, National Salt Co. Nig. Plc and FCMB Group Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Diamond Bank Plc emerge with a loss of 5.49% to close at N0.86 per share. It was followed by Guinness Nig Plc with a loss of 4.99% to close at N76.32 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Sterling Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Oando Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

48

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Profit Taking Halts Four-day Rally at Stock Market

Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

The stock market closed lower yesterday after four days of positive performance due to profit taking activities. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 0.28 per cent to close at 25,671.23 following losses by some high capitalised stocks.

After the three days of gains last week, the market had

opened on Monday with a marginal gain of 0.01 per cent, which was a signal that profit taking was around the corner.

By the close of trading yesterday, the ASI has been depressed majorly as a result of price decline in Dangote Cement Plc (-1.2 per cent), Nestle Nigeria Plc(-1.2 per cent), Guinness Nigeria Plc(-4.9 per cent) and Nigerian Breweries Plc ( -0.7 pe cent)among others.

Apart from the ASI that went

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

down, market capitalisation shed N28.7 billion to close lower at N8.83 trillion.

However, Diamond Bank Plc led the price losers’ table with 5.4 per cent decline, followed

by Caverton and Sterling Bank Plc shedding 4.2 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively.

Other losers included: Wema Bank (3.6 per cent); May & Baker Nigeria Plc(3.3 per cent); Oando Plc (2.9 per cent0 and UACN Property Development

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

Company Plc(1.8 per cent).

On the positive side, Total Nigeria Plc and Forte Oil led with 10.2 per cent apiece, trailed by Forte Oil Plc Portland Paints with 9.4 per cent while Transcorp Plc appreciated by 7.8 per cent. Nascon Allied Industries Plc with 4.5 per cent.

Sectoral performance remained mixed as the NSE Oil & Gas Index led sector gainers with 2.8 per cent on sustained interest in Total (+10.2

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

per cent) and Forte Oil (+10.2 per cent). The NSE Banking Index trailed, rising by 0.1 per cent. However, persistent sell offs in Guinness Nigeria and Nestle made the NSE Consumer Goods Index to close 0.8 per cent lower. Similarly, the NSE Industrial Goods Index went down by 0.6 per cent on the back of price depreciation in Dangote Cement.

Meanwhile, the total value of stocks traded was N2.49 billion

staked on 189.41 million shares, down by 20.68 per cent from N3.14 billion the previous day.

The most actively traded sectors were Financial Services (159.08 million shares), Consumer Goods (13.89 million shares) and, Oil and Gas (4.64 million shares). The three most actively traded stocks were: Diamond Bank (66.55 million shares), FCMB (26.15 million shares) and GTBank (13.87 million shares.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

49

wednesdAY, december 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

SEC: MoU with Morocco Will Boost Asset Management, Green Capital Markets Goddy Egene The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria and Autorite Marocaine Du Marche Des Capitaux (AMMC) of Morocco will help to deepen the asset management space of the Nigerian capital market.

SEC and AMMC last week signed an MoU on the sidelines of the Nigerian- Moroccan bilateral talks during the

visit of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. According to SEC, the MoU will serve as a platform for regulatory cooperation and information sharing between the two capital market regulators.

The commission said this is a first step towards achieving an effective cross border market policing between the two jurisdictions and enhanced market development through leveraging mutual comparative advantages.

SEC explained that for

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

Nigeria, the MoU is a welcome development as it presents an opportunity to leverage the progress achieved in the Moroccan market to enhance especially the delivery of a few of the objectives of the 10 – year Capital Market Master plan.

“This for example is especially as relates to deepening the asset management space of the market, an area of comparative advantage for Morocco. The SEC Nigeria will also be understudying

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 5-Dec-2016, unless otherwise stated.

the advancements achieved

by Morocco in growing the green capital markets which was the fulcrum of the COP22 conference recently held in Marrakech which focused on fostering green capital markets in emerging economies,” SEC said.

It noted that the signing of the MOU signals a strengthened cooperation framework between Nigeria and Morocco in areas of common interests as it will encourage cross investments in the respective capital markets.

“It will also engender mutual recognition of regulations related to public offerings and professional certifications to facilitate dual listings and mobility of capital and labor between the two markets. The signing of the MOU was a historic milestone for Nigeria as it is in clear tandem with moves around all regions of the world towards cooperation and market integration.

Nigeria had earlier entered into such bilateral agreements

with several other jurisdictions such as, Angola, China, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda,” the commission said.

As members of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) which holds cooperation and integration as a cardinal objective, Nigeria and Morocco ordinarily has a platform to enter into bilateral agreements such as this as provided in the 38 IOSCO principles.

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 122.80 Nigeria International Debt Fund 220.58 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 0.70 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 123.75 12.71% 221.87 10.22% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.71 14.62% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

16.98%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.00 282.32 21.76

Offer Price 12.36 290.83 22.42

Yield / T-Rtn -1.53% 1.01% -1.30%

1.00

1.00

16.05%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 104.88

Offer Price 105.54

Yield / T-Rtn 5.21%

1.00 1.00 15.68% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.13 9.04 83.21

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 2.18 4.61% 9.27 -8.27% 85.35 2.59% invest@fbnquest.com

Bid Price 1,076.36 108.69 100.00 $101.77 $101.55

Offer Price 1,077.55 109.24 100.00 $102.57 $102.35

Yield / T-Rtn 5.03% 3.12% 14.87% 5.61% 5.39%

112.69

7.66%

111.19

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.91 2.54

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.92 0.55% 2.54 9.40% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,169.51

Offer Price 2,193.90

Coral Income Fund 2,085.99 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 -0.28%

2,085.99 10.26% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

15.21%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.66

1.67

1.56%

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 12.07% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,000.11 1,000.11 0.01% 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 9.29 9.37 -5.01% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.31% 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 1.04 1.06 5.73% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.38 10.45 4.19% 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 107.70 108.39 5.69% 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 1.24 1.24 9.52% 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 1,805.43 1,815.41 7.49% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 152.11 152.11 3.42% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.75 0.76 0.67% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 184.61 184.61 8.79% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 129.45 131.05 -4.34% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 16.88% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,391.55 7,489.15 2.84% 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 1.15 8.34% United Capital Bond Fund 1.24 1.24 16.27% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 1.18% 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 9.78 9.95 2.44% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.01 11.10 -3.93% Zenith Income Fund 16.96 16.96 5.72%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.58 123.19

3.99% 6.33%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 73.98

9.10 75.38

-6.02% -11.11%

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

2.58 7.14 11.85 15.37 127.80

2.62 7.22 11.95 15.57 129.80

12.88% 11.66% -4.37% -19.89% -

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.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Rivers Rerun: PDP, APC Claim Victory in Court Judgment on Tai Election Result Wike releases stadium to APC free of charge

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have both claimed victory in the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt over the results of Tai Local Government Area released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP had dragged the INEC and the APC before the court after the electoral body in the state declared some of the results from Tai Local Government Area arising from the March 19 rerun elections in favour of the APC four months after the election.

Tai local government is one of the local governments that makes up the Rivers South-East senatorial district where Senator Magnus Abe is contesting.

Delivering judgment yesterday, presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Liman, ordered that the result of the places where elections were postponed and suspended in the March 19 rerun election should arise from the upcoming rerun election.

Liman, however, failed to state whether fresh elections should be held in all the units or whether INEC should only conduct elections where the results were yet to be concluded in the local government.

The judge went further to state that the APC cannot claim victory since INEC is yet to issue a certificate of return to its candidate, adding that only INEC can announce the result of any election. He also stated

that the Law does not allow INEC to postpone election indefinitely without fixing a definite date.

However, both the APC and PDP are claiming the judgment is in their favour.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgment, counsel to the APC and its candidates, Mr. Baride Gwezia, said the court did not order for rerun and therefore the earlier 13,000 votes declared by INEC in favour of his clients stands.

He said: “The judge is courageous, he has done the right thing, there is no order to stop Tai elections. Elections will continue in the wards they have not conducted elections.

That’s what the court says.

The 13,000 votes remain with the APC. On his part, counsel to the PDP, Mr. Dike Udenna, stated that the court granted the reliefs sought in the suit.

He said: “The judgment is that plaintiff’s case succeeds.

Relief number one was granted which is that INEC has no powers to postpone elections without simultaneously fixing another date. Relief number 5 also succeeded but it was modified to read, the result of the election shall be arising from the rerun election. In other words, INEC has no powers to contrive figures or to declare results in an election that did not hold or that was postponed.”

The state chapter of the APC also said the judgment was in its favour.

In a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, said Liman

only ordered for the conclusion of Tai rerun elections and not fresh elections.

The statement read in part: “The attention of the APC, has been drawn to the ruling made today in respect of TAI rerun elections and wishes to state that at no time did Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting Port Harcourt nullify and/ or ordered for a fresh rerun election in Tai. His order for the conclusion of the Tai rerun is merely in tandem with the position already announced

by INEC that the commission will conduct elections in some wards and units in Tai come Saturday, December 10.

“It baffles the mind when members of the PDP, deliberately dispense blatant falsehood especially to the gullible on social media to the effect that the High Court judge ordered a fresh rerun election in Tai. The reference to a specific directive by the Justice for INEC to declare results based on the results filed from the field on

December 10 as being bandied is as shady as it is spurious.

“We believe that Justice Liman knows the limit of the powers of his court with regard to the constitution and the law and would not have attempted to overreach himself in his ruling. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 133 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) recognises only an election tribunal and not the Federal High Court as having the power to affirm or nullify an election result declared by INEC. The APC believes that the judgment did not differ in any way with the position already taken by INEC to conduct rerun elections in the few outstanding units and wards in Tai. It is too bad but not surprising that members of the PDP prefer to always live in denial by deceiving themselves.”

Meanwhile, the PDP has commended the court for its judgement which it said overruled INEC on the result the commission declared

earlier.

The state Chairman of PDP, Felix Obuah, in a statement in Port Harcourt said “re-run election in Tai which was suspended mid-way by the electoral umpire was officially approved and binding, and that it would be illegal, illegitimate and morally wrong for the same INEC to want to release election results either in whole or parts from same election earlier suspended, said it has restored the hope of the people of Tai and South East senatorial district.”

He said he totally agreed to the court reasoning that attempting to declare the suspended Tai result would be tantamount to double standard by INEC who abinitio created the confusion.

The state PDP Chairman also gave kudos on the order by the court that no results in whatever form emanating from the suspended March 19 Tai re-run election should be declared by INEC, stressing that the only acceptable re-

run election in the area is the expected December 10, polls.

Obuah said the court judgement has restored the hope of the people of South East senatorial district, describing the attempt by the APC to get away with victory through the backdoor as a shame and failed mission However, Wike has approved the request of the state chapter of the APC to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for its rally tomorrow.

In a statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, noted that the governor directed that the stadium be released to the APC free-of-charge.

The governor directed the state Commissioner of Sports to ensure that the APC take possession of the facility as requested.

The state APC Secretary, Chief Emeka Beke, had in a letter dated December 2, 2016, requested the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for the party’s rally.

NCC Rakes in N55m from 5.4GHz Spectrum Licence Auction Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday raked in N55 million from the auction of two slots of 25 MHz in the 5.4GHz Spectrum for delivery of wireless broadband in Lagos State.

At the conclusion of the auction for the six bidders which went through 11 rounds in Abuja, NCC’s Auction Overseer, Mr. Ubale Maska, said Cobranet Limited and Swiftnetworks Limited, each won one of the two slots at the price of N27,659,347.10.

The six companies which participated in the bidding for the two slots available in Lagos State, are the Swiftnetworks Limited, Cobranet Limited, Tizeti Network Limited, E-Kennet Limited, Steam Broadcasting and Communications Limited and Juniper Solutions Limited.

The two successful companies have therefore been provisionally awarded the slots

and have up till January 5, 2017, to pay the balance of N25,784,347.10. The two companies made initial payment of N2 million each.

In a remark, the CEO of Swiftnetworks, Mr. Charles Anudu, while commending NCC for its transparency in the bidding process, said: “NCC has displayed a very high level of transparency. If every regulator in Nigeria can be as transparent as NCC, Nigeria will go a long way.”

He assured that the company would utilise the resource to do NCC proud in the deployment of broadband services in its area of jurisdiction.

Also, in his remark, the CEO of Cobranet Limited, Mr. Jamil Chaptini, expressed satisfaction at the transparent nature of the bidding.

He said his firm would utilise its expertise in deepening broadband penetration.

WELCOME TO SENEGAL L-R: Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam in a handshake with President Marky Sall of Senegal at the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his delegation in Dakar for the third Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa in Dakar, Senegal....yesterday

Soldiers, Policemen Arrested for ‘Raping, Sexually Exploiting’ Female IDPs The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris has disclosed that two policemen, three soldiers, one prison official, one official of the Nigerian Air Force, a staff of the Borno State Ministry of Agriculture, and two members of the Civilian JTF, have been arrested for sexually abusing women and girls displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.

A report published in Human Rights Watch last October detailed how

government officials abused and raped women living at IDP camps in Borno State.

The report documented sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation, of 43 women and girls living in seven internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Four of the victims told Human Rights Watch that they were drugged and raped, while 37 were coerced into sex through false marriage

promises and material and financial assistance.

After the release of the report, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the IG and the affected state governors to investigate the allegations.

Speaking yesterday at the Inspector General of Police Conference in Abuja, Idris said police would liaise with the Nigerian Army and Air Force to make their personnel available for thorough investigation, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Idris said after the investigation, any suspects found guilty of the offence would be dismissed and taken to court for prosecution.

“We are going to conduct a thorough investigation and if anyone is found guilty we will dismiss him then take him to court,” he said.

He said the police had put in place some mechanisms, including the deployment of female police officers to IDPs camp, to checkmate possible future recurrences.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NYSC: Corps Member, Ifedolapo Died Due to Untreated Urinary Tract Infection House to investigate death

Damilola Oyedele and Ogheneuvwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Miss.

Ifedolapo Oladepo, who died recently at the orientation camp in Kano State, had kidney infection probably due to untreated urinary tract infection (UTI), a medical report presented yesterday by the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-General Suleiman Kazaure, has revealed.

The DG also said contrary to media reports that the deceased was left unattended to by the medical team of the NYSC, the doctors did everything to save her life before she finally gave up.

Brigadier-General Kazaure said on the strength of the wide publicity given to the allegation of negligence on the part of the NYSC, which did not tally with the preliminary reports from Kano State NYSC secretariat, he set up an independent investigation committee from the NYSC headquarters headed by the Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mrs. Victoria B. Okakwu, on December 2, 2016. ‘’The committee has submitted its report and from its findings, we have a very clear picture of what happened. The deceased corps member, who is a graduate of Transport Management from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, registered at the Orientation Camp on Friday, November 25, 2016’’, the NYSC boss added. ‘’On November 27 at 5p.m., the deceased first appeared at the camp clinic with complaints of headache

and fever which she said she had been experiencing for two days. On examination, the doctors on duty noticed rashes on her legs which she claimed started appearing as a result of her use of a second-hand shorts she bought without first washing it. ‘’The doctors at the camp clinic then treated her with arthemeter 160mg, piriton tablet and paracetamol for the fever and malaria and released her to go back to the hostel.’’

The report added that at about 3a.m. on November 28, the deceased was brought back to the camp clinic by corps members who were her friends, with further complaints of vomiting and general body pains.

After further examination, the doctors on night duty were said to have noticed that the rashes on her legs had increased which the deceased still dismissed as reaction to usage of a second-hand shorts, and she was thereafter admitted at the camp clinic and treated with Drazamol injection and Piriton to soothe her body pains as she was already on malaria drugs.

The report added: ‘’At 8a.m on the November 28, 2016, Dr. Morowei Woyingo examined the deceased and inquired about any history of drug or food allergy which could have resulted in the rashes. The deceased still insisted that it is a reaction from the use of second-hand clothes. The doctor thereafter administered hydrocortisone 200 mg for a start. ‘’The doctor proceeded to invite her other colleagues and they all converged by

Speaker Cautions against Bills Seeking Creation of New Agencies Damilola Oyedele in Abuja In the face of the ongoing economic recession being experienced in the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has cautioned members against pushing for legislation that will establish new agencies of government.

He urged the members to rather focus their attention on amendments that would strengthen existing agencies to address whatever gaps that are observed in the implementation of their mandates.

Dogara, while speaking when he declared open the public hearing organised by the House Committee on Information and National Orientation, Ethics and Values in Abuja yesterday, said the costs of establishing new agencies remained high.

“As a parliament, we must weigh very carefully the cost

of setting up new government agencies especially during this period of economic recession. Sometimes instead of establishing new agencies, we may just amend the laws setting up similar existing agencies by incorporating the mandate of the new agencies in the old one. This is because to set up a new bureaucracy of the status of directors, offices, equipment may be unnecessary.”

The hearing is intended to analyse the contents of four bills which have passed second reading. They are: a Bill for an Act to amend the National Broadcasting Commission Act, a Bill for an Act to Provide for the Regulation and Conduct of Broadcasting Profession in Nigeria, a Bill for an Act to Repeal Nigerian Films Corporation and Re-enact the Nigerian Films Commission and a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Agency for Ethics and Values.

9a.m to further examine the deceased. They noticed that the fever and body pains had subsided but the rashes on her trunk and lower limb were still very obvious. ‘’They concluded that in view of the treatment she had already taken and the vital body signs which were normal, she should be placed on observation with iv fluid (normal saline); and that if the condition does not improve, the deceased will be taken to the hospital for a more authoritative investigation and treatment.’’

As the plans were being made to transfer her to a hospital, the deceased was said to have called her personal doctor at home on phone who then requested to speak with the doctors at the camp clinic.

Her home doctor was said to have further affirmed to the Chief Medical Director

(CMD) at the camp clinic on the phone that the line of treatment given was good and the drugs administered were normal. ‘’It was at this point the deceased complained to the doctor that she had not urinated for some time. This was the note of alarm that hastened the deceased’s referral to Gwarzo General Hospital by 4p.m,’’ the report added.

The medical report further stated that since the potassium level was high, the deceased required immediate dialysis which was only available at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, about 2 hours drive away, adding that to survive the gruelling journey, the doctor decided to stabilize her by administering gluconate overnight.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has directed

its Committees on Youth Development and Healthcare Services to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Miss Oladepo.

The House also directed the NYSC to henceforth post experienced medical officials to man camp hospitals instead of leaving the corps members at the mercy of their contemporaries who studied medicine.

Hon. Olufemi Fakeye (Osun APC), in a motion, said Oladepo had taken ill, and reported to camp officials, who however thought she was feigning illness to be exempted from camp exercises.

“Because Rachael-Oladepo’s medical condition did not improve many hours after being admitted to the camp clinic, she was belatedly evacuated to another hospital where she reportedly died,” the lawmaker added.

In adopting the prayers of

the motion, the lawmakers observed a minute silence for Oladepo, and resolved to send a delegation to condole with her family.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, has expressed condolences to the Oladepo family of Ila Orangun in Osun State over the death of the young Oladepo.

In a statement, Lasun, who is also from Osun, described her death as very unfortunate and prayed for the repose of her soul.

He also expressed condolences to family of Mr. Ukeme Monday, who also died at the Zamfara camp of an undisclosed ailment.

“It is unfortunate that such a brilliant and promising young lady and a young boy who had struggled very hard to attain such enviable goal in life would just die at the prime of their age,” Lasun said.

LONG MAY YOU REIGN

L-R: Delta State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro Gbaraun II Aketekpe; former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, at presentation of staff of office to the monarch in Gbaramatu...yesterday

Senate C’ttee Uncovers N2.5bn Fraud by Presidential Committee on North-east Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate Ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-east yesterday uncovered fraud of N2.5billion allegedly perpetrated by the Presidential Initiative on the North-east (PINE) constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of North-east destroyed by Boko Haram.

The alleged discovery of the fraud came at time women in most of the Internally Displaced Persons camps (IDPs), go thorough a huge discomfort while searching for sanitary pads.

The alleged fraud was discovered at a public hearing organised by the committee in

the National Assembly.

The alleged fraud bothered on execution of non-existing contracts, overinflated contracts and outright misappropriation of funds.

At the hearing, PINE couldn’t account for N2.5 billion it received for execution of intervention projects in the region.

While the Secretary of PINE, Umar Musa Gulani, claimed that the agency spent a whopping sum of N203million to clear taipa grass in Yobe State, stakeholders from the state led by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mohammed Lamin, disputed his claim, saying ‘no taipa grass was cleared in the state by any federal government

agency.”

Also, Gulani’s claim on the clearing of invasive plants species around river banks in the state at N253million by PINE was equally countered by the commissioner and other stakeholders from the state in addition to the N422.5million he claimed was spent on provision of temporary shelter (tents) to small families in the state.

Even the claim by the Presidential Initiative to have spent several millions of naira for the renovation of about 18 schools completely wiped out by the Boko Hram insurgents in Yobe State alone, was also disputed by the commissioner and other stakeholders.

According to the

commissioner, only three schools have been renovated in the state by agencies outside the state, to which the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) have been directed by the Governor to identify.

Disturbed by the revelations, the committee came very hard on PINE by directing its Secretary, Gulani, to forward to it within one week all documents including photographs of claimed executed contracts, wondering why a paltry sum of N2million was spent by the agency to feed the IDPs and donating N50million to a nongovernmental organisation as clearly stated in their statement of account.

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Encomiums as Family Holds Service of Songs for Michael Ibru in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi Encomiums were yesterday poured on the late Olorogun Michael Ibru, who died on September 6, 2016, aged 86, after a protracted illness in Florida in the United States of America.

Families, friends, colleagues, and even the business community turned up en masse at the Harbour Point Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, to honour the deceased at a service of songs.

Even his former school mates at Igbobi College, Lagos, thronged the venue to pay their last respects.

Many of his former secondary school mates at Igbobi College, Lagos, when given the opportunity to speak all showered encomium on the late business mogul.

They described the deceased as a thorough leader who not only assisted his family members

and friends but also those he never knew.

According to them, they had left Igbobi College in 1950 like an orphans who did not know where to go or what to do.

They disclosed that while some of them proceeded immediately to higher school, Ibru however decided to go into business at a very tender age.

Meanwhile, they recalled that while at the Igbobi College, the deceased had exhibited very strong leadership qualities that made their principal appoint him not just as a prefect, but as well as the head boy.

One of the old boys said: “What struck me the most was his sense of humour. I never failed to relate with anybody he met no matter the level or differences.

The service of song which started around 5p.m. saw the cream de la cream of the business community within and outside the country.

Meanwhile, a church

service is expected to be held on Wednesday (today) at the Anglican Cathedral, CMS, Lagos. .

According to his son, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, their father not only led a good life, but was also Illustrious, loved, well respected and quintessential father.

While announcing the burial plans he had said about the deceased, “He was a wonderful, loving, generous soul and at the

same time one of the greatest Entrepreneurs in the History of Nigeria and Indeed Africa.

“The ‘Otota’ Of Agbarha Kingdom, passed on peacefully on September 6, 2016, Maryland, USA, aged 85 years.

“Olorogun Michael C. O. Ibru lived life as a brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. Above all, his love for family knew no bounds.

“As we celebrate the life of this great man, we would be honoured to have your presence at all the events to be held in his honour.”

Meanwhile, the commendation service will hold today at Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina, Lagos, and afterwards, the lying in state at his hometown in Agbarhaotor, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Another service of songs will be held same day at

the same venue before the burial ceremony the next day at All Saints Cathedral Anglican Communion, with reception to follow afterwards at Ibru field, opposite the Ibru Ecumenical – Centre.

On Sunday, the family said they will have an outing service at Andrews Anglican Church, AgbarhaOtor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, by 10a.m.

BBOG Group Wins 2016 International Human Rights Prize Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

that the grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo had The Government of advocated weekly in the Argentina has awarded last thirty nine years.

Their advocacy bears the #BringBackOurGirls movement (BBOG) the strong similarity with 2016 International Human # B r i n g B a c k O u r G i r l s Rights Prize - Emilio which has been on a daily F. Mignone - for work campaign since April 30, in advocacy towards 2014 for the rescue of respect for human rights now 196 out of the 219 #ChibokGirls abducted worldwide.

The group spokesperson, in their school on April Sesugh Akume, noted 14, 2014.

Other engagements the that the award ceremony would take place at the spokesperson disclosed, with Equipo Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Are Argentino de Trabajo e in Buenos Aires.

T h e Investigación Psicosocial Argentine #Bring’sBackOurGirls is (EATIP being represented at the Psychosocial Work and event by two members Research Team), the Forensic of the movement - Argentine Team Aisha Yesufu, who is Anthropology the Chairperson of the (EEAF, Equipo Argentino Strategic Team, and Dr. de Antropología Forense).

Chinwe Madubuike, a Special Representative for human rights in member of the team.

Akume hinted that while the international stage, Leandro in Argentina, they would Ambassador as part of the award Despouy; General Director Human Rights, ceremonies, meet with for the human rights group Minister María Gabriela - Las Abuelas de Plaza de Quinteros; Director for Mayo (The Grandmothers Subsaharan Africa; and of Plaza de Mayo - a Director for Women’s citizens’ group with a Issues, Minister María historical origin similar Luisa Martino. Centre for to #BringBackOurGirls. Legal and Social Studies According to him, “It is (CELS, Centro de Estudios y Sociales). made up of grandmothers, Legales mothers and other citizens Visit to the ex ESMA who have since 1977 (ex Naval School of been advocating for the Mechanics), visit to the return of an estimated Parque de la Memoria Park).

500 children abducted (Memory or born in detention Monument to the victims during the military era of state terrorism, and and illegally adopted, with conclude with a dinner the Mignone their identities hidden.” with He explained further family.”

MEDIA TOUR

Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ms. Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury (left), and Second Secretary Finland Embassy, Mrs. Outi Koikkalainen, during a courtesy visit to THISDAY Head Office in Lagos .....yesterday MUBO PETERS

NERC, W’Bank, Others May Meet over Power Sector Illiquidity Chineme Okafor in Abuja There are indications that key stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity supply industry may meet within the week in Abuja to discuss some of the critical issues currently affecting the operations of the country’s electricity market, especially its growing financial illiquidity.

With a view to finding solution to the issues, THISDAY gathered from an industry source yesterday that agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the World Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), as well as operators in the sector have agreed on the meeting which would be held at an undisclosed venue.

Top on the meeting’s agenda, the paper learnt, would be the deep financial troubles of the electricity market, the

possible impacts of the upcoming electricity rates which the NERC is due to complete its review, and other operational challenges of the sector.

Already, the sector ’s financial shortfalls have continued to grow. The status was in October 2016 stated to be around N809 billion.

Similarly, the NERC is expected to factor-in a number of fundamental economic indices like changes in foreign exchange and inflation rates, gas supply and generation capacity in its review of the electricity tariff.

These would ordinarily reflect in the tariff.

The confidential meeting, a top industry source said, would talk about these and proffer solutions to them.

It was however, agreed to be kept confidential because of the sensitive discussions.

While refusing to disclose the actual day and time of the meeting to the paper, the source

noted that media report of its proceedings was not approved, and that its final outcome may be made available to the media.

He however stated that it could be between Wednesday and Thursday this week.

“We know the market is in a very critical situation.

We also recognised that it was not really regulatory mistakes that contributed to this challenges but more of government’s, and now want to find solutions to them.

“In our analysis for instance, we discovered that the regulatory mistakes which were committed by the last board of NERC and which contributed to the shortfalls had been taken care of by the commission.

“Through the last tariff, these regulatory mistakes had been corrected but now, we see a lot of government contributions to the industry’s problems.

There are forex, inflation

and volumetric issues.

These we want to talk about at the meeting,” the source explained.

Speaking further on the tariff review which would expectedly launch a new electricity rate in January 2017, the source said the meeting would also look into it and the likely rate shock from it.

According to the source: “To mitigate such rate shock, the government can step in with either a subsidy or auctioning of the gas marginal fields that are closer to generation plants.

There h a s t o b e a way to gradually decentralise gas supply to allow for improved generation.

“Beside s , there is also the need to allocate risks a p p r o p r i a t e l y. R i s k s should be allocated to people that can best manage it, you do not punish people for what is not within their control like gas pipeline breaks and low generation.”

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Niger Delta Crisis: Jonathan, Okowa Beg Tompolo’s Kinsmen to Give Peace a Chance Sylvester Idowu in Warri Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday pleaded with the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State to give peace a chance for the desired development of the Niger Delta region.

Also, the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, told the people of the area that there was need for them to reconcile themselves with the state and the nation for development to take place in an atmosphere of peace.

Both spoke at the official presentation of staff of office to Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom.

The former president Jonathan said there cannot be any meaningful development in an atmosphere of violence

and urged the royal father to ensure that peace return to the kingdom.

“I believe there are challenges facing Nigeria, Delta State and Gbaramatu kingdom but we shall overcome those challenges and move forward,” he said.

The former president commended the people of the area for their choice of the traditional ruler and urged them to give all the necessary support to improve and develop the kingdom.

On his part, Okowa stressed the need for the people of the region to have a change of heart and embrace peace, stressing that development can only come to the area if there is peace and the revenue of the country improves.

He disclosed that the low revenue accruing to the federal government was also affecting the allocations to the state which in turn make it difficult for his

administration to embark on strategic development of the riverine and upland areas.

The King, Oboro Gbaraun II promised to bring even development to all parts of the kingdom and pleaded with the federal and Delta State governments to concentrate more efforts in the development of the kingdom.

“We shall do what is necessary to attract development to the kingdom.

We shall interact with all Ijaw kingdoms as well as other ethnic groups including Itsekiris, Urhobos, Isokos and others to ensure there is peace in the kingdom,” he added.

The royal fathers warned his subjects to desist fro all vices that will bring their names into disrepute and urged them to always think of how to development their various communities in the kingdom.

Police Recruitment: Service Commission Releases Names of 10,000 Successful Applicants Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday released the names of the 10,000 successful candidates who sat for the examination into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

President Muhammadu Buhari had early this year directed that the PSC commence the recruitment of 10,000 young Nigerians into the Force because of the shortage of capacity within the system.

In a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, in Abuja, he said the recruitment was based on merit and federal character.

The statement read: “This has conclusively completed the recruitment of the general duty applicants made up of 500 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP), 500 cadet inspectors and, 7,500 constables.”

The statement added that it had concluded the recruitment of 80 per cent of 1,500 specialists expected to be recruited into the Force and have also shortlisted applicants who applied for some disciplines that require further professional/expert interview.

These disciplines, the statement stressed include engineering, laboratory scientists and technicians and community health officers, adding that date for the interview will soon be communicated to the shortlisted candidates.

On the criteria used for the exercise, it said: “The recruitment exercise was based on merit, federal

character and geographical spread, adding that all the successful candidates went through the processes put in place for the exercise.

“The commission in accordance with extant rules and its guidelines placed advertisements in several national dailies inviting suitably qualified candidates. The adverts ran for six weeks.

“At the end of the six weeks period, a total of 911,438 applications comprising 262,462 applicants for cadet ASPs, 211,832 applicants for cadet inspectors and 437,144 applicants for constables were received electronically.

“A total of 338,250

applicants were later shortlisted also electronically and invited for screening at the state commands of the NPF. This figure was made up of 44,684 shortlisted for Cadet ASPs, 87,736 for cadet inspectors and 205,830 for constables,” the statement said.

This process, according to the statement was followed through from command zone and finally the national level where the successful candidates were selected.

The commission advised applicants who sat f o r t h e re c ru i t m e n t examination to check its website:www.psc.gov.ng for further details.

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

NFF: We Will Pay Falcons When We Get the Money from FG

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised to pay the victorious Super Falcons, but that will be when they have the cash to pay them.

NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, who met with the players and officials of the African champions at the Agura Hotel yesterday, said the federation is not happy owing players and coaches, but present severe economic challenges inform that it can only continue to seek the understanding of these persons, as well as hoteliers, travel agents and management and staff until the situation improves.

“There is no gainsaying that there is severe economic challenges and all organisations, whether government or private, are feeling the pinch. It is not government’s doing; it is not anybody’s doing. We know we have financial commitment to you (players and officials of Super Falcons) and we have not at any time stated otherwise. But the money is not readily available at the moment,” he told the team.

“I have come to appeal to you, to understand the situation of the federation, to understand the situation of the country at the present and exercise patience.

“We will pay you all monies you are being owed as soon as we receive same from the government, just as we paid

the Under-17 boys who won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile last year, after the tournament. And just as we sorted out Coach Samson Siasia’s wages as soon as we had the funds, after the Olympics.”

Sanusi also recalled that the Super Eagles were owed monies for the match against Tanzania and were paid when funds for that match was made available by government.

“As I speak with you, we are still owing the Super Eagles for the matches against Zambia and Algeria, but the memos have gone to government and are being looked at,” he said.

“We must commend the Hon. Minister (Solomon Dalung). He has been energetically pushing the cases of the various national teams. We did the memo for the Women Africa Cup of Nations in October and it is being processed as we speak.”

Stating that the NFF has embarked on aggressive drive to find a permanent solution to the issue of owing players and coaches, Sanusi said corporate players are now lending a listening ear to the NFF leadership and the federation’s finances would soon improve.

“We are also working to get monies outstanding from former sponsors of the national teams, to complement what we are expecting from government.

NPFL SUPER FOUR

Eguma: Rangers Game Not About Revenge

Technical Manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma, has said that there will be no talk of revenge when his charges face Enugu Rangers in the second game of the annual pre-season Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 Tournament.

The tournament starting today December 7 runs through Sunday, December 11.

The Flying Antelopes go toe to toe with the Pride of Rivers from 6:45pm this evening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu in the stand out fixture of Match-day one.

Rangers trounced Rivers United 4-0 the last the two sides met at ‘the Cathedral’ on September 4 but Eguma insists revenge will be the last thing on his mind tonight.

“The main thing about this tournament is to ascertain the level of preparedness of players in the squad.

“The team that Rangers beat 4-0 is quite different from our current team.

“There are some new players in the team now, the tactics are different and the general orientation is completely different.

“The outcome of the game

is really unimportant as our main focus is to see if the new players are responding to our philosophy.

“We also want to know if we have reached the standard required to give Nigeria creditable representation in next year’s CAF Champions League.

“We are not going for revenge against Rangers because we know that the amount of stiff competition we will face in the new season will not come from Rangers alone.

“So we have to look beyond Rangers,” he told the club’s official website.

Rivers United and Enugu Rangers will represent Nigeria in the 2017 CAF Champions League.

The nation’s best four teams and continental representatives in next year’s CAF competitions (Rangers, Rivers United, Wikki Tourists and FC Ifeanyiubah) are using the tournament to kick-start their preparations for the new season and the commencement of a new league season. Rivers United and Enugu Rangers will represent Nigeria in the 2017 CAF Champions League.

“In relation to all these, we are in the process of sorting out our TSA domiciliary accounts so that we can receive our due grants from FIFA and CAF, including the $80,000 prize money from the AWCON, once it is available.”

But in her reaction to the inability of the NFF to pay,

USA-based forward Francisca Ordega has regretted playing for the Super Falcons, saying she would have opted for another country because of the lack of support for women’s football in Nigeria.

Ordega won her third women’s AFCON in Cameroon last weekend and

has also represented Nigeria at Under-17 and Under-20 levels, but she said the neglect of women’s football by the country is most regrettable.

“If I had not played for Nigeria at full international level, trust me I would have played somewhere else,” a frustrated Ordega blasted.

“The U17 and U20 teams have been blamed for the performances at their recent World Cups, but they were poorly prepared for these competitions.

“If this continues, Nigeria will soon cease to be a force in Africa because there will be no future Super Falcons.”

L-R: SSA (Sports) to Lagos Governor, Mr. Anthony Adeboye; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Devt, Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu and SA Sports/Chairman, Lagos Sports Commission, Mr. Deji Tinubu; at the media briefing on the forthcoming CAF Beach Nations Cup to be hosted by Lagos this month

Lagos Set for Classy Africa Beach Soccer Nations Cup Tourney Kunle Adewale Lagos State Government has concluded plans to hosting an unprecedented Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.

At a press conference to herald the competition, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said hosting the competition is aimed at projecting Lagos positively to the world.

“Sport is paramount in the activities of the state and we

believe this championship is a good platform to showcase the best of what Lagos can offer in terms of culture and entertainment,” he said.

In his address, the Special Adviser to the governor on Sports and Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, revealed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, is keen about sports and is determined to make the state the hub of sports in Africa.

“Our job was made easy by the governor, who is a sport

lover. He is very conscious about youth development in Lagos state through sports.

So we decided to embark on various sporting activities to prevent the youth from social vices. For the Beach Soccer, there are provisions for engaging the fans,” said Tinubu.

Tinubu said the government is working with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Local Organising Committee to stage a hitch-free championship.

“We want people to see and

to say positive things about our country. We see no reason why Nigeria cannot host the Beach Soccer World Cup. We have also made plans for shuttle buses to convey fans to the arena. We are also working closely with the Local Organizing Committee for a commendable opening and closing ceremonies,” Tinubu said.

In his reaction, NFF Ist Vicepresident, Seyi Akinwunmi, promises a ‘world-class’ beach soccer event.

European Tour Considers Listing E’Guinea Open on Schedule Olawale Ajimotokan in Mongomo, E’Guinea Equatorial Guinea’s strategic investments in golf is inching toward global recognition after the European Tour hinted it was considering listing the yearly 3e Actuaries Equatorial Guinea Open on its tournament schedule.

The development will come as a big wake up call to Nigeria, which has for over two decades, neglected its National Open Championship and allowed it to slip into comatose.

The Tournament Director for the European Tour, Jose Maria

Zamora, was in Mongomo to assess Equatorial Guinea Open Championship, which officially tees off on Thursday with a field of almost 70 golfers from 27 countries including Nigeria.

Zamora, who also doubles as the Assistant Challenge Tour Director of the European Tour and is in charge of the Tours anti doping effort, regulation book and new projects, said yesterday that the visit would provide a platform to assess African players on the possibility of some of them joining the European Tour.

In an exclusive chat with THISDAY in Mongomo, he

said that he undertook the visit because of the report he had received about Equatorial Guinea Open and the large number of African golfers that usually attend it.

“You never know where the next Tiger Woods will come from. The idea is to develop golf tournament all over the world and open up to the new places where we can give opportunities to new African players to join the European Tour and make a living. We are assessing Equatorial Guinea Open, its facilities, infrastructure and organisation if there is a possibility the tournament

could be part of our schedule in the future. We will be very happy if that happens,’’ Zamora said.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (TODAY 8.45PM) R’Madrid v Dortmund Porto v Leicester Tottenham v CSKA C’Brugge v Copenhagen Leverkusen v Monaco Lyon v Sevilla Juventus v D’Zagreb Legia v Sporting

Wednesday December 7, 2016

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Presidency to Emir Sanusi

”Despite the emir’s seeming knowledge of these situations , his assertions were totally false and wholly fabricated. If a customer with XYZ Bank Limited has N100 in one account but has also borrowed N35 from XYZ Bank Limited. Even if the bank were to demand that this customer pays off all his debt to them, he can do so and still have N65 balance with the bank” – The presidency refuting Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II in his statement that the Tresury Singe Account (TSA) has been overdrawn by the federal government.

ISSA AREMU GUEST COLUMNIST

The Essential Fidel Castro

M

any thanks to Kayode Komolafe for his informed pan-African tribute on this page last Wednesday to the late Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, entitled “History Will Absolve Castro.”

He commendably “absolved” (as it were!) the iconic Cuban Revolutionary leader of some posthumous ideological smear such as that of America’s President elect Donald Trump’s dictated slander; that Fidel was “a brutal dictator”! Few hours after his death, the Western media was in frenzy with predictable posthumously distorted historiography of Fidel as “a rebel and strong man” who with iron hands muzzled the people of Cuban island. The received image of Fidel in Africa, (no thanks to CNN!) was that of a defiant anti-American strong who had survived countless assassination attempts by God-knows-Who. Nobel Prize Winner in Literature Wole Soyinka still agonises on how common sense is increasingly uncommon here. Komolafe has, however, shown that “uncommon” and real sense grounded in history and pan-Africanism still abounds in this continent. He objectively encourages us to see Castro beyond the Cold War prism as he beams a search light at a robust legacy of a revolution which had long achieved Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) well before the UN adopted them in 1990; a revolution that “has produced an educated people”, crashed to the barest minimum by global standard infant mortality, HIV infection rate and turned an island of 11 million people into a global capital of human solidarity with its positive impact in de-colonized Angola, Namibia and liberated South Africa and recently Ebola-stricken Liberia and Sierra Leone. He reminded us of what is not fashionable by news agencies to report today: that about 36, 000 soldiers of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) fought in the war to liberated some parts of colonized Africa, out of which 4, 300 died !

The remains of Fidel Castro, former Prime Minister (1959 to 1976) and President (1976 to 2008) of the Republic of Cuba have been laid to rest in the Cuban city of Santiago, nine days after his death at 90. As Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and its allies civil society pay a tribute to the great friend of Africa tomorrow morning in Abuja. As far back as 1975 Fidel Castro declared “We are a Latin-African nation….

African blood flows through our veins.” The interest of yours comradely is purely academic bringing to the fore the essential qualities of the late Fidel. Paradoxically very few global leaders lived and governed like a philosopher king like the legendary Fidel Castro. Articles and Reflections by Fidel after he stepped down from power in 2008 covered wide range of topics from politics to medicine, international diplomacy to climate change, Arab springs to global peace.

One essential non-ideological leadership quality of Fidel is power of knowledge and education. As far back as 1986, Fidel Castro in a rare interview granted to two Americans – Dr. Jeffrey Elliot and Congressman Marvin Dymally – discussed a wide ranging number of issues, including US allegations of Cuba-Columbia narcotics connection, leadership and leaders, the Third World debt problem, apartheid, the arms

Castro race and Cuba’s relations with the United States and the then USSR. The three-day interview later passed for a book entitled; “Nothing Can Change the Course of History.” The handy book shows the then 59-year old Castro as a most knowledgeable statesman man of global events and issues in his country, the Third World and the world at large. It throws more light on Castro’s personality and his vision of the world. A striking feature of Castro’s personality is his exceptional mastery of data and basic information to buttress logical analyses. He could forget telephone numbers, “unless there’s a special motivation.” “However, if you give me a figure on economics, I hear it or read it once and I don’t forget. If you give me a figure on public health, on education, on economic programmes, or even scientific data, I don’t forget.” Castro says, he has read Darwin’s down to Alex Harley’s Roots. He describes “Roots” as “a wonderful reconstruction of the human tragedy that was slavery.” He has read the Communist Manifesto and classic works of Marx, Engels and Lenin down to Churchill’s memoirs and anything published on Cuba that “I can lay hands on.” He told his interviewers: “I can grab a book and forget you.”

Another essential feature of Fidel leadership legacy is his globally acknowledged selflessness and disinterestedness, which by Nigerian “leadership” standard qualifies Fidel for canonization into sainthood. According to Fidel, “Material goods do not motivate me.

Money does not motivate me at all. The lust for glory, fame, prestige does not motivate me.

I really think ideas motivate me”, said Castro, echoing Cuba poet, Jose Martins words: “All the glory of the world fits into a kernel of corn.”

It is commendably for President Raul Castro to honour Fidel’s dying wish “that no statues be erected in his honor and no streets be named after him”. According to Raul Castro; “The leader of the revolution rejected any manifestation of a cult of personality,”. Are Nigerian leaders accumulating mansions willing to learn from Fidel that all that do impact on humanity is vanity!

It is also remarkable quality of Fidel is his objective non-doctrinaire assessment of historic

and sacred figures. For Castro, Jesus Christ and the Prophet Mohammed (Pbh) are the world’s greatest leaders because “… each of them had a doctrine, founded a doctrine and was followed by multitudes…they were religious leaders but leaders nonetheless.” His assessment of leadership qualities is also based on the requirements of different historical possibilities. “If George Washington had been born 50 years after independence, he might have been unknown and the same hold true if he’d lived 50 years before it.” Fidel sees Indira Gandhi, Argentine-born Che Guevera and scores of French revolutionaries, America’s Roosevelt, Lincoln and Jesse Jackson as great leaders. But Castro would not answer in the affirmative that he is a “leader”, remarking that it is an “old theory that associates historical events with individuals, and more so in the Third World where Western stereotype has equated “leader” with a “chieftain”. “I am amazed that in West, where you suppose that there are cultured societies and that people think, there’s such a strong tendency to associate historical events with individuals and to magnify the role of individuals. I can see it myself: Castro’s Cuba, Castro did this, Castro undid that. Almost everything in this country is attributed to Castro, Castro’s doing, Castro’s perversities. That type of mentality abounds in the West, unfortunately, it’s quite widespread. It seems to me to be erroneous

approach to historical and political events.”

Castro does not conceal his faith in human beings saying the potential capacity of human mind is infinite. “It is said that people use only 5 to 6 per cent of their mental capacity.

Nobody can imagine the kind of computer a man has in his head.” If there are “leaders” at all in Cuba, according to Fidel, they are doctors, manual and intellectual workers, school teachers and students, all armed militia and “the legion of anonymous heroes who constitute the people.” A great orator in his own right, Castro disagrees that he is a “masterful communicator” and humorously adds: “I have a great competitor and that’s Reagan”. Castro addressed the UN General Assembly for 41/2 hours in September 1960 and often spoke for hours on end at rallies attended by millions of Cubans. “I have a stage fright” says Castro, who scorns written speeches, which he describes as always colder and often the fruits of abstract inspiration.”

“When you’re in direct contact with the public nothing is artificial, nothing is abstract, you get better ideas, and words are more persuasive, more convincing.” The world not just Africa would miss Fidel’s love for humanity. Fidel is dead! Long live Fidel !!

• Comrade Aremu (mni) is a member of National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC )

CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE

REMEMBER THAT CARTOON? AGAIN, A NUMBER OF YOUTH CORPS MEMBERS HAVE DIED THROUGH THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE’S A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE AROUND NYSC ISSUE. …REASON WHY THE FG HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING AND WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING! 07-12-16

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