Tuesday 20th December 2016

Malami Meets Buhari on Probe of SGF, EFCC Chairman Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors, ostensibly to seek clarification on the

directive by the president for Malami’s office to carry out a probe of some top government officials of the administration who have been fingered for corruption.

Although the minister did not answer questions from State House correspondents

after his meeting with the president, sources said that he came to meet with Buhari on the directive to investigate top government officials alleged to have engaged in corrupt acts.

Also yesterday, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume met with Buhari over the Senate’s

decision not to confirm the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, following a security report from the Department of State Service (DSS) that indicted him for corruption and leading a

double life.

The president’s directive came on the heels of the Senate’s report on the humanitarian crisis in the North East which indicted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, for

awarding a weed clearing contract to his firm, Rholavision, as well as the upper legislature’s rejection of Magu over the damning DSS report.

However, when Ndume

Continued on page 6

CBN May Legalise Use of Bitcoin for Transactions, Says NDIC...

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Tuesday 20 December, 2016 Vol 21. No 7915. Price: N250

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Buhari Congratulates Saraki at 54 Describes him as one of Nigeria’s most influential politicians Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON...

L-R: Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald Duke; and former interim Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, at the special evening of music to usher in the yuletide season, held at the Lagos State Government House, Alausa, Lagos… Sunday night

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday described the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as one of the most influential politicians in the country.

In his goodwill message to Saraki on the occasion of his 54th birthday, Buhari congratulated the senate president, describing him as a man who has made tremendous impact on the Continued on page 6

Udoma Calls for Action to Tackle Revenue and FX Shortages in 2017 MTN Fine, N258.6bn recovered funds to partly finance 2017 Budget $1bn expected from oil royalties FG rules out retrenchment of civil servants Recession will ebb in 2017, president assures Nigerians Tobi Soniyi and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government yesterday restated that Nigeria was facing "not just a revenue problem, but specifically, a foreign exchange shortage" and

that much more needs to be done to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil exports. Minister of Budget

and Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma made these comments while unveiling details of the 2017 Budget

proposals presented to The National Assembly last week

by President Muhammadu Buhari. Udoma said while a

ministerial committee has been set up to improve oil receipts, much more need to be done to reduce foreign exchange

FG to Close Abuja Airport for Six Weeks for Rehabilitation of Runway... Page 9

demand by "producing more of what we consume" in Nigeria in an apparent alignment between fiscal and monetary policy. Udoma said: "we must reduce the demand for foreign Continued on page 6

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PAGE SIX UDOMA CALLS FOR ACTION TO TACKLE REVENUE AND FX SHORTAGES IN 2017 exchange by producing as much as possible of what we need in Nigeria. From refined petroleum products to textiles, clothing and most of our food items. But we will continue to need imported items so we must increase the supply of foreign exchange by tweaking some of our policies to make them more investor friendly, and by creating the right incentives for non-oil exports. Ultimately, the sustained growth of our economy must be on the back of an export led revival. The proposals in the 2017 Budget are aimed at creating the right incentives for Nigerians to achieve all these. The 2017 Budget proposals are therefore also a call to action." During the briefing, it emerged that the N50 billion naira fine so far paid by a telecoms operator, MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, and about N258.6 billion (recovered and expected to be recovered) looted funds would provide part of the funding window for the 2017 budget.

The Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Ben Akabueze, made the disclosure in Abuja as Senator Udoma, unveiled the provisions of the 2017 budget proposal.

Akabueze, who was responding to a question seeking clarification on how much recovered loot the federal government was planning to inject into the 2017 budget, put the figure at N258.6 billion.

Providing the breakdown, he said N96.8 billion was part of the Abacha loot from Switzerland, N72 billion cash recovered locally, and another N90 billion expected to be recovered soon.

According to him, the process of recovering the N90 billion had reached an advanced stage as the legal hurdles were being scaled.

Senator Udoma, in his presentation, also indicated that the recovered loot and MTN fine were to form part of funding for the 2017 budget.

Also responding to questions, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said he had already intervened in the ExxonMobil

industrial dispute with a view to resolving the impasse.

Kachikwu, who expressed optimism that the matter would soon be resolved, hinted that the federal government was expecting royalty payments of about $1 billion from the oil sector in 2017.

Giving an overview of the 2017 budget proposal, Udoma said the budget reflected the government’s “commitment to restore the economy to the path of sustainable and inclusive growth”, adding that efforts had been made to ensure that the budget aligns with Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP).

“A Medium Term Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017 - 2020) is being finalised which addresses the current economic challenges and is aimed at restoring growth.

“The plan builds on the existing Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), and contains strategic objectives and enablers required to revive the economy,” he said.

The strategic objectives of the NERGP, he added, include pulling the economy out of recession, investment in manpower and, laying the foundation for diversified, inclusive and sustainable growth.

The 2017 budget, Udoma stated, reflects many of the reforms and initiatives in the SIP and NERGP and in the 2017-2019 Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS), as well as the 2017-2019 Medium Term Fiscal Framework.

According to him, a Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) approach was adopted to prioritise and select 2017 capital projects for 14 large capital spending ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) involved in the MTSS. “Projects were linked to government policies and strategic priorities. MDAs that were not involved in the MTSS process used the Rapid Appraisal Project Identification and Prioritisation System (RAPIPS).

“Zero-Based Budget (ZBB) principles were used in preparing the budget. ZBB ensured that expenditures in

the 2017 budget are linked to government’s strategic reforms and initiatives for economic recovery,” he added.

Next year’s budget, according to him, was designed to expand the partnership between the public and private sectors, including development capital to leverage and catalyse resources for growth.

He explained that the decision to make the private sector a key driver was because the government is hamstrung by the paucity of funds.

The minister reaffirmed that the budget would focus on ongoing critical infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, power and ICT, among others which have quick positive effects on the economy.

He also alluded to plans to utilise special economic zones and industrial parks as vehicles to accelerate domestic economic activity for innovation and wealth creation.

Speaking on the key assumptions and macroeconomic framework for the 2017 budget, Udoma restated that it was predicated on an oil production target of 2.2 million barrels per day (mbd), benchmarked oil price

of US$42.5/b, exchange rate of N305/US$, and inflation rate of 15.74 per cent.

Others are GDP growth rate of 2.5 per cent, consumption of N87.95 billion and nominal GDP of N107.96 trillion.

He acknowledged that analysts had described the size of the budget as massive, noting that in real terms, it was not humongous when compared with South Africa, Ghana and some other countries in relation to GDP. The minister could not, however, explain why there was high domestic borrowings to finance the deficit in next year’s budget, relative to this year.

The overall projected budget fiscal deficit of N2.36 trillion for 2017 is about 2.18 per cent of GDP. The deficit is to be financed mainly by borrowings which have been projected at N2.32 trillion.

Of this amount, N1.067 trillion or 46 per cent will be sourced externally, while N1.25 trillion will be sourced domestically.

He also explained that four MDAs: The Ministry of Interior for N482.37 billion; Ministry of Education - N398.01 billion; Ministry of Defence - N325.87

billion; and Ministry of Health - N252.86 billion.

The minister assured that government was not embarking on any retrenchment of civil servants, adding that there were sufficient provisions for personnel cost next year.

The Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere asked the minister why the government was breaching extant laws by presenting the 2017 budget proposals to the National Assembly without getting approval for the MTEF and still went ahead to publicly unveil details of the proposal.

In his response, Udoma said the parliament was already in possession of the budget MTEF and Appropriation Bill, and expressed optimism that the lawmakers would opt to do the first thing first.

At the unveiling of the 2017 budget proposal which took place at the Congress Hall of the State House, Abuja, were no fewer than ten ministers.

They were Udoma; his Minister of State, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh; and Minister of Interior, Maj.-Gen. Abdulrahman

Dambazau.

Others were the Ministers of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole; Information, Lai Mohammed; Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani; Communications, Adebayo Shittu; and Kachikwu.

However, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was conspicuously absent.

Her Director Information, Mr. Na'Innah Dambatta, who was present at the event, parried the question when some reporters enquired from him on the minister’s absence.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the economic recession will begin to ebb in 2017.

A statement by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, said the president spoke yesterday in Abuja while declaring open an induction course organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Nigerian Career Ambassadors-designate who were recently cleared by the Senate.

The president said: “We are optimistic that the external factors that partly contributed Continued on page 8

PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION...

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (seated centre), after a dinner he hosted in honour of 72 scholars of Kwara State origin who graduated with First Class degrees in various disciplines as part of his 54th birthday celebrations, held in Ilorin, Kwara State… yesterday

MALAMI MEETS BUHARI ON PROBE OF SGF, EFCC CHAIRMAN was cornered by journalists, he refused to disclose the details of his meeting with the president, but said: “My meeting with Mr. President is not a new thing in that you have been seeing me here in and out for two reasons: One I’m the Senate Leader by the

grace of God and two, General Buhari, the president, is one of my mentors and we have been relating since 2002.

“So, we normally come intermittently to compare notes on issues so that’s my reason for coming here.”

Asked to comment on the

position taken by the Senate on Magu, the Senate leader, who was alleged to have appealed to his colleagues last week not to turn down Magu’s confirmation, said the acting EFCC chairman had not been completely rejected by the upper chamber in the

parliament.

He said: “No, no, no, let me say categorically that the Senate did not reject Ibrahim Magu as the chairman. What happened was that when we slated his confirmation for Thursday, at the time we had an issue or a letter

from the Department of State Service (DSS) that could not allow us to continue with the confirmation without further clarifications.

“So, we now concluded that since we have a letter that we cannot ignore we could not do the confirmation. So, it

was not that we sat down to take a decision that we have rejected Ibrahim Magu. I want that to come out clearly.”

He added that the Chairman of Senate Committee on Media

Speaking at the ceremony, Saraki said it was high time Nigerian began to focus less on oil and pay more attention to developing human resources.

The senate president observed that the disciplines in which the graduates bagged their first class honours were “very difficult disciplines.”

The feat, he noted, suggested that Nigeria is blessed with promising future leaders.

“We spend a lot of time talking about oil but we spend less talking about the most important resources. What we have before us worth more than many barrels of oil; they worth more than tantalite,” the senate president said.

He praised the parents of

the beneficiaries for ensuring that their children have good education.

Saraki challenged other parents to take the education of their children and wards seriously for the betterment of the country.

“There are a lot we can do in this state if we focus on our human resources. We don’t have oil in Kwara State but our human resources is more than oil,” he said.

In his address, the Project Manager, Saraki Employment and Empowerment Centre (SEEC), Yinka Adeyeye, said the initiative which was first of its kind in the state, was the Senate president’s vision of nurturing future leaders.

He listed the disciplines

where the beneficiaries distinguished themselves to include 11 first class graduates in mathematics, six in Economics; five in Biochemistry; four in Civil Engineering; three in Computer Science, Statistics, Microbiology among others.

A special prayer was also held at Saraki’s resident to mark his birthday.

The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheik Mohammed Bashir Solihu.

The prayer session attracted dignitaries, including members of the two chambers of National Assembly, the state assembly, top government functionaries and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Continued on page 8

BUHARI CONGRATULATES SARAKI AT 54 country.

In a statement signed his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, the president noted that Saraki has successfully kept the memory of his late father alive by identifying with the grassroots in his home state.

While wishing the senate president many more prosperous years ahead, the president called for closer cooperation between the executive and the legislature to ensure the smooth implementation of government policies and programmes.

He said despite the principle of separation of powers, both arms of government should be united in the promotion

of the common good of the people.

The president noted that whatever differences that might occasionally arise between the two branches of government should not be allowed to compromise their common goals of promoting the greater progress and development of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Saraki yesterday awarded scholarship to 73 First Class graduates from Kwara State to mark his birthday.

The senate president had hosted the graduates and their parents to a dinner last Sunday night.

The programme which was held at his residence in Ilorin, lasted till 12a.m. yesterday.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

IMF Chief, Christine Lagarde, Found Guilty in France Trial Chr st ne Lagarde the manag ng d rector of the Internat ona Monetary Fund (IMF) was found gu ty yesterday of cr m na charges nked to the m suse of pub c funds dur ng her t me as France s finance m n ster a verd ct that cou d force her out of her post reported the New York T mes Ms Lagarde who began her second five-year term at the IMF n February faces a fine of up to 15 000 euros or $15 700 and up to one year n a The scanda has overshadowed her work at the fund to wh ch she was appo nted n 2011 after Dom n que Strauss-Kahn res gned as manag ng d rector when he was accused of hav ng sexua y assau ted a ma d n a New York C ty hote The move s ke y to destab se the IMF wh e t faces a host of thorny ssues nc ud ng quest ons over ts part c pat on n a mu t b on-do ar ba out for Greece and uncerta nty about the Un ted States ro e n the organ sat on once Dona d J Trump becomes pres dent n January The IMF board had a so been prepar ng for a poss b e conv ct on w th peop e c ose to ma or shareho ders say ng that n the absence of a pr son term — and w th

NEWS FG to Close Abuja Airport for Six Weeks for Rehabilitation of Runway The Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, yesterday said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja would be closed between February and March next year to allow Julius Berger carry out repairs on the damaged runway. Page 9

TUESDAY DECEMBE

NEWS R 20, 2016 •

T H I S D AY

News Editor FG to Close Davidson Iriekpe Abuja Airpor n t for Six We Rehabilitation eks for of Runway Aviation union s emba

9

Email davidso

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08111813081

explaining that robust arrangement had been finalised The Minister State Governmenthe with Kaduna Nigeria. of t to convey the Mr. Hadi Sirika, State for Aviation, passengers yesterday said to Abuja.

This came fully realised.

Nnamdi Azikiwe the as the Sirika said: Internationa “It will cost Executive Council of National Airport (NAIA) The which have National managemeunions said in Abuja wouldl government substantial Association be closed between the since inceptionremained the same amount Engineers of Aircraft Pilots of money but nt of Arik aviation workers February and allow we thought in March next (NAAPE), the will be supported total unionisatioAir must years ago,” of Arik Air over 10 by our year to allow and wisdom that palliative National the unions said.

Nigerian workers n of its Julius wrong Berger carry approach is Union of Air Transport Employees employees in compliance The unions also out want immediate other sectors throughoutfrom all extant labour damaged runway.repairs on the we will because three years down, (NUATE) and Air with commencem Transport laws Nigeria come back to do the same Service Senior Staff Association respect to the 1999 and with conditions ent of negotiations of to underscore the seriousness Briefing journalists repairs of the-spot assessment after an on- for thetherefore we decided to go (ATSSSAN) have directed “The managemeConstitution. within of service to be concluded the matter at hand,” the four unions bigger option also said. commencem of the runway he said while ent of a joint the Air recalls all sackednt of Arik of pension,weeks and remittance the runway would, do structural repairs which is to at Arik The unions also employees tax, and statutory Air with effect strike who has been still be put to if the runway which will deductions said all ground victimised for use during the to the appropriate handling services, months of rehabilitation their six to complete.take about six months 00:00hrs on December 20, from roles in the effort for Arik Air security clearance to bring about authorities.

2016. unionisation A statement , the airport would however ticket “Towards the The minister said in Arik Air. Payment three unions signed by the of salary full realisation marshaling, aviation fuel holders, the weeks between be shut for six was said the strike arrears of the strike, not unaware government would supply, February and all aviation workers, air traffic control, to pay salaries with commitment in complete continue indefinitely March, when of the pains safety inspection, passengers are the mid section as etc until at will solidarity when certain conditions be completely currently going henceforth and the runway would due of through withdrawn immediate review enslaved comrades with their and all Arik due be reconstructed were of all Air employees, in Arik Air According . of aviation to the non-availability employee remunerati shall withdraw aviation workers, and fuel and the all services Muhammadu to him, President foreign ons rendered other Buhari had approved exchange whichscarcity of by third parties. being are hereby enjoined stakeholders the reconstruction has also impacted on The compliance to ensure work through government emergency procurement with this directive full the finance.

While please. for work to commence procedure understandin pleading for g, he said consultations because of the centrality were ongoing and with oil marketers, Abuja to the generalimportance of Ministry the of Petroleum administration of the country. and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve He admitted the crisis, cannot afford that government country adding: “Very soon, the to airport for a long close down Abuja cannot will be out of this, as we palliative repairs time, even though aviationbe relying on Ghana for fuel.” at the runway had been ongoing On the Bilateral in the last three Air Agreement months. with other countries, he The minister said: government had signed said finish of the runway “From start to with BASA 18 countries that months. However , it will take six frequently Nigerians visit and do the runway almostwe will be using with. business throughout the period except The MOUs, he for said, gives Nigeria when the runwayabout six weeks the opportunity will be closed. to operate air That is when services we the mid-section are going to do “With with 18 countries, adding: this, we of According to the runway.” to fly and land have the freedom safely had accepted the him, government space and this will assistin other air contractor, addingdesign done by the our in opening market.” that the runway would last for While more than 10 on completion years Nigeria expressing optimism that early next year. will reap great benefits from On the six Turkey, the airport to weeks closure of made he said that country had progress passenger in air traffic, he said Abuja transportation bound passengers being at the centre of from any part Europe and therefore a hub of the world will in aviation business, the Kaduna airport use R-L: Governor as alternative, adding that the United States of America operates Ike EkweremadIfeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu open skies with State; Sultan of u; former Governor NPFL

AN AUGUST

FG to Launc h Digital Switch Thursday over Olawale Ajimotokan

VISITOR

champions, Rangers

Sokoto, Alhaji of Anambra International FC State; Mr. Peter Obi; Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar and Senator Chuka of Enugu....yes 111; Deputy Senate terday.

Utazi, when the Despite Rece Sultan visited President, Senator Enugu to honour ssion, Lagos the Generated More 2016, Says Amb Revenue in ode

inAbuja

and audio clarity The federal government free channels in addition to 30 that supply is set to launch the Digital Switch Over entertainment, music, sportsnews, (DSO) in broadcasting business, among and in Abuja other next Thursday.

Mohammed expressedcontents.

This was announced confidence that within three Lagos State yesterday years of the digital by the Minister transition, of Akinwunm Governor, Mr. of Culture, Alhaji Information and be created one million jobs will i the event which Sunday hailed Ambode, last performance featured during the tour Lai Mohammed, television in the development of tax payers in content, technical state for performing the musicians s by array of evergreen they say Nigeria is in recession, station and Callof the transmission somehow and was attended software developmen services, obligations faithfully, their civic top The event was Communication Centre of Pinnacle the installation by to do it, Lagos has been able t, as well as political leaders, attended by top saying the and it leaders state recorded and repair distribution for Limited, the signal for more Internally of industries, media captains are paying is because people of All including National Leader over 24 million of decoders the Generated Revenue their executives, Progressives Congress The minister, Abuja DSO. televisions (IGR) in 2016 professionals in various “The truth is taxes.

(APC), who described households, among others.

Bola Tinubu; than what was that the fields, members the launch as Governor The revolutionar despite economicrecorded in 2015 among of the diplomatic corps, have been carrying out people State, Rauf Aregbesolaof Osun Nigerian broadcasting y in the DSO minister said even though the their civic State others, Ambode obligations and recession in the would not country. ecosystem, Deputy Governor, ; Lagos somehow said the state governmen said 30 free fell swoop acrosstake place in one channels would Dr. Idiat t was greatly been returning those we have Oluranti Adebule; As at December the country, the available for Abuja obligations be federal government with the services Minister of 16, 2016, the appreciative of the contribution Information, residents state had raked in remains resolute that we the switch over upon in its Culture and Tourism, s provided N287billion of the people to the growth commitment and you found have Alhaji Lai Mohamme IGR for the of the this to meeting the state in the Set-Top Boxes while over 450,000 2017 year under out that year under year; we have d; (decoders) have deadline for review adding as against N268.2billion review, more provided for actually made Governors of Osun State,former that Also speaking the DSO. the commencembeen generated IGR Chief Bisi Akande in 2015. at the Call Centre principally to the event was recession. than last year under ent. of the “We are impressed and Senator a Adeleke; appreciate them.

Isiaka National Broadcasting by the speed, Speaking at commitment and former He Commission “So, somehow, Cross River State, Governor of of music and a special evening is that said: “You wonder what to this project passion of Pinnacle government (NBC), he said the we need it appreciate camaraderie and we have held at is an we are doing? We said the Lagos House, all the people to Majority Leader Donald Duke; is equally concerned come about here to ensure it evening have of Ikeja, that House of with that customers’ satisfaction, made to usher but Representatives, in the yuletide unturned to ensure no stone is left informed the truth is I the governor then I look this to happen and Femi Gbajabiamila which Senator representing just set this said the taxes season, Ambode to appreciate at the way ; Abuja on Thursdaysmooth DSO in Centre the setting up of the Call paid by the people Lagos West all of you and up arts, entertainment, I could use at the Senate where subscribers ,” Mohammed have been say a said. tourism and and his predecessor, to judiciously can call to make inquiries utilised have big thank you. Yes, people hospitality not only to to upgrade promote the Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, He expressed infrastructures been prompt response.or complaints for Ganiyu Olanrewaju provide various and and working saying that Lagos is excellence that Lagos has residents of the delight that the The pilot Solomon FCT in possession he said Lagosiansservices, just as because but Lagos is only working been known for but to always respectively; Speaker decoders will of was launchedscheme of the DSO receive better appreciated for deserved to be seated of the people who are another sector of revenue provide House of Assembly,of Lagos State in Jos, picture on for Lagos Obasa; here.

State and I felt Mudashiru April 30, 2016 Plateau State, the governmen cooperating with one of the ways Managing Director “The tax payers t in that regard. to Access are the ones go about that was to invite of Speaking on our old South Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; the significance giving us the little celebrities that energy West APC Women we seem to we have and have Chief even though that forgotten and spend Leader, Kemi Nelson; when with an evening Iyalode of them,” the governor Lagos, Alhaja Binta Tinubu, said. among others.

Tinubu, Aregbe sola,

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UN O M D M N

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POLITICS Justice Onnoghen in Limbo

n.iriekpen@thisd

rk on strike again st Arik Air

Chinedu Eze in Dele Ogbodo Lagosand in Abuja

ArecentreportbytheFedera A recent report by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said over 70 of its personnel were killed inn2016asaresu 2016 as a resulttofv of violent attacks o entattacks by motorists on road marshalss innthe the bymotor stsonroadmarsha course of duty on highways.

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The refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that JusticeWalter POLITICS Nkanu Onnoghen is appointed the Justice Onn substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria oghen in Lim bo (CJN) is currently generating negative T reactions in the polity. Onnoghen was sworn as acting CJN precisely on November 10, 2016 following the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.

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Lagarde cont nu ng support from the French government — Ms Lagarde wou d probab y be ab e to stay n her pos t on The IMF sa d n a statement after the

The pres dent cont nued “You have a duty to correct th s narrat ve by tak ng the n t at ve to define and portray our country for what t tru y s We are a nat on of 180 m on v brant enterpr s ng hardwork ng hosp tab e and peacefu peop e “We are a remarkab e nat on that has succeeded n harness ng our mu t p e d vers t es as strengths such that we are the ead ng country on the cont nent “Therefore you w need to mob se sens t se and mot vate a your staff so that together you engage w th your host governments the pr vate sector and other segments of the soc ety to exp a n that N ger a s much more than the negat ve mage portrayed to them ” Buhar a so en o ned them to everage on the ach evements of N ger ans w th n the country and n the d aspora “Th nk of peop e ke Nobe Laureate Wo e Soy nka Ch nedu Echeruo who founded the Hotspot app cat on wh ch he so d to App e for over a b on do ars th nk of Bayo Ogun es who runs over a b on do ar nfrastructure fund and s now an adv ser to US Pres dent-e ect and Je an A yu an accomp shed car des gner at Genera Motors “Indeed these and other hardwork ng N ger an profess ona s n the d aspora have never forgotten the r roots and have been mak ng s gn ficant contr but ons to the r commun t es back home and even to our economy through the r huge rem ttances ” he sa d He urged them to susta n the work

In fact we have referred the order form to the comm ttee ” Ndume a so spoke on the recommendat on of the Senate ad hoc comm ttee wh ch recommended the remova of the SGF Accord ng to h m the recommendat on was not an order to the execut ve arm add ng “The Senate reso ut on was a recommendat on t s not a aw “What the Senate cons dered was work n progress because t was an nter m report It was for the same pub c espec a y for those that are nterested and worr ed to know what we have done as a Senate about those a egat ons “The comm ttee re eased the nter m report and the nter m report seemed to nd ct the SGF the consequence of that nd ctment was what they recommended but we are not there yet because the report tse f s nter m So we st have to wa t unt the who e nvest gat on

IVE BRI EFIN

• TUESDAY , DECEMBER 20, 2016

Group Politic s Editor Olawa le Olaleye Email wale.o laleye@thisda ylive.com 0811675981 9 SMS ONLY

G

For how long will Justice Walte Nigeria (CJN) r Nkanu Onno ? This ghen remai writes Davidson is one question many people are currenn in acting capacity as the Iriekpen Chief tly asking Presid ent Muhamma Justice of he refusal of President Muhamma Buhari to ensure du Buhari, du Nkanu Onnoghenthat Justice Walter

verd ct that the board wh ch has met prev ous y to cons der the case was expected to “meet aga n short y to cons der the most recent deve opments”

eth c character sed by the ove of country profess ona sm exce ence ntegr ty and honour assoc ated w th the “N ger an d p omat c trad t on estab shed n 1957 by the p oneers of the N ger an Fore gn Serv ce somet mes referred to as the “Twe ve Apost es” and a so “bequeath same to succeed ng generat ons ” Buhar a so charged the ambassadorsdes gnate to stress N ger a s comm tment to nternat ona peace and secur ty through contr but ons “to near y every UN peacekeep ng n t at ve s nce 1960 when we ach eved our ndependence In add t on we are the stab sers and shock absorbers of West Afr ca hav ng he ped to conta n potent a y de-stab s ng deve opments n the sub-reg on” He urged them a ways to be m ndfu of the nat ona pr or t es that “revo ve around the economy secur ty ant -corrupt on good governance agr cu tura transformat on and nfrastructure deve opment nc ud ng ra roads and power” and use the r ro es “as pr nc pa representat ves to bu d mean ngfu partnersh ps to attract fore gn nvestments new sk s and techno og es ” He a so asked them to set the standard of putt ng N ger a first n a the r act ons “You must show eadersh p fa rness and ust ce to a D sc p ne prob ty accountab ty and zero to erance for corrupt on must be your watchwords “You are expected to pro ect the best mage and trad t ons of our country n your conduct and a you do ” he added

MALAMI MEETS BUHARI ON PROBE OF SGF EFCC CHAIRMAN was d rected to ssue a statement to that effect He sa d “What we sa d ast Thursday was that the Senate cou d not go ahead w th the confirmat on of Mr Ibrah m Magu and that we are n possess on of a etter from the Department of State Serv ce wh ch requ red c ar ficat on from Mr Pres dent who s the head of the government That was what happened “Even f the re ect on s go ng to come t s not go ng to come from the Senate ” When rem nded that the Senate spokesperson had sa d spec fica y that the upper chamber had re ected Magu the Senate Leader responded “I hope we are not argu ng I stened and I st stened because of th s controversy that came out “I was one of the persons that wrote the short press statement wh ch stated that the Senate cannot cont nue w th the confirmat on It was d fferent from say ng that the Senate had re ected h m

Two-Minute Briefing

EDITORIAL Violence Against Uniformed Men

UDOMA CALLS FOR ACTION TO TACKLE REVENUE AND FX SHORTAGES IN 2017 to push our economy nto recess on w ebb n 2017 Unt then I regret that the resources ava ab e to fund our m ss ons abroad w not be as robust as we wou d ke “We are work ng hard to turn around our nat ona economy by effect ve y reform ng our macroeconom c env ronment through measures some of wh ch were out ned n my budget speech to the Nat ona Assemb y ast week ” The pres dent who sa d the preva ng econom c c rcumstances had ed to the restructur ng of N ger an m ss ons abroad ca ed on the ambassadors-des gnate to make ud c ous use of the resources put at the d sposa of the r m ss ons He sa d “As heads of m ss ons you w be he d accountab e for the ut sat on of a resources under your contro These are ean t mes and a of us are expected to do more w th ess ” Buhar charged the ambassadorsdes gnate to change the narrat ve of N ger a outs de the country by p ay ng up the pos t ve va ues and outstand ng contr but ons of N ger ans n the g oba arena “I want to emphas se on your duty to change the narrat ve of N ger a as seen by the outs de wor d For far too ong we have a owed N ger a to be defined by others a ways emphas s ng our negat ves “To the average fore gner N ger a evokes 419 terror sm m tancy communa and re g ous c ashes nsecur ty corrupt on and a our other fau ts ” he sa d

STARTERS

s conc uded “I hear com ng from the SGF that he has not been g ven a fa r hear ng wh ch means that the hear ng has not been fin shed We can g ve h m amp e t me to appear before the comm ttee and c ear h mse f ” The pres dent on Sunday had d rected the ust ce m n ster to nvest gate a egat ons of corrupt ons aga nst top government offic a s A two-paragraph statement ssued by h s med a a de Mr Garba Shehu sa d “The attent on of the pres dency has been drawn to a number of reports n the med a n wh ch var ous accusat ons of corrupt on have been eve ed aga nst some top offic a s n the adm n strat on “In that regard Pres dent Buhar has nstructed the Attorney Genera of the Federat on to nvest gate the nvo vement of any top government offic a s accused of any wrong-do ng If any of them s ab e he w not escape prosecut on ”

substantive Chief is appointed the Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is currently generating negative reactions Onnoghen was in the on November sworn as acting CJN polity. precisely 10, 2016 following of Justice Mahmud the retirement Mohammed, the mandator who attained y retirement Ordinarily, age of 70. raise any issuethe appointment should not circumstances, but in the face of the existing the acting CJN’sthe argument has been that Many observers appointment is tendentiou s. appointed him feel that the president simply in acting pressure and capacity to ease off later Analysts believe dump him. has the powers that though the president to appoint capacity, they a CJN in acting no constitutio however argued that there appointed in nal basis for Onnoghen was acting capacity to be was very clear when the coast for him to full capacity, based on the be appointed in of the National recommendations Judicial Council subject to confirmati (NJC) and on by the Senate 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitutio Section Section 231 (1) of the 1999 n (as amended). amended) gives Constitution the president (as Onnoghen appoint the the power during Swearing-in CJN on the the National recommendation to

by Buhari Judicial Council confirmation (NJC) subject of July 4, 2012 which confirmed her to on July the Constitutioby the Senate. Section 11, 2012. By appointment 231 (4) of July 15, 2014 Musdapher of the CJN n provides that where when Justice from the bench on Novembe the office was exiting is trying a substantiv the office, there the office for vacant or the person r e CJN. holding was court to truncate the seniority 10. The forces capacity the functions any reason is unable to This is why rule had argued was “a grand perform the current that anybody at the apex of his to be CJN must Buhari to hasten appoint the of the office, the president refusal well-deserved plot to deprive him appointed most not shall of Justice the appoint of President senior appointment because he Court to perform senior justice of the justice of the necessarily be the most appointment is from the Onnoghen Supreme those functions Supreme Court.

South-south as CJN The governor Part of the is appointed until a person that a few months is raising dust. Recall region.” also raised the reasons why he branded to the retiremen against Onnoghen Justice Mohamm of that office. and has assumed the alarm over those the functions t of ed, tension ’s ascension forces were saying they ‘the cabal’ in the Presidentia the judiciary Without doubt, had enveloped office, it was gathered, to the might l Villa, were not favourabl the seniority over alleged plans to was because CJN by “the jugular, want to hold him (Onnoghen the most senior Justice Onnoghen is truncate currently they substantiv using his confirmat justice of the ) y disposed southerner Investigations rule at the Supreme following the Supreme to having a e CJN as to pervert justice.”to get him to assistion as CJN, Justice retirement of the immediateCourt were plotting had revealed that some Court. years, and the a CJN for a whopping them allegation that Mohammed. to forces ruling four In a statement different quarters The argumentpast would probably alter the seniority rule members of All Progressiv issued in Ado-Ekiti the media that see Onnoghen is that in all es in second-in where the constitution aide, Lere , who was the South in collaborat Congress (APC) in the the -command Olayinka, Fayose by his ion with at talked about instances take over was cohorts want vacant, and offices being after Justice the Supreme Court, said to have adequatetheir northern NJC strange that despite that judiciary ahead Mohammed such provisions the courts have interprete the fact that it recommended control of the retired the of , vacancy the only d to Buhari for 2019 elections.

Justice Onnoghen The plot further death, resignation has always appointment implied gathered momentum , impeachm with the APC expressed as situation and not a generally ent or any similar when was its rules since October the CJN, in line Court’s favourable anger with the of tenure.

13, 2016, his not sent to expected expiration Supreme name the Senate verdict The Peoples for confirmat for the opposition The argument governor Democratic Party Nigeria would said this was the first ion.

South-south the retirement is predicated on the states. Sources (PDP) in most the fact that time have still shocked traceable with age of Nigerian judges fact that Justice an acting CJN despite said the par that is ty is sent Onnoghen’s against its gover the Supreme Court of the Supreme their age and birthdays. easily to Buhari early name was norship candidates decided that enough. He Akwa Ibom, the office upon Court, including the CJN,Justices the presidency lamented in Rivers, Taraba, Delta vacate reaching the has subdued Assembly Against this members of and Abia States. age of 70. the National and is now the backdrop, muscling democracy in the last perception of the bench public do, all present Just as there is a stage of in members by subduing “At the of Supreme the APC that the currentstrong will quit officeknow the respective days Court justices crop Onnoghentime the NJC recommenthe judiciary. and so does they any attempt With the expiration are pro-PDP the president. ded to President and days of his tenure Buhari, it was Justice would spell to make one of them 10, 2016 being on November 28 clear the CJN date to the November doom for the future elections. past CJN as an open secret, the immediate of Justice Mohamm10, 2016 retiremen ruling They also alleged party in his (Justice t justices of the ed. Why then supervised thethe Chairman of the Onnoghen that the Senate NJC had was replacement be headed by court are corrupt and by the constitutio process as required for confirmati ) name not sent to the on? Why appoint comfortable someone from outside, should acting CJN when recommendation n. He forwarded the and him as who is sent his name of Justice Onnoghen NJC’s As a final push cannot be tempted next CJN to cheaply. whento the Senate between should have been President as the the exalted office, to stop him from assuming 2016 but unfortuna Buhari on October October 13, he was recommen 2016 analysts 14, tely, and ded Justice Onnoghen recently the president three months November 10, to the president 2016 after, was a target alleged that Mohamm raid on the to seek the has failed to transmit in the recent ed retired? when Justice Mahmud houses of judges approval of a letter “Obviously, of providenc appointment. the Senate but by a stroke e, operatives for that appointment there is more to this acting of State Services of the Departme In appointing than meets (DSS) who nt opinion, raid, missed the eye, and CJN the NJC sent the last CJN, Justice Mohamme in my his residence. conducted the wanted it could be that President its recommen d, By refusing President Goodluck dation Buhari never Justice to transmit Jonathan on to former CJN because Onnoghen as a substantiv seeking a 2014 and by letter to approval the Senate October 29, he is from November for Justice Onnoghen e they the South-sou pointment had sent a letter 12, based on the th, or ’s ap- as want to use his pending to the Senate 2014, Jonathan the NJC for recommendation Mohammed’s substantive for approval over three months appointment.

CJN to make appointment of bidding.” of have argued the appointm The him do their now, observers ent on NovembeSenate confirmed A human unwittingly that the president has so by November not rights lawyer, cast doubts 20, 2014 whenr 19, 2014 and process, but on the value only Ewunoh, has Mukhtar was Justice Aloma said the appointmChief Morah has that there might also strengthened of that Onnoghen as a substantiv bowing out of office, there ent of the acting CJN e successor was will negativelyJustice the succession indeed be plans to fears the governme in place.

Same was the nt and drastically upturn confidenc affect arrangement case when Jonathan followed at Justice Mukhtar which has erode public e in the the appointed been that to replace But to what Supreme Court over Musdapher the appointmjudiciary. He pointed Justice Dahiru the years. end? as CJN. The out ent of Justice

by President It was against former president sent her nominatio Onnoghen Buhari as acting had n as CJN to first since amalgama State Governor, the backdrop that CJN the Senate on the Ekiti tion of Nigeria was the and has raised reservations Mr. Ayodele Fayose, expressed over the non-appo serious, fundamen in 1914 worrisom Justice Onnoghen e questions intment of tal and as the substantiv Ewunoh therefore . claiming that e CJN, his appointm urged the ent in an acting government

By refusi to trans a letter tong the Senatemit seeking appro val for Justice Onno appointme ghen’s nt based on the recommend ation the NJC for over threeof months now, observers have argue president d that the only unwithas not tingly cast doubts on the value of that process, but has also stren fears that gthened the indeed be there might upturn theplans to arrangeme succession been follownt which has e

FEATURES Lifeline for Barracks Women and

Youths A strong advocate of the saying on teaching a man how to fish instead of giving him fish, the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAWOFA), body binding together all NAWOFA a bodyb nd ngtogethera wives of AirrForceoff Force officers, recentlyyas as w vesofA cers recent they are known to do, extendedahand extended a hand theyareknowntodo of fellowship to women and youths in the Nigerian Airforce Logistic Command, Oshodi, Lagos. Page 18

FEATURES

L

n o B

k Wom n nd You h

A

BUSINESS OPEC: How Kachikwu Averted Threats to Nigeria’s Crude Output The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Kachikwu Ibe has disclosed how he tactically manoeuvred potential threats to Nigeria’s exemption from the recent crude oil production cap by member countries of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC. Page 21

PROPERTY Real Estate Contribution to GDP

T H I S D AY

• TUESDAY, DECEMBER

BUSINESSW NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

4.150 15.8625

18.3916 21.0554

ORLD

A T

NITTY

1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

21 Group Busines Email: chika.a s Editor ChikaAmanzeNwachuku manzenwachuk wu@thisdayliv e.com 08033294157, 08057161321

D E C E M B E R 11.4397 16.8358 17.1394

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

9 ,

2 0 1 6

EXCHANGE RATE N305 US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

19.7842 21.3470 22.8256

BEDC to Partne

PUTTING HEAD S

TOGETHER

L-R: Group Managing Director, Technology Nigerian National Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Petroleum Mr. Bank Anthony Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Okoroafor, during a PETAN award Baru and the Chairman dinner in Lagos , Petroleum … recently

Benin Electricity r Edo Distribution Govt readiness to Plc (BEDC) partner Governor has to industria Godwin Obasekiconfirmed its lise Edo State unemployed of Edo State and create jobs for its The pledge youths. teeming was made to visit by the the Governor Board led by its Chairmanof Directors and during a recent courtesy Management In her presentat , Mr. Victor Gbolade of BEDC ion during Osibodu CEO, BEDC, the visit, Managin in Benin. government had solicited for cooperati g Director/ on from enumeration on power improvem ent process Edo State process.

The BEDC and in the CEO has the highest further told Governor in the country number of customer Obaseki that Edo State 12 hours powerand enjoys in severals with pre-paid meters places, an availabili the country, with some ty per day- one of the average of up to 22 hours industrial customer highest in power supply. the CEO confirme Responding s now enjoying d that BEDC to the Governor electricity work on ensuring for street , lighting, hospitals establishm constant ents. and governm ent

PETAN Honou

rs SPDC, Ojular The Petroleum Technolog i the Shell Petroleum y Association (PETAN) Developm Limited (SPDC) ent Companyhas honoured with the (Corporate) at their 2016 Distinguished Achievemof Nigeria month in Oil Industry ent Award Lagos, the Awards latest pioneering role in Nigerian recognition of the Dinner this PETAN also content developm company’s handed out Director of Shell Nigeria a Professional Award to ent.

(SNEPCo), the Exploration Mr. and Productio Managing the developm Bayo Ojulari, for his n Company notable contribut ent of Nigerian Both awards Chineme Okafor ions to were presented content in the oil and in Abuja of the Nigerian gas sector. by the Group National Petroleum Managing Director Dr. Maikanti ENERG Y The Minister Baru.

Corporat of SPDC ion happen because State for (NNPC), Petroleum was cited Kachikwu for leading the Russians development were asking Kachikwu Resources, Dr. recently however that took care and implemen the way in Nigerian questions Ibe more indigenou in Abuja that stated Nigeria’s of it,” Kachikwu about added. ting initiatives how he tacticallyhas disclosed the content during Nigeria exemption, that s companie last that manoeuv in have meeting the oil and potential threats if red was being with nonHe also spoke gas sector. s to provide goods and enabled exempted, to Nigeria’s OPEC members, “We are motivated will the volume exemption services about his Nigeria’s exemptio from the still be 32.5 experience so far in representin by these gestures the belief that million crude oil recent questione n from the cap g was or not barrels per day (mbpd) Nigeria’s interest we reach our it is only in bringing to continue to pursue d by Russia by member production cap said in OPEC, when we come adding that who he wanted to and Chairmangreatest values,” said happiness to others that over the period, back,” he Organisationcountries of the productio know what he said.

Managing had come , Shell Compani of Petroleum n levels would “And I eventuall Exporting es in Nigeria, Director, SPDC bridge-builderto be seen as a when Nigeria Countries be come Osagie y NLNG had in (OPEC) Okunbor. and non-OPE the to cartel.

Completes “I became its oil productiofully resumes did in to say that 32.5mbpd C. Nigeria LNG a minister UNIMAID Lab not include Within the n. in the very He production Nigeria’s first month and Corporate Limited (NLNG) has completed which is expected cap. clever said through a very volume for the simple thrust into Social Responsi I the leadershi was means, Support Programm that there reason to kick bility programm one of its flagship in January p of 2017, Nigeria off weather Russia’she had to calamitie is going to be natural OPEC and others. es, the e (USP), with sixth $2 million Libya were and which s in to build personal And I needed the commissi University concerns, engineeri Maiduguri and there certain countries first taking part exempted from derailedhe noted could (UNIMAID). ng laboratory at the oning of the is going to the point relationships have countries since 2014 University the final to be where their peculiar on the back of of on construct The company has spent of both parties. agreement productionthat will step down to convince the four I needed 28 world class $12 million oil productio challenges with countries that we must for maintenan engineering ing, renovating and “Until the n which has equipping geo-political laboratories others. So, serve their volumes last minute seen the six when you ce and rooms of finding as engines in six universiti zone of the of that, signing, drop. consider already commiss country. Engineer es in each solutions to sure of what we were not that there is a 2mbpd factor their national problems ing Ahmadu Bello ioned under the if you throw was going programm laboratories University to will be in, Nigeria bringing their national and not e include the University Multi-user adequately problems of Engineering covered and Gas, RefiningIbadan Engineering Complex, Laboratory, and Petrochem T H I D AY Continued of Port Harcourt Centre • TUESDA ical EngineerSNLNG on page 22 for Y, DECEMB ing at Universit at the Universit , the NLNG Engineer ER 20, 2016 y Nigeria Engineery of Ilorin, and the ing Research Centre NLNG/U Present among ing Laboratories. niversity of dignitaries werethe Executive Ejiofor Alike at the well-atten Governor tima, represent of Borno State,ded ceremony ed MammanDurkwa; by the Deputy KashimShetENERG Y A new study Governor Alhaji Usman Housing, Mustaph Minister of State despite greater enzie on whatby Wood Mack- 2016 emphasis a Baba Shehuri; for Power, Works Minister of global oil and to expect from $40 year’s spend of around infrastructure-led on zie’s and Education, report, the industry drilling from billion, and gas exploratio the Executive Minister of representatives of the in the year may yet fall many explorers. n further. has cut exploration Science and Secretary ahead shows deeper ment and Technology, Vice president exploration upstream spendingthan other Monitoring of the Nigerian Content On the bright of Exploratio should returnthat Borno Kingdom Board (NCDMB at Wood Mackenzie Developprofitability n . to analysis side, the “The ; ), in and industry , and Dr 2017 members of Andrew Governing showed that the Shehu Latham, after five is focusing years of acreage the UNIMAI of Council. costs mean on lower industry said the oil and only single-dig D Universit well counts gas for the capture and re-loading returns. it hold up y may achievinghad a good chance longer term. close to 2016 of willing Companies Wood Mackenz double digit numbers. ie’s analysis Flat budgets should returns 2017 to sign acreage with in 2017. of the 2017 firm exploration’s mean wells may global “Smarter portfolio outlook showed exploration are headcount choice. A spate be spoilt for cuts and now mainly that explorachoices tion in 2017 “Prior to the lower costs in the past. ing in outer of new licensAccording slope plays transformationwill continue its enzie, to Wood Mack- paying off. More are already continue of any meter,installation than half as explorers will the volumes more efficient to a smaller, and handfulthe oil majors and digest are expected of news of better-tha or metering every meter industry. of bolder independ a be found to reservoir equipment n-expected The new report in deep water. ents some shall be submitt quality titled, “Global will drill most of the Here rock Exploration: well costs wells watch, as in potential in and source What to look Disco to a metered by the both 2015 and to million or less, will fall to $30 deepwate in 2017,” indicates these for with full-cycle 2016, economic r settings,” ultrathat overall while it is expected investments station for routinetesting Latham s that added. that the best will at best tests match from discoveries would come at less than $50 are positive and certification” “Its share of per barrel,” new plays upstream investand frontiers, Latham said. ment will dip to a new Managing Director According to low Wood Mackenof

OPEC: How Nigeria’s Cru Kachikwu Averted Thr de Output eats to

PROPERTY & ENVIRO

Oil and Gas Exploration in 2017 to Return to Profitability

NMENT Real Estate Co Quarter of 201 ntribution to GDP Declin es in Third 6, Says Ajayi The real estate sector, at end of comp

the third ared to 8.74% recorded at the quarter of 2016, contributed Development same 8.20% and troubles, lendin Investment Plc., Mr. Adetoperiod last year. Chief Executo the nation’s GDP, a declin g to the sector was anything kunbo Ajayi said with lendin tive Officer of Propertyga e but cheerful. Benn te g institu ett Oghifo repor tions facing their own ts Continued

L-R: Head, Finance, Propertyga recently te Developme

into Christmas Market in Berlin Atruck ran into a Christmas market yesterday evening in a major public square in Berlin, killing nine people and injuring at least 50 others, police said. Page 35

nt and Investmen

t Plc, Mr. Vitalis

on page 22

NEMSA, Mr. Peter Ewesor

Anieze; Managing

Director, Mr. he operating Adetokunbo environment Ajayi; and Developme has been a challenging of 2016 ing rate from nt Trading Officer, the country one for 24%-29% banks that Mr. Segun Ariwayo, and businesse gave mortgage per annum the Chief during a media s, said and was enjoy (42% of lending Executive parley in Lagos... maximum Officer of Propertygate banks), capitalattraction from investors and 32% per lending rate was between Investment Development and annum (83% 24% major market, the sector has . “Unlike the easiest Plc., Ajayi. “The of lending banks).”

He said apart item to market volatility, not recorded list of difficultie Mr. Adetokunbo But beyond get by the government as an asset ended with thus positionin that traditiona from the perennial s appears openthe land is land. of choice. problems GDP growth lly undermin g it such the end of the production of 2.24% negative “The major, as good road is the issue of facilities costs have addede the sector, rising going for network, sewage, at “Due borne fact that the high 18.48%, third quarter, inflation to the challenges to extreme need for real the sector, is the that water, electricity and at record falling national pipe volatility in . remains squeeze, decline currency and estate across a host of others can bring about revenue, liquidity the extremely country’s in other economic foreign and enabling environm therefore continue strong. Opportun strata Ajayi said. high interest foreign investmen local investmen ities will ent,” to t in the country,challenges, times t, strongly He lamented atmosphere rate, weakening currency pose difficultieexist. Though challengin which has that due to low of and slowed benefitted the sector g purchasin present opportun s for operators income and weak “These have uncertainty amongst others. in the past, g down considera power , yet adversely they of ities has will ultimately the target for innovatio the rich still impacted governme performance, bly.”

He quoted buys the low-cost beneficiaries; ns which operations benefit the ntal tion Trends Deloitte’s 2016 African them out to and the well-being “For us at Propertyg of many sector. houses and the poor, the Construclet of most citizens. businesses a decline Report, which says, ultimate beneficiari to the Central “Africa suffered to have people who ate, we are privileged from $375 According es.

Bank have billion in 2015 Propertyg of bust November, billion in 2016.

2016, interest Nigeria’s report of to $324 ship eras. We have continuedseen boom and Speaking ate’s position... to real estate rate headwinds, Combination of global of the enterprise to navigate economic low growth activities fromon prime lending prices the Investmenon Propertygate Developm forward. Our expertise and and lower commodit banks is between 26% of lending contributed t Plc., ent domain discipline and immensely 24% and 29% TUESDAY Ajayi explained and between according to to this decline,y some of our competitiv d management are per annum the 18% and 23% DECEMB ER 20, 2016 e edge. operating climate, that despite the we see a better 52% of lenders. of prime real report. Transactional per annum tough volumes estate in sub-Saha D AY tomorrow.” Without doubt, tently from far,• T H I S the company “The maximum operated this year had consisra Africa so lending rate as corporate profitably due to factors Structural Problems the lending $150million, was put by the report from banks (87%) compared to around There such of Mass Housing. customer careintegrity, innovation, was between most of in 2015. The per annum. approximately excellent 24%-36% Mortgage financing report noted $400m the are some structural problems .. human capital. and strong and dedicated buyers did the fortune government’s to property affecting of real estate a sharp contrast in proposed not fare better, mass housing project According to consequences and Eastern markets in with unpleasan measures to him, Propertyga Europe which Central and many revamp them, t levels of buyers and for dreams of potential The federal te had executed are seeing record high-profi Ajayi said. internatio 35 real property however admittedle projects in the over the years and state governme Ajayi, in an estate operators.”

He said since nal capital inflow.” year. He nts have embarked that the Real real estate had for media at the interactive session operate as a Estate industry with virtual universe, sector does not for all in order to provide on mass housing of experienced a lot of challenges has been ableweekend on how Propertygthe impacted as the recessiona affordable shelter the as a result stated above. it was obviously level middle class and ry period. ate pleasant “Most the recession to weather the storm, those email:foreigndesk as evidence “It is, however, to note of governme at the lower effective high networth clients could @thisdaylive.com to the welfare road network,, explained that lack despite great resilience that the sector has nt’s sensitivity demand due not make of of shown to weak Real Estate water remain power supply, sewage good But the projects,the people.

“It suffered against all odds. operators’ abilitypurchasing power. a marginal and tribution according to strategic plan to make the hurdles to be crossed to import some decrease Ajayi, require components of building to GDP in government’s in for the 3rd quarter in conby the high has attractive to mass housing order of 0.54% compared enhanced implemen cost of forex. been moderated the A truck of 2016 project Though to “Real Estate He noted that beneficiar ran ies. into a Christmas a relatively slowsame period in 2015. the target beneficiary tation. He noted that is a capital the Central market substantia of the housing yesterday hence, operators requires minimum intensive business; report of November tempo was Bankinof evening He said lthey observed, activities Nigeria’s for all due a are major , facilities 2016 suspect at public continue square the advantag did lending in 50% in mercy of banks it was a to be to high cost the year.” in Berlin, not killing deliberate show nine e of the opportun in order to take mortgage of and of funds and to the Kurfuersten the injuring people theAs anattack. Video footage from closerecorded banks.at“The ability. Governme “Our ity. expectatio damm, scene showed least 50 prime asset class main shopping the nt should create low profitothers,lendn as police inflation, said. stalls knocked environm with a hedge A that thegovernme private reporter over and people an enabling withoperators he said west. against street inthe the Berliner nt should provide is enable us ent for the real estate lyingreal A police spokesman environmecity’s Morgenpos injured estate the ground. t, according The Berliner operators on continues operate The driver is optimally.

Zeitung the BBC, adherenc described to the target nt in those areas order toenabling described it as a “severe reported that But creativity to on the policeehave run, German to encourage incident.” beneficiaries ain“gruesome to quality A photograph and media report. the scene.” set up aproducts to take advantage would meeting and er for the DPA point forcontinue The market is newsservices relatives attothedefine . The philosoph agency at Breitscheidp scene. our were latz operational said armed police y at Propertyg ate,” he said.at entrance to the nearby zoo.

The Russian Ambassado r to Turkey, Andrey Karlov The Russian foreign , was yesterday during an art killed A South African exhibition in Ankara, it was in contact with ministry said for his good the Turkish capital Ankara over health and peace.” the events, RIA killed, two others peacekeeper was against .

Karlov Novosti reported. the rocky relations were injured, is a career The gunman President rebel attack in in a AFP quotedprison and other places,” diplomat over the summer the and have recently behind Karlov reportedly stood an urgent Vladimir Putin called who had previously the spokesman the Democratic city of Butembo in UN’s served before he fired been working for the Republic of Congo, MONUSCO his minister meeting with foreign ambassador to North Korea. as together on the evacuation according to peacekeeping fatal shot. The attacker was Sergei force, Russia Felix-Prosper a South African Lavrov s from said Aleppo, despite and Turkey patched have shouted military statement supporting “Allahu Akbar” to heads of the security and the up sides in Mai-Mai rebelsBasse, as saying. fired at and the Syrian civil opposite least eight shots, The ambassado services. have UN and police . war. according r had been part sources told several attacks in Butembo staged to an AP photograph of discussions the AFP news in recent months. er between who Although the present. was led to rebels and one agency that five their reasons for an evacuation Turkey that return The attacker, getting underway of east Aleppo were also killedlocal policeman residents appear unclear, some according to say they Cable, also smashed in Monday’s The attack.

He had also late last week. fighters claim have heard some photograph some of the been a central they are seeking conduit to the The clashes Turkish governmen to that Karlov s. A source told RIA between security overthrow Kabila. rapproachment forces and had died at the The country with Moscow in t’s rebel fighters, scene.

Turkish officials was due to hold April. attacked the who a presidentia said the assassin The incident comes a prison entered the day before l election the Turkish foreign came amid rising in Butembo, as Kabila’s mandate this year a police building claiming he was minister, tension across the country ends on alleged officer. Other bystanders Çavuolu, is due in Moscow Mevlüt December 20, as President but the authorities for talks he shouted “Aleppo” with Russian and Joseph failed Kabila’s mandate Iranian to organise when he shot Russia and Turkey counterparts.

Butembo is a runs out. is widespread the polls and there not be Karlov, but the claims could have recently fear of protests immediatel gone some way million people city of around one violence. and in to mending ties, The attacker y confirmed.

Kivu province the troubled North was said to have following a long freeze Kabila located first is in barred shot Karlov in in east of the country. from a third the back, before after Turkey shot down relations mandate under a Russian the constitution ordering people to leave fighter plane in “At around 6am November 2015. the room.

(04:00 GMT), and the opposition has He the assailants, Fatih Öke, the accused time then reportedly shot a second the authorities who were likely press attache as he lay on the of delaying Mai fighters, Mai- vote floor. Turkish Turkey’s embassy in Washingtoof the launched an in the hope of DC, wrote on attack constitution reworking the special forces have surrounded n Twitter: “The gallery, believing the to Ambassado to extend his bullet tenure. still the attacker to aims him. r Karlov is not only be inside.

It aims Russian relation. also Turkish We are praying

INTERNATIONAL Nine Dead, 50 Injured as Truck Rams

Taraba Govt House The entrance to theTaraba State Government House was yesterday barricaded by players of the state-owned FCTaraba and Taraba Queens over non-payment of 21 months salaries. Page 45

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3-MONTH 6-MONTH

Quick Takes

Declines in Third Quarter of 2016, Says Ajayi The operating environment of 2016 has been a challenging one for the country and businesses, said the Chief Executive Officer of Propertygate Development and Investment Plc., T Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi. Page 28

SPORTS Protesting Footballers Barricade

13, 2016

R A T E S

INTERNATIO NAL

Nine Dead, 50 Injured as Tru ck Rams into Market in Ber Christmas lin Russian Amb assador to Turk ey

Rebels Kill South Africa n Peacekeepe r and Police man

T H I S D AY

• TUESDAY

DECEMBER

in Ankara

20, 2016

TUESDAYSPO RTS

21-MONT

Shot Dead

H SALAR Y

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

Protesting FootbaR R E A R S llers Barricade Tar aba Govt

Wole Ayodele

in Jalingo continued to ignore The entrance to the Taraba too long and they them for sensitive State Governm have no to the plight choice other of the players stressed than to occupy was yesterday ent House the that Ishaku the players. is on players of the barricaded by drawGovernment House Accordin to wouldtop of the situation and immediate attention Taraba and state-owned FC do everything payment governor isg to him: “The three “We’re so to their plight. to Taraba Queens possible of the governor very months salaries alleviate the over non-paym the Taraba sad over what sufferings of to the plight of thesensitive players through to the will leave no government months salaries. ent of 21 doing players and he has the office of stone unturned in ensuring is to us. We directed the the Deputy governor the problems The blockade have not been being faced .

“I can assure brought now. paid for 21 months activities in you that the players are alleviatedby The state governm he stressed.

House to a the Government is owing ,” halt as security us 10 months ent operatives were 2015 in the gate therebyforced to lock have and in 2016, 11 months gone now without preventing vehicular movemen payment. any out of the premisest in and “We protested .

The players, here last month over 50, were numbering promisedand government dancing and to pay us singing solidarity at the end they beat drums songs as didn’tof the month but we receive musical instrumenand other He noted that anything” ts thereby drawing the the team was in the visitors to the attention of FootballNigeria Professional Governm Premier House and ent 2014 but League in other passersby dropped to the As the . tier lower to grow andcrowd began by due to hunger occasione d the non-paym the players becoming ent salaries by the governm of operatives restive, security Meanwhi ent. to disperse were drafted in Secretary le, the Chief Press them and in process, teargas the Hassan to the governor fired but the canisters were disclosed Mijinyawa has, that Governo their ground players stood Darius being paid and insisted on directed Dickson Ishaku hasr before the deputy governor, Narrating their leaving. ordeal to Haruna Manu, to ensure journalists, Assistant immedia Captain months te release of three of FC Taraba, Uzih salaries to the Michael, said the state players. L-R: Marketing Mijinyawa, who government Director, StarTimes has that the maintained Okocha governor was and Nigeria, Dare very last weekendDFL Manager for Internatio Kafar; nal Marketing Former Super Eagles , Tobias Ross, captain and Bundesliga Legend, at an interactiv e session with Austin Jay Jay sports journalist s in Lagos…

BEACH N AT I O N S CUP

Lagos DG Says Ambode’s Passion Secr et behind Successful Hos ting

Ugwuanyi Show ers Champion s Rangers with

House

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Enugu, the governor Enugu State pledged his readiness to sustain his when he severally Ifeanyi Ugwuany Governor, support functioned as a match for the club. i, yesterday showered 2015/2016 commissioner their continental competitio Ugwanyi during Nigeria Professional said The Director-G The governor n. his noting Oriental Derbies, Football League administration had also used eneral of (NPFL) champion that the opportun the Lagos already were fantastic. ity to s Rangers given a face-lift to the Rangers continued tothe club had special International Throughout Commission, State Sports duration serve plaques to present Football Club quarters, adding the with of the competiti some of that it was unifying force for the as a outstanding Ogunsanya, Mr. Adewunmi there goodies for his on, has disclosed all over the Igbos managem members of the was no ending the desire to take the club secret behind the Everythin world. casualty. the state’s 32 years wait to next level for ent and players Lagos Other speakers winning the for all importan State’s seamlessly g done flowed football honour. successful of including the club including hosting of Commiss Apart from just conclude the no friction.into each other with years wait. t trophy after 32 Charles ioner for Sports, Super Eagles Coach, former presenting Christian players All activities Chukwu, Beach Soccer d 2016 CAF channeled Ndukwe, Speaking at were with and their managemthe Acting Emmanu former goal keeper, Cup Chairman of together.

Nations the ent stems from of a cheque There was no complaint the passion of N41.5 the Sultan of Sokoto, event, Steve Oruruo, Rangers FC, Nwobodoel Okala, Dominic and the players million, the governor state governor, of the Alhaji Muhammad Speaker Akinwunmi were very happy.

Nwabuez Sa’ad Abubakar House of Assembly of the Nwankw , announced that also Ambode, to o and Technicale , Edward “The other each member 111, described Rangers Ubosi, the Adviser, hub of sportsmake Lagos the competiti aspects of the of the team would chairman FC’s state Imama Amapaka of the get a parcel feat as a “sweet victory,” in the African on also went Council of land at an continent.

Others bo. the boat cruise well, after estate named urging them to sustain Rulers, Amb.of Traditional Captain, are Rangers FC the club.

The director-g and winning tempo the Okechukwu eneral noted tour all went well. the bus in the coming Agubuzu as well asLawrence Oditah Speaking at that, he was season. excellent competitio It was an reception (Best founder Player of Adoratio the assessments delighted by the are n Ministrie n and we in honour of grand of the Year),Behaved The Sultan further the club that s Defender for lifting the Central the Confederof the officials of the indeed very proud to host disclosed and fiery Enugu cleric, champion ation of African Rev. (Most , Chibuzor Madu the Michael NPFL trophy at ardenthe had remained an Father Ejike Mbaka Football (CAF) Consistent Okpara Square He assured ship.” poured Attacking the Lagos State which gave opportun in from hissupporter of the club encomiums on the players Midfielder), Obinna all that, and managem days in the Nwobodo ity comes if the a pass mark Government for military pledging ent of the club, (Best Player), Lagos to host again on the hosting Chisom Egbuchul of the five-day to support them such championship tourname in Scorer). am (Highest Goal in the nearesta “True to the rating nt. future, the state would CAF, our team of in the Local it, as the structure put go for Organising Committe in place Duro Ikhazuag

by Governor e Ambode to which was carefully be host selected has done regional and goals scored excellently well. international Former champion per week,” Super Eagles observed Okocha and the general The facilities readily ship Accordin Captain stint whose Marketin g to StarTimes organisation accommodatewould Austin Jay Jay Okocha as more than twelve international g Director, such described has remains Eintracht Frankfurt Dare competitions.

Mr. talking months Kafar, Bundesliga asthe German Okocha also point to date. Legends Tour“The Bundesliga when StarTimes signed ago a better league exclusive broadcas than the English the is a continuati the Bundesliginsisted that of the journey on the Bundeslig t right of Premier League in terms a has that was started of statistics. best youth developm the in Nigeria.” a for five years Speaking programme ent in Europe. journalists at with sports He attributed Legend Tour the Bundesliga programm the youth Jay Okocha, with Austin Jay reasons e as one of the organised by for the successfu The organisers foremost digital television development of Germanl League of Sportsof the maiden and company, football in recent relevant bodies.

Editors Night StarTimes of Excellenc DFL Deutsche and Take off years. time is 7.30pm.

Bundesliga honour somee put together to Okocha insistedFussball Liga, attracts Among those of the brightest more than 18 usually brains in that in terms who have of tactical approac already signe sports journ million spectator

Okocha: Bun desliga Better than

N41.5m, Land

Premier Lea gue

Night of Excellence

Holds in Lagos

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

FG to Close Abuja Airport for Six Weeks for Rehabilitation of Runway Aviation unions embark on strike against Arik Air

Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, yesterday said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja would be closed between February and March next year to allow Julius Berger carry out repairs on the damaged runway.

Briefing journalists after an onthe-spot assessment of the runway, he said while the runway would still be put to use during the six months of rehabilitation, the airport would however be shut for six weeks between February and March, when the mid section of the runway would be reconstructed.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the reconstruction work through the emergency procurement procedure for work to commence because of the centrality and importance of Abuja to the general administration of the country.

He admitted that government cannot afford to close down Abuja airport for a long time, even though palliative repairs had been ongoing at the runway in the last three months.

The minister said: “From start to finish of the runway, it will take six months. However we will be using the runway almost throughout the period except for about six weeks when the runway will be closed.

That is when we are going to do the mid-section of the runway.”

According to him, government had accepted the design done by the contractor, adding that the runway would last for more than 10 years on completion early next year.

On the six weeks closure of the airport to passenger traffic, he said Abuja bound passengers from any part of the world will use the Kaduna airport as alternative, explaining that robust arrangement

had been finalised the with Kaduna State Government to convey the passengers to Abuja.

Sirika said: “It will cost government substantial amount of money but we thought in our wisdom that palliative approach is wrong because three years down, we will come back to do the same repairs therefore we decided to go for the bigger option which is to do structural repairs if the runway which will take about six months to complete.

The minister said the government was not unaware of the pains passengers are currently going through due to the non-availability of aviation fuel and the scarcity of foreign exchange which has also impacted on government finance.

While pleading for understanding, he said consultations were ongoing with oil marketers, the Ministry of Petroleum and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the crisis, adding: “Very soon, the country will be out of this, as we cannot be relying on Ghana for aviation fuel.”

On the Bilateral Air Agreement with other countries, he said government had signed BASA with 18 countries that Nigerians frequently visit and do business with.

The MOUs, he said, gives Nigeria the opportunity to operate air services with 18 countries, adding: “With this, we have the freedom to fly and land safely in other air space and this will assist in opening our market.”

While expressing optimism that Nigeria will reap great benefits from Turkey, he said that country had made progress in air transportation being at the centre of Europe and therefore a hub in aviation business, adding that the United States of America operates open skies with Nigeria.

This came as the National

FG to Launch Digital Switch over Thursday Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government is set to launch the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting in Abuja next Thursday.

This was announced yesterday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during the tour of the transmission station and Call Centre of Pinnacle Communication Limited, the signal distribution for the Abuja DSO. The minister, who described the launch as revolutionary in the Nigerian broadcasting ecosystem, said 30 free channels would be available for Abuja residents upon the switch over while over 450,000 Set-Top Boxes (decoders) have been provided for the commencement.

“We are impressed by the speed, commitment and passion of Pinnacle to this project and we have come here to ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensure smooth DSO in Abuja on Thursday,” Mohammed said.

He expressed delight that the residents of the FCT in possession of decoders will receive better picture and audio clarity in addition to 30

free channels that supply news, entertainment, music, sports and business, among other contents.

Mohammed expressed confidence that within three years of the digital transition, one million jobs will be created in the development of television content, technical services, software development, as well as the installation and repair of decoders for over 24 million televisions households, among others.

The minister said even though the DSO would not take place in one fell swoop across the country, the federal government remains resolute in its commitment to meeting the 2017 deadline for the DSO. Also speaking at the Call Centre of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), he said the government is equally concerned about customers’ satisfaction, which informed the setting up of the Call Centre where subscribers can call to make inquiries or complaints for prompt response.

The pilot scheme of the DSO was launched in Jos, Plateau State, on April 30, 2016

Executive Council of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) have directed the commencement of a joint strike at Arik Air with effect from 00:00hrs on December 20, 2016.

A statement signed by the three unions said the strike would continue indefinitely until certain conditions were fully realised.

The unions said the management of Arik Air must allow total unionisation of its employees in compliance with extant labour laws and with respect to the 1999 Constitution.

“The management of Arik Air recalls all sacked employees who has been victimised for their roles in the effort to bring about unionisation in Arik Air. Payment of salary arrears with commitment to pay salaries as at when due henceforth and immediate review of all employee remunerations which have remained the same

since inception of Arik Air over 10 years ago,” the unions said.

The unions also want immediate commencement of negotiations of conditions of service to be concluded within four weeks and remittance of pension, tax, and statutory deductions to the appropriate authorities.

“Towards the full realisation of the strike, all aviation workers, in complete solidarity with their enslaved comrades in Arik Air shall withdraw all services being rendered by third parties. The aviation workers will be supported

by Nigerian workers from all other sectors throughout Nigeria to underscore the seriousness of the matter at hand,” the unions also said.

The unions also said all ground handling services, security clearance for Arik Air ticket holders, marshaling, aviation fuel supply, air traffic control, safety inspection, etc will be completely withdrawn and all Arik Air employees, aviation workers, and other stakeholders are hereby enjoined to ensure full compliance with this directive please.

AN AUGUST VISITOR

R-L: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; former Governor of Anambra State; Mr. Peter Obi; and Senator Chuka Utazi, when the Sultan visited Enugu to honour the NPFL champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu....yesterday.

Despite Recession, Lagos Generated More Revenue in 2016, Says Ambode Tinubu, Aregbesola, ex-govs grace special evening with gov Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, last Sunday hailed tax payers in the state for performing their civic obligations faithfully, saying the state recorded more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2016 than what was recorded in 2015 despite economic recession in the country.

As at December 16, 2016, the state had raked in N287billion IGR for the year under review as against N268.2billion generated in 2015.

Speaking at a special evening of music and camaraderie held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, to usher in the yuletide season, Ambode said the taxes paid by the people have been judiciously utilised to upgrade infrastructures and provide various services, just as he said Lagosians deserved to be appreciated for cooperating with the government in that regard.

Speaking on the significance of the event which featured performances by array of

evergreen musicians and was attended by top political leaders, captains of industries, media executives, professionals in various fields, members of the diplomatic corps, among others, Ambode said the state government was greatly appreciative of the contributions of the people to the growth of the state in the year under review, adding that the event was principally to appreciate them.

He said: “You wonder what it is that we are doing? We said it is an evening with the governor but the truth is I just set this up to appreciate all of you and to say a big thank you. Yes, people have been saying that Lagos is working but Lagos is only working because of the people who are seated here.

“The tax payers are the ones giving us the little energy that we have and even though when they say Nigeria is in recession, somehow Lagos has been able to do it, and it is because people

are paying their taxes.

“The truth is that the people have been carrying out their civic obligations and somehow we have been returning those obligations with the services that we have provided and you found out that this year; we have actually made more IGR than last year under a recession.

“So, somehow, we need to appreciate all the people that have made this to happen and then I look at the way I could use arts, entertainment, tourism and hospitality not only to promote the excellence that Lagos has always been known for but to provide another sector of revenue for Lagos State and I felt one of the ways to go about that was to invite our old celebrities that we seem to have forgotten and spend an evening with them,” the governor said.

The event was attended by top leaders including National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; Governor of Osun

State, Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former Governors of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Isiaka Adeleke; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate and his predecessor, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, and Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon respectively; Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; South West APC Women Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson; Iyalode of Lagos, Alhaja Binta Tinubu, among others.

Some of the legendary musicians that performed at the event were Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Lagbaja, Queen Salawa Abeni and Adewale Ayuba.

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Taraba : Death Toll Hits 31 as Fulani, Tiv Crisis Escalates Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The death toll of last Sunday’s crisis between Fulani and Tivs in Taraba State has risen to 31 has the crisis escalated to six other communities in Gassol Local Government Area of the state.

No fewer than 20 people were killed in the early hours of Sunday at Dan Anacha in a reprisal attack

by Fulani herdsmen who went on a killing spree to avenge the killing of a man by some hoodlums suspected to be Tivs.

Seven people were said to have been killed at Salon Gida Ward and Nanguru in Gassol Local Government yesterday comprising three women and four men.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, confirmed the incident but stated that police authorities in the state had drafted anti-riot policemen to return normalcy to the troubled spots.

The leader of the Fulani communities in the area, Ardo Adam, as well as the Tiv leader,

Goodman Saw Aondo Dahida, equally confirmed the fresh attacks in separate interviews with journalists.

The three communities where the fresh killings took occurred are Ijorkya 1, Ijorkya 2 and Ijorkya 3 as well as Tse

Mchiamine all in Salon Gida Ward of the local government.

Besides, Nonguku and Chia villages in Nanguru Ward

were also said to have come under severe attacks though the casualty figures are yet to be ascertained.

NNPC Imports 36.7m Litres of Aviation Fuel forYuletide Season Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said it had imported about 38.7 million litres of aviation fuel which would last up to 26 days, to enable airlines to conveniently fly people across the country during the Yuletide season.

NNPC said in a statement by its Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, that the development was part of its bid to ensure a hitch-free air travel across the country during this period.

Quoting its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, the statement explained that the step was taken to forestall shortage of the product, a situation that had recently led to reported cases of flight delays and cancellations across the nation’s airports.

Baru, according to the statement, noted that NNPC had by this exceeded the demand of marketers, and that the 38.7million litres represented about 26-day sufficiency.

“On December 14, 2016,

the corporation completed the discharge of 8,800MT (metric tonne) which represented about 10.6 million litres to major terminals in the country.

“In addition, as at this morning (December 19, 2016), 23,500MT which represented about 28.2 million litres was being discharged to the major oil terminals,” said the statement.

It said in order to sustain the tempo, the corporation has also secured the supply of additional 30,000MT vessel of aviation fuel which represented about 36 million litres expected to berth Nigerian shores before the end of the year.

Furthermore, NNPC stated that it has over 40-day sufficiency for petrol and adequate volumes of diesel and domestic kerosene to satisfy national demand throughout the yuletide period and beyond.

Baru further assured Nigerians that the NNPC would sustain the drive towards ensuring availability of petroleum products at all times.

Collapsed Market Wall Kills Two, Injures 18 in Akwa Ibom Okon Bassey in Uyo Two persons were yesterday reportedly killed and 18 wounded when a wall of a building collapsed in Urua Edere Obo in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

This is coming barely 10 days after Reigners Bible Church collapsed in Uyo, the state capital killing scores of people with many sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Onna where the incident occurred is the country home of the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, and the Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen.

The state Commissioner of Police, Murtala Usman Mani, confirmed the incident and the casualty figures, stressing that “an old wall fell on them in that market. Two women died because an old wall fell on them, and unfortunately, they died.”

According to the commissioner, 18 persons who reportedly escaped death but sustained injuries were recuperating in various hospitals in the area.

An eyewitness, Enobong Inyang, said the wall of the

building crashed in the early hours of yesterday when the weekly market was in full session and that many of the victims were rushed to the Immanuel Hospital in Eket Local Government Area.

However, the state government has denied any death in the market wall building collapse, but declared that only seven persons sustained minor injuries as the state Commissioner for Works mobilised emergency rescue operation to the scene of incident.

“I hope nobody died, I hope nobody died,” the works commissioner was quoted to have said, urging that information on the casualty should be properly managed to avoid being blown out of proportion.

Also speaking on the issue, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Raphael Edem, put the casualty figure at eight, disclosing that the victims were currently being treated at the Immanuel Hospital, Eket.

Edem equally dismissed any issue of death, contradicting the position of the police commissioner who had earlier disclosed that two women lost their lives.

TALKING BUDGET

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewale; Minister of State for Budget and National Planing, Hajiya Ahmed; and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udom Udo Udoma, during the public presentation of the 2017 Budget proposal at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ....yesterday

NLC Leadership Crisis: Wabba Asks Union Workers to Disregard Ajaero’s Labour Centre

Extends olive branch to rivals Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The leadership crisis that has engulfed the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for the past one year has taken new twist as the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, warning unionists and workers not to heed the call by the Joe Ajaero faction to form a new labour centre.

Wabba in a statement yesterday vowed to preserve the unity of labour unions and extended a hand of fellowship to all Nigerian workers including members of rival labour groups.

He noted that all efforts were made to reconcile the fractured leadership of the NLC but was rebuffed by both Ajaero and his deputy, Igwe Achese.

Wabba stated: “Our attention has been drawn to news report in which Ajaero, the General Secretary of NUEE, and Igwe Achese, President of NUPENG, claimed they have formed a new labour centre called the United Labour Congress (ULC).

“It will be recalled that following their defeat at the March 2015 rescheduled election in their bid to lead the NLC, these comrades have been parading themselves as president and deputy president of NLC respectively.

“The congress would like to assure our members across the country and the public that the leadership of the NLC is committed to the unity of the working class in the country notwithstanding the latest declaration by Ajaero and Achese. We shall do everything within our power to preserve the unity and coherence of the labour movement which was handed down to us by our forebears in the movement.

“Our comrades, in their ambition

to lead Nigerian workers, in February 2015, at the elections which would have concluded the 10th delegates conference of the NLC, disrupted and scattered the ballot papers that were already cast in the full glare of the world.

“This was after delegates had voted to waive the requirement to allow Achese who had been campaigning to be president, to step down to deputy president position, and declare support for the candidacy of Ajaero.

“At the rescheduled election held in March 2015, following the intervention of the veterans of our movement, and with the provision of adequate security, the plot of Ajaero and Achese to disrupt the elections again once it was clear that their combined forces will not deliver them the leadership of Nigerian workers they had so clamoured for, was thwarted, and the election results were successfully announced.”

Wabba further noted that the veterans led by the founding president of our organisation, Hassan Sunmonu, had stepped in to reconcile the congress with Ajaero and Achese.

According to him, this took several meetings, and just before the May 2016 May Day, an agreement was fashioned out with them to drop their claim to the leadership of the NLC and team up with the NLC leadership to hold a united May Day. As it turned out, he said Ajaero and Achese went ahead to organise a parallel May Day in Lagos despite the explicit commitment and undertaking they gave to the veterans at the reconciliation meeting.

Wabba stated that the duo’s

reluctance for reconciliation made Sunmonu, who had chaired the reconciliation meeting all along to express his disappointment with the Ajaero group in an interview July this year.

He, however, noted that two days later, on July 25, 2016, Ajaero and his group authored a three-page letter full of insults and blackmail to the respected founding president of congress. This was intended to effectively end the intervention of Sunmonu and the veterans.

The statement continued: “We wish to further state that despite the antics of our comrades and their refusal to accept the result of a clear democratic contest, we had ensured their inclusion and participation in the affairs of the NLC. In this respect, the National Union

of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Ajaero’s union had representation in the state leadership structure of congress and also the National Executive Council of NLC, the Chairman of Kebbi State NLC is from that union, as well as SAC members in Jigawa and a few other states.”

Wabba said it’s ironic that these comrades can’t see the contradiction between their empty rhetoric on wanting to “fight non-payment of salaries” and collaboration with the state to undermine popular action of the working people and the Nigerian masses. And yet when congress was in the frontline forcing their home state government(s) to pay workers’ wages and halt retrenchment of thousands of workers, they were nowhere to be seen.

24-hour Curfew Imposed in Jama’a John Shiklam in Kaduna A 24-hour-curfew has been imposed on Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State following a protest by youths.

The youths, in their hundreds, were said to have stormed Kafanchan, the headquarters of the local government area to protest the frequent attacks and killings in their southern Kaduna communities.

Although the protest was said to have been peaceful, there was a growing tension in the area.

Interim Chairman, of the council, Dr. Bege Katuka who declared the curfew said the decision was

to ensure that there was law and order.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Katuka said there was serious security problems although the protest was peaceful.

“There was a growing tension in Kafanchan and we didn’t want a breakdown of law and order and we had to adopt measures to forestall it and save lives and property,” Katuka said.

He directed the people of area to remain indoors until further notice. The state government had last Sunday announced a ban on public processions and unlawful gathering, warning that anyone who violate the ban would face the law.

T H I S D AY TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016

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COMMENT

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

AREWA 2019: POLITICS OR POSTERITY?

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It serves the North better by sticking to the earlier accord with the South-west, argues Maxwell Donga

atest developments within the leadership circle of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with particular reference to the speculations of the jilting of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by his former sworn loyalists, now described as “Buhari Boys” and credited with the wheeling and dealing that saw Akeredolu emerge victorious in the Ondo governorship elections, have raised new tensions in the Arewa 2019 sectors. It now looks like the political dynamics of the South-west/Arewa ruling alliance have finally imploded into a triple threat trajectory with the new Buharian offensive rearing its renegade head. So what is the fate of the 2015 ‘ring marriage’ arduously arranged between Asiwaju Tinubu and General Muhammadu Buhari to consummate the South-west/ Arewa presidential power-pact?

The emergence of a new chorus of hailers of the Buhari Presidency in the mournful midst of mass wailing across the nation has evoked more suspicion and apprehension by its curious composition. Comprising those same “Tinubu Boys” who got into Buhari’s cabinet without their oga’s recommendation and proceeded to appropriate the oversized political dividends of their desertion, they have now ingested enough political adrenalin to flaunt their fraternity of incumbency and even lay claim to territory! But how real is this parody of political power play, where rookies take the lead roles in a drama of epic complexity?

The awesome geo-political undercurrents of the APC phenomenal triumph over the confidently complacent incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidency in 2015 were powered by formidable national constituents and stakeholders, drawing from a restive reservoir of popular agitation for positive change. It is well known that this coalition of convinced citizens and committed political leaders was foisted on the national political arena by the mainstream membership of the immediate past House of Representatives, spawned by the intricate cross-country networking talent of their charismatic Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

So effective and entrenched was that honourable House that it successfully overwhelmed the partisan and ethnic blocs of its members and wielded the legislative gavel to checkmate the ruling PDP and its clueless Presidency.

At this juncture we fast forward the narrative to connect with the realisation of the ultimate and logical outcome of the legislative agenda with the groundswell of support and endorsement of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as presidential aspirant. Solidly anchored on the mobilised mainstream membership of the House of Representatives and their nationwide spheres of influence, this national progressive movement formed the nucleus of what became the APC. By the same token Right Hon. Tambuwal earned the respect, support and recognition exclusively bestowed on him as the ‘original’ Presidential Candidate of the progressives. He is instead Sokoto State Governor today by dint of

WHAT IS THE FATE OF THE 2015 ‘RING MARRIAGE’ ARDUOUSLY ARRANGED BETWEEN ASIWAJU TINUBU AND GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI TO CONSUMMATE THE SOUTH-WEST/ AREWA PRESIDENTIAL POWER-PACT?

humble magnanimity and subordination of personal political ambition to uphold party/national interest.

It is apt to recall the impassioned pronouncements of the Asiwaju himself in recognition of Tambuwal’s exemplary attainment of leadership by honour : “You secured the wish of a virile section of our party, especially your colleagues, Honourable Members who meant well in their desire to have you vie for the highest office of the land. And excited by your politics and candidature, most Nigerians looked in your direction hopeful in the prospects of your candidacy and a New Nigeria.” This was in November 2014 when Tinubu was reacting to the astonishing turn of events that saw Aminu Tambuwal withdrawing his bid for Nigeria’s 2015 presidency to give his “father”-rival and party a smooth ride to victory.

The Asiwaju also made definitive pointers to the endurance and durability built into the political dynamics behind Tambuwal’s emergence : “Since you joined our party, the APC has become stronger. You have brought strength to our party through a political profile that is unrivalled. Having travelled through over 300 federal constituencies, the widespread support you enjoy across the country validates you as a leader for our generation and a political asset for our great party. Undoubtedly, you have what it takes to lead this country to a better future and we take note of your astuteness, brilliant political trajectory and preparedness for higher service.”

Tinubu declared: “Your sacrifice for the cohesion of the party and a greater Nigeria will go down in history as one of the greatest pragmatic and progressive political sacrifices ever made in the politics of our country. You have demonstrated to all that after the political calculations are made and the dust of competition has settled, it must be this nation and its people who shall stand. Therein, we find the lessons of your decision to suspend your participation in the presidential contest for now.”

Unfortunately, today the nation and its people are reeling from the squandering of “progressive political sacrifices” by a cabal of incumbents reaping what they did not stock. But indeed “it must be this nation and its people who shall stand” so it’s not just a matter of Tambuwal and Tinubu, or even South-west and Arewa. It is matter of national conscience and necessity that we all must see through the dust of incumbency and remain focused on reclaiming and realigning the drifting political and economic destiny of the nation.

To meet the still unfulfilled yearnings of the wailing majority of Nigerians and the drifting Arewa 2019 ship, we must be steadfast in rallying round the original “greatest pragmatic and progressive political sacrifices”. This is best for Arewa 2019, it is best for Nigeria.

Donga wrote from Jos

FASHOLA AS A ROBUST BRAND

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The former Lagos State Governor inspires confidence in the Nigerian dream, argues Modestus Umenzekwe

here is something no one can take away from Shaka Momodu: his fidelity to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even when the party’s soul is gone and all that now remains is its shell. He is truly wedded to the party. Therefore, it is by no means surprising that Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past Lagos State governor who is now the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, has been the butt of Momodu’s savage criticisms. Momodu has since this year mentioned Fashola in the titles of at least three unflattering articles under his column.

The latest is “Revisiting Fashola’s Lagos”, published in THISDAY of November 4, 2016. The column was supposed to be an assessment of the minister’s record as the Lagos State governor from 2007 to 2015, but it is neither an elegant piece of literature nor a respectable record of events. It scarcely qualifies as history in a hurry.

Fashola has been the subject of Momodu’s revisionism for the simple reason that the erstwhile governor played a star role in the nationwide dethronement of the PDP from power in the 2015 general elections. His role went far beyond his dedicated campaign against Jonathan’s extraordinarily corrupt and ineffectual government which The Economist of London called moronic. Fashola, among other visionary people like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, made the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) possible, going ahead to become the first party in Nigeria’s history to defeat a ruling party at the national level. Fashola was for some years the only Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governor in the country. His effective performance became the reference point in the ACN’s electioneering campaign promises. In other words, Nigerians in various states were told to vote ACN if they wanted their places to develop rapidly through robust governance as in Lagos. This message worked well in the Southwest, hence the massive victory of the party over the ruling PDP. The South-westerners wanted their states to be like Fashola’s Lagos. PDP members and apologists have not forgiven Fashola for sentencing them to the political museum.

Their grievances against the former Lagos helmsman are so deep that their otherwise intelligent propaganda storm troopers like Momodu take liberty with facts and make comparisons which are decidedly otiose. For instance, Momodu claims that Fashola did not impact Lagos the way Lee Yuan Yew did in Singapore, Mahathir Mohamed in Malaysia and Mohammed ibn Rasheed Maktoum in Dubai.

While Fashola was in office in Lagos for eight years, Lee was prime minister from 1965 to 1990, that is, a whole 25 years. Mahathir was prime minister for 23 years, starting from 1981. Maktoum has since 2006 been vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and the emir or ruler of Dubai. Whereas Lee and Mahathir were leaders of sovereign nations, Fashola was a governor in Nigeria where states do not enjoy an appreciable level of autonomy even within the federal context. Is Lagos State’s share of value added tax fair considering VAT’s percentage from its territory? Dubai may be one of the five emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, but it is autonomous in a lot of ways, as could be expected in any genuine federal setting. This is why a lot of highly knowledgeable and patriotic Nigerians have been pressing for a more appropriate federal nexus in Nigeria. Momodu considers the N30b which the Lagos State Government paid to Julius Berger, the construction giant, outrageous for the 1.358km LekkiIkoyi Bridge. He is not smart enough. True, Julius Berger could have constructed the bridge for a little above N10b if we are talking about just brick and mortar. But the bridge is a tourist attraction which enormously enhances environmental aesthetics, hence the enchanting frills. The bridge is as long as the so-called Second Niger Bridge meant to connect Asaba in Delta State and Onitsha in Anambra State which Goodluck Jonathan, so beloved by Momodu, pledged on August 31, 2012, in Onitsha must be delivered in 2015, otherwise he would go into exile.

How much did the Jonathan claim the Second Niger Bridge would cost? A whopping N140b! And without frills! Why has Momodu been playing deaf and blind to this monumental scandal?

It is interesting that in the article, defined by the

pull-down-Fashola-at-all-costs syndrome, Momodu talks about transparency. He knows in his heart that he does not possess the moral credentials to mention transparency and integrity even in a fleeting second; he is a fanatical PDP/Jonathan supporter. Nigerians would like to find out Momodu’s take on Jonathan’s export of $15m in raw cash to South Africa, purportedly to pay for arms and munitions from the black market? What is Momodu’s take on the PDP government’s management of $15b meant for arms procurement to destroy Boko Haram but was rather shared to a few persons, including a former Sokoto State Governor Bafarawa who received some N4.6b to get some marabouts to pray for Jonathan’s reelection? Jonathan even got the National Assembly to approve a one billion dollar loan to procure arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram but the humungous amount ended up in the pockets of a handful of PDP members. Frankly, Jonathan and the PDP brought governance to particularly low levels in our history.Fashola’s record as a governor will ever remain brilliant. All Lagosians know how Lagos was before him and we all know what it became under his leadership. Fashola made it possible for over 80% of foreign direct investments in Nigeria to end up in Lagos. Though Fashola excelled in brick and mortar development, too, people like Momodu who think of leadership only in such mundane terms are in grave error. What made Rudy Giuliani a household name when he was the New York mayor was not the infrastructure he built, but the profound and inspiring leadership he displayed particularly during the September 11 terrorist attacks. When the dreaded Ebola virus hit Lagos 2014, Fashola was out of the country but he quickly returned on hearing the news. Though it was the first time any part of Nigeria was experiencing the virus and the first time Ebola was occurring in any urban area anywhere in the world, Fashola set up an Ebola Emergency Centre overnight. He went to the centre himself when most doctors could not near it. This is what Chinua Achebe would call leadership by personal example. Even Ebola patients from places like Port Harcourt were sent to the centre Fashola established.

An example was the widow of Dr Enemuoh who lost her husband to Ebola in Port Harcourt. Fashola made it possible for a number of victims to be treated successfully, regardless of where they came from.

Unlike Jonathan’s Minister of Health, Onyebuchukwu Chukwu, a medical professor, Fashola visited First Consultants Medical Centre where the index case occurred. Unlike Jonathan, Fashola invited Ebola survivors to his office and praised them for their heroism, a development which ended the discrimination they were facing even from family members. He donated some N70m to both First Consultants Medical Centre and the patients. Fashola’s meeting with Ebola survivors is reminiscent of President Barack Obama’s meeting on October 24, 2014, with Nina Pharm, a nurse who survived Ebola contracted from a Liberian American in a Texas hospital. Despite his refusal and that of his officials to meet Ebola survivors or families of Ebola casualties or the First Consultants medical facility set up by Dr Ohiaeri from Imo State, Jonathan went on to claim credit for the impressive manner Ebola was eradicated in Nigeria. The credit should go to Fashola and his team as well as First Consultants.

Fashola’s inspiring stewardship in public service cannot be wiped out by a handful of latter-day revisionists. When caricaturists go to work, something big happens to Fashola. When he was about to be nominated for a ministerial position last year, caricaturists went into a paroxysm of propaganda against him. But he emerged Nigeria’s first and only super minister. He has been in office for just one year, and we are confident he will deliver the goods effectively. As I wrote in a different medium recently, I now travel regularly to my hometown of Achina in Anambra State by road because the road is much better and safer today. The reconstruction already done on the Lagos-Ibadan-Shagamu-Ore-BeninAgbor-Asaba-Onitsha Expressway under Fashola is more than whatever Jonathan did on this critical highway for the six years he was our president.

Umenzekwe is a former president of Odunade Building Materials Dealers Association, Lagos

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

EDITORIAL VIOLENCE AGAINST UNIFORMED MEN Government and its security outfits should roll out a confidence building strategy that would rekindle citizens’ trust in them

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recent report by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said over 70 of its personnel were killed in 2016 as a result of violent attacks by motorists on road marshals in the course of duty on highways.

The body count might rise during this Yuletide season when more vehicles would be on the road. The report returns to the front burner of public discourse the vexed issue of violence against our uniformed men by angry citizens who the security agents are paid to protect. The figures are damning and the tragedy cuts across all security agencies.

Last week, a deputy superintendent of police was reportedly beheaded, following an ambush, during the Rivers State legislative rerun elections. His police aide was also killed in the tragic episode that underscores the level of lawlessness in the country today. Although some suspects have been arrested, we call on the police to conduct a proper investigation to unravel those behind the heinous crime.

Earlier in the year, BECAUSE OF THE SERIAL the former Inspector ACTS OF CORRUPTION General of Police,

BY UNIFORMED MEN Mr. Solomon Arase, ON ROAD DUTY, MANY disclosed that between NIGERIANS NO LONGER January, 2014 to April, SEE OTHERWISE LAWFUL 2016, no fewer than 350 policemen died AND LEGITIMATE while discharging their EXERCISE OF VETTING duties. According to VEHICLES AND THEIR Arase, 272 others susPARTICULARS AS A tained various degrees NORMAL ROUTINE, BUT of injuries within the AS MEANS OF FURTHER same period. In the EXTORTING MONEY FROM armed forces, deaths THEM are legion as the nation battles insurgency and militancy in the North-east and South-South zones of the country.

It is anomalous that citizens would turn against the very people who are paid to protect them. This is

Letters to the Editor

T H I S DAY

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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

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.

BINDOW, NYAKO, ATIKU AND SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT

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ow that Adamawa State Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow has finally put behind him the Murtala Nyako poorly-thought out court cases that have trailed his government for a long time, Adamawa people expect him to assert full authority; put a strong personal stamp on his government and take full responsibility of any actions or inactions of his government as excuses of distractions by court cases are now over.

Many are of the opinion that the massive road rehabilitation, construction and expansions going on in Adamawa is as a result of the ‘fear’ of possible backlash of Nyako court case against Bindow’s government; and also to make a political statement against Nyako who has a very weak popular support from the masses because during his reign, governance and policy making was centered around his family and his village members. His confidants were third-rate politicians and gold diggers causing a wide-spread disconnect between his government and the ordinary people.

Nyako’s attempt to make a comeback is a nexus of continuing an old political rivalry between himself and former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar which dates back to 2003. It is also an attempt by the Nyako group to settle personal scores. Above all, the Nyako group still feels betrayed by Governor Bindow and its main political crave is to have Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako as governor. So Nyako’s effort to make a return goes beyond

particularly worrisome because it signifies on one hand a breakdown of confidence between the people and security agencies of the state and on another, a tendency towards anarchy. Therefore, it must be of serious concern to the government that the nation has found itself in this ugly situation of lack of trust for its agents. For if people saddled with the protection of lives and property get mauled down so easily on the streets by criminal elements, how can citizens repose confidence in the abilities of such agencies to protect them?

The lack of trust and confidence developed overtime without concrete efforts on the part of government to stem it. The attitudes of security agents to citizens are appalling. They are rude and behave as if their uniforms entitle them to treat Nigerians shabbily. Besides, because of the serial acts of corruption by uniformed men on road duty, many Nigerians no longer see otherwise lawful and legitimate exercise of vetting vehicles and their particulars as a normal routine, but as means of further extorting money from them.

The feeling that every uniformed man is out to exploit ordinary citizens developed over time largely because of the overbearing nature of law enforcement officers.

Offences that could have attracted warning get visited with instant punishment, including spending years in detention without trial. In several instances, officers prefer to enforce rather than prevent offences from being committed. Citizens find all of these very frustrating and tend to react negatively to officers of the law.

There is therefore an urgent need for government and its security outfits to roll out a comprehensive confidence building strategy that would rekindle citizens’ trust in them. This begins with a change of attitude towards law enforcement, which should emphasise crime prevention rather than enforcement. They need to be more friendly and didactic, taking time to explain to citizens why the law has to be obeyed in the interest of the society they live in.

We believe this is the only way public enlightenment programmes on cordial civil-security relations would have meaning to the people and get their buy-in for greater respect for the law and its enforcers.

completing his remaining 10 months in office as governor.

To be fair to the Nyako group, they definitely have to be aggrieved. In the build-up to the 2015 elections, a very small committee was setup to shop for a saleable governorship candidate. Three names emerged- Dahiru Bobbo, former Director General of National Boundary Commission; Boss Mustapha, APC chieftain and Tahir Mamman, former DG, Law School, Yola campus. Bindow’s name was not even on the list. The Nyako group had to field Bindow during the primaries as they did not have an option, because among all the contenders, it was only Bindow who openly opposed Nyako’s impeachment and the group felt they could be at home with him. Atiku, in his political reasoning opted for Ibrahim Yayaji Mijinyawa, probably because of loyalty. In fact, the APC governorship primary election was a contest between Atiku and Nyako. Governor Bindow won the APC governorship primaries solely by relying on former governor Nyako’s political structures. And twice, Bindow beat Atiku Abubakar’s preferred candidate, Yayaji Mijinyawa in the primaries. But Atiku now pull the strings.

Some political observers are of the view that Governor Bindow appears ‘self-assured’ in the murky waters of Adamawa politics, because he thinks, once one has Atiku’s group by his side- most political opponents can easily be dealt with because of Atiku’s immense war chest and history of successes in political legal battles that easily scares off his opponents.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

ATTENTION: KADUNA POLYTECHNIC

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aduna polytechnic is one of the academic institutions in the country I respect a lot because it has contributed immensely to what I am today and what I will become in future. I read mass communication at national diploma level at the polytechnic and I must admit that I was given a very sound and quality teaching. Thank you to Kaduna Polytechnic.

However, the alleged misappropriation of the Industrial Training Funds (ITF) by some management staff of the polytechnic is what impelled me to write this piece. The ITF’s office is always releasing funds for students who are to participate in “Students’ Industrial and Work Experience Scheme” (SIWES) in order to assist them

for their expenses during the programme.

Many students from Kaduna Polytechnic who have participated in the programme for more than four years are yet to be paid. According to the information I have gathered, the set of students who graduated from the Polytechnic in 2012 and participated in the programme before graduating have not received anything from ITF but those who came after them have been paid. The information further revealed that the money has long been released to the management of the polytechnic but those in charge of the money have diverted the funds to their pockets.

I call on the management of Kaduna Polytechnic to investigate this claim and act promptly.

Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

POLITICS

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

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

Justice Onnoghen in Limbo For how long will Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen remain in acting capacity as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)? This is one question many people are currently asking President Muhammadu Buhari, writes Davidson Iriekpen

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he refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen is appointed the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is currently generating negative reactions in the polity.

Onnoghen was sworn as acting CJN precisely on November 10, 2016 following the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Ordinarily, the appointment should not raise any issue but in the face of the existing circumstances, the argument has been that the acting CJN’s appointment is tendentious.

Many observers feel that the president simply appointed him in acting capacity to ease off pressure and later dump him.

Analysts believe that though the president has the powers to appoint a CJN in acting capacity, they however argued that there was no constitutional basis for Onnoghen to be appointed in acting capacity when the coast was very clear for him to be appointed in full capacity, based on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subject to confirmation by the Senate Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives the president the power to appoint the CJN on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) subject to confirmation by the Senate. Section 231 (4) of the Constitution provides that where the office of the CJN is vacant or the person holding the office for any reason is unable to perform the functions of the office, the president shall appoint the most senior justice of the Supreme Court to perform those functions until a person is appointed and has assumed the functions of that office.

Without doubt, Justice Onnoghen is currently the most senior justice of the Supreme Court following the retirement of the immediate past CJN, Justice Mohammed. The argument in different quarters is that in all the instances where the constitution talked about offices being vacant, and that the courts have interpreted such provisions, vacancy has always implied death, resignation, impeachment or any similar situation and not a generally expected expiration of tenure.

The argument is predicated on the fact that the retirement age of Nigerian judges is easily traceable with their age and birthdays. Justices of the Supreme Court, including the CJN, vacate the office upon reaching the age of 70. Just as members of the public do, all present members of the bench know the respective days they will quit office and so does the president.

With the expiration of his tenure on November 10, 2016 being an open secret, the immediate past CJN as the Chairman of the NJC had supervised the replacement process as required by the constitution. He forwarded the NJC’s recommendation of Justice Onnoghen as the next CJN to President Buhari on October 14, 2016 but unfortunately, three months after, the president has failed to transmit a letter to seek the approval of the Senate for that appointment.

In appointing the last CJN, Justice Mohammed, the NJC sent its recommendation to former President Goodluck Jonathan on October 29, 2014 and by November 12, 2014, Jonathan had sent a letter to the Senate for approval of Mohammed’s appointment. The Senate confirmed the appointment on November 19, 2014 and so by November 20, 2014 when Justice Aloma Mukhtar was bowing out of office, there was a substantive successor in place.

Same was the case when Jonathan appointed Justice Mukhtar to replace Justice Dahiru Musdapher as CJN. The former president had sent her nomination as CJN to the Senate on

Onnoghen during Swearing-in by Buhari

July 4, 2012 which confirmed her appointment on July 11, 2012. By July 15, 2014 when Justice Musdapher was exiting the office, there was a substantive CJN. This is why the current refusal of President Buhari to hasten the appoint appointment of Justice Onnoghen is raising dust. Recall that a few months to the retirement of Justice Mohammed, tension had enveloped the judiciary over alleged plans to truncate the seniority rule at the Supreme Court.

Investigations had revealed that some forces were plotting to alter the seniority rule that would probably see Onnoghen, who was the second-in-command at the Supreme Court, take over after Justice Mohammed retired

By refusing to transmit a letter to the Senate seeking approval for Justice Onnoghen’s appointment based on the recommendation of the NJC for over three months now, observers have argued that the president has not only unwittingly cast doubts on the value of that process, but has also strengthened the fears that there might indeed be plans to upturn the succession arrangement which has been followed at the Supreme Court over the years. But to what end?

from the bench on November 10. The forces trying to truncate the seniority rule at the apex court had argued that anybody appointed to be CJN must not necessarily be the most senior justice of the Supreme Court.

Part of the reasons why the forces were against Onnoghen’s ascension to the CJN office, it was gathered, was because they were not favourably disposed to having a southerner as a CJN for a whopping four years, and the allegation that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South in collaboration with their northern cohorts want to have adequate control of the judiciary ahead of the 2019 elections.

The plot further gathered momentum when the APC expressed anger with the Supreme Court’s favourable verdict for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in most South-south states. Sources said the party is still shocked that the Supreme Court decided against its governorship candidates in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Delta and Abia States.

Against this backdrop, there is a strong perception in the APC that the current crop of Supreme Court justices are pro-PDP and any attempt to make one of them the CJN would spell doom for the ruling party in future elections. They also alleged that the justices of the court are corrupt and should be headed by someone from outside, who is comfortable and cannot be tempted cheaply.

As a final push to stop him from assuming the exalted office, analysts recently alleged that Justice Onnoghen was a target in the recent raid on the houses of judges but by a stroke of providence, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) who conducted the raid, missed his residence.

By refusing to transmit a letter to the Senate seeking approval for Justice Onnoghen’s appointment based on the recommendation of the NJC for over three months now, observers have argued that the president has not only unwittingly cast doubts on the value of that process, but has also strengthened the fears that there might indeed be plans to upturn the succession arrangement which has been followed at the Supreme Court over the years.

But to what end?

It was against the backdrop that the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, expressed reservations over the non-appointment of Justice Onnoghen as the substantive CJN, claiming that his appointment in an acting

capacity was “a grand plot to deprive him of his well-deserved appointment as CJN because he is from the South-south region.”

The governor also raised the alarm over those he branded ‘the cabal’ in the Presidential Villa, saying they might want to hold him (Onnoghen) by “the jugular, using his confirmation as substantive CJN to get him to assist them to pervert justice.”

In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said it was strange that despite the fact that the NJC recommended only Justice Onnoghen to Buhari for appointment as the CJN, in line with its rules since October 13, 2016, his name was not sent to the Senate for confirmation.

The governor said this was the first time Nigeria would have an acting CJN despite the fact that Justice Onnoghen’s name was sent to Buhari early enough. He lamented that the presidency has subdued the National Assembly and is now in the last stage of muscling democracy by subduing the judiciary.

“At the time the NJC recommended Justice Onnoghen to President Buhari, it was 28 clear days to the November 10, 2016 retirement date of Justice Mohammed. Why then was his (Justice Onnoghen) name not sent to the Senate for confirmation? Why appoint him as acting CJN when his name should have been sent to the Senate between October 13, 2016 when he was recommended to the president and November 10, 2016 when Justice Mahmud Mohammed retired?

“Obviously, there is more to this acting CJN appointment than meets the eye, and in my opinion, it could be that President Buhari never wanted Justice Onnoghen as a substantive CJN because he is from the South-south, or they want to use his pending appointment as substantive CJN to make him do their bidding.”

A human rights lawyer, Chief Morah Ewunoh, has said the appointment of Justice Onnoghen as acting CJN will negatively affect the government and drastically erode public confidence in the judiciary. He pointed out that the appointment of Justice Onnoghen

by President Buhari as acting CJN was the first since amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 and has raised serious, fundamental and worrisome questions.

Ewunoh therefore urged the government CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

ONTHEWATCH

A New Elixir for the LGs Again, the Supreme Court, last week delivered a landmark judgment that could rescue local government administration from the stranglehold of state governors, if adhered to. Davidson Iriekpen writes

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he highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, last week breathed life into the administration of local governments in the country when it voided laws enacted by the states’ Houses of Assembly, which give governors the powers to sack democraticallyelected local governments’ chairmen and councillors and replace them with caretaker committees or sole administrators.

While delivering judgment in the appeal in relation to the dissolution of the 16 local government executives in Ekiti State during Kayode Fayemi’s administration, a five-man panel of justices led by Justice Olabode RhodesVivour, in a unanimous judgment, described the practice as “executive recklessness,” which must not be allowed to persist.

Fayemi, now the Minister of Solid Mineral Development had on assumption of office as governor on October 29, 2010, announced the dissolution of the councils in a radio announcement, when the elected council officials still had up till December 19, 2011 to end their three-year tenure.

Consequent upon this, Sanmi Olubunmo, then Chairman of Ido Osi Local Government Area and Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ekiti chapter and 13 others challenged their sack at the court.

Just like in other states, where this arbitrariness frequently occur without challenge, the governor relied on Section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which empowered him to dissolve local government executives.

But the Supreme Court in its judgment, faulted the governor’s reliance on Section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, saying it was violation of Section 7(1) of the Constitution from which the state House of Assembly derived the power to enact the local government law.

Just like in other states of the federation, Justice Centus Nweze, in the lead judgment, said Fayemi’s reliance on the state Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, which empowered him to dissolve local government executives, was in conflict with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra). Hence, it is bound to suffer the fate of all laws which are in conflict with the Constitution, section 1(3) thereof.

“There can be no doubt, as argued by the appellants’ counsel, that the Ekiti State House of Assembly is empowered to make laws of Ekiti State. However, the snag here is that, in enacting section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which empowered the first appellant to bridge the tenure of office of the respondents, it overreached itself.

“In other words, section 23(b) (supra) is violative of, and in conflict with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra). Hence, it is bound to suffer the fate of all laws which are in conflict with the Constitution, section 1(3) thereof.”

While Section 7(1) of the Constitution states that: “The system of local government by democratically-elected councils (which) is by this constitution guaranteed, and accordingly, the government of every state shall, subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.” Section 1(3) expressly states that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the

Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdul-Aziz Yari

extent of the inconsistency be void.”

The judge consequently said to that extent, section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, cannot co-habit with section 7(1) of the Constitution and must, in consequence, be invalidated.

He said Section 7(1) of the Constitution seeks to guarantee “the system of local government by democratically-elected local government councils and conferred “sacrosanctity on the elections of such officials whose electoral mandates derived from the will of the people freely exercised through the democratic process.

“The implication, therefore, is that section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which was not intended to ‘ensure the existence of’

Though the administration of local governments is within the purview of the state governments, many analysts have argued that the manner in which this control is being exercised in Nigeria is antithetical, not only to the principles of federalism but also to the basic tenets of democracy

such democratically-elected councils, but to snap their continued existence by their substitution with caretaker councils, was enacted in clear breach of the supreme provisions of section 7(1) of the Constitution.

“To that extent, it (section 23(b) supra) cannot co-habit with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra) and must, in consequence, be invalidated.

The reason is simple. By his oath of office, the governor swore to protect and not to supplant the Constitution.

“Hence, any action of his which has the capacity of undermining the same Constitution (as in the instant case where the first appellant, ‘Governor of Ekiti State and others’ dissolved the tenure of the respondents and replaced them with caretaker committees) is tantamount to executive recklessness which would not be condoned,” the judge said.

Justice Nweze said the tenure of the local government councils could not be abridged without violating the supreme constitutional provisions. “Simply put, therefore, the election of such officials into their offices and their tenure are clothed with constitutional force. They cannot, therefore, be abridged without breaching the Constitution from which they derive their force. The only permissible exception, where a state governor could truncate the lifespan of a local government council which evolved through the democratic process of elections, is ‘for overriding public interest’ in a period of emergency.”

He upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal on the issue and adopted the orders made by the Court of Appeal on the case in its judgment delivered on January 23, 2013.

The Appeal Court had among others, ordered the Ekiti State Government to compute and pay all the allowances and salaries accruable to members of the dissolved councils between October 29, 2010 and December 19, 2011, both dates inclusive.

Justice Nweze directed the Attorney- General of Ekiti State to ensure that the orders of the lower

court (Appeal Court) affirmed in his judgment, are complied with. This latest judgment brings to two the number of judgments in recent times to rescue the local from the stranglehold of the governors.

For instance, in 2012, the same apex court had in landmark judgment, held that state governors do not have the powers to sack their elected officials. While delivering judgment in the case of the removal of 148 elected local government officials by the Abia State Government in 2006, the court unanimously held that the action was illegal and amounted to “official recklessness” by the governor.

The five-member panel of justices led by Justice Walter Onnoghen held that no state governor in the country has the right to remove democratically-elected local government officials.

The court then ordered the state government to pay the sacked 148 elected officials their salaries and entitlement for the 23 months they were to serve their tenure.

Besides the two landmark judgments, other lower courts across the country had at different times, condemned the frequent habit of governors using caretaker committees to run the affairs of local government councils in the country.

Unfortunately, despite the judgments, nothing has changed. As soon as a new governor particularly from a different political party is sworn in, his first assignment is to dissolve the local government system in the state under a very flimsy excuse.

There is no doubt that the local government is the third tier of government in Nigeria. It is the closest to the people and intended to take development directly to them. The wisdom of the framers of the country’s constitution to accord the local government system its due recognition and properly equip it to discharge its responsibilities was based on the belief that it would bring governance and popular democracy to the people at the grassroots’ level and act as a catalyst for rapid socio-economic development of the country.

But since the enthronement of democracy in the country in 1999, local government administration has been hijacked by state governor, who have perfected plans to strangulate the system. Part of the plans is to regularly handpick their cronies as sole administrators or caretaker/transition committees as the case may be rather than allow for the election of chairmen and councillors.

Currently, virtually all the states of the federation are running their local governments with individuals handpicked by the governors.

The practice cuts across political parties with a predominant number of state governments regarding the third tier of government as mere administrative appendages placed under commissioners for local government and chieftaincy matters.

Though Section 7 (1) of the Constitution (as amended) is very clear on how the local government should be run, subsisting practices from across the states confirm the absolute reluctance of the state governors to accept the existence of local government system as a separate arm of government.

To them, the thought of having independent council chairman with huge funds is considered by most state chief executives as a threat to them.

One way they have successfully done this over the years is through their Houses of Assembly.

They have enacted their own laws empowering them to selfishly take over the running of the local government and their revenue.

JUSTICE ONNOGHEN IN LIMBO to forward the name of Justice Onnoghen, being the most senior, sound and untainted justice of the Supreme Court, to the Senate for confirmation as substantive CJN, saying “As already awash in the print, electronic and social media, political, ethnic and religious protagonists have ascribed variegated interpretations and colourations to the appointment, only in acting capacity.”

Meanwhile, the president’s continued refusal to appoint Onnoghen in substantive capacity took a different dimension last week when a human rights activist, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, dragged him, the Attorney General of the Federation, Federal Judicial Service Commission, and the NJC before the Federal High Court in Abuja for not confirming the judge in substantive capacity.

Omirhobo therefore wants the court to determine among other things, whether it was lawful, proper and constitutional for Buhari as the head of the executive arm of government to deliberately and intentionally foist a vacancy in the office of the CJN on the third arm of government.

He also wants the court to determine whether it is not an aberration and a violation of the

principle of separation of powers for Buhari to appoint Onnoghen in acting capacity instead of as substantive CJN. He consequently, asked the court for an order of mandamus compelling the president to act forthwith with the recommendation of the NJC appointing Justice Onnoghen as the substantive CJN and transmitting a letter to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Lifeline for Barracks Women and Youths Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on how the wives of Nigerian Air Force personnel recently extended a lifeline to women and youths in the barracks under the area of responsibility of the Logistics Command, by engaging them in skills acquisition and vocational trainings

NAFOWA members and some of the beneficiaries of the skills acquisition and vocational training programmes

A

strong advocate of the saying on teaching a man how to fish instead of giving him fish, the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAWOFA), a body binding together all wives of Air Force officers, recently as they are known to do, extended a hand of fellowship to women and youths in the Nigerian Airforce Logistic Command, Oshodi, Lagos.

In one fell swoop, they enrolled 150 women and youths into its vocational and skills acquisition programme in a bid to empower them.

The participants who were drawn from the barracks within the Logistics Command in Lagos, would undergo a 10-week course on computer literacy, aluminum fabrication, shoes and bags making, tailoring, beads making, hair dressing, events and interior decoration among others.

It was also gathered that Lagos was not the only state that the scheme was being launched, but also in other locations like Makurdi, Maiduguri and Kaduna by the NAWOFA President, Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar, who also doubles as the wife of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

NAFOWA's Lifeline According to Hajiya Abubakar, the initiative was the association's means of reaching out to the less-privileged in the society, especially women, youth and children to add meaningful value to their existence.

She said: "This programme is the fourth edition of its kind having successfully completed similar programmes in Makurdi, Maiduguri and Kaduna. As we all know, the NAFOWA is a non- governmental organisation made up

of wives of serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

"Our motto is service to humanity and the focus of the association is reaching out to the less-privileged in the society especially women, youths and children through programmes that

This programme is being done as part of our contribution at complementing the federal government's effort to curb unemployment amongst youths. It is also aimed at building capacity of women by empowering them with necessary skills for self-reliance so that they can better cater for themselves in a changing economy

add meaningful value to human existence.

Recently, our association as part of its community service obligation developed a skills acquisition and vocational training programme targeted at women, widows and youths in the barracks and surrounding communities.

"This programme is being done as part of our contribution at complementing the federal government's efforts to curb unemployment amongst youths. It is also aimed at building capacity of women by empowering them with the necessary skills for self-reliance so that they can better cater for themselves in a changing economy.

"It would also cater for widows especially those who lost their husbands in the campaign against insurgency in the North-east. A total of 150 participants in Lagos are participants in this pioneer stage. The NAF base in Lagos being a command has a large population of women and youths hence it was chosen as one of the pioneer locations of this initiative.

"The focus of the training programme will be on vocational trades and skills that can easily be converted into small businesses so that a steady means of income is created for the beneficiaries. With this in mind, training was carried out in the areas of computer studies, aluminum fabrication, leather shoes and bags fabrication, tailoring, hairdressing, catering and baking, events decoration, interior decoration, makeup artistry, beads making and laundry items production.

"At the end of the training, the participants would take part in an exhibition where they will show off their newly acquired skills and they will also be awarded certificates. It is hoped that the positive effect of this program will continue to be felt in this environment for

a long time and NAFOWA hopes to keep the spirit of service to humanity alive by embarking on similar projects in the future that touch lives positively and make a difference to daily existence.

"Our hope is that this skills acquisition programme targeted at our women and youths will encourage them to see this indeed as an opportunity to be self-reliant through this training programme."

Also speaking in her opening remark, NAFOWA's Chairperson, Logistics Command chapter, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, said in the light of the current economic recession plaguing the country, women have a duty to support their families in easing the hardship.

She said, "As we all know, women have a significant role to play in the socio-economic development of any society. Our great country is currently in an economic recession and we women have a duty in supporting our families to ease the attendant hardship.

"In realisation of this, our dear NAFOWA under the able leadership of the wife of our amiable CAS came up with different programmes aimed at empowering women and barracks youths to acquire skills in order to be self-employed.

"Therefore, I consider today a historic moment in the life of our dear association because after this inauguration ceremony, the training that the participants would receive is expected to become their source of livelihood.

"Let me place on record that the barracks youths, women and children have benefitted in no small measure in areas like improved facilities in NAFOWA schools as well as various youths and women empowerment programmes.

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• T H I S D AY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

FEATURES "In particular, the CAS recently launched the Barracks Youths Empowerment programme through Agriculture (BYETA) of which the logistics command was also a beneficiary. We strongly believe that your positive advice and support to our CAS must have contributed in the unparalleled transformation of the NAF being witnessed across the country."

The AOC's Commendation Commending the association for the initiative, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sani Ahmed, urged the participants to devote themselves to the training in order to acquire skills that would help them and the society.

He said: "It is a commendable project.

We hope that at the end, the participants would be given some items to start up on their own. Training would be helpful to the base community and the country at large because the participants would have their own jobs and become employers of labour.

"Our skills acquisition centre was under utilised when I assumed office. At the centre we can conveniently train 2000 at a go. So, this initiative is a welcome development because it would also reduce idleness in the barracks.

"For the participants, I urge them to be attentive and take their trainings seriously.

They should learn because this is not just theory. If they learn when they are supposed to, they would come out useful to themselves and the society."

Great Expectations To whom much is given, much is expected and same holds true for the recent beneficiaries of the NAFOWA scheme, particularly the youths. The youths they say, are the future, and who is better to champion this cause for them to actually be the future of Nigeria than NAFOWA? With passion and zeal, NAFOWA had established an ICT and vocational centre in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos, where they train youths on different skills.

The recent launch of the skills acquisition and vocational training centre was also an opportunity for NAFOWA to tour the additional blocks of classrooms, shops and car park built by NAFOWA inside the centre at the NAF Logistics Command, Ikeja, Lagos.

The vocational and ICT Centre over the years have trained youths in various skills thereby empowering them and making life more meaningful for them and their families.

In times past, the centre has had students thrill guests with exquisite display of wedding gowns designed and sewn by themselves, as well as the sumptuous looking cakes and other crafts prepared by the students during exhibitions. Much more is being expected from this recent batch.

It is therefore unsurprising that over the years, the centre has trained youths in various skills thereby empowering them and making life more meaningful for them and their families.

Some of these beneficiaries have discovered their hidden talents and have gone to be useful members of the community.

NAFOWA said the motivation as captured

It is a commendable project. We hope that at the end, the participants would be given some items to start up on their own. The training would be helpful to the base community and the country at large because the participants would have their own jobs and become employers of labour

L-R: The Commander, 435 Base Service Group, Air Commodore Paul Masiyer; NAWOFA President, Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar; the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Sani Ahmed and NAFOWA's Chairperson, Logistics Command chapter, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, during NAFOWA’s skills acquisition and vocational training programme in Lagos…recently

A cross section of the beneficiaries of the entrepreneurship scheme

in their motto has always been to provide 'service to humanity' and of course their efforts have been rewarding, and this has seen to the influx of students who subscribe to the programmes of the centre.

Also, the affiliation of the centre to the Federal Technical College (Technical) Akoka, Yaba, has been a plus, which has seen the population of the students outgrowing the classroom accommodation at the centre. Therefore, with the increased population, there was a need to provide a conducive learning environment, which encouraged them to embark on the construction of the additional classrooms that were inaugurated three years ago.

Meanwhile, as a non-profit organisation with chapters in all NAF units nationwide,

they attempted to replicate this endeavour in many of these locations, and despite the modest progress in the establishment and smooth running of these centres, the organisation is open to partnerships and cross-fertilisation of ideas with like-minded organisations.

Given that the most important assets of the centre is their teachers, it is pertinent to note that in their over 23 years of existence, the centre has made deliberate efforts to build and equip the centre with the best facilities and human resources that are available.

About NAFOWA Skills Centre The centre was established in 1994 and was designed to give the wives and dependants of officers, airmen and civilians, who live

within and outside the airfare base in Ikeja, an entrepreneurial, managerial spirit and leadership skills required to turn their dreams and creative ideas into successful business ventures.

The centre started with the fashion and textile design, catering and hotel management and hairdressing and cosmetology deportments.

This has since expanded to include an ICT, photography and cinematograph departments.

She said the inclusion was done to broaden the scope of the vocational centre.

Since inception, the centre has had over 8000 students who have passed through it after being empowered and they graduated and became self-employed and at the same time employers of labour.

20

IMAGES

Pastor Paul Adefarasin (left) distributing food items to People of Lagos Island at the Annual Project Spread Organised by House on the Rock church, held in lagos... yesterday

L-R: Registrar, Kwara State Polytechnic, Pastor Moses Salami, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed and Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Masíud Elelu during the presentation of Distinguished Fellowship Award to the Governor at the 23rd Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Polytechnic in IlorinÖrecently

L-R;, Program Director, Competitivew African Rice Initiative (Cari), Dr Stefan Kachelriess-Mathess; Vice President & Head, Corporate And Govt. Relations, Olam Nigeria Ltd, Mr Muazu Adamu Gosho; Permanent Secretary, Min Of Budget & Planning Nasarwa State, Mr Ade Adefeko And Representative Of Federal Mionistry Of Agriculture, Dr Adeleke Mufutau At A Plenary Session At The 3Rd Nigeria Rice Investment Forum Ln Abuja.....Recently

R-L, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya receiving the Sponsorship Appreciation award from the National President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Chief Olabintan Famutimi at the 2016 NACC Annual Dinner Dance, in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

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

L-R:Executive Director, Inlaks Computers Ltd, Ashwin Hedge; Managing Director/CEO, Financial Derivatives, Bismarck Rewane; Managing Director, Inlaks Computer Ltd, Femi Adeoti; and Human Resources Manager,Tokunbo Ayo Ogunsanya, during 2017 Strategy Retreat organised by Inlaks in Lagos... recently

L-R Senior Programme Officer, Care Vision Support Initiative Jos, Dr. Bupwatda Pokop; CEO, TY.DANJUMA Foundation, Dr. Sunday Udo and the CEO/Team Leader, All Children Charity International Foundation (ACCIF), Mrs. Ranti Daudu, during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Learning Conference of the TY DANJUMA Foundation in Abuja...recently

L-R: Director, Resources Mobilization, Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KBSPHCDA), Mr. Shehu Umar; Project Director, Pact Nigeria, Mr. Kolo Yakubu; Senior Health Technical Director, Pact Nigeria, Dr. Amina Ahmed-Shehu and Director primary Health Service, Ministry of Health, Benue State, Mr. Simon Ityo, during the ICARE end of project close ñout meeting through Pact Nigeria in Abuja....recently ENOCK REUBEN

R-L The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Sstuart Symington; Chairman Nigerian - American Chamber of Commerce Kaduna State, Alhaji Sherrif Balogun; Distric Head, Sabon Gida Afaka, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Umar and Group Managing Director/CEO Water Treatment Technology and Chemical Company [WATTCCON] Mr Aliyu Maigari Mamman during the visit of the U.S Ambassador to the company in Kaduna...recently

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

R A T E S 4.150 15.8625

A S

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

A T

18.3916 21.0554

Group Business Editor ChikaAmanze-Nwachuku Email: chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

D E C E M B E R

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

11.4397 16.8358 17.1394

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

9 ,

2 0 1 6

19.7842 21.3470 22.8256

EXCHANGE RATE N305 US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes BEDC to Partner Edo Govt

Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) has confirmed its readiness to partner Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to industrialise Edo State and create jobs for its teeming unemployed youths.

The pledge was made to the Governor during a recent courtesy visit by the Board of Directors and Management of BEDC led by its Chairman, Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibodu in Benin.

In her presentation during the visit, Managing Director/ CEO, BEDC, had solicited for cooperation from Edo State government on power improvement process and in the enumeration process.

The BEDC CEO further told Governor Obaseki that Edo State has the highest number of customers with pre-paid meters in the country and enjoys in several places, an average of 12 hours power availability per day- one of the highest in the country, with some industrial customers now enjoying up to 22 hours power supply. Responding to the Governor, the CEO confirmed that BEDC work on ensuring constant electricity for street lighting, hospitals and government establishments.

PETAN Honours SPDC, Ojulari

PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER

L-R: Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru and the Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Bank Anthony Okoroafor, during a PETAN award dinner in Lagos … recently

OPEC: How Kachikwu Averted Threats to Nigeria’s Crude Output Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Kachikwu Ibe has disclosed how he tactically manoeuvred potential threats to Nigeria’s exemption from the recent crude oil production cap by member countries of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC. Within the production cap. which is expected to kick off in January 2017, Nigeria and Libya were exempted from taking part on the back of their peculiar challenges with oil production which has seen their volumes drop.

ENERGY Kachikwu however stated recently in Abuja that during the last meeting with nonOPEC members, Nigeria’s exemption from the cap was questioned by Russia who he said wanted to know what production levels would be when Nigeria fully resumes its oil production.

He said through a very clever means, he had to weather Russia’s concerns, which he noted could have derailed the final agreement of both parties.

“Until the last minute of the signing, we were not sure of what was going to

happen because the Russians were asking questions about Nigeria’s exemption, that if Nigeria was being exempted, will the volume still be 32.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) or not when we come back,” he said.

“And I eventually had to come in to say that 32.5mbpd did not include Nigeria’s volume for the simple reason that there is going to be natural calamities in certain countries and there is going to be countries that will step down production for maintenance and others. So, when you consider that, there is a 2mbpd factor that if you throw in, Nigeria will be adequately covered and

that took care of it,” Kachikwu added.

He also spoke about his experience so far in representing Nigeria’s interest in OPEC, adding that over the period, he had come to be seen as a bridge-builder in the cartel.

“I became a minister and in the very first month I was thrust into the leadership of OPEC and others. And I needed to build personal relationships first to the point where I needed to convince the four countries that we must serve as engines rooms of finding solutions to their national problems and not bringing their national problems Continued on page 22

Oil and Gas Exploration to Return to Profitability in 2017 Ejiofor Alike A new study by Wood Mackenzie on what to expect from global oil and gas exploration in the year ahead shows that exploration should return to profitability in 2017 after five years of only single-digit returns.

Wood Mackenzie’s analysis of the 2017 global exploration outlook showed that exploration in 2017 will continue its transformation to a smaller, and more efficient industry.

The new report titled, “Global Exploration: What to look for in 2017,” indicates that overall investments will at best match

ENERGY 2016 year’s spend of around $40 billion, and may yet fall further.

On the bright side, the analysis showed that lower costs mean well counts may hold up close to 2016 numbers.

Flat budgets should mean exploration’s headcount cuts are now mainly in the past.

According to Wood Mackenzie, the oil majors and a handful of bolder independents will drill most of the wells to watch, as in both 2015 and 2016, while it is expected that the best discoveries would come from new plays and frontiers,

despite greater emphasis on infrastructure-led drilling from many explorers.

Vice president of Exploration at Wood Mackenzie, Dr Andrew Latham, said the oil and gas industry had a good chance of achieving double digit returns in 2017.

“Smarter portfolio choices and lower costs are already paying off. More than half of the volumes are expected to be found in deep water. Here some well costs will fall to $30 million or less, with full-cycle economics that are positive at less than $50 per barrel,” Latham said.

According to Wood Macken-

zie’s report, the industry has cut exploration deeper than other upstream spending.

“The industry is focusing on acreage capture and re-loading for the longer term. Companies willing to sign acreage with firm 2017 wells may be spoilt for choice. A spate of new licensing in outer slope plays will continue as explorers digest news of better-than-expected reservoir quality and source rock potential in these ultradeepwater settings,” Latham added.

“Its share of upstream investment will dip to a new low Continued on page 22

The Petroleum Technology Association (PETAN) has honoured the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) with the Distinguished Achievement Award (Corporate) at their 2016 Oil Industry Awards Dinner this month in Lagos, the latest recognition of the company’s pioneering role in Nigerian content development.

PETAN also handed out a Professional Award to the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, for his notable contributions to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector.

Both awards were presented by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru.

SPDC was cited for leading the way in Nigerian content development and implementing initiatives that have enabled more indigenous companies to provide goods and services in the oil and gas sector.

“We are motivated by these gestures to continue to pursue the belief that it is only in bringing happiness to others that we reach our greatest values,” said Managing Director, SPDC and Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor.

NLNG Completes UNIMAID Lab

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has completed one of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, the University Support Programme (USP), with the commissioning of the sixth $2 million engineering laboratory at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID). The company has spent $12 million since 2014 on constructing, renovating and equipping six world class engineering laboratories in six universities in each geo-political zone of the country. Engineering laboratories already commissioned under the programme include the Ahmadu Bello University Multi-user Engineering Laboratory, University of Ibadan Engineering Complex, NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Engineering at University of Port Harcourt, the NLNG Engineering Research Centre at the University of Ilorin, and the NLNG/University of Nigeria Engineering Laboratories.

Present among dignitaries at the well-attended ceremony werethe Executive Governor of Borno State, KashimShettima, represented by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman MammanDurkwa; Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri; representatives of the Minister of Education, Minister of Science and Technology, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the Shehu of Borno Kingdom; and members of the UNIMAID University Governing Council.

“Prior to the installation of any meter, every meter or metering equipment shall be submitted by the Disco to a meter testing station for routine tests and certification” Managing Director of NEMSA, Mr. Peter Ewesor

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD OPEC: HOW KACHIKWU AVERTED THREATS TO NIGERIA’S CRUDE OUTPUT

to the theatre of negotiations of OPEC and by the time I handed over to the minister of energy of Qatar, it had gotten to the point where I was seen as the bridge to relationship building and so the reason why we succeeded so much in trying to find communality.

“We have also been able to have a Secretary General that is doing very well and coming from where we were before this government took over. At the last meeting with non-OPEC members, Russia particularly requested for Nigeria’s presence and knowing fully well what we had done with Iran and the Saudis and that again helped us to forge out what we had.”

OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION TO RETURN TO PROFITABILITY IN 2017

of just eight per cent in 2017.

An eventual return to historic norms – around one dollar in seven – depends on oil price recovery. Wood Mackenzie expects the Brent price to rise sharply from 2019, averaging $77 per barrel in real terms for the year. If this happens, then recovery in exploration spend will follow a year or two later,” said the report.

Some of the emerging exploration themes in 2017, according to Wood Mackenzie, include: exploration for pipe gas opportunities near undersupplied markets such as parts of North Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America; and oversupplied LNG plays that will be de-emphasised.

The report also argued that high-cost frontiers, such as the ice-impacted offshore Arctic and extreme high pressure/ high temperature plays, will be shunned.

“After a decade in the doldrums, the majors’ returns from conventional exploration improved to nearly 10 per cent in 2015. The rest of the industry is heading in the same direction. Fewer, better wells promise a brighter future for explorers,” Latham added.

$50m Ikwe-Onna Modular Refinery to Commence Operation in 2018 Okon Bassey in Uyo In the next two years, Ikwe, a remote community in Onna local government area of Akwa Ibom State will come alive as the $50million modular refinery is expected to commence full operation.

A ground breaking and location inspection for the historic refinery in the area was performed by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel with the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, captains of industry, top executives in the oil and gas sector among the dignitaries that attended the event.

The multi-million dollars refinery called Ikwe-Onna Modular refinery occupying a total of 50.1 hectares of land is said to be a model to boost modular refinery in the country and is expected to commence operation in 2018 with daily production capacity of 5,000 barrel of oil.

The Minister of Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Onu, who was represented by Mr. Ini Nya of the Technology Incubation Centre of the Ministry said that the approval for the establishment of the refinery in the area was government agenda to encourage local contents development in the oil and gas sector.

“The federal government will assist any entrepreneur, innovation, technology and partnership that the private sector has and they want to come in with the federal government, the government is very pleased about it and will support the initiative of the company.

“There are always policies in place for the establishment of refineries in the country and except you have all these policies in place and pass through the due process before you start anything, the federal

Group Business Editor

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Cap Mkt)

government will be very angry with whatever you are doing.

“For now the federal government is fighting hard to ensure that bunkering and militancy stops. They don’t have the licence or capacity to go into production and because they do not have that capacity, the federal government is doing everything to ensure that militancy comes to an end”, the Minister said in an interview.

The Board Chairman of the company, Mr. Bassey Rex, said Ikwe-Onna Refinery “is prepared with the intention to show our support and active pursuance of the state government industrialisation plan for Akwa Ibom State.”

The Managing Director of the Ikwe- Onna refinery, Mr. Daminago Ogaji, who shed more light on the project, said

the “Ikwe Onna Rifinery is a modular which the federal government is looking at to showcase in all parts of the Niger Delta because Ikwe-Onna Refinery is 100 percent a Niger Delta owned company.”

“We are determined and ready to use our position to drive a unique industrial revolution, being one of the foremost local content refinery promoters in Nigeria and in West Africa to deepen refining capacity of Nigeria and indeed Africa.’’

According to him, on completion, the refinery will produce 5,000 barrels per day and will be beefed up to 20, 000 bpd in medium -term and is expected to hit 100,000 bpd in long term.

He added: “The Model is very different as we bring in

the community as co-partners of what we are doing here.

They share 10 percent of what we have. So we work symbiotically.

“If you talk of militancy how do you address it without them being part of you and that is the way forward, getting the local community as part owners and we work together as a family.’’

Speaking on engaging the host community in the project, he said: “We intend to also train the local boys because you will find out that there is going to be primarily local content developed company with everything more than 80 percent will be done locally.

“Tank farms, pipelines and others will be done locally. The only thing that comes from outside is less than 30 of the cost. So we only do that for

the first model. We will study it and try to develop on that and see how we can build things locally.

“A modular refinery like this will require 30 or more man power requirement as its still small but by the time you build up the manpower requirement will step up.”

On his part, the governor lauded the management of the Ikwe-Onna refinery limited saying it was in line with the vison of the state government to industrialise the state.

Emmanuel who was represented by Chairman, Foreign Direct Investment Committee, Mr. Gabriel Ukpeh, noted that bring the refinery project to the state is a prove of conducive atmosphere provided by the state government for investors to come to the state.

BUSINESS GATHERING

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Capital Square Limited/Vice-Chairman, Financial Services Group of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Obinna Anyanwu; General Manager, Corporate Banking Group, Sterling Bank Plc /Chairperson, Financial Services Group, LCCI, Mrs. Mojisola Bakare; President, LCCI, Mrs. Nike Akande and Director-General, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, at the LCCI Financial Services Group Cocktail held at Civic Centre, Lagos...recently

Power: NEMSA Pegs Maximum Meter Testing NERC Mulls Creating Metering Failure at 7.5% Subsector for Power Sector Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

NEWS

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), which undertakes statutory technical regulation in Nigeria’s electricity supply industry has said that the maximum failure rate it would allow in the testing and certification of meters for use by electricity distribution companies (Discos) in the country would be 7.5 per cent. NEMSA stated that if the failure rates of meters, which the 11 Discos bring to its testing station, are above that level, it would condemn the quantities of such meters brought to it and subsequently ban it from being deployed to homes and offices by the Discos.

The Managing Director of NEMSA, Peter Ewesor made this disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja to sensitise electricity consumers in the country on the standard expectations from the meters that

Discos install in their homes and offices. Ewesor explained that while it was the job of the Discos to provide meters to their customers, it is also the responsibility of consumers to verify the authenticity and working conditions of meters supplied and installed by the Discos. He said undertaking such task would ensure that consumers do not lose money from incorrect meter readings and energy losses.

“Prior to the installation of any meter, every meter or metering equipment shall be submitted by the Disco to a meter testing station for routine tests and certification and this shall be confirmed by the attachment of a seal or certification sticker for the individual meters and metering equipment.

“The NEMSA Act 2015 specifies NEMSA to test, calibrate and certify all electricity meters and instruments used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). And there

are various types of meter test, which include type test, routine test and recertification test,” said Ewesor.

He further stated: “The meters to be deployed in the NESI must meet these mandatory tests requirements as specified in the Nigerian Metering Code Version 02 but we will not allow a failure rate that is above 7.5 per cent in our testing of meters.”

“7.5 per cent is the maximum failure rate we will allow, it is supposed to be a no-failure at all status but we decided to allow this, if it goes beyond that level, the meters will be considered completely useless and no allowed to be deployed in the sector by the Discos,” he added. Ewesor stated that for every number of meters brought to NEMSA’s testing station, 10 per cent of it would be randomly picked for testing.

He also noted that the Discos were beginning to comply with the mandatory meter testing requirements.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is considering a new proposal to decouple the job of procuring and deploying electricity meters to consumers in the various distribution networks from the distribution companies (Discos) and handing it over to meter vending firms, THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY gathered in Abuja that the proposal though still being studied by NERC and stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity supply industry would create a new and interlinked metering sector for the industry, responsible solely for the manufacturing and installation of meters to consumers, if accepted for implementation.

Parts of the objectives of the proposal as learnt would be to help create a financially viable metering subsector, one that takes away the responsibility of meter provision to consumers from the Discos.

Accordingly, it would also push for improved local manufacturing of meters to close the country’s current metering gap which is reportedly huge and contributes to electricity revenue leakages.

The proposal would also seek to create meter vending firms that are linked with the Discos across the country, to at the request of the Discos install meters to either new or existing customers. They will also calibrate the meters to bear some biometric details of their users through which instances of electricity theft or meter by-pass could be effortlessly traced and the culprits prosecuted.

The Acting Chairman of NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah confirmed the existence of such proposal to THISDAY. He stated that stakeholders such as the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Discos and others were considering its merit and potential execution in the sector.

23

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

As Kachikwu Ends JV Cash Calls Nigeria’s negotiation of the JV cash call exit policy spearheaded by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has the potential to improve the trajectory of the country’s oil and gas sector, which was retarded by chronic funding shortages, writes Ejiofor Alike The federal government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has over the years, demonstrated lack of financial capacity to provide its cash calls to fund joint venture projects.

Due to inadequate funding of the JVs by the NNPC, crude oil production by the NNPC JV with Shell, Chevron, Total and ExxonMobil had dropped by over 50 per cent in the last 10 years.

According to previous statistics obtained

by THISDAY, the country should have been producing between 500,000 barrels per day and 1 million bpd more than it is producing today if the government had been providing adequate funding.

Poor funding led to declining production in the JV assets, while production from projects under the PSC arrangement, which are solely funded by the IOCs, has risen by about 700 per cent over the same period.

It was the failure of the government to provide JV cash calls that actually led to the establishment of Production Sharing Contract (PSC) as an alternative fiscal regime, which was modelled after Indonesia’s Production Sharing Agreement.

Under a PSC, the NNPC does not contribute any fund as the PSC contractor (IOC) provides 100 per cent of the risk capital, as well as technical and manpower requirements, and only recoups the investment outlay when it starts the export of crude oil.

The country had also experimented on the Sole Risk form of fiscal regime before the introduction of PSC. However, the danger in the Nigerian PSC is that the IOC is not refunded the exploration cost if oil is not found in a commercial quantity.

Nigeria’s crude oil exports are sustained by the deep offshore fields such as Shell’s Bonga, ExxonMobil’s Erha, Total’s Akpo and Usan; and Chevron’s Agbami, which are all under PSCs. Inadequate funding of the JVs, coupled with the crisis in the Niger Delta, accounted for the country’s inability to meet 4 million barrels per day production capacity and 40 billion barrels reserves target by 2010.

To address the JV funding challenges, which retarded the growth of the sector, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had promised to work out new funding models that would enable the country to exit the cash call model and also pay the arrears of unpaid cash calls.

Federal government’s underfunding of the industry through JV Cash Calls stood at $9.125 billion by September 2016, according to data by the petroleum ministry.

Cash call model exit agreement Kachikwu’s efforts to resolve the funding challenges paid off recently with the successful signing of the cash call exit agreementS between the NNPC and the IOCs. At the end of the negotiation, the IOCs agreed to be paid their accumulated arrears up to December 2015, over the period of about five years.

The agreements also provide that the payments of the arrears will not be a cash burden on the federal government as they will be made via incremental production from each JV. The Director of Press at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Idang Alibi quoted the minister as saying at the signing ceremony that the consensus in the industry was that with the signing of agreements to exit cash calls, investments would soon flow into the Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

He argued that if the industry focused on key issues that impede the industry and resolve them, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry would soon be able to compete favourably with its peers across the world.

Explaining the agreements, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru stated that the signing of the exit cash call agreements comprises three components - the process of

Kachikwu settling the pre-2016 cash call areas; the process of sustaining the cash call payment from 2017; and agreement and settlement over performance in 2016.

Baru commended Kachikwu for his contribution to exit cash calls in the industry and also acknowledged President Muhammadu Buhari for mustering the political will to exit the troubled funding model.

Baru noted that Kachikwu offered necessary supports to put the framework of the agreement in place and also energised the process when naughty issues capable of derailing negotiations arose.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Clay Neff, said the signing ceremony represented a milestone in the industry.

Neff was optimistic that the agreement would stabilise and also increase upstream production over time, adding that the repayment of the arrears in a sustainable manner is a key enabler to additional investment in the upstream sector in Nigeria.

Benefits of agreements Under the new arrangement, the entire NNPC equity oil and gas revenues are now to be paid directly into the Federation Account.

Before the signing of the agreements, competition from other appropriated items of expenditure in the federal government’s budget has always limited the deduction of technical cost required to fund the cash calls on monthly basis.

“If you ask for $4 billion; they (National Assembly) will give you $1.5 billion,” Kachikwu had told THISDAY. However, the execution of this agreement will end the long-standing cash call challenges that have impacted the Nigerian oil and gas industry over the years.

With this new arrangement, the federal government will continue to receive royalties, taxies and profit from its equity share of JV oil and gas production while the cost of operation is deducted upfront.

The agreements provide that the outstanding cash call arrears will be repaid within a period of five years through incremental production revenues without impacting the established based production revenue.

NNPC has also projected that it would increase production from the current 2.2million barrels

Managing Director of SPDC, Osagie Okunbor per day to 2.5mbpd by 2019, and also reduce Unit Technical Costs from $27.96 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe) to $18 per boe.

According to government’s projection, the net payments to the Federation Account is expected to double from about $7 billion to over $14 billion by 2020 as the immediate effect of the new cash call or will increase net federal government revenue per annum by about $2 billion.

This arrangement will guarantee payments of statutory oil and gas royalties and taxes by NNPC and its JV partners as well as profit from its investments in the JVs. It is projected that at the $42.5 per barrel oil price which the 2017 budget is predicated on and $24 per barrel fiscal cost recovery proposed for 2017 in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) recently submitted to National Assembly, over $13 per barrel will accrue to government as royalties and taxes from JV oil and gas production apart from $2.8 per barrel estimated as government share of profit, at 57 per cent equity.

Security as key to investments Despite the resolution of the JV funding challenges, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is still faced with security challenges as a result of the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

Nigeria’s crude oil production had hit 2.5 million barrels per day in the pre-militancy days before the attacks on oil and gas facilities, as well as kidnapping of expatriate oil workers for ransom, wrecked the industry.

It was the security challenges in the Niger Delta, which escalated in 2005 that largely led to the inability of the country to attain the four million barrels per day production and 40 billion barrels reserves targets, which was set for 2010 by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Militancy has also crippled power generation and led to abysmal performance of the refineries as vandalism disrupted gas and crude oil supplies to power stations and the refineries, respectively.

A frightening statistics by the Vice-Chairman of the Security Subcommittee of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Shina Bankole, showed that Nigeria lost over 130 million barrels of crude oil from January to November this year to the activities of 32 militant groups in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking in Lagos recently at the 17th

Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Biennial Conference on the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria organised by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Bankole, who is also the General Manager in charge of Security at Chevron Nigeria Limited, had noted that insecurity in the Niger Delta had led to the proliferation of several militant groups, as well as small arms and weapons.

Bankole added that between January and November, 58 incidents of sabotage were recorded where oil and gas facilities belonging to the oil companies were vandalised.

“Again, within the same period, the rate of sabotage on oil and gas assets has led to lost production opportunities by the oil companies.

As of today, more than 130 million barrels of crude oil have been lost due to the inability of the oil companies to produce as a result of the activities of the militants,” he added.

He said with the rehabilitation of about 30,000 ex-agitators, the Amnesty Programme introduced in 2009 by the federal government had successfully restored normalcy to the oilproducing region until 2015 when new militant groups began to emerge.

“The resurgence of militancy since 2015 has led to the proliferation of militant groups. As of today, no fewer than 32 of such groups have emerged in the Niger Delta – some with possible ethnic agenda, while others came with a criminal agenda,” he said.

Bankole disclosed that of the over 275 cases of kidnappings recorded across 29 states between January and November, 45 cases were related to oil and gas industry personnel and their dependants.

According to him, of the 99 incidents of sea robberies and pirates recorded within the same period, 19 cases involved the oil and gas industry.

However, Kachikwu, who was represented by his Senior Technical Adviser on Fiscal and Regulatory Matters, Dr. Tim Okon, had assured that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Petroleum Industry Roadmap, better known as the “7 Big Wins”, would stabilise the region for oil and gas business.

The minister acknowledged that the insecurity in the Niger Delta had raised the cost of security by six times over the past 10 years and put the entire ecosystem of Niger Delta under threat as a result of the oil spills caused by vandalism of facilities by militants.

Now that the country has exited the cash call model, stakeholders should focus on the security challenges in the Niger Delta.

24

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Taming Money Laundering through Bitcoin Experts have raised the alarm that the heightened interest in Bitcoin, the world’s decentralised digital currency, encourages money laundering and other illicit deals in the face of the naira’s depreciation, positing that strict regulations are required to stem the trend. Adedayo Adejobi reports The need to eliminate a third party in payments for goods and services purchased on the internet has been of great concern to the promoters of the virtual world. In 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto overcame the challenge by creating the first digital currency known as the Bitcoin, as a direct payment from the buyer to the seller on the internet without the interference of any financial institution.

There are no `transaction fees and there is also no need for identity discloure. Merchants all over the world are beginning to accept Bitcoin as a means of payment; to buy webhosting services, pizza or even merchandise anonymously. In addition, international payments are easy and cheap because they are not tied to any country or subject to regulation. Small businesses may like them because there are no credit card fees.

Some people just buy Bitcoin as an investment, hoping that the prices would go up.

Criminals, money launderers and those with illicit funds in Nigeria are now also attracted to Bitcoin because it enables them to move their proceeds of crime beyond the reach of the law enforcement agencies. That is one of the biggest worries about the increasing popularity of the virtual currency.

The value of a Bitcoin has fluctuated wildly since 2009 but now hovers between $780 and US$1,251.18. To spend it, users buy bitcoin and transact using a third-party app rather than a central authority validating transactions, all transfers are recorded on a public ledger.

People can send bitcoins to each other using mobile apps or their computers. It’s similar to sending cash digitally. People compete to “mine” bitcoins using computers to solve complex math puzzles. This is how bitcoins are created. Currently, a winner is rewarded with 25 bitcoins roughly every 10 minutes. Bitcoins are stored in a “digital wallet,” which exists either in the cloud or on a user’s computer. The wallet is a virtual bank account that allows users to send or receive bitcoins, pay for goods or save their money. Unlike bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets are not insured by the National Deposit Insurance Corporations.

Demand for the decentralised digital currency With its rise daily, Bitcoin prices vary significantly from country to country. Specific regions are subject to paying premium prices, with China being a great example. But Nigeria is warming up to Bitcoin as well, as prices soaring to unseen levels. Just recently, the price per Bitcoin touched US$1,251.18 across Nigerian Bitcoin exchanges.

Considering how the average global price was US$725 at that time, such a large cap is rather unusual.

Lending a voice on the intricacies of digital currency and why the warning should be taken seriously, the Managing Director, Compliance Consulting Limited Mr. Oladele Adeoye said: ’’Nigeria has policies in place to stop money leaving the country. The exchange rate of 315N/$ that Google shows is not reality, nobody gets that rate. They have a black market system in which dollars are auctioned every day, the rates here are often as high as 500N/$, which translates to $780 per bitcoin in Nigeria. But recently, it looks like they are at $1200/Bitcoin, but this is just not the case, because nobody can get dollars at 315N/$.’’

Although Nigerian exchanges are recording such high prices, that does not mean the rest of the world will follow its lead.

Bitx is one of Nigeria’s most prominent Bitcoin exchanges to date. The platform attracts traders, consumers, and investors from all over the country.

Interestingly enough, Bitx cannot provide ample liquidity to accommodate large trades right now.

Due to this low liquidity, the price per individual Bitcoin spiked to over US$1,250 recently.

While it is not unusual to see people pay a premium compared to the normal price, a US$500 discrepancy is very uncommon. Nigeria is not the only country paying very high prices for Bitcoin right now, though, India sees a similar

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun trend, ever since the government made most of the cash supply useless. However, their premium prices are a lot lower, sitting at “just” 10-20% over the global average.

Different factors influence the sudden demand for Bitcoin. As the naira loses its value against the US Dollar, purchasing power increases as well. Consumers and investors who see no more value in their own currency are more eager to spend it. Additionally, they want to hedge against a future volatile downturn by investing in alternative financial assets. And with this in view, Bitcoin is becoming an attractive choice. Although its users are scared because the wallet in cloud, and on countless cases Servers have been hacked. Companies have fled with clients’ Bitcoins.

Most deafening is the knowledge that wallet on computer can be accidentally deleted, as viruses could destroy them. Though each bitcoin transaction is recorded in a public log, names of buyers and sellers are never revealed – only their wallet IDs. While that keeps bitcoin users’ transactions private, it also lets them buy or sell anything without easily tracing it back to them. That’s why it has become the currency of choice for people online buying drugs or other illicit activities.

Another factor to takes into account is how Nigeria is home to a lot of internet users. Recent statistics indicate the country is the ninth-highest ranking region in the world. This does not automatically mean there is an uptake in digital payments, although the growing demand for Bitcoin proves otherwise.

In the words of a financial expert, Abimbola Adeseyoju, Managing Director DataPro Limited, ‘‘the problem of the economy is not entirely fiscal or monetary. The major factor is money laundering. One preventive measure is the 100% implementation of the Cashless policy.

Any country with predominantly cash transac-

tions cannot achieve sustainable growth and development. Until we combat money laundering to the minimum all the distortions associated with our economic policies will continue. The government and the Central Bank of Nigeria must find a way of resuscitating this Cashless policy. The more we reduce cash transactions the tighter it becomes for money launderers to evade the financial trail. The President must be made to re-launch the Cashless policy as a preventive measure for combating money laundering. No payment or receipt of funds by any government agency should be by cash.

All payments and receipts must pass through the financial system. Section one of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act (MLPA) 2011 (As Amended) should be strictly enforced and awareness created. Every adult Nigerian must be encouraged to open a bank account. Nigeria must first transit from a cash-based to a cash-less economy to sustain the fight against corruption’ The Future of t Bitcoin and Nigeria’s Weak Economy Billed as the future of democratised, digital money, the currency is now at the center of a conflict over how to develop technologies behind the system. No one knows what will become of the unregulated bitcoin, especially as the governments are concerned about taxation and their lack of control over the currency.

Fans of bitcoin say the system, which tends to be a pet project of encryption wonks, could eventually rival banks and the financial institutions.

Waxing both financial and philosophical argument, unlike centralised units in banks and financial institutions, bitcoin doesn’t have a central clearinghouse to process all transactions.

Instead, each purchase and transfer is verified by one of thousands of computers on a volunteer network and bundled into a digital block.

If blocks become increasingly larger, miners

will need more computing power to produce blocks, which means they’ll need more money for more computers. Eventually, only professional mining operations will be able to produce blocks of transactions.

The Nigerian authorities and the law enforcement agencies must wake up to the reality of the digital currency and come up with definite steps to prevent criminal, money launderer, terrorists financiers and all those with illicit and illegal funds from having a field day.

Technology is a double edge sword. The Bitcoin is therefore vulnerable to money laundering because of the anonymity that comes with it.

The Managing Director, Compliance Consulting Limited, Oladele Adeoye said Bitcoin is attractive to criminals and those with illicit funds because it is more difficult to follow the money. ’’If the perception of anonymity diminishes, we believe the criminal use will diminish with it. It would be easier to fight crime with “appropriate anti-money laundering and know-your-customer controls,” he said.

Along those lines, there are concerns that those making money from sex trafficking and pornography involving children have started to adopt Bitcoin, thus making missing and exploited children more vulnerable.

For Nigeria’s secret service’s criminal investigative division and anti-graft agencies, the technologically complex Bitcoin system makes it hard for the regular agents to stay on targets’ tails. They therefore need more tech-savvy investigators.

Giving a voice on the need to address the growing adoption of the digital currency in Nigeria , Managing Director DataPro Limited, Abimbola Adeseyoju said: ’’Money laundering as a derivative crime has the power to derail the development and growth of any economy.

And this is one of the factors holding Nigeria down since independence.

Until we address the situation whereby the proceeds of illegal activities such as corruption, bribery, insider dealing, fraud, extortion, racketeering and other economic crimes are prevented from being converted into economic activities, all our efforts at running a market driven economy will fail.

The first casualty in a society where impunity, money laundering and other predicate crimes run supreme is the much touted market forces.

The operation of market forces pre-supposes that there is adequate punishment for those who flout the rules. You therefore need to understand why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Security (DSS) must be encouraged to rid every aspect of our economy of impunity before we can begin to feel the effect of the policies of the present administration.

No society has been able to eliminate crime and illegal activities. And one is not thinking that EFCC and DSS will be able to eliminate these nefarious activities. But without adequate preventive controls nothing will work. The economic team must infuse preventive, detective, corrective and directive controls in getting the economy back on track. We must have policies, processes, procedures and programmes that will debar people from taking undue advantage of the system, by side tracking laid down rules and regulations. For market forces to work we must also put in place detective controls that will spot those who will not play by the rules.

It is quite foolhardy to think everybody will obey the rules. Unless those caught flouting the rules are adequately punished, the motivation to obey rules will not be there. The economic team must also be ready to accept the fact that no policy is perfect, corrective controls must be part of the plan, whereby through adequate monitoring, gaps and deficiency are quickly spotted and addressed. The plan must have directive controls. Any violation of the economic plan must be adequately punished no matter whose ox is gored.’’

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION: PROBLEM ON EVERY CONTINENT

20.12.2016

IBA President, David W. Rivkin

2/DASHBOARD

20.12.2016

When Court Raises Issues Suo Motu, Parties Must Be Heard PAGE 4

Lekki Gardens Building Collapse: Contractors, Others to be Prosecuted - Kazeem PAGE 5

Prosecutors Receive Practical Skills on Effective Prosecution PAGE 6

Law School 1991 Class Rolls Out the Drums at 25 PAGE 6

QUOTABLES 'The battle for the soul of the judiciary can only be fought and won from a position of integrity, judicial independence and fairness, in the dispensation of justice to all who come before you.'

– Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria

'For the lower courts to serve as veritable instruments for justice and peace in a democratic society, they must continually demonstrate deep foresight for productivity, exceptional capacity and remarkable courage.'

– Honourable Justice Roseline Bozimo (Rtd), Former Chief Judge of Delta State

COLUMNIST ABUBAKAR D. SANI Abubakar D. Sani holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Maiduguri, and has been in active private legal practice since he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.He is the Principal of Abubakar D. Sani & Co., which has offices in Abuja and Kano. " INSIGHT" aims to unravel, analyse and proffer solutions to numerous anomalies in Nigerian law and practice, particularly statutes, vis-avis the Constitution, International Treaties and Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory, Judicial Precedent and other relevant statutes and issues.

‘Lawyers Must See Law as Tool to Reinvent Nigeria’ PAGE 6

Trade Secrets: Uncommon Aspect of Intellectual Property PAGE 7

Super Falcons’ Bonus Crisis: How Not to Treat Champions PAGE 12

Internet Censorship in Nigeria: Liberalisation or Regulation?

PAGE 14

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR TOBI SONIYI ASSISTANT EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

/3

Issues in Building Collapse

T

he recent collapse of Reigners Bible Church in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in which the official death toll was about 50, has brought to the fore, the issue of building collapse in Nigeria. Notably, in 2014, there was the collapse of the Guest House of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) pastored by T.B. Joshua, and subsequently, a residential complex, Lekki Gardens (about 30 people died).

The frequency in the collapse of buildings in our country, has become a cause for concern. Are the building owners and/or their building professionals cutting corners in construction and putting up sub-standard buildings? Are unqualified people being employed to do the jobs? Are the Building Professionals approved by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)? Without COREN's approval, no individual or organisation is allowed to practice engineering in Nigeria. Are the building professionals using sub-standard materials? Or are they circumventing building regulations (with the connivance of the staff of the Building Authorities)? Or could it be that the liability for these mishaps may lie with the Building Authorities, who may have approved less than adequate building plans?

Whatever the case, legally, if a building collapses and it is proven that it was substandard, then someone or people will have to be held accountable, either in tort or criminally or both.

Main Causes of Building Collapse in Nigeria In Nigeria, the main cause of building collapse has been found to be mainly structural failure, followed by poor workmanship and faulty designs respectively. In these circumstances, investigations usually reveal that specifications for the required building materials and safety procedures are sacrificed on the altar of profit and time, that is, to complete construction in record time.

Synagogue Church for All Nations In the case of SCOAN, about 116 people, including 84 South Africans, lost their lives in the collapse, and many more were injured and left with permanent disabilities. While the management of the Church claimed that the collapse was caused as a result of an aircraft flying low, very close to the Guest House, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) denied that this was the cause of the collapse of the building.

Investigation by the Coroner, on the other hand, ruled that SCOAN was criminally negligent, that is, recklessly acting without reasonable caution and putting the lives of others at risk of injury or death, as serious structural failings were found to be the cause of the collapse. Some of the charges

brought against SCOAN are failure to obtain building plan approval contrary to the Urban and Regional Planning Law of Lagos State and Involuntary Manslaughter contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Questions The first question that comes to mind is, how can a purported house of God, proceed to flout the law to such an extent, building without approval from the authorities and with wrong, inadequate materials? For instance, in his report (including other breaches), the Coroner was apparently said to have found that inadequate beams of 750mm by 225mm were used, instead of 900mm by 300mm. The report also stated that the Columns of the building, were inadequately reinforced.

The next question is, how do the injured get compensated? The injured in this situation may include the owner of the building and the victims that are either injured or have lost their lives in the incident.

Assuming that the collapsed building owner followed the proper procedures necessary to erect the building, and was unaware of the sharp practices of his builders, that the building owner was blameless, he may seek redress to recover material losses from the builders, resulting from the building collapse and breach of contract between him and them.

The injured and families of those who may have lost their lives in the mishap, may also seek compensation. However, it is sometimes difficult to do so, because firstly, those that are responsible for the calamity must be identified, and demands for compensation addressed to them.

Usually, there are allegations and counterallegations, between the parties involved in the construction, from the owner, to the structural engineering consultant, to the contractor.

Interestingly, I spoke to a seasoned Building Professional who explained different scenarios to me.

Liability of the Structural Engineer In the first scenario, according to the Building Professional, the Structural Engineer is responsible for certifying the suitability of all the materials to be utilised for the project, eg the rods, beams, casting etc. The Structural Engineer must obtain a certificate of the suitability of the reinforcements for the building from a properly accredited laboratory or source of purchase, to be able to proceed with the certification. The laboratory of the University of Lagos is the popular one of choice in Lagos State. As the Structural Engineer is responsible for ascertaining the products used, he is to blame if the wrong or sub-standard materials are certified.

Joint Liability The second scenario was rather alarming.

Generally, in the case of churches and conference centres etc, they tended to begin their activities in smaller buildings, before proceeding to expand. However, the existing foundation or structure may not be suitable for the planned expansion. Proceeding with such expansion regardless of this fact, has resulted in devastating consequences. The Church might also engage the services of their church members, sometimes without the correct or requisite qualifications, as opposed to seasoned Consultants, to do their construction. In this case, the duty of care required for erecting buildings to be utilised by a large number of people, is not observed.

In the second scenario, the Building Professional suggested that it is clear that the Church, Structural Engineer and Contractor are jointly liable for any mishap.

He further explained that in some cases, the Building Owner, who has zero knowledge about construction and wants to cut costs, refuses to follow the advice of the Structural Engineer and other professionals. While the building owner likely has limited or no knowledge on construction, the structural engineer is a professional, and should avoid projects where owners are willing to sacrifice lives and property in favour of economising.

If not, they will also be jointly liable with their building owner client, for any mishap.

Building Authority Officials who turn a blind eye to non-adherence to regulations and standards, are also liable.

Steps that Victims Can Take Victims should immediately consult a lawyer. In the case of death, an autopsy report must be obtained from a duly accredited pathologist. In the case of injury, a proper detailed treatment report from the hospital and expenses incurred is also necessary.

In the first scenario, the injured and families of deceased, may seek their compensation from the Structural Engineer, who may also face criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter, in a court of law, in the case of death in the mishap, and/or lesser criminal charges, in the case of injury.

In the second scenario, victims can seek their compensation from all the parties, jointly and severally. It is however, advisable for those seeking compensation, to try to secure an out- of-court settlement, as litigation could take years.

In the case of SCOAN, for example, two South African children, whose father died in the mishap, sued the church for damages to compensate them for the money their father would have expended on them, until he attained the age of 70.

"IN NIGERIA, THE MAIN CAUSE OF BUILDING COLLAPSE HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE MAINLY STRUCTURAL FAILURE, FOLLOWED

BY POOR WORKMANSHIP AND FAULTY DESIGNS RESPECTIVELY. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, INVESTIGATIONS USUALLY REVEAL THAT SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE REQUIRED BUILDING MATERIALS AND SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE SACRIFICED ON THE ALTAR OF PROFIT AND TIME, THAT IS, TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RECORD TIME"

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com Curbing the Trend of Building Collapse in Nigeria So what steps can be taken to curb this ugly trend?

Ensure that all engineers on your construction project are COREN approved.

As a matter of urgency, there should be a review of the laws relating to construction, like the Urban and Regional Planning Law and the National Building Code, to ensure that all the bases have been covered. New legislation to fill any compliance gaps, which may have resulted in frequent building collapses, must be promulgated.

The steps to obtaining building plan approvals seem to be quite clear and robust. However, ensuring compliance to and enforceability of the laws, during the construction project, seems to be more of a challenge. Building Authorities must ensure strict compliance to the existing laws, by those involved in construction projects.

Frequent inspections of construction sites by the Building Authorities, especially churches and other public buildings, which will be utilised by many, to ensure compliance to regulations, should be undertaken.

For instance, while constructing a building with approval for 3 floors, the owner may decide to increase the number of floors to 5. However, an additional building plan approval for the extra 2 floors, must be sought and obtained, before the extra floors are added. The onus is on the Structural Engineer to do the calculations to ensure that the existing structure can carry the additional load.

However, in practice, staff of the Building Authorities that look the other way, permit these additions to be implemented, while assessments, regularisation and obtaining the approval for the additions are done later. This practice must be curtailed, as it has resulted in several building collapses.

In the days of old, the Code of Hammurabi, which dates back to about 1754 BC was clear in the way it dealt with liability for building defects, especially those that resulted in death: “If a builder builds a house for a man and does not make its construction firm and the house which he has built collapses and causes the death of the owner of the house that builder shall be put to death.

If the son of the owner dies, the son of the Builder shall be killed.�

Likewise, present-day law must also provide clear remedies for innocent parties who end up being victims in building collapse mishaps. Building collapse, even in the ancient days, was treated as a serious matter that it is, and not with levity.

In the event of a guilty verdict, the veil must be lifted off the Management/ Trustees/Directors of organisations involved in building collapse, and those responsible for this reckless disregard for lives, be made to face the wrath of the law. This will go a long way in curbing this negative trend.

4/LAW REPORT

20.12.2016

When Court Raises Issues Suo Motu, Parties Must Be Heard

A Facts

petition was written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bordering on financial misappropriation and false misrepresentation of financial records by the Respondents, during their tenure of the management of Fin Bank Plc. The 1st Respondent was the Managing Director while the 2nd to 4th Respondent were Executive Directors of the Bank.

The EFCC in the course of its investigation, found that the Respondents transferred funds to fake companies incorporated by them, through two separate stock broker companies. It was discovered that funds of the bank in excess of N20 billion and N18 billion, had been transferred to a certain Springboard Trust & Investment Limited and Integrated Trust Investment Company Limited, respectively, and was used by the latter to acquire several units of shares of Fin Bank Plc in the name of seven fake companies, incorporated by the Respondents.

The transaction relating to the funds allegedly stolen through Springboard Trust and Investment Limited, formed the basis of an information filed against the Respondents at the trial court.

Notice of Preliminary Objection The Respondents filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to strike out the information preferred against them, as incompetent. The trial court dismissed the preliminary objection.

The Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeal. The appeal was allowed. The Appellant then appealed to the Supreme Court.

At the Supreme Court, Chief Idigbe SAN for the 1st Respondent filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the Appellant’s notice of appeal. He argued that the notice of appeal was not signed by the Appellant and was therefore, not competent. Counsel argued further that, the appeal was being prosecuted by a private prosecutor, on the basis of a defective and inadequate fiat, and that any Appellant’s brief arising therefrom, was incompetent. He stated that the fiat was issued for a definite purpose, and the fiat had elapsed after the conclusion of the case commenced at the trial court in 2010. He relied on Order 9 rule 3(1) of the Supreme Court Rules and on the cases of LEADERS & COMPANY LTD & ANOR v MUSA BAMAIYI (2010) LPELR 1771 (SC), among others.

Chief J.B. Daudu SAN, responding on behalf of the Appellant, submitted that it, not being a natural person, cannot personally sign its notice of appeal. He contended that by Order 9 rule 3(1) of the Supreme Court Rules, counsel can sign on behalf of an Appellant who is not a natural person. Chief Daudu SAN further submitted that, the fiat was not restricted to the prosecution of the Respondents at the trial court alone, and a fresh fiat was not required in order to prosecute the appeal.

He relied on Ikpasa v Bendel State (1981) NSCC 200.

The Supreme Court in dismissing the preliminary objection, relied on IKPASA v BENDEL STATE (supra) and NWITE v STATE (2013) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1382) 157 at 163, in holding that interpreting Order 9 Rule (3), that where the person appealing is an unnatural person which phrase includes a body corporate, the proper person to sign the notice of appeal is an officer of the Appellant or its legal representative. The Supreme Court in resolving the issue of the fiat, held that once a fiat is issued, it remains valid to prosecute or defend a case throughout the case, particularly where it was issued in general terms. The Supreme Court also held that, because an appeal against the decision of a trial court is deemed to be continuation of the trial, the fiat would be deemed operable to the conclusion of the trial, including any appeal therefrom.

Substantive Appeal Issues for determination The Supreme Court adopted the issues for determination formulated by the Appellant: 1. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the offence of stealing preferred against the 1st Respondent relates to the control of capital issues, and the High Court of Lagos State had no such jurisdiction to entertain same, when such an issue was neither raised nor placed before the Court of Appeal, by either of the parties; 2. Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were right when their Lordships held that, the High Court of Lagos State had no requisite jurisdiction to try the 1st Respondent for the offences of stealing by conversion preferred against him under section 390(7) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State CAP C17, Laws of Lagos State, 2003; 3. Whether the learned Justices of the Court of appeal were right in holding that the information preferred against the 1st Respondent at the High Court of Lagos State amounted to subjecting the 1st Respondent to double jeopardy.

Arguments The Appellant, arguing issue 1, contended that the decision of the Court of Appeal, that the complaint of stealing by conversion into shares, concerns a matter of capital issue which is an item on the Exclusive Legislative list, and therefore within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did not

M.D Muhammad, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday the 1st Day of July, 2016 Before Their Lordships Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen Olabode Rhodes–Vivour Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta Musa Dattijo Muhammad Clara Bata Ogunbiyi Chima Centus Nweze Amiru Sanusi Justices, Supreme Court SC.74/2014, SC.73/2014, SC.75/2014 Between The Federal Republic of Nigeria.................. Appellant And 1. Okey Nwosu 2. Dayo Famoroti 3. Agnes U. Ebubedike 4. Danjuma Ocholi ......Respondents Lead Judgement delivered by Musa Dattijo Muhammad, JSC

emanate from the issues distilled by the 1st Respondent for the determination of the lower court. He argued that the lower court is not permitted by law to raise an issue suo motu , and proceed to determine same, without affording the parties the opportunity of addressing it on the point. He relied on the case of USMAN v UMARU (1992) 7 NWLR (Pt. 254) 377.

The 1st Respondent’s argument on issue 1 was to the effect that, he raised the issue when the appeal was being heard by the lower court. He contended that since the issue was one touching on jurisdiction, the manner and time of raising same does not matter. He submitted that section 122(2)(a) of the Evidence Act, which provides that courts are entitled to take judicial notice of all laws, enactments and subsidiary legislation, provides one of the exceptional situations where a court having raised a matter suo motu, can resolve it without input from the parties. He further relied on UZOHO v NCP (2007) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1042) 320 at 345-346.

On issue 2, Chief Daudu SAN contended that, a charge and the enabling law, remain the only two processes a court requires, to determine whether or not it has jurisdiction to try a particular offence. He argued that the offence of stealing having been created by a State law, the State law only confers jurisdiction on a State court within the purview of sections 211 and 272 of the 1999 Constitution. He argued further that the

"THE SUPREME COURT HAS REMAINED CONSISTENT ON THE NECESSITY ON THE PART OF A COURT THAT RAISES AN ISSUE SUO MOTU TO HEAR THE PARTIES BEFORE DETERMINING THE ISSUE. AGREED THAT A JURISDICTIONAL ISSUE MAY BE RAISED, AT ANY TIME AND REQUIRES NO LEAVE OF COURT. ONCE RAISED EVEN BY THE COURT ON ITS OWN, HOWEVER, PARTIES MUST BE HEARD BEFORE A DETERMINATION BY THE COURT...""

offences created by sections 105 to 114 of the Investment and Securities Act (No 27), do not dwell on the offence of stealing.

He relied on NYAME v FRN (2010) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1193) 344 at 394, among others.

Counsel for the 1st Respondent countered that, the facts constituting the information against the Respondents, fall squarely within the purview of item 12 of the Exclusive Legislative List.

He submitted that the proof of evidence shows Respondents to be officers of the Fin Bank Plc, and arraigned for offences which relate to investment in shares. He contended that by the operation of sections 251(1)(3) and 272(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers jurisdiction on the Federal High Court and the trial court, the decision of the lower court holding that the trial court lacks jurisdiction over the charges, is unassailable.

On the 3rd issue, Appellant’s counsel contended that, the rule against double jeopardy was wrongly invoked by the trial court. He argued that there was nowhere in the records, where it was shown that the Respondents had been previously acquitted or convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction, for the same offence they were being arraigned at the trial court.

He submitted that the content of the charge at the Federal High Court, totally differs from the charges at the trial court.

In his argument, counsel for the 1st Respondent stated that the same facts led to the charges at the Federal High Court and at the trial court; he said that the facts which are on banking and capital market transactions, are the same facts that led to the information at the trial court, which were simply relabelled under the general offence of stealing. He further argued that double jeopardy is not restricted to situations where an accused has been previously convicted or acquitted. He relied on AHMED v FRN (2009) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1159) 536; R v JINADU (1948) 12 WACA and on section 25 of the Interpretation Act, sections 157 to 161 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Court’s Rationale and Judgement The Supreme Court held in respect of issue 1, relying on section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, that the lower court cannot make any determination on an issue whether raised by a party or the court itself suo motu without hearing the party against whom the issue is raised. The Supreme Court agreed that a jurisdictional issue may be raised at any time and requires no leave of court; however, once raised, even by the court on its own, parties must be heard before a determination by the court. The court emphasised that the lower court’s resolution of an issue it raised suo motu and without having heard the Appellant stands in breach of the Appellant’s right under section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution. The court is without jurisdiction to proceed on the fruitless exercise.

Proceedings resulting from such an exercise being a travesty of justice must be vacated.

On issue 2, the Supreme Court held that, in determining whether or not it has jurisdiction to try an offence, the court will consider the charge vis-à-vis the enabling law. Section 251(2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution vests criminal jurisdiction on the Federal High Court regarding all the items for which the court is conferred exclusive jurisdiction under section 259(1) of the 1999 Constitution. The court held that none of the items pertains to simple stealing for which the 1st Respondent stands trial at the trial court. The 1st Respondent is not standing trial at the Federal High Court for the same offence of stealing preferred against him at the trial court. The Supreme Court concluded that stealing is a matter which falls under the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly and having been legislated upon, the trial court retains the jurisdiction to try the 1st Respondent.

The Supreme Court in resolving issue 3 relied on section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution and stated that the 1st Respondent will come under the protection of the rule if he established the following factors: i. He is being tried by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction for a criminal offence, and ii. Having been either convicted or acquitted by the court or tribunal and iii. He is being tried thereafter for the very offence or another with the same ingredients as the offence for which he was previously tried and either convicted or acquitted and iv. A superior court has not ordered the subsequent trial.

The apex court concluded that the 1st Respondent failed to prove that the four requirements apply to him, therefore the rule against double jeopardy did not avail him.

The Appeal was allowed.

Representation: J.B. Daudu SAN, E.C. Ukala SAN, D.D. Dodo SAN, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, and 18 other Counsel for the Appellant.

Seyi Sowemimo SAN with Subomi Osinusi for the 1st Respondent.

Nnamdi Oragwu with Eric Otojahi and Ewis Okpoh for the 2nd Respondent. Ayodeji Adedipe for the 3rd Respondent.

Motiu Akinrinmade with Ahmed Oyegbami for the 4th Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

20.12.2016

NEWS/5

INAUGURATION L-R: Mr. Omotayo Shasanya, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba, Lagos Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, Honourable Justice Iyabo Kasali at the inauguration of the Ikeja Litigation Registry last Thursday

L-R: Lagos Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade flanked by Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba, Honourable Justice Candide-Johnson, Honourable Justice Iyabo Kasali, Honourable Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya and Mr. Omotayo Shasanya at the inauguration of the Chief Judges Court at the Ikeja High Court last Thursday

Experts Advocate Tougher Legislation to Stop Money Laundering, Terror Financing

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

Chairman Senate Committee on anti-corruption and financial crimes, Senator Chukwudi Utazi, Director General, Inter-Governmental Action Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Colonel Adama Coulibaly and Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Francis Usani have said that Nigeria and other West African Countries required tougher laws to stop money laundering and terror financing in the sub-region.

They spoke in Abuja at a five-day regional capacity building worksop on economic and financial crimes, organised for judges, prosecutors and investigators by GIABA. Utazi said the Nigerian

legislature was about to pass more stringent laws in this regard that would make it difficult to launder money in the country.

He said that West Africa remained a low capacity region in the fight against money laundering and terrorists financing as a result of weak governance structure, poor institutional framework, inadequate laws, poorly conceived policies and unstable administration of justice.

He urged all stakeholders in the criminal justice sector to double their effort for the country to curb money laundering and related crimes.

According to him, the Judiciary holds the key to the success of every effort against all forms of criminality in any society.

"Investigation and prosecution must not work at cross-purposes with the administration of justice.

And judges must have the independence to evaluate the works on investigators and prosecutors, and make pronouncements in accordance with the law.

"They (judges) should work without any other arm of government breathing down their neck in an intimidating manner or subtly or directly, trying to control the outcome of their evaluations," Utazi said.

Coulibaly said GIABA's experience in member states revealed that effective implementation of its recommendations and existing anti-money laundering laws was made difficult by lack of strong

political commitment to prosecute privileged persons involved in economic and financial crimes.

He identified other hindrances to include "obsolete legislation, lack of real capacity to effectively investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes like corruption."

Coulibaly further identified other challenges to include political interference, rivalry among agencies involved in the fight, low level of cooperation among institutions in member states and inadequate financing.

Usani, who is also GIABA's National Correspondent for Nigeria, said Nigeria was now more committed than before, to ensure the success of the group's ideals.

Lekki Gardens Building Collapse: Contractors, Others to be Prosecuted - Kazeem Akinwale Akintunde

The Lagos State Government is set to commence the prosecution of suspects linked to the collapse of a five-storey building on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in Lekki, Lagos, which led to the death of 30 persons.

In a press statement signed on Wednesday by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, the office of the Attorney-

General has concluded its legal advice and is ready to prosecute a total of nine suspects, deemed culpable in the collapse of the building.

“Following the conclusion of investigation by the Nigerian Police Force and technical reports of relevant Experts, my office has concluded its Legal Advice, and decided to prosecute the suspects for failure to obtain Planning Permit contrary to the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning and

Development Law, Ch. CU2 and Involuntary Manslaughter contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Ch. C17, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 respectively”, the Attorney-General said in the statement.

It would be recalled that on March 8, 2016 at about 05:00hrs, a property being built by Lekki Gardens Estate Limited and Get Too Rich Investment Limited known as Horizon

1 Extension, House H15, Lekki, Lagos State collapsed claiming the lives of 30 people.

Kazeem reiterated the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to protecting the lives and properties of its citizens, and assured the general public that it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that criminal negligence and any form of crime is duly brought to book.

Obat Oil Seeks Out of Court Settlement over Alleged N1.4b Debt

Akinwale Akintunde

Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited has proposed to settle out of court with Skye Bank Plc, in an alleged N1.4 billion debt recovery suit slammed against the oil firm by the bank.

The bank, had in a bid to enforce an arbitral award dated August 7, 2015, dragged the oil firm before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Skye Bank had sought to recover a loan debt of N2,142,462,572.26 owed to it

by Obat Oil and Petroleum.

The loan was guaranteed

by His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Frederick Eniti Akinruntan.

The bank further sought to recover 15 per cent interest on the amount, from April, 2014 till the date of the liquidation of the debt.

The case was taken before an arbitrator, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), during which Obat Oil and Dr Akinruntan, appealed for concessions and waivers on the amount of accrued interest, fees and commissions.

The Arbitrator held that it would be fair and equitable to award N1,406,944,352.76 to the claimant, which represents the amount that the respondents admitted as being the outstanding balance, as at March 31.

Aare Babalola also awarded 10 per cent interest per annum, on the N1.4billion from the April 1, 2014, till the date of final liquidation of the amount.

Justice Jude Dagat of the Federal High Court, had in his ruling on the

Originating Motion by Skye Bank, directed Skye Bank to take over Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited’s depot over the said debt.

But at the resumed hearing of the matter last week, counsel to Obat Oil, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, moved a motion to regularise his processes, which was granted.

According to him, the parties have met on several occasions with a view to settling out of court.

"I most respectfully apply for a short adjournment to enable the parties effectively agree on the repayment terms. They have been customers for years," he said.

Mr. Sylva Ogwemoh SAN, counsel to the bank, confirmed that meetings had been held, but that no offer had been made.

"No payment terms have been proposed to us. My hands are tied and my clients are eager. What's in issue is depositors' funds.

If there's a display of good faith, why not?", he said.

Ogwemoh said that a meeting was held on November 14, but that Obat Oil did not improve on its initial offer of N100 million part payment.

"They owe N1.4 billion and their offer is not even up to half a billion naira.

Nothing reasonable has been put on the table," Ogwemoh added.

But, Ojo promised that his client would "take this issue of amicable settlement seriously".

Justice Dagat adjourned the matter till January 13, 2017, for report of settlement or hearing of pending applications.

6/

20.12.2016

Prosecutors Receive Practical Skills on Effective Prosecution

Jude Igbanoi

Directors of Public Prosecution and Prosecutors from around Nigeria, converged at the Lagos Business School last Thursday for a one-day workshop themed 'Effective Public Prosecution and Defence: Essentials for Success'.

The workshop organised by the Lagos Business School in conjunction with Conference of Western Attorney-Generals, has as facilitator and principal resource person, Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Director of Research at LBS, Professor Olawale Ajai, former Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey, Chief Federal Deputy and General Counsel United States, Parker Douglas and Attorney-General of the State of Utah, United States of America, Sean Reyes.

Targeted at Attorneys-General from the 36 states, directors of public prosecution and prosecutors in the ministries of justice and investigative agencies, the participants had an opportunity to interact with seasoned prosecutors from different jurisdictions, with a view to sharing experiences and comparing notes.

The course content took participants through thematic issues in prosecution, including The Role of Attorney-General in Public Prosecution and Criminal Justice System, Case Preparation, Effective and Ethical Practice as DPP and AttorneyGeneral, Ethical Criminal Justice Practice: How Possible, How True? Prosecuting a Corruption Case: From ‘Honest Graft’ to Conflict of Interest.

After many years as a prosecutor and later Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey identified areas of crucial attention, that could improve criminal justice delivery through effective prosecution.

He said the major challenge is how to manage the process and recommended a reward system for good and honest prosecutions, motivation, proper investigation, dignity of the prosecutors, deployment of technology, acceptable leadership, welfare scheme for prosecutors, addressing ethical issues and also recommended that a percentage of recovered proceeds from crime should be retained by the prosecution agencies to help improve their infrastructure.

The major facilitator and resource person for the programme, Chief Tony Idigbe SAN told newsmen at the end proceedings that ‘its not unusual for convicts to forfeit proceeds of the crime, like drugs, and the challenge most times is, to whom do your forfeit those proceeds?'

'Another challenge is the relationship between the DPP and the Police, where we hear often ‘DPP’s advice is being awaited and this should not be so.'

'We need both the DPP and the police. In other countries, the police actually report to the DPP who is totally in charge of investigations, and I hope we’ll get there someday in Nigeria.'

'Also we have the worrisome issue of Holding Charge, and my personal view is, that we

L-R: L-R: Mr. John Edozie Attorney and Counselor at Law, Chief Tony Idigbe, SAN, former Lagos State Solicitor General, Mr. Fola Athur-Worrey, Chief Federal Deputy and General Counsel, Utah Attorney General's Officer, USA, Mr. Parker Douglas, Acting Commissioner for Justice, Cross River State, Mr. Joe Oshie Abang and Mr. Sean Reyes of Utah Attorney General Officer, USA at a one-day workshop organised by the Lagos Business School in conjunction with Conference of Western Attorney-Generals, last week Photo: Kolawole Alli

should try to strengthen the presumption of innocence before conviction, as enshrined in the Constitution.'

'The investigating agencies should step up their act and ensure that they conclude investigation, prior to arraignment before a court. Then when there is absolute need to seek for extension of time, they should go to the proper court which has proper jurisdiction, to get such extension to properly detain a crime suspect.'

'I am strongly of the view that the office of

Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, should be divided, whereby the Attorney-General deals strictly with purely legal matters, and doesn't get distracted with the politics associated with the office.'

‘For instance, the Minister of Justice can deal issues of policy, funding and attending Council of State meetings, while the Attorney-General should be on the implementation side, handling cases on behalf of the government, prosecuting and other purely legal issues.’

Law School 1991 Class Rolls Out the Drums at 25

Jude Igbanoi

25 years after being called to the Bar as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Nigerian Law School, Class of 1991 came up with well thought out series of activities to celebrate the milestone event.

Last Friday members of the class who came from different parts of the country for the Silver Jubilee celebration, kicked

off the programme with a mentoring and interactive session moderated by the Secretary of the forum, Mr. Alex Muoka, with students of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, where they graduated from 25 years ago.

This was followed by a cocktail with the Law School students in the afternoon, while the main event of the day, the Dinner and Awards, took place at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

They adopted a poetic theme for the event, ‘Nigerian Law School Class 91, Our Talking Beginnings: 25 Years On.....

History Meets the Future'.

In an exclusive chat with THISDAY LAWYER, Chairman of the class, Mr. J.S. Okutepa SAN said "The success of our class is dedication to the practice of law. I have never wondered into other fields of endeavour".

"The students we were speaking to

today should remain focused, eliminate fear, even in the face of the obstacles. The road may be tough and rough, but with determination and dedication they will get there and this is my message to them."

"Take a closer look at our theme, and after 25 years, look at what we have done and where we are. This class has over 20 Senior Advocates, two governors, attorneyCONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Legal Personality of the Week Malachy Ugwummadu

‘Lawyers Must See Law as Tool to Reinvent Nigeria’

My name is Malachy Ugwummadu. I am from Ababa Oshumili in Delta State. I attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). I have been in active legal practice since I was called to the Bar. I am the Legal Adviser of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Lagos branch; Chairman, National Legal Committee, UNN Alumni Association; Member and Legal Adviser of the Governing Council of Institute Of Portfolio Management of Nigeria, Legal Adviser and member of the National EXCO of the Movement For The Liberation of Western Sahara . Besides my professional qualification, I'm generally known as a human rights and prodemocracy activist in Nigeria. I am currently the National President of the Committee For The Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), a foremost human rights organisation in Nigeria.

My foundational predecessors include Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, Prof. Festus Iyayi, Femi Falana (SAN) respectively.

Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so what were the main challenges?

Specific challenges : Mine was at the threshold of my career. My degree result was seized and withheld by the authorities of UNN, because I opposed all draconian policies of the institution and dragged the university to court over their

clientele base with diverse interests and problem.

The pressure of meeting deadlines, particularly with the front-loading requirements of the various rules of courts. General management of Junior Legal Practitioners and support staff of the chambers. Huge influx and high expectations of indigent members of the society and victims of rights abuses, who desire that their matters be handled on pro bono basis. Luckily, my dear wife, Mrs. Abiola Ugwummadu, is also lawyer with a better managerial skills, competencies and comportment to deal with those aspects.

Malachy Ugwummadu

unconscionable increase in our school/services charges by Prof. U.D Gomwalk, Sole Administrator of the school appointed by the Late Sani Abacha. We were in court for approximately two years, until the court ordered the release of my degree results. Every other challenge is incidental to the practice and I don't quite see it as challenge, because we always found strategic ways around them. The pressure of running a functional Chambers, including managing teeming

What was your worst day as a lawyer?

Days my public interest litigation cases on prerogative remedies of mandamus for the full implementation of the 2009 Appropriation Act, as well as the action in certiorari to quash the ban on the use of tint glass were dismissed at the Federal High Court.

What was your most memorable experience?

The very days I filed and won several interest litigations cases on behalf of the Nigerian people, who are the victims of oppression and government misadministration.

Who has been most influential in your life?

Great, selfless and patriotic crusaders of the

cause of the downtrodden and oppressed across the world, including notable ones in Nigeria.

Why did you become a lawyer?

I became a lawyer because I saw law clearly as a potent tool for socio-political engagement and reinvention of my country, Nigeria.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?

You must have a reason for studying law.

Otherwise, you will not recognise the law, when you eventually become a lawyer and see the law you studied. That ideological motivation that propelled your quest to acquire the law degree, is what will define you eventually even beyond the financial security.

If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?

I was certain that I wanted to be a formidable journalist or an international diplomat, but I love and appreciate law most.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I don't look too much before I leap. Future projections and permutations come along with variables that are not within my control. I just apply myself, talents, knowledge, energy and grace to my situation

20.12.2016

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Trade Secrets: Uncommon Aspect of Intellectual Property Yemisi Falaye's article on Trade Secrets gives an interesting overview of its essential elements, while also making comparisons between Trade Secrets and Patents

T

rade secrets are a very important part of any intellectual property portfolio. Virtually every business has trade secrets worthy of protection, regardless of its size.

However, many companies, even large companies, fail to do so properly.

There are two reasons why it can be said that trade secrets can be obtained by any business. Firstly, trade secret protection can exist for virtually any business information, and secondly, it is extremely easy to obtain.

This is because all the law requires is that you take reasonable precautions to keep the information secret. What will be regarded as reasonable will depend on the value of the business information.

Universally, the accepted fact is that to be protected as a trade secret, the subject-matter must be kept secret, although this will depend on how the term is construed. The factors which determine whether something is a trade secret include, the extent to which the information is known outside the business, the extent it is known by the employees, the value in having the information as against competitors and the time and expense it would take others to duplicate the information.

Definition A Trade Secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern or compilation of information used by a business to obtain an advantage over competitors or customers. It is an item of information that has commercial value, which the firm possessing such information wants to conceal from its competitors, to prevent them from duplicating it.

A company can protect its confidential information through non-disclosure contracts with its employees, within the constraints of employment law. The law of protection of confidential information effectively allows a perpetual monopoly in secret information - it does not expire as a patent would. The lack of formal protection, however, means that a third party is not prevented from independently duplicating and using the secret information once it is discovered.

A company typically invests time and energy into generating information, regarding refinements of process and operation. If competitors had access to the same knowledge, the first company’s ability to maintain its market dominance would be impaired.

Where trade secrets are recognised, the creator of knowledge regarded as a ‘trade secret’ is entitled to regard such ‘special knowledge’ as intellectual property.

Protecting Trade Secrets Trade secrets are not disclosed. Instead, owners of trade secrets seek to keep their special knowledge out of the hands of competitors through a variety of civil and commercial means. In exchange for the opportunity to be employed by the holder of secrets, a worker will sign an agreement not to reveal his prospective employer’s proprietary information. Often, he will also sign over rights to the ownership of his own intellectual production during his employment. Violation of this agreement generally carries stiff financial penalties, agreed in writing by the worker and designed to operate as a disincentive to going back on his word.

A point to note is that trade secret protection can, in principle, extend indefinitely and in this may offer an advantage over patent protection, which lasts only for a specifically

of breach of trust or legal contracts. Legal protection of trade secrets can be derived from many diverse sources of law such as laws of contract and tort, criminal law and the laws governing employee/employer relations, equitable doctrine of breach of confidentiality and fiduciary obligations. The amorphous nature of trade secrets law often presents a challenge in its enforcement.

limited period (twenty years). A classic trade secret example is the U.S Coca-Cola, which has no patent for its formula and has been very effective in protecting it for many years more than a patent would have. As a matter of fact, Coca-Cola refused to reveal its trade secrets under at least two U.S judges’ orders. Another famous example is Colonel Sander’s recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The recipe, till date, is not publicly known.

However, the down side of such protection is that it is comparatively easy to lose and comes with no minimum guaranteed period of years. As soon as the trade secret is no longer a secret you have lost all protection! Trade secrets are indeed fragile.

This means that while you can and should keep secrets and take reasonable efforts to keep the information protected, if other forms of intellectual property are available, they should be considered.

There are at least three types of contracts that are typically used to help businesses protect trade secrets, as follows: 1) Confidential/Non Disclosure Agreements: A confidential or nondisclosure agreement (NDA) is a contract that can be used to protect trade secrets. An NDA requires that trade secret information disclosed to an employee during business be kept secret, for example, by requiring the employee to keep the information confidential. If a person has signed an NDA and uses the trade secret without authorisation, the employer may sue for damages and stop the unauthorised use.

2) Covenants Not To Compete: It is also referred to as Non- Compete Agreement (‘NCA’). Such covenants, protect trade secrets when an employee leaves the business. By requiring an employee to sign an NCA, the employee must agree not to work for a direct competitor for a certain period after leaving the first company.

The theory behind this type of agreement is that the value of that trade secret will depreciate with time, therefore limiting the competitor’s access to the trade secret while

the value is highest to the business.

3) Invention Assignment Contract (‘IAC’): Although, it is often deemed that trade secrets developed within the scope of employment belong to the employer, having the relation memorialised by an IAC clarifies trade secret rights, and makes both the employee and employer aware what information belongs to the employer.

Remedies Against Theft of Trade Secrets A variety of civil remedies are available for protecting against the theft of trade secrets. Most jurisdictions provide for some form of preliminary and perpetual injunction to further disclosure and use of the trade secret information.

Most jurisdictions also provide for recovery of actual damages incurred by the trade secret owner, because of the misappropriation. These damages could include the loss of profits to the trade secret owner, the gain enjoyed by the trade secret thief, or a reasonable royalty.

Using explicit contractual measures to protect one’s trade secrets, is undoubtedly not a bad idea. The above agreements are good evidence that security measures have been taken to protect trade secrets, and make the employee aware that confidentiality is expected, and that there will be consequences if the trade secrets are improperly disclosed.

However, one should be aware that such agreements have limits, as described above, and the best way to protect trade secrets from leaving a business may be to ensure that only limited persons have access to critical trade secret information; and bolster loyalty with these employees by keeping them happy, preventing employee turn over and subsequently limiting the transfer of trade secrets to competitors.

In line with the above, it is worthy to note that trade secrets per se cannot be legally protected, as they are secrets; what will be enforceable are the consequential effects

"COMPANIES OFTEN TRY TO DISCOVER ONE ANOTHER’S TRADE SECRETS THROUGH LAWFUL METHODS SUCH AS REVERSE ENGINEERING ON THE ONE HAND, AND LESS LAWFUL METHODS OF INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE ON THE OTHER HAND. ACTS OF INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE ARE GENERALLY ILLEGAL. THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT ILLEGALITY TO TRADE SECRET LAW IS AS FOLLOWS: IF A TRADE SECRET IS ACQUIRED BY IMPROPER MEANS, THE SAME IS GENERALLY DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MISAPPROPRIATED"

Discovering Trade Secrets: Industrial Espionage Companies often try to discover one another’s trade secrets through lawful methods such as reverse engineering on the one hand, and less lawful methods of industrial espionage on the other hand. Acts of industrial espionage are generally illegal.

The importance of that illegality to trade secret law is as follows: if a trade secret is acquired by improper means, the same is generally deemed to have been misappropriated. Thus, if a trade secret is acquired via industrial espionage, its acquirer will probably be subject to legal liability for it improperly. Nevertheless, a trade secret holder is obliged to protect against such espionage to some degree to safeguard the secret. As noted above, under most trade secret regimes, a trade secret is not deemed to exist unless its purported holder takes reasonable steps to maintain its secrecy.

Keeping Trade Secrets Under Wraps Trade secrets is just as dynamic as one’s business and should therefore be effectively protected. Reasonable measures should be taken to protect the secrecy of one’s trade secret. Below are tips (courtesy of James Ewing, Michel Morency and Sharon Elliot, of the law offices of Foley & Lardner LLP) on how this can be achieved: • Control who has access to such information and how the information is stored, labeled and maintained. The level of burden on an organisation to safeguard the secrecy of its trade secrets, depends both on the nature of information as well as the size and sophistication of the business.

• Develop confidentiality policies and educate staff on the importance of trade secrets, their management and professional consequences if they do not keep them confidential.

• Implement creative barriers to protect trade secrets, for example, split a job into parts, so that no single employee or division or supplier knows all the parts of a trade secret.

• Teach employees to watch out for signs of corporate espionage and provide a mechanism to report irregularities.

• Secure the physical premises as well as computers of your business, and restrict both employees and visitors to areas where trade secrets are kept.

• Legally monitor business-related channels of communication.

• Conduct checks to ensure compliance with corporate policies relating to confidential information.

• Most importantly, conduct exit interviews with departing employees, secure the return of all information and electronic equipment, and remind them of their obligation to maintain the confidentiality of your trade secrets.

• Finally, control and protection of the trade secrets which make the business unique among other competitors, is an essential investment in business growth and sustainability in the marketplace.

Yemisi Falaye, Legal Practitioner, Corporate Commercial Department, Adepetun Caxton Martins Agbor & Segun

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20.12.2016

Judicial Corruption: Problem on Every Continent Founded in 1947, the International Bar Association (IBA) now has membership in excess of 80,000 individual lawyers and over 190 bar associations and law societies spanning over 160 countries. The body has continued to justify its role as the Global Voice of the Legal Profession. Mr. David W. Rivkin, President of the IBA and a Partner at International Law Firm, Debevoise Plimpton, spoke to Onikepo Braithwaite, Jude Igbanoi and Tobi Soniyi on a wide range of issues including his views on the global economic downturn, human rights, arbitration and the economic welfare of lawyers

R

ecently, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (NigeriaBranch) held their annual conference in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

One of the goals of the Institute is to establish Nigeria as an arbitration hub in Africa, and subsequently, the world, like London and Singapore. What advice can you give to assist the Institute to achieve its goals? What obvious lapses do you see in the Nigerian Arbitration System that may need to be corrected to achieve these goals?

A substantial number of arbitration cases derive from Nigeria, so there would be an advantage to having a strong arbitration centre there. The most important factor would be having a judiciary that strongly supports arbitration by enforcing arbitration agreements and awards, does not interfere in the arbitration process by issuing injunctions or otherwise, and does not show favouritism towards Nigerian parties. Foreign parties must also have confidence that the judiciary and the arbitration system are free of corruption and that their cases will be handled fairly and impartially. It would also be helpful to have an arbitration institute that has good rules, based on the best and most efficient practices of global institutions, and that has a truly international Board that selects arbitrators from a list of internally respected Nigerian

and foreign arbitrators.

Mr. Rivkin,asaworldrenownedArbitrator ,youobviouslyhaveagreatdealof experience in the field, conducting arbitrations under common law, civil law and Islamic law systems. How did you come about being an expert in the Islamic Law System, seeing as it is not part of the American Legal System? Could you tell us about some of the type of issues that arise in some of the arbitrations that you have handled in the Islamic Law Systems?

Many of the cases in which I have represented clients in international arbitrations have involved energy disputes arising from the Middle East, in which the governing law was from one of those countries. Many of their civil codes directly or indirectly incorporate Islamic law, so I have had to learn many aspects of it in order to advocate those cases

on behalf of my clients. In one case in the 1980s, we had many experts on Islamic law, including an Iranian Ayatollah who was assisted in researching 14th century Islamic texts by his students in Qum. Strong NigeriancontingentsusuallyattendtheIBAAnnualConferencesheldin different parts of the world. What benefits do you think can be derived from attending?

One of your goals as President of the IBA, is to ‘conduct an extensive and focused membership campaign’. What really, if any, are the advantages attached to being a member of the IBA? For Nigerian delegates, and similarly those from other countries, the benefits of attending an IBA Annual Conference are many. Chiefly, attendance places delegates at the heart of the global legal community.

Wherever the event is held it always attracts

"A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ARBITRATION CASES DERIVE FROM NIGERIA, SO THERE WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE TO HAVING A STRONG ARBITRATION CENTRE THERE. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR WOULD BE HAVING A JUDICIARY THAT STRONGLY SUPPORTS ARBITRATION BY ENFORCING ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS AND AWARDS, DOES NOT INTERFERE IN THE ARBITRATION PROCESS BY ISSUING INJUNCTIONS OR OTHERWISE, AND DOES NOT SHOW FAVOURITISM TOWARDS NIGERIAN PARTIES"

the leading international business lawyers.

Through networking, new connections are made, ideas and experiences are shared, relationships and trust are built, referrals are made, and business deals are sealed. We hear time and again, the importance of attending the IBA annual conference to develop these relationships and build international business contacts. During the week-long event, there are more than 200 working sessions containing cutting edge content from some of the best legal brains; they educate on the real life application of international law and expand a lawyer’s approach to problems. In addition, prominent politicians, regulators and economists address delegates on current global issues. I have been attending IBA Annual Conferences since 1991. I meet old friends and develop new contacts. I believe that the same fiscal, educational and social benefits are available to all, and as with most things in life, the benefits derived are usually commensurate to one’s contribution.

As you would expect, I am biased in my opinion of the benefits of IBA membership.

So, I would recommend listening to IBA members themselves, extolling the virtues of IBA membership in their own words in a short film on the IBA website at this link http:// www.ibanet.org/IBA-membership-film.aspx The Annual General Conference of the IBA in Washington this year seemed to witness a slight drop in attendance. What, in your view, could be responsible for this and how does IBA intend to address that challenge in future conferences?

20.12.2016 "TO COMBAT CORRUPTION WITHIN THE JUDICIARY REQUIRES THE ATTENTION AND RESOLVE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AS A WHOLE. NIGERIA IS NOT AN EXCEPTION IN THIS RESPECT, AND MUST SEEK TO COMBAT IT THROUGH PROMOTING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY AMONG JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, COURT PERSONNEL AND LAWYERS" Wonderfully, there were 6,650 delegates from 140 jurisdictions in attendance at the 2016 IBA Annual Conference in Washington DC. Both figures are higher than that of the previous year, demonstrating that the international appeal of the IBA continues to grow.

Recently, Nigeria’s legal profession, mostespecially the Judiciary, wentthrough a serious shakeup. Judges, including two Supreme Court Justices, and a few senior lawyers are facing corruption charges.

Does this kind of occurrence obtain in USA? Being a seasoned lawyer and arbitrator with international experience, and also being a non-Nigerian with an objective point of view, what steps do you think Nigeria should take to ensure that corruption within the Judiciary and the Legal Profession as a whole is curbed?

Corruption in judiciaries is a problem on every continent. Where it occurs, it undermines the rule of law and civil society, because it causes citizens to lose faith in the ability of government to assist them. For these reasons, last year, I launched the Judicial Integrity Initiative (JII). The JII is an extension of the anti-corruption work the IBA has been doing around the world, such as training lawyers to identify corruption, and not to participate in it unwittingly. Since the launch I have visited a number of countries including Singapore, Mexico and The Philippines to conduct incountry consultations. We published a survey on the nature of judicial corruption in May 2016: http://www.ibanet.org/Article/NewDetail. aspx?ArticleUid=34EC225A- EE67-4D6A-A2E8B3718C12D347. We are now undertaking five separate projects designed to combat judicial corruption. These include drafting the IBA Judicial Anticorruption Compact – an individual commitment by judges, lawyers, prosecutors and court administrators to zero tolerance of corruption in the legal profession. The Compact has been adopted in Mexico and this week the Chief Justice of Ghana and leaders of the bar there will sign it.

To combat corruption within the judiciary requires the attention and resolve of the legal profession as a whole. Nigeria is not an exception in this respect, and must seek to combat it through promoting the highest standards of integrity among judges, prosecutors, court personnel and lawyers.

After 69 years of its existence, would you say with certainty that IBA has continued to faithfully live up to its mandate as the global voice of the legal profession?

Absolutely, yes! In a world that has changed enormously since the establishment of the IBA in 1947, I believe that the Association has evolved to remain relevant and current.

Presently IBA membership comprises more than 80,000 individual lawyers, 190 bar associations and law societies, 189 group member firms – where every single lawyer in the firm is a member – and 23 corporate group members. Almost every country in the world is represented at the IBA in some form or other. The legal expertise among the various components constituting the IBA is considerable. The number of IBA committees, aligned to practice areas, has grown to reflect the development of new areas of law; task forces have been established to address specific issues such as climate change justice, human trafficking and the independence of the legal profession; the number of specialist conferences held around the world has grown to more than 50 each year; training programmes are conducted for lawyers and judges; and major initiatives have been launched including the eyeWitness to Atrocities app, which allows photos or video

COVER/9 footage to be stored in a virtual evidence locker for use in trials and investigations.

Further, the IBA has adopted the Practical Guide for Business Lawyers on Business and Human Rights. It is critical that lawyers better understand how to advise clients to avoid human rights impacts and to comply with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The IBA’s Practical Guide will be a great resource for lawyers and bar associations in understanding these issues, which are part of an important new field for law firms.

Lawyers from different jurisdictions maintain active membership in the IBA. There are members from Common Law jurisdictions and from Civil Law jurisdictions, how does the Association cater for the varying interests of these lawyers from diverse backgrounds?

Diversity is one of the main characteristics of the IBA, including the expertise of practitioners from common and civil law jurisdictions. At any given time on any given topic there is a wide range of views and experience amongst the membership. The Association provides an arena where different traditions can be debated, explored and understood and where best practices from multiple jurisdictions can be shared. The IBA also has many members from Islamic law jurisdictions and from jurisdictions where the law is a hybrid of these approaches.

Security appears to be an emerging globalchallenge. Does the IBA have any mechanism to prepare lawyers to face those challenges in their various countries?

Greater connectivity, the advent of the internet, political upheaval and entrenched ideology are all factors contributing to a security-challenged world where cybersecurity in particular has become one of the biggest threats. Nations are grappling with building frameworks around international law and domestic law, and companies of all descriptions, including law firms, are turning their attention to preventing data breaches.

At a number of IBA events we have had cybersecurity experts address delegates about the significant dangers posed by hackers.

As a result of this wake-up call, many law firms have moved the issue of cybersecurity to the top of their agendas. All companies should seek professional advice on how to make their systems as robust as possible.

The worrisome trend of violations of human rights ofl awyers and the rule of law is now a very present threat in many countries in the former Eastern Bloc, Africa and Arab countries. What is the Association doing about this?

Personal attacks on lawyers are indeed a very worrying trend, and the IBA and I as IBA President have spoken out publicly on a number of occasions. We will continue to encourage adherence to the norms of international law and conventions, including

the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which states ‘Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics.’

In addition, bar associations, law societies and individual lawyers must speak out and educate the public on the importance of the independence of lawyers in protecting the rights of all citizens. That is one reason why I created the Presidential Task Force on the Independence of the Profession.

At the 2016 conference, you alluded to the fact that the IBA will explore the proper ethical rules for lawyers in light of the disclosures of the Panama Papers, and also how government should properly fight corruption without infringing on the attorney-client privilege and professional secrecy that are vital to serving our clients.

What steps has the Association taken in this regard?

On 14 December, the IBA and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued a joint news release announcing their collaboration. In part it read: “Following on from the London Anti-Corruption Summit which took place in May 2016, the IBA and the OECD have agreed to form a task force to develop professional conduct standards and practice guidance for lawyers involved in establishing and advising on international commercial structures and recommended actions for governments.

The principle motivation for forming the OECD-IBA Task Force on The Role of Lawyers and International Commercial Structures is to

"THE IBA REGULARLY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. I HAVE PERSONALLY SENT LETTERS TO AND MET WITH LEADERS IN CHINA, TURKEY, MALAYSIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE HUMAN RIGHTS HAVE BEEN THREATENED. THE IBA’S HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE ALSO OFTEN MAKES PUBLIC STATEMENTS OR SENDS PRIVATE LETTERS TO LEADERS WHEN VIOLATIONS OCCUR"

create a key component in the global fight against corruption. The release earlier this year of the so-called Panama Papers highlighted that, in completing legal transactions for their clients, lawyers may knowingly or unwittingly assist clients in assets concealment or money laundering. Since the scandal, many governments have called for greater transparency of such transactions, sometimes requiring reporting by lawyers. The Task Force will work to develop appropriate guidance with respect to forming international commercial structures, while ensuring that public confidence in the lawyers’ role and the core principles of the legal profession – including attorneyclient privilege and professional secrecy – are preserved.”

With the present global economic meltdown, do you have any advice to give to lawyers in developing countries on how to survive professionally?

Develop strong ties with international peers and keep open the lines of communication so that one is aware of what is happening outside of one’s own jurisdiction. Also keep-up-to-date with developments in the law and strive for excellence at all times.

You have the privilege of being the first lawyer from the United States of America to be IBA president in over 25 years. How would you like your tenure to be remembered?

It has indeed been a privilege. I am proud of the work done by my Presidential Task Forces on judicial integrity, human trafficking, climate change justice, business and human rights and independence of the profession. I am pleased that the IBA has been the voice of the legal profession at multilateral meetings on these issues involving high government officials hosted by, among others, Prime Minister Cameron, the Pope, the World Bank, UN and OECD. I have had the privilege to open important capacity building projects in Myanmar and Cuba, and to meet with more than 20 Ministers of Justice and in more than 20 countries with their Chief Justices or other justices of their highest courts. I am pleased that I have been able to visit Africa on 6 separate occasions, more than any past IBA President, though unfortunately I never made it to Nigeria. Most of all, I hope that my tenure will be remembered as a time when the IBA worked diligently and successfully to advance the rule of law and human rights and to provide great benefits for our members.

How was the attendance at the Annual General Conference of the IBA in Washington this year? Was there a lull in the attendance? The Nigerian contingent seemed a bit smaller this year.

I strongly disagree with the premise of the question. The IBA regularly speaks out against human rights violations. I have personally sent letters to and met with leaders in China, Turkey, Malaysia and other countries where human rights have been threatened. The IBA’s Human Rights Institute also often makes public statements or sends private letters to leaders when violations occur. The IBAHRI and I both spoke out earlier this year when in Pakistan many lawyers had gathered in a hospital to mourn a slain colleague, Bilal Anwar Kasi, President of the Balochistan Bar Association, and they themselves became victims of targeted mass murder. On 10 December, Human Rights Day, the IBAHRI called on President-Elect Trump in an open letter to address declining human rights in the United States.

Moreover, the IBAHRI engages in substantial training of judges and others on human rights and rule of law issues, and engages in other capacity building designed to prevent human rights violations. I know of no other legal organisation that focuses as frequently and effectively on human rights.

As another example, we have focused on the issue of climate change and how it is affecting those in the most vulnerable societies who have contributed least to it and lack the resources to respond. Not only has the IBA been vociferous in its criticism of the situation, but we created a Presidential Task Force that in2014 issued a report – Achieving Justice and Human Rights in an Era of Climate Disruption – which detailed the legal frameworks required to protect human rights concerns arising from climate change. Mary Robinson has called it the “flagship report” in the field, and we know that UN and government negotiators have been relying on it. Since the publication of the report, many IBA committees have worked towards implementing the report’s recommendations.

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20.12.2016

The Members of the Nigerian Law School, Class of 1991, last Friday celebrated their Silver Jubilee at the Bar with fanfare. The set which now boasts of a former Vice-President, former and current Governor, Judges, AttorneysGeneral, and Senior Advocates, concluded their celebrations with a Dinner which held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. Here are some of the eminent personalities that were in attendance... photos: Kolawole Alli

L-R: Mrs. Bridget Ekwueme, her husband, Chief Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President of Nigeria and Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong

L-R: Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, Mr. Adekunle Awodiji and Mr. Olumuuyiwa Akinboro SAN

L-R: Mr. Kemi Balogun SAN, Mr. Osaro Egobiamen SAN, Mr. J. S. Okutepa SAN and Mr. Alex Muoka

Mr. Arthur Obi Okafor SAN and his wife, Mrs. Chioma Okafor (also a lawyer

Mr. J.S. Okutepa SAN and his wife, Mrs. Okutepa

Dr. Olusegun Akeredolu and his wife, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu SAN

THISDAY Law Editor, Mrs. Onikepo Braithwaite and Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem

Former Chairman, NBA, Lagos Branch, Mr. Alex Muoka and Mr. Norrison J Quakers SAN, members of the event planning committee

Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun SAN and his wife, Mrs. Yemisi Adenipekun

20.12.2016

IMAGES/11

L-R: Mr. Ajibola Edwards, Mr. Nelson Otaji and Chief Alex Adeghe

THISDAY Law Editor, Mrs. Onikepo Braithwaite and Mr. Hamza Atta

L-R: Nneka Ofodile Umeadi, Christine Clement Ende and Mr. Lanre Adejumo

L-R: Mrs. Folashade Balogun, her husband, Mr. Kemi Balogun SAN, Mrs. Enitan Rewane and Ms. A B O Ioornigie

Mr. Femi Osinowo (left) and Otunba Biodun Oluwa

L-R: Sweet Okundaye, Mr. Dennis Agbaga and Mr. Yakubu A. H. Ruba.

L-R: Mr. Tunde Kalaro, Mr. Tosin Omigie and Mr. Dapo Akinosun.

Mr. Satar Omolola (left) and Mr. Olasupo Ati-John

Mr. Chuks Okeugiri and Mrs. Agnes Irabor

Dr. Soni Ajala (left) and Mr. Sylvester Udemezue

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20.12.2016

Super Falcons’ Bonus Crisis: How Not to Treat Champions Duro Ikhazuagbe describes what can only be referred to as an unfortunate show of shame, with respect to the treatment of the Nigerian female football champions, the Super Falcons, who instead of being celebrated for their eighth victory in the African Women's Cup of Nations which recently took place in Cameroon, had to resort to picketing the Federal Government for their unpaid allowances

N

igerian sports has been in the news for all the negative reasons, in the last fortnight.

It seems that the NFF is in breach of contract with regard to the Super Falcons female football team.

Instead of savouring the pleasure of winning the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) for a record eighth time in Cameroon penultimate weekend, Nigerian football has been dragged in the dirtiest mud anyone can think of. The ladies who made the feat possible, the Super Falcons, have been up in arms with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the supervisory Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports headed by Mr Solomon Dalung (a lawyer).The reason for this face-off is nothing more than the players demanding their legitimate rights: They were asking for the allowances and match bonuses owed them by the NFF. Instead of being serenaded with adulations and material gifts for a job well done, the Nigerian ladies have been holed up in Agura Hotel in Abuja, insisting on getting their cash before leaving the Federal Capital City for their respective bases. From experience, the ladies know that if they don’t get all that they are entitled to before dispersing, it will become “another story for the gods” or as we say in local parlance “the money has gone into voice mail” no longer easy to retrieve.

As a surety, the Falcons have also been holding on to the continental trophy handed to them, after shaming the Indomitable Lionesses right in front of their President Paul Biya.

But the sad tale of the AWCON 2016 got to a climax last Wednesday in Abuja, when the ladies decided to take the matter to the National Assembly where President Muhammadu Buhari was scheduled to present the 2017 appropriation bill to the federal law makers. Of course, security operatives stopped them from gaining access to the Three Arms Zone of the seat of power, but the players and their sympathisers succeeded in drawing more attention to their plight. Those who didn’t know that they were being owed became aware. Anger and sympathy for the ladies gained momentum. While majority poured their venom on the NFF for being so callous and irresponsible, others chose to blame the Federal Government who did not make provisions for the team in this year’s budget.

An Abuja based female sports journalist, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, who led the ladies during the protest to the Presidency, insisted that the players deserved their benefits.

"The players deserve to be paid their dues because they have served the nation diligently. This is unfortunately a regular occurrence to female football in Nigeria. We treat our victorious girls with disdain and total disrespect at all times.

It is disgraceful really."

"It is inconceivable that the NFF/Federal government is unwilling to pay the players their dues after winning the trophy. This has to stop and the girls must be paid their dues."

"We protesting thjs unfair treatment meted out to these champions who have won the tournament eight times, making them the most successful football team in Nigeria, and we hope the Federal Government will listen to their plea,” observed the female footballers rights advocate."

But an obviously embarrassed Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari, who met with the ladies, promised that their grievances would be sorted out in 48 hours (Friday).

As a father, Kyari, was touched by some of the matters raised in the Falcons’ placards.” Some read: “We are your children, pity us”; “Let us respect women”; “Female football deserves respect.” Although some NFF officials disputed the $24,500 per player debt, Kyari moved swiftly, and in a matter of hours President Buhari promised that the players’ benefits would be settled by Friday. He also summoned the leadership of the NFF to the Villa to explain how the situation got to this messy state.

The sorry state of the finances of the NFF is no strange news to discerning sports journalists. With the emergence of Amaju Pinnick as President of the Glass House, football followers were expecting a radical shift from previous beggarly

Super Falcons

disposition of the federation to government funding. Many had expected Pinnick to be able to woo Corporate Nigeria to partner NFF in its activities. But the power tussle between him and Jos-based club owner, Chris Giwa, effectively drove away potential sponsors, as no brand was prepared to be associated with the shenanigans going on, with several cases lined up in court. Even the only headline sponsor the NFF had before the coming of Pinnick failed to honour its commitment with the football house. Again with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by this administration, all earnings by the NFF from its parent body, FIFA, went into the TSA account. Withdrawal processes have been likened to making the camel to pass through the eye of a needle. With its dwindling and about 11 national teams all participating in continental and global football fiesta, it was just a matter of time for the situation to get to the state they are now before the intervention of the Federal Government.

Unlike the Sports Minister who ignorantly told reporters in Abuja that part of the reason why the players were not paid, was because “nobody expected them to win and so provision was not made for them", NFF said in a statement on Thursday that they were still sourcing for funds as at the time the team took their case to the Presidency.

"We are grateful to the Presidency for the prompt action, and we believe this will put the minds of the players at rest. It has been a very difficult time for the NFF; no official of the Federation was happy that the players and officials could not be paid their entitlements immediately after the tournament."

"It is not as if the Federation did not plan to pay the players and officials their entitlements. The NFF expected some money from a number of sources but this did not work out. They are champions and deserve to be treated as such; there are no doubts about that,” NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said in a press statement.

Olajire also stated that there was no time the NFF directed that the players should be ejected from their Agura Hotel, and decried claims that no official went to see the players at the hotel.

"Before the team played South Africa in the semi finals, the NFF reached out to some sources and raised money to pay each player the sum of N500,000. The NFF President was on the tarmac of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to receive the team and celebrated with them on arrival, impressed it on NFF partner Emzor, to host the ladies to lunch and the company gave the team the sum of N1.6million."

"On arrival in Abuja, the team was received by the NFF General Secretary, Head of Protocol, Head of Women’s

"INSTEAD OF SAVOURING THE PLEASURE OF WINNING THE AFRICAN WOMEN’S CUP OF NATIONS (AWCON) FOR A RECORD EIGHTH TIME IN CAMEROON PENULTIMATE WEEKEND, NIGERIAN FOOTBALL HAS BEEN DRAGGED IN THE DIRTIEST MUD ANYONE CAN THINK OF. THE LADIES WHO MADE THE FEAT POSSIBLE, THE SUPER FALCONS, HAVE BEEN UP IN ARMS WITH THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (NFF) AND THE SUPERVISORY FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS HEADED BY MR SOLOMON DALUNG (A LAWYER).THE REASON FOR THIS FACE-OFF IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE PLAYERS DEMANDING THEIR LEGITIMATE RIGHTS: THEY WERE ASKING FOR THE ALLOWANCES AND MATCH BONUSES OWED THEM BY THE NFF"

Football and the CEO of Jedo (a private organisation), Dr. Aliyu Oroje Wammako. The NFF impressed it on the management of Agura Hotel to ensure the comfort of the players and officials, while the Federation went about trying to raise money to pay their entitlements,” concludes the NFF spokesman."

However, watchers of the Glass House insisted that the Super Falcons’ matter is just one of the many financial matters besetting the federation. They insist that the football federation needs a life-line to be able to meet up with outstanding payments to coaches, players, hoteliers and other sundry bills, piled up there over the years, some dating back more than ten years ago. While Falcons are lucky to get the listening ear of the Presidency, Stephen Keshi who similarly won the male AFCON 2013 was being owed some amount in wages and bonuses before he died middle of this year.

Even Amodu Shaibu suffered same fate before he also died.

Duro Ikhazuagbe, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

20.12.2016

THE LIGHTER SIDE/13

LEGAL HUMOUR

We Hold Your Brief

JUDE IGBANOI jude.igbanoi@thisdaylive.com

Dear Counsel, I would like to commend you on a job well done. I don’t know if this is the right avenue to air this, but I know that if it is not, you can redirect my observations to the appropriate quarters.

I want to commend the Abuja Environmental Board for working hard to keep Abuja beautiful.

However, there is something that has been causing me much concern, which is, the way the Task Force goes about ensuring compliance with the rules.

Sometime ago, a sister of mine at UTC in Area 10 saw a man beating up a teenager of about 14 or 15 years. When she sought to know the reason why he was beating the teenager up, immediately two other men grabbed my sister and tried to throw her into their van. Of course, she began to shout and some people came to her aid, while the Task Force personnel said she was obstructing the course of justice.

They couldn't take her with them because of her shouts and the crowd, but some people who came to her aid were carted away to Suleja Prison. On getting to the Task Force Office in Area 3 to lay a complaint, family members were asked to pay Five Thousand Naira to bail the person who was thrown into their van. The Task Force Officials then called the van to drop off the bailed person.

Now, while I understand the difficulties in ensuring compliance, but my question is, is there no other way?

We live in a civil society and it would be normal for any woman to ask why a man is beating a teenager, if for nothing, to plead with him to take it easy.

This system of use of brute force does not sit well with me, and even if hawking is a strict

liability offence, should one be subjected to such brutal assault and battery, which in any case, is unreasonable.

I think the society as well as the Task Force, want to see a beautiful city, but chasing down these hawkers and beating them up smacks of injustice, most especially as these hawkers can be regarded as the poor in society, trying to eke out a living. What then is the way forward?

Ramat Muhammad, Abuja.

Dear Mr. Muhammad, Your observations are quite appropriate and I have no doubt that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Environmental Task Force Chairman, or their subordinates will surely read this.

The essence of the law, which came into effect on September 16, 2010 is to assist area councils in environmental sanitation policy formulation, keeping the FCT clean, among other things.

It is however, illegal and condemnable, for the Task Force to resort to brute force in implementing and enforcing this law. What they are permitted to do, is to peacefully arrest violators of the law, and bring them to a Magistrate Court of the mobile courts set up for this purpose. They mainly impose fines.

Anyone brutalised, or from whom money is extorted, can seek legal redress through the appropriate authorities. Such persons can get a lawyer to petition the office of the FCT Minister, the National Human Rights Commission or the Office of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

Nigerians must not be dehumanised, in the name of enforcing a simple environmental law.

A couple of lawyers are out hunting in the woods when one of them suddenly falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing, and his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other lawyer quickly pulls out his cell phone and calls 911 for help. "911, state the nature of your emergency," says the emergency operator. "My friend is dead! What can I do?" gasps the lawyer. "Just take it easy. I can help you," the operator says calmly.

"First, let's make sure he's dead." There's a short pause, then a shot is heard. The lawyer's voice comes back to the line and hurriedly asks, "OK, now what?"

••• A lawyer phoned the governor's mansion shortly after midnight. "I need to talk to the govenor, it's an emergency!" exclaimed the lawyer. After some cajoling, the governor's aide eventually agreed to wake him up.

"So, what is it that's so important that it can't wait until morning?" grumbled the governor. "Judge Brown just died, and I want to take his place," pleaded the attorney.

"Well, its Ok with me if its Ok with the mortuary," came the reply.

••• A law firm receptionist answered the phone the morning after the firm's senior partner had passed away unexpectedly. "Is Mr. Smith there?", asked the client on the phone. "I'm very sorry," the receptionist answered, "but Mr. Smith passed away last night." "Is Mr. Smith there?", repeated the client. The receptionist was perplexed. "Perhaps you didn't understand me, I'm afraid Mr. Smith passed away last night." "Is Mr. Smith there?", the client again asked. "Ma'am, do you understand what I'm saying?", said the exasperated receptionist, "Mr. Smith is DEAD!" "Oh I understand you perfectly," said the client, "I just can't hear it often enough."

••• A defendant was asked if he wanted a bench trial or a jury trial. "Jury trial," the defendant replied. "Do you understand the difference?" asked the judge. "Sure," replied the defendant, "That's where twelve ignorant people decide my fate instead of one."

••• Your attorney and your mother-in-law are trapped in a burning building. You only have time to save one of them. Do you: (1) have lunch?, or (2) go to a movie?

••• A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time, robbing banks in Texas.

Finally, a reward was offered for his capture, DEAD or ALIVE! A trigger happy, young, enterprising Texas Ranger decided to track down the bandit on his own and collect the reward. After a lengthy search, the Ranger tracked the bandit to his favorite cantina and snuck up behind him. At the sound of the Ranger's guns cocking and preparing to fire, the surprised bandit sped around only to see both of the Ranger's six-shooters bearing down on him. The Ranger announced, "You're under arrest! Tell me where you hid the loot or I'll drop you where you stand," his finger becoming itchy on the trigger. However, the bandit didn't speak English and the Ranger didn't speak Spanish. Fortunately for the Ranger, a bilingual lawyer was present in the cantina and translated the Ranger's demand to the bandit. The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried next to an old oak tree behind the cantina.

"What did he say, what did he say?", the Ranger hurriedly asked. To which the lawyer replied, "Well, the best I can make out he said ... DRAW!"

LAW SCHOOL 1991 CLASS ROLLS OUT THE DRUMS AT 25 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 generals, judges and justices at the various hierarchies of courts, captains of industry, successful politicians and businessmen."

"We intend to make this a yearly event and possibly take it to other campuses of the Nigerian Law School, and in addition to this, we are planning many projects to give back to society, especially the law school. We are thinking of a borehole, and we are coming back to meet with Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, to discuss and agree on what we should do to help our alma mata."

The class has the rare privilege of having in its fold, very distinguished Nigerians, including the former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who graduated and was called to the Bar alongside his son, Dr. Khrushchev Ekwueme in 1991.

Also, in the class are the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, Arthur Obi Okafor SAN, Norrison Quakers SAN, Mr. Kemi Balogun SAN, former NBA General Secretary and a Bencher, Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN, Bimbo Akeredolu SAN, THISDAY LAWYER Editor, Mrs. Onikepo Braithwaite, and many other distinguished legal practitioners, including 27 Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

The dinner rounded up with the presentation of Special and Pioneering awards to members of the class.

Special Award recipients were:- 1.Dr. Alex Ekkweme 2.Gov. Simon Lalong 3.Dr. John Olatunde Ayeni.

In the Pioneering Award category, recipients were:-

1.Rt. Hon Gabriel Suswan – first member of the class to become a governor 2.Hon Justice Aishat Opesanwo – first to become a High Court Judge 3.Mohammed Abdullahi – first to become AttorneyGeneral (Male) 4.Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu SAN – first to become Attorney- General (Female) 5.Adebayo Adenipekun SAN – first to to attain the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria 6.Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN – first to be elected NBA General Secretary 7.Prof Bem Angwe – first to become Professor of Law 8.Mrs. Adenike Laoye – first to become Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser of a multinational or quoted company.

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20.12.2016

Internet Censorship in Nigeria: Liberalisation or Regulation?

Chuma Akana's writes about whether there should be internet regulation in Nigeria, or liberalisation. He cites the creation of a safer environment for our children, as one of the advantages of internet regulation. He also discusses China's internet censorship policy

A

ccording the Forbes, the internet of things, is becoming increasingly a growing phenomenon in our daily lives, broadband internet is becoming more widely available, the cost of connecting is decreasing, more devices are being created with wi-fi capabilities, technology cost is going down, and smartphone penetration is sky rocketing.

As at August 2014, reports released by the Nigerian Communications Commission provided that the Nigerian market internet penetration was at 93 million users (now about 97 million), and the numbers are increasing rapidly.

Internet acceptance has transcended the urban communities, and it is not unusual to find unfettered internet service in the rural areas. With applications being developed to ease the plight of farmers and their access to inputs, high demand for smartphones and in-depth digital awareness by the millennials, the internet age, has come to stay.

Such areas like data privacy and content management on the internet, are gradually gaining attention, though much remains to be desired from the Nigerian internet space. Evident in our social media stratosphere is the principle of freedom of speech, largely opinionated views and the strong voices without faces.

In other jurisdictions, this has led government to pay critical attention to what is being peddled on their internet. Recent events have led governments to direct regulation and filtering of the internet in their countries. Through 2010, the OpenNet Initiative had documented Internet filtering by governments worldwide.

China was the year’s worst abuser of internet freedom. As President Xi Jinping made “cyber sovereignty” one of the priorities of his tenure as leader of the Chinese Communist Party, internet users endured crackdowns on “rumours,” greater enforcement of rules against anonymity, and disruptions to the circumvention tools that are commonly used to bypass censorship.

Though not entirely new, these measures were implemented with unprecedented intensity. Veteran human rights defenders were jailed for online expression, including lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, who faces charges of “picking quarrels” in connection with 28 social media posts, and 70-year-old journalist Gao Yu, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for sending “state secrets” to a foreign website.

This is not far fetched from the incident in Nigeria, where a blogger, was alleged to have posted inappropriate and unverified facts in an unconfirmed story. Most Nigerians will also agree that social media has become an avenue for anonymous bashing of the efforts of the government or any opposition. Internet filtering or regulation may be a way to avoid these

excesses.

In China, there is an extant policy on internet censorship, and the Chinese government intends to regulate and continue censoring social networking sites on the mainland for the foreseeable future.

Nine state-run operators maintain China’s gateways to the global internet, giving authorities the ability to cut off crossborder information requests. All service providers must subscribe via the gateway operators under MIIT oversight. For instance, Facebook was blocked following the July, 2009 Ürümqi riots, because Xinjiang independence activists were using Facebook as part of their communications network.

This block led to the rise of indigenous websites in China, that have filled the gap created by Facebook, afforded China to maintain its rich heritage, created jobs for many persons and promoted innovation and creativity amongst the Chinese. Another issue that arises here is the amount of tax paid by these online multinationals, compared to the amount of advertising revenue which they generate from the Nigerian advertisers on their

"INTERNET ACCEPTANCE HAS TRANSCENDED THE URBAN COMMUNITIES, AND IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO FIND UNFETTERED INTERNET SERVICE IN THE RURAL AREAS. WITH APPLICATIONS BEING DEVELOPED TO EASE THE PLIGHT OF FARMERS AND THEIR ACCESS TO INPUTS, HIGH DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AND IN-DEPTH DIGITAL AWARENESS BY THE MILLENNIALS, THE INTERNET AGE, HAS COME TO STAY"

website.

Today, there are indigenous websites in competition with Facebook, while google may also have hard time competing with the search engine created by the Ikhianosims whizkids‘ ‘crocodile’.

Amongst the support for Internet regulation, is that it creates a safer environment for children, blocking inappropriate material that they may come across by accident.

It also increases privacy, by blocking sites which ask for personal details. Hackers can find these details by breaking into your account. It discourages piracy, blocking sites where software/media can be downloaded for free and illegally, and it systematically reduces the amount of cybercrime, making it cumbersome for people to perpetrate crime through the internet.

Generally, activists, advocacy groups, and journalists have pushed back against deteriorating conditions for global internet freedom. In India, legal petitions against Section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act—a restrictive provision that was used to criminalise online speech, particularly on social media—succeeded when the Supreme Court declared the provision unconstitutional in March 2015, and in the United States, the June 2015 passage of the USA Freedom Act marked a significant step toward surveillance reform after nearly two years of debate over NSA practices.

Whether filtering or the regulation for the Nigerian internet space, it is imperative to ensure that the authorities have a modicum of control, and provide a gateway which ensures content management and promotion of indigenisation thereby creating jobs and encouraging innovation.

Chuma Akana, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

20.12.2016

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INSIGHT ABUBAKAR D. SANI

x14sure@yahoo.com

Anti-Land Grabbing Statutes: Valid Under Constitution?

T Introduction

he laws recently enacted by the Lagos and Ogun State Houses of Assembly, to curb the menace of criminal trespass on and fraudulent dealing in real property (popularly known as ‘land grabbing’) were received with a huge collective sigh of relief by the hapless residents of both States, who have borne the brunt of the unscrupulous activities of the perpetrators of the social vice popularly known as ‘omo-onile’. While both statutes are obviously welcome, I believe that certain salient legal issues which could impede and even scuttle the realisation of the lofty goals of their enactment, were apparently overlooked in enacting them, with the result that, in my view, there is a real likelihood that neither law will survive a serious challenge to its validity.

Background For the past 38 years, the extant land legislation common to all the 36 States of Nigeria has been the Land Use Act, 1978; this statute is entrenched in the 1999 Constitution, vide Section 315(5)(d) thereof. By virtue of Section 315(6) of the Constitution, the Act is a federal legislation, as it takes effect as if its subject-matter is contained in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution; only the National Assembly is competent to legislate on any matter on that List: Sec. 4(3) of the Constitution. That being the case, I believe that it is imperative to examine both the Act and the anti-land grabbing statutes, vis-à-vis the 1999 Constitution in order to determine their true legal position under the Constitution.

Can State Houses of Assembly Legislate on Land Matters?

This question is all-important, in the light of Section 4(7) of the Constitution which empowers State Houses of Assembly to legislate only on matters contained in the Concurrent Legislative List of the Constitution, but not those on the Exclusive Legislative List; this power extends to anything that is contained in neither List, but in a fictional ‘list’, popularly called the Residual List: ATT-GEN OF ABIA STATE v ATT- GEN OF THE FED. (2006) 16 NWLR pt. 1005 pg. 265 @ 381. To the extent that the aforesaid laws were made by the Lagos and Ogun State Houses of Assembly, their validity wholly depends on whether their subject-matter is contained in the Concurrent or the Residual Lists of the Constitution.

In this regard, in THE HON MINISTER OF JUSTICE & ATT-GEN OF THE FED v ATT-GEN OF LAGOS STATE (2013) All FWLR pt. 704 pg. 1 @ 41D, the Supreme Court, per Galadima, JSC, held that: “The power of the State Government to legislate on a given matter must be traceable to the body of the Constitution, either in the Exclusive Legislative List or the Concurrent List or Residual List, and any matter outside the ambit of the said constitutional provisions is null and void” For reasons which I shall presently outline, I believe that land is contained in neither the Concurrent nor the Residual List, but rather, in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution. Starting with the first of the ‘anti-land grabbing’ laws, the Lagos State Property Protection Law 2016, its long title describes it as “A law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in

relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes”. It prescribes various sanctions such as fines and terms of imprisonment of up to N5million and 21years, respectively; that of Ogun State extends to 25years imprisonment and even the death penalty under certain circumstances.

I believe the intention behind this law contradicts that of the Land Use Act, Section 1 of which declares peremptorily, that all land in a State shall be vested in the Governor of the State, to be “administered in accordance with the provisions of the Act”.

This evidently rules out reliance on any other statute on land matters: expressio unius est exclusio alterius. If any such legislation is enacted by a State House of Assembly, it would simply be ultra vires and invalid, by virtue of Section 4(5) of the Constitution which provides that “If any law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National assembly shall prevail and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”.

I believe that a critical analysis of both the Land Use Act and the two anti-land grabbing laws under review will reveal that most, if not all, the provisions of the latter are covered by Sections 43(1) & 46(1)(a) of the Land Use Act which provide as follows, respectively: “No person shall, in an urban area: (a) Erect any building, wall, fence or other structure upon; or (b) Enclose, obstruct, cultivate or do any act on or in relation to any land which is not the subject of a right of occupancy or license lawfully held by him or in respect of which he has not received the permission of the Governor to enter and erect improvements prior to the grant to him of a right of occupancy”.

The punishment for contravening this provision is a fine of N5,000 or imprisonment of one year (Sec. 43(3), while a further fine of N100 shall be imposed on such offender for every day during which he fails to comply with the Governor’s directive to remove any structure erected on property to which he is not entitled: Sec 43(4). The words “do any act on or in relation to any land which is not the subject of a right of occupancy or licence lawfully held by him” are wide enough to cover the activities of the socalled “omo-onile” and others, which are the subject of the anti-land grabbing laws. To the extent that the sanctions prescribed for violating Section 43 of the Land Use Act are milder than those of the anti-land grab-

bing laws, any person prosecuted under the latter would be entitled to insist on the lighter sentence under the Act: AFOLABI v GOV. OF OYO STATE (1985) 2 NWLR pt.

9 pg 734 @ 753H, per Aniagolu, JSC. As for Section 46(1)(a) of the Act, it provides that: “The National Council of States may make regulations for the purpose of carrying this Act into effect, and particularly with regard to the transfer by assignment or otherwise howsoever of any rights of occupancy, whether statutory or customary”. This body was created by the Constitution, vide Paragraphs 5 & 6 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule thereto. By virtue of this provision, the Council possesses the exclusive power to regulate the transfer of real property across Nigeria. I believe that the provisions of the land grabbing laws are within the exclusive purview of the Council.

Accordingly, in my view, both laws could plausibly be challenged on the ground that they are ultra vires the Legislatures of Lagos and Ogun States, notwithstanding the assent of their respective Governors thereto.

Summary & Conclusion 1. By the combined effect of Section 315(5) (d) & (6) and Paragraph 2 of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the 1999 Constitution: (i) Land is deemed to be contained in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution; (ii) To that extent, only a legislation enacted by the National Assembly (or deemed to be so enacted, such as the Land use Act) is applicable for the purpose of regulating the acquisition and tenure of land across the 36 States of the Federation; this includes

"I BELIEVE THAT A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF BOTH THE LAND USE ACT AND THE TWO ANTI-LAND GRABBING LAWS UNDER REVIEW WILL REVEAL THAT MOST, IF NOT ALL, THE PROVISIONS OF THE LATTER ARE COVERED BY SECTIONS 43(1) & 46(1)(A) OF THE LAND USE ACT"

offences committed in connection therewith as well as the jurisdiction, powers, practice and procedure of courts in relation thereto; 2.Criminal trespass on and the fraudulent/forcible acquisition of land is the subject-matter of the anti-land grabbing laws recently enacted by the Lagos and Ogun State Houses of Assembly 3.By virtue of Section 4(3) of the Constitution, no State House of Assembly is competent to legislate on a matter contained in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution, unless the Constitution expressly or impliedly authorises it to do so; the Constitution has not conferred such authority on any State House of Assembly in relation to land or real property; 4.By virtue of Section 4(7) of the Constitution State Houses of Assembly can only legislate in respect of matters in either the Concurrent or the Residual Lists of the Constitution; land is contained in neither List; 5.The Land Use Act vests all land in a State on the Governor subject to the condition that such land shall be “administered in accordance with the provisions of the Act”; 6.Section 46(1)(a) of the Land Use Act specifically empowers only the National Council of States to regulate the transfer of any rights of occupancy by any means whatsoever; 7.In accordance with the “expressio unius est exclusio alterius” principle of statutory interpretation, no other person or authority, including State Governors or State Houses of Assembly, is competent to exercise this power; 8.Given that, in my view, the subject matter of the said anti-land grabbing laws has already been legislated upon by the National Assembly vide Sections 143 & 146(1)(a) of the Land Use Act, the Assembly is deemed to have covered the field, and to the extent that they are inconsistent with the Act, they are ultra vires and invalid: Section 4(5) of the Constitution & HON. MIN. OF JUSTICE & ATT-GEN. OF THE FED. v ATT-GEN OF LAGOS STATE, supra, per Muhammed, JSC. Recommendation Interested States should get the buy-in of the National Council of States to any anti-land grabbing legislation, by getting the Council to make the requisite Regulations in line with Section 46(1) (a) of the Land Use Act.

16/IMAGES

20.12.2016

Leading Nigerian full service law firm, Jackson, Etti & Edu celebrated its 20th Anniversary with three successful events; a client’s dinner at Claridges Mayfair; a fund raising Charity Walk Against Cancer and a Dinner Dance at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island for current staff and alumni

20th Anniversary Celebration of Jackson, Etti & Edu at Claridge’s Mayfair.

L-R: Obafemi Agaba, Fola Olusanya, Uwa Ohiku, Lookman Durosinmi-Etti, Norma Jackson, Fola ArthurWorrey, Koye Edu, Chinyere Okorocha, Yusu

Special Guest, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by Partners of Jackson, Etti & Edu during the firm's 20th Anniversary Dinner held at The Civic Centre

Managing Partner, Jackson, Etti & Edu addressing guests at the firm's 20th Anniversary Dinner at Claridge’s Mayfair, London

L-R: Partner, Intellectual Property, Uwa Ohiku and Chinyere Okorocha, Senior Partner, Lookman Durosinmi-Etti

L-R: Partners of the Firm Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, Obafemi Agaba, Taiwo Adeshina, Uwa Ohiku, Fola Olusanya, Chinyere Okorocha, Koye Edu, Lookman Durosinmi-Etti

Partners of Jackson, Etti & Edu and Alumni during the firm's 20th Anniversary Dinner held at The Civic Centre

Cross section of Jackson, Etti & Edu Staff and Alumni during the firm's 20th Anniversary held at The Civic Centre

Partners of Jackson, Etti & Edu present a cheque of N7,000,000 received by Dr. Femi Olaleye, Medical Director, Optimal Cancer Care Foundation

Cross Section of Staff and Volunteers during Jackson, Etti & Edu's Walk Against Cancer

The Nigeria Acting High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Mr Adah Simon Ogah addressing guests at Jackson, Etti & Edu’s 20th Anniversary Dinner at Claridge’s Mayfair

T H I S D AY TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Is Salvation in Sight for Nigeria’s Troubled Economy Crusoe Osagie looks at some early signs of economic recovery being bandied by multilateral institutions and concludes that only a hands-on effort to replace imports with locally made goods is the path to the nation’s economic redemption For every major setback, they say there is always a bright side, a masked benefit.

But as for the ongoing recession in Nigeria, it is hard to think of its sunny side.

People are having their personal savings wiped out by inflation and massive drop the value of the Naira.

Employers are letting large numbers of their workers go on the back of declining capacity; parents are pulling their children out of private schools and enrolling them in cheaper public schools where the standards are unreliable and the list of recession repercussions are endless.

However, some figures from international financial institutions and multilateral organisations are showing that amidst these discomfiting inconveniences there seems to be some sort of silver lining.

Importation Decline Last week, a country assessment report on Nigeria by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicated that a sharp decline in imports contributed to a modest recovery in Nigeria’s external current account balance in the first half of 2016.

Although the report showed that Nigeria’s exports declined by 14 per cent in the first half of 2016, it revealed that imports fell more than proportionately by 25 per cent in the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year.

Also, the foreign trade report released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the country’s total value of merchandise trade rose to N4.72 trillion in the third quarter (Q3) of 2016, representing an increase of 16.3 per cent, or N661.5 billion, compared to N4.06 trillion recorded in the preceding quarter of the year.

Without disregard for this gradual fortification of the economy indicated by the reduction in importation which also means reduced pressure on forex demand, it remains to be seen if this declining export is not simply because importers are unable to access as much forex as they need to import what they require.

If this is the case, then the reduction in the volume of export is not a sign of an economy that is healing itself, rather it is a symptom of the recession which the nation’s economy is currently plagued with.

Balance of Trade Still Negative Meanwhile, the NBS, noted that the country’s balance of trade still remained negative despite the improvement, as the rise in exports in the quarter only helped to reduce the existing deficit trade balance from N484.23 billion in the preceding quarter to -N104.14 billion in the third quarter.

The IMF report, which detailed an assessment of Nigeria’s macroeconomic situation, was prepared for the African Development Bank (AfDB) by the Fund, as part of the conditions for the country to access the $1 billion budget support loan from AfDB. The AfDB in November released the first tranche of the loan amounting to $600 million.

It was also gathered that the country is aggressively working towards securing an additional $2.5 billion budget support loan from the World Bank, just as it finalises plans for its $1 billion Eurobond issue for the first quarter of next year.

However, THISDAY gathered that part of the conditions for the World Bank loan is for the CBN to freely float the naira exchange rate, which the Nigerian regulator has strongly resisted.

The CBN ditched its 16-month-old peg on the naira in June this year and introduced a flexible exchange rate regime to allow the currency to trade freely on the interbank market.

But perennial dollar shortages in the economy appear to have frustrated the objective of the central bank, as the gap between the interbank FX market and the parallel market has continued

Buhari to widen. This has made the central bank to maintain its managed float system.

“There is no central bank in the world that allows a free-float of its currency. That would encourage an attack on the currency by speculators. What you do is try to find the price level and find the rate at which you can live with,” a bank chief executive officer in support of the CBN policy told THISDAY. The chief executive, who pleaded to remain anonymous, pointed out that freely leaving the naira exchange rate to market forces would have dire consequences on the economy.

Statistics available to THISDAY reveal that Nigeria spends around $1.8 billion annually on rice importation; $700million every year for fish and a whooping $6 billion for petroleum products importation

Enelamah This he listed to include a spike in the price of goods and services including energy prices, and worsening unemployment, adding that the naira would also record significant depreciation.

The six-page assessment report from the IMF on Nigeria noted that while liquidity and capital adequacy ratios for the financial industry as a whole remained above prudential levels in the first half of 2016, asset quality had deteriorated, with some banks reporting non-performing loan (NPLs) ratios above 20 per cent (the NPLs for the banking sector was 11.7 per cent as of 2016 Q2).

It stated that a prolonged economic slowdown and additional exchange rate depreciation could further increase the already high NPLs. “Renewed disruptions to, or inadequate recovery of oil production could further increase fiscal financing needs. With external financing likely to fall short of budget, the domestic financing requirements needed if the budget is to be fully implemented are very large, crowding out private sector credit and investment.

“An additional financing constraint facing the FG is the likely need for further assistance to state governments that are facing deteriorating finances and the re-emergence of domestic payment arrears,” it added.

The report acknowledged that the Nigerian authorities have introduced some key measures, but stressed that much stronger measures were needed to address the severe imbalances.

The Fund said: “In May this year, the regulated fuel prices were raised by 68 per cent, bringing them in line with the cost of importation. While the 2016 budget assumed no subsidies, it was estimated that the continuation of the previous regime would have cost 0.3 per cent of GDP. “However, the regulated price system has remained in place, which poses a risk that further increases in the landing cost of fuel or additional depreciation of the exchange

rate could result in renewed shortages if the price is not adjusted.”

The IMF said there was urgent need to implement an appropriate and coherent set of policies to rebuild confidence in the near term and foster economic recovery over the medium term.

These included articulating a plan to place fiscal policy on a sustainable footing, ensuring the monetary policy stance is kept sufficiently tight, and pressing ahead with structural reforms to improve competitiveness and facilitate economic diversification, it said.

Having seen the technical assessments of the nation’s economic crisis by the IMF, it is important to note that all effort being made to save the Nigerian economy apart from import substitution and self-sufficiency in food production will only end up as mere theories.

Statistics available to THISDAY reveal that Nigeria spends around $1.8 billion annually on rice importation; $700million every year for fish and a whooping $6 billion for petroleum products importation.

If only these three commodities gulp about $9 billion annually, it speaks volumes about the desperate need to wean the nation and its economy off the fixation on imported products. Until this happens, no amount of theories can bail the country out.

The country got it right in the case of cement. Dangote Group led the charge in that sector, leading to the increase of annual output of cement from less than three million metric tonnes per annum to around 40 million metric tonnes per annum in about 15 years.

This helped to completely shut out imported cement from the country, saving the nation colossal sums of forex annually.

Just as was done in the case of cement, Nigeria needs to get it right with gasoline, diesel, petrochemicals, rice, fish and fertilizer among others. Here only rests a sustainable solution the Nigeria’s economic crisis which is currently manifesting in the form of a recession.

27

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Govt Urged to Operationalise FTZ in Borno to Check Insurgency Chineme Okafor in Abuja Executive Secretary of Africa Free Zones Association, Chris Ndibe, has advised the Federal and Borno State Governments to consider developing the free trade zone (FTZ) at Banki, a border town between Borno State and Cameroun.

He said in an interview with THISDAY that if the FTZ had been in operation, the Boko Haram insurgency would not have happened.

Ndibe suggested that putting it into operation as quickly as possible will stem further tendencies to engage in violent activities as more youths would be engaged in gainful employment.

Noting that the Borno State government didn’t do much with regards to operationalising the FTZ, he advised that greater efforts be invested in that direction.

He also wants concession of Tinapa and Kano free zones to commence in earnest while all other free trade zones in the country should be reactivated.

To achieve this seamlessly, he suggested the involvement of private sector investors to partner the government.

Ndibe also urged the government to revisit the act establishing the free trade zones authority, noting that having been set up by a 1992 Act, the enabling legal framework is overdue for review. He said in some climes, such acts are reviewed every five years.

According to him, that of Nigeria shouldn’t be different.

He also spoke on the report of a workshop held in Calabar which extensively discussed the need for a separation of regulations function of the board from management function in the running of the free zones scheme.

According to Ndibe, the communique from the workshop stated that incentive for the zones should be aligned with other laws to avoid conflict.

Some of the resolutions are as follow: Create a governance achievement with business setting in mind and that knowledgeable persons and

free zones experts to form members of board of the Free Zones Authority; the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies should be directed to evolve a processing system which recognises

free zone as a one-stop shop where bureaucracy is minimised and commercial activities fasttracked; lack of trust between Customs and Free Trade Zone Authorities has affected the growth of the free trade scheme.

Ndibe stated that AFZA was against the establishment of NIDZA “for it has nothing to do with FTZ or oil and gas trade zone.”

He added: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,

through its Nigeria Content, should develop appropriate synergy with the free zones in order to ensure that their activities promote the achievement of significant local content in the oil and gas industry.”

FG Lauds Firm’s Investment in Import Substitution, Value CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE Addition L-R: Comrade Segun Oni of Federal Polytechnic, Ede; Comrade Mohammed Eneji of Federal Polytechnic, Bida; President, Association of Crusoe Osagie The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has commended Secure ID’s investment in sim card production, noting that this move by the company would go a long way to save Nigeria’s hard earned foreign exchange spent on products it has the capacity and potential to produce locally.

The Minister, Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, explained that the company is an intersection of three key sectors that is vital for the nation’s development effort while also commending the firm for adding value to the nation’s resource endowments in the production of the sim cards.

Enelamah during the commissioning of Secure ID’s new sim card manufacturing line, said the fact that the company is also doing export is commendable, maintaining that with the current scarcity of foreign exchange in the country, companies such as Secure ID can help to earn foreign exchange for the country.

In his words, “I want to commend the company’s entrepreneurial vision, drive and zeal to make this investment and we need more of these companies.

As a country and as a government, we must support more of our entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and realise it. This is the only way Nigeria can reach its full potentials. Nobody doubts the zeal of an average Nigerian, it is the environment and how challenging it can be that can often get in the way. I can truly say that this company is world class and to make the investment, continuing to upgrade and improve on it over time, it is something to be celebrated.” ”This shows that these things can be done in Nigeria if we provide the right support and

I want to assure you that we will continue to support you to produce more and more here locally. Both in terms of jobs, import substitution and the value added process. The fact that the company is also into export is commendable, because one of the biggest challenges we have as a country is the foreign exchange situation where our supply is limited and we plan to increase the supply thorugh export,” he added.

He said the present administration is looking to partner with the private sector to realise its vision and goals for the country in areas of diversification, job creation and industrialisation.

“We have to build this relationship in a practical way by understanding what companies are actually experiencing , understanding what they will need to do better and what it will take for them to be worldclass, I believe Nigerians do well when they are given the enabling environment .

One of the most important thing we have to get right is creating an enabling environment, the right investment climate, business climate, ease of doing business for the private sector and the Nigerian business community.

We are seriously committed to doing everything possible to creating the right enabling environment,” he stressed.

He commended the Bank of Industry (BOI) for its role in financing industrialisation, reassuring the bank of its full support to assist in the nation’s quest to industrialise. “We know financing is a major component of industrialisation and I can assure you that we are going to be backing the likes of BOI and other Development Finance Institutions (DFI’s) to have more of the resources they need to support manufacturing in the country,” he added.

Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola; Comrade Olusegun Taiwo of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura-Namoda; Comrade Benjamin Rosemary of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and Comrade Abdullahi Ilyas of Kogi State Polytechnic, when the students conferred an award of “National Outstanding Performance” on Teniola in Lagos...recently

IITA, AATF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Honoured for Commitment to Agriculture The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation were honoured by the Ogun State Government for their work on agricultural transformation in Ogun State in particular, and Africa in general.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibukunle Amosun presented plaques of honor to the three institutions during a courtesy visit to his office.

The visit to the governor came at a time when AATF organised a stakeholders’ meeting (25-26 October) on cassava mechanisation in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The governor who sent a strong delegation to the meeting also invited the three organisations to his office for further discussion on possible collaboration in agriculture and other developmental areas.

Governor Amosun said the current realities (fall in oil prices and rising unemployment) facing Nigeria underpinned the need for the diversification of the Nigerian economy, emphasising that agriculture was the way to go.

He expressed readiness to further collaborate with the three institutions with the view to unlocking the agricultural potential of the state especially in areas such as cassava, maize, poultry, and aquaculture.

Dr Audu Grema, who spoke on behalf of the delegation explained the mission of the

team to the state and also put in context the work of the Gates Foundation in Nigeria, and Africa in general with regards to agriculture and other sectors.

He thanked the governor for the warm reception and commitment to agriculture and expressed optimism that the team would be willing to partner the state government whenever the opportunity arises.

Located in South-West Nigeria, about one hour from Lagos; Ogun state is one of the states in Nigeria with abundant arable land and mineral resources.

However, like several other states in the country, most of the arable land is untapped, and a lot of youths in the state migrate to urban areas in search of white collar jobs which in most cases are not available.

Governor Amosun said he intended to reverse the ruralurban migration by making agriculture attractive.

“But this can only happen if the state and the country at large adopted mechanization,” said Claude Fauquet, a Director with the Global Cassava Partnerships for the 21 century.

On the delegation to the governor were Alfred Dixon and Godwin Atser (from IITA); Dennis Kyetere, Emmanuel Okogbeni, Mavindidze Donald, George Marechera, and Abu Umar (from AATF); Enock Chikava, Lawrence Kent, Jacob Mignouna, and Audu Grema (from the Gates Foundation); and Claude Fauquet (from GCP21).

SON Tasks Technical Partners on Quality Imports Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Osita Aboloma has said that Nigeria’s economic and industrial growth depend on the standard and quality of products in circulation either locally made or imported.

He also said it is critical to ensure that imported products meet high quality benchmarks which would in turn stop the dumping of sub-standard imports in Nigeria.

Aboloma made the remark when the agency enters a renewed partnership agreement with SGF, an Independent Accredited Firm (IAF) in Lagos recently. The pact will build technical capacities in a bid to ensure that only goods that meet minimum requirements of the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) are traded in Nigerian markets.

According to Aboloma, IAFs are very critical to achieve the agency’s agenda to reduce influx of substandard goods in the country.

The firm, SGF donated textile testing machines to SON, even as Aboloma commended the IAF’s support to the agency in its fight to achieve its mandate of combating influx of fake and substandard products in Nigeria.

He tasked IAFs to continue their fair dealings and honesty with the agency especially towards issuance of SONCAP for importers, saying that the present administration plans to discourage unwholesome imports while targeting economic diversification and export drive.

“Let me sincerely thank the Management of SGF-one of our reliable and dependable Independent Accredited Firms (IAFs), helping us immensely, in the very critical areas of products certifications, quality conformity and quality control.

To underscore the importance of this brief ceremony to the agency, I decided to be physically present today to warmly receive the equipment,” the SON Director General declared.

He said there is no other crucial time than now that SON needs the technical assistance and support from the IAFs, maintaining that the agency has since upped the ante on quality infrastructure development.

“Your kind gesture to the agency, demonstrates the level of your firm’s commitment towards helping the nation to grow industrially. We want to assure you that these machines would be properly deployed and adequately put into use by our laboratory services department,” he said.

According to him, the SGF has set the ball rolling, pointing out that standards body hopefully, will be looking forward to receiving more of such technical assistance from other IAFs and development partners, stressing that IAFs remain critical in its mandate of products registration, accreditation and certifications.

“Our own part, we are intensifying efforts towards building capacities and quality infrastructure. We will in no distant time complete and accredit more laboratories.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Real Estate Contribution to GDP Declines in Third Quarter of 2016, Says Ajayi The real estate sector, at end of the third quarter of 2016, contributed 8.20% to the nation’s GDP, a decline compared to 8.74% recorded at the same period last year. Chief Executive Officer of Propertygate Development and Investment Plc., Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi said with lending institutions facing their own troubles, lending to the sector was anything but cheerful. Bennett Oghifo reports

L-R: Head, Finance, Propertygate Development and Investment Plc, Mr. Vitalis Anieze; Managing Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi; and Development Trading Officer, Mr. Segun Ariwayo, during a media parley in Lagos... recently

T

he operating environment of 2016 has been a challenging one for the country and businesses, said the Chief Executive Officer of Propertygate Development and Investment Plc., Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi. “The list of difficulties appears openended with GDP growth of 2.24% negative at the end of the third quarter, inflation at record high 18.48%, falling national revenue, liquidity squeeze, decline in foreign and local investment, high interest rate, weakening currency and atmosphere of uncertainty amongst others.

“These have adversely impacted governmental performance, operations of many businesses and the well-being of most citizens. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s report of November, 2016, interest rate on prime lending to real estate activities from 26% of lending banks is between 24% and 29% per annum and between 18% and 23% per annum from 52% of lenders.

“The maximum lending rate from most of the lending banks (87%) was between 24%-36% per annum. Mortgage financing to property buyers did not fare better, with unpleasant consequences for dreams of potential property buyers and real estate operators.”

Ajayi, in an interactive session with the media at the weekend on how Propertygate has been able to weather the storm, despite the recession, explained that lack of good road network, power supply, sewage and water remain hurdles to be crossed in order to make the government’s mass housing project attractive to the beneficiaries.

He noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s report of November, 2016 did not show mortgage lending in 50% of the banks. “The prime lend-

ing rate from banks that gave mortgage was 24%-29% per annum (42% of lending banks), and maximum lending rate was between 24% and 32% per annum (83% of lending banks).”

He said apart from the perennial problems that traditionally undermine the sector, rising production costs have added to the challenges.

“Due to extreme volatility in the country’s currency and other economic challenges, foreign investment in the country, which has strongly benefitted the sector in the past, has slowed down considerably.”

He quoted Deloitte’s 2016 African Construction Trends Report, which says, “Africa suffered a decline from $375 billion in 2015 to $324 billion in 2016. Combination of global economic headwinds, low growth and lower commodity prices contributed immensely to this decline, according to the report. Transactional volumes of prime real estate in sub-Sahara Africa so far, this year was put by the report around $150million, compared to approximately $400m in 2015. The report noted a sharp contrast in the fortune of real estate markets in Central and Eastern Europe which are seeing record levels of international capital inflow.”

He said since real estate sector does not operate as a virtual universe, it was obviously impacted as stated above. “It is, however, pleasant to note that the sector has shown great resilience against all odds.

“It suffered a marginal decrease in contribution to GDP in the 3rd quarter of 2016 of 0.54% compared to same period in 2015.

Though a relatively slow tempo was observed, substantial activities continue to be recorded in the year.”

As an asset class with a hedge against inflation, he said real estate continues to

enjoy attraction from investors. “Unlike the capital market, the sector has not recorded major market volatility, thus positioning it as an asset of choice.

“The major, going for the sector, is the fact that the need for real estate across strata remains extremely strong. Opportunities will therefore continue to exist. Though challenging times pose difficulties for operators, yet they present opportunities for innovations which will ultimately benefit the sector.

“For us at Propertygate, we are privileged to have people who have seen boom and bust eras. We have continued to navigate the ship of the enterprise forward. Our domain expertise and disciplined management are some of our competitive edge. Without doubt, we see a better tomorrow.”

Structural Problems of Mass Housing...

There are some structural problems affecting the government’s mass housing project and proposed measures to revamp them, Ajayi said.

The federal and state governments have over the years embarked on mass housing for all in order to provide affordable shelter for the middle class and those at the lower level as evidence of government’s sensitivity to the welfare of the people.

But the projects, according to Ajayi, require strategic plan for enhanced implementation. He noted that the target beneficiary of the housing for all requires minimum facilities in order to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Our expectation as private operators is that the government should provide enabling environment in those areas in order to encourage the target beneficiaries to take advantage. The

easiest item to get by the government is land.

But beyond the land is the issue of facilities such as good road network, sewage, pipe borne water, electricity and a host of others that can bring about enabling environment,” Ajayi said.

He lamented that due to low income and weak purchasing power of the target beneficiaries; the rich still buys the low-cost houses and let them out to the poor, the ultimate beneficiaries.

Propertygate’s position...

Speaking on Propertygate Development and Investment Plc., Ajayi explained that despite the tough operating climate, the company had consistently operated profitably due to factors such as corporate integrity, innovation, excellent customer care and strong and dedicated human capital.

According to him, Propertygate had executed many high-profile projects in the year. He however admitted that the Real Estate industry had experienced a lot of challenges as a result of the recessionary period.

“Most high networth clients could not make effective demand due to weak purchasing power.

Real Estate operators’ ability to import some components of building has been moderated by the high cost of forex.

“Real Estate is a capital intensive business; hence, operators are at the mercy of banks due to high cost of funds and low profitability. Government should create an enabling environment for the real estate operators to enable us operate optimally. But creativity and adherence to quality products and services would continue to define our operational philosophy at Propertygate,” he said.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Grenadines Homes Launches The Coral A property development company, Grenadines Homes has unveiled its top-notch facility, The Coral, a blend of residences and hotel apartments.

The Coral is located on Water Corporation Road in the heart of Victoria Island, is the most ambitious project yet by the highly reputable company.

Designed by ECAD Architects, the magnificent edifice boasts of features such as lush gardens in each apartment, a swimming pool, saunas, a gym, a restaurant and 24hour Room Service and will be effectively managed by an internationally renowned hospitality brand.

The developer invited 150 guests to an intimate launch event at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, over the weekend, where they were shown the apartments. It is conceived to be stress-fee, as residents can call on valets, a concierge and butlers whenever they please.

The Coral is being sold offplan to prospective investors and home owners who seek better quality of life and the unparalled value for money which the development offers.

When compared with other similar developments, the Coral stands above in terms of returns on investment.

Palton Morgan Holdings, the parent company of Grenadines Homes is focused on plugging the housing deficit in the country, where the housing demand-supply gap is in excess of 17million units. Housing stock is a little above 10 million units for a population of over 180 million people and over 80% of the existing housing stock is self-built.

The group owns subsidiaries which play at both ends of the property market; mid to

low income earners as well as mid to high income earners.

The Group Managing Director, Adeyinka Adesope, during his speech highlighted the fact that they were in business not just to make a profit but to also create a positive impact in society through the real estate sector. He said, “We may not be able to make a difference in the power sector, or in the educational sector but we can redefine the real estate sector.” He also noted that an investment in the Coral was a sure bet, citing the growth of the population, rural – urban migration and increased pressure on infrastructure in areas such as Victoria Island as key drivers which would continue to boost the industry.

Inside The Coral...

Designed by ECAD Architects, the magnificent edifice boasts of features such as lush gardens in each apartment, a swimming pool, saunas, a gym, a restaurant and 24hour Room Service and will be effectively managed by an internationally renowned hospitality brand.

As the slowdown in the Nigerian economy continues and almost every sector is buffeted by new challenges, stemming from FX volatility and a drop in oil prices, one niche of the market is, however, showing enviable resilience.

In an environment where the return potential of many other asset classes have diminished, the opportunity cost of locking up funds in a medium to long term property play is substantially lower. Indeed, if a property can offer a spate of lifestyle- enhancing draws, it may even represent an even more attractive investment option in this current economic climate.

Sandtex Unveils Centre in Kano Fadekemi Ajakaiye Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc (subsidiary of UAC) has unveiled two new “all-in-one” Sandtex experience centres in Kano, the commercial centre of the North to cater for all your paints and painting needs. The new experience centre will provides all the quality brands from Portland Paints in a customer friendly environment.

The centre has the latest computerised Paint tinting technology where any colour can be tinted for customers immediately, it offers over 15,000 colours in different paint finish such as Emulsion, Gloss, Silk, Matt, Satin, scrubbable matt and special effects paint finishes. In addition to this, the centre also provides free colour consultation to customers; helping customers to make right choice in paint and colour selection.

Mrs Nnenna AzukaOnwuka, Head of Sales and Marketing for Portland Paints and Product Nigeria Plc said that “increasing Sandtex’s brand footprint in Kano is to further connect more with

Experience

our customers to satisfy their paint and painting needs and also ensure our brands are within our customer’s reach at all times.Sandtex Paints products offer varieties of colours which are durable, covers and adhere more and have been developed to lasts longer on your walls” She further explained that Sandtex Experience centre was designed to ensure customers interacted with the brand in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.

The franchisees for the Experience Centres, Mr Labaran Haliru and Arc. Abdulrafiu Ayodele expressed excitement at being a Sandtex Partner and noted that they are proud to be associated with brand, they called on customers in and around Kano to patronise the brand to enjoy quality paint and excellent service.

Portland Paint and Products Nigeria Plc is a leading paint manufacturer in Decorative, Marine and protective coatings, her flagship brand is Sandtex paints. While Crown Trade is a sub-brand from Crown UK. There are about 25 Sandtex Experience Centres.

Enter the idea of the “supernest”, a term used to describe private residences which offer all of the benefits, amenities and services which can only be obtained at the finest hotels.

Femi Badmus, Co-founder at privateproperty.com.ng, an online real estate portal, said these residences provide one

with the convenience of being able to stay at your own home allied to a compelling investment rationale.

According to Badmus, “Supernests hold two key attractions for owners. Firstly, they offer access to the sophisticated lifestyle which provides virtually every desire and service money can buy. Secondly, and

more importantly, they make a lot of economic sense.”

Badmus estimates that a month’s stay in a top hotel in Lagos could set you back around N5million. The option of purchasing a N70million “supernest” at the Coral – can save considerably on hotel expenses. Plus, it is an attractive option particularly

when you realise the capital appreciation potential in the short to medium term.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Coral, which is currently being developed by property company Grenadines Homes, the Director, Adeyinka Adesope said the development would redefine the real estate landscape in Nigeria.

L-R: Managing Direct

Surveyors Registration Board AfDB Approves Africa Inducts 205 Fresh Members Renewable Energy Initiative Maryann Abii in Abuja The Quantity Surveyor Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) has inducted 205 newly-qualified members into its fold.

At the ceremony in Abuja, the President of the board, Mallam Husaini Dikko, who was represented by its Vice President, Mr. Isaac Sobotie, said the induction is a culmination of hard work and research efforts of the 205 inductees.

According to him, the newly inducted members must live to the tenets and ethics of the profession, adding: “I want you to bear in mind the increased expectations of the profession from you.

“It is a period for sober reflection as every step you take henceforth as a registered Quantity Surveyor is under intense observation and scrutiny, not just by your colleagues but the society at large.

“You must represent and reflect in your mannerisms, general conduct and appearance, the very quintessence of professionalism which is acknowledged not only in Nigeria but globally.”

He explained that Quantity Surveying profession deals on cost and procurement management thoroughly guided by a code of ethics, stressing that it is a profession that preaches

accountability, probity, transparency, due process, honesty and integrity. Dishonest persons cannot practise quantity surveying, he said.

He said: “With the induction ceremony of today a total of 2982 registered quantity surveyors and 274 practicing firms are now in the Register of Registered Quantity Surveyors maintained by the Board.

The President, while decrying its poor financial status, said the board recorded some progress, regardless of nearzero funding by the federal government during the entire period under review.

He said: “In the past 3 years, funding from government has not exceeded N10 million for the entire period. In fact, no money was received from government in 2015 and 2016 fiscal years.

“The Board has put in place the infrastructure to track prices of construction inputs like labour, materials and plant to bring sanity into construction project costing in Nigeria through the instrumentality of a construction cost data base.

“What is required is government funding so that the idea can germinate and fly for the good of Nigeria’s economic development. Poor funding is also the handicap on the way of the Board to fill the established vacancies for effective operation of QSRBN as a corporate body.

Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) have endorsed the proposal by the Bank’s Management to serve as Trustee to administer and manage the resources of Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), and also to host the AREI Independent Delivery Unit as requested by African Heads of State and Government.

The AREI is an Africaowned and Africa-led initiative of the African Union. It aims at harnessing Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, enhanced well-being, and sound economic development by ensuring universal access to sufficient amounts of clean, appropriate and affordable energy; as well as help African countries leapfrog towards renewable energy systems that support their low-carbon development strategies while enhancing economic and energy security.

In so doing the Initiative will ensure access to energy while addressing climate change.

It is indeed Africa’s bold effort at transitioning to green growth.

AREI was launched at COP21 in Paris in December 2015 and is receiving strong

international support from development partners who have committed to mobilizing at least $10 billion cumulatively between 2015 and now to harness Africa’s renewable energy potential and expand energy access across the continent.

AREI will have a governance arrangement consisting of a Board of Directors, a Technical Committee, an Independent Delivery Unit and a Trustee who shall serve as the Host of the Independent Delivery Unit. The Bank is grateful to France and Germany who have already committed Euro 6 million and Euro 2 million respectively to supporting the Independent Delivery Unit.

The Bank will consequently host AREI as an Open Access Global Fund within the Bank’s Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth Complex.

As an Open Access Global Fund, accredited Implementing Agencies operating in Africa will be able to access the Fund. It will be functionally independent from the Trustee’s decision-making structures.

The Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa is a partnership-driven effort. AREI will be a strong partner in ensuring that Africa achieves universal access to energy and that the share of renewables in Africa’s energy mix is significantly ramped up.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

PROPERTY NEWS

Reps Works Committee Commends Umahi on Management of Federal Roads The House of Representatives Committee on Works has lauded the Ebonyi State Government for complying with standards in the construction of federal roads in the state.

The committee made the commendation when its members, led by Toby Okechukwu inspected the Nkalagu-Ehamufu Road, Abakaliki-Afikpo Road and the Amasiri-Okposi-Uburu Road, which are being reconstructed by the Governor David Umahi-led administration.

The inspection by the committee is a part of their oversight function on Federal Government roads in the states of the federation. Okechukwu told journalists that what they had seen was a clear manifestation that the Ebonyi State Government had enormous capacity to improve road infrastructure.

“Seeing is believing. I think the efforts of Ebonyi State Government is manifestingly clear. The quality of work and strategic nature of the investment on infrastructure, very good. I believe what they are doing is futuristic. And that is expected because, His Excellency is an engineer, so he knows what will last,” he said.

The chairman assured that the committee would make recommendations to the Federal Ministry of Works for refund of monies expended by the state government on the federal roads based on verifiable evidence.

The lawmaker also pledged to make recommendations for the

inclusion in next year’s budget, the second section of ObolaforNkalagu-Ehamufu-Ikem Road to alleviate the suffering of motorists and transporters.

Hon. Okechukwu said the team was encouraged by the massive investment of the Ebonyi State Government on projects that were futuristic and strategic. He specifically mentioned the three flyovers and other road projects going on in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr.

Fidelis Nweze, who conducted the committee members round the road projects, had appealed to the Federal Government to show its presence in the state by constructing more federal roads and refunding the state about 75 per cent of its resources invested on federal roads.

The commissioner listed the federal roads receiving attention from the state government as the Nkalagu-Ehamufu Road, Abakaliki-Afikpo Road Amasiri-Okposi-Uburu Road and Amasiri-Ngudu Edda Road.

He told the committee that all efforts were geared towards the completion of the roads before March 2017.

“We are doing these because we cannot allow our people to continue to suffer because we have federal roads. I am appealing to you sir, to tell our brothers over there to look into Ebonyi State and come to our rescue on federal projects and road construction.”

Umahi condoles with Udom...

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has described as calamity, the collapse of a church building in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in which scores of people were killed. Umahi, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, said he put a phone call across to Governor Emmanuel Udom shortly after the incident

occurred on Saturday.

“My heart is heavy. I feel so terribly sad over this calamity.

My heart is with my brother governor, who escaped death by the whiskers. My heart is also with the families of those who lost their loved ones to the incident. My heart is with the entire people of Akwa Ibom State. All Ebonyians share their pains,” he said in the statement.

He prayed for the repose

of the souls of the deceased and for quick recovery of those injured.

Umahi used the opportunity to call for stricter rules guiding building constructions, saying now was the time for Nigeria to have a workable national building code.

“I also feel that the time has come for the Nigerian Institute of Building, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners,

Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and other relevant professional bodies to buckle up and effectively monitor the activities of their members,” he advised.

Nigeria, according to the Governor, “has lost too many lives to building collapse and this latest one in Uyo is way too much. A stop must be put to this.”

R-L: Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare; Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Adeyemi Saliu and a guest at the state’s Parks and Gardens launch... recently

Stakeholders Advise Better Towards a Viable and Robust Energy Market in the West African, Tracking of Biodiversity-Related ECOWAS Region Development Finance Stakeholders at the on-going UN Biodiversity Conference in Cancun, Mexico has advised the global community to institute better tracking of biodiversityrelated development finance.

Presented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this workshop, moderated by Gabriela Blatter, Federal Office of Environment, Switzerland, engaged participants in discussing current methods of tracking biodiversity-related financing.

Markus Lehmann, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat, highlighted the challenges faced by parties in meeting the financial mobilization targets, noting that mainstreaming biodiversity into all sectors makes financial reporting difficult, and pointed to the additional challenge on reporting private assistance.

In the first session, on approaches to tracking biodiversityrelated development finance, Galina Alova, OECD, presented the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Creditor Reporting System (CRS) used to monitor development finance targeting the three Rio Conventions. She described the Rio Markers, which are used to capture data to track financing of Rio Conventions’-related activities and goals. She reported bilateral biodiversity-related official development assistance (ODA) of US$8.7 billion in 2014-2015, with the top five contributors being Germany,

the US, Japan, France and the EU. In a brief discussion, participants noted difficulties in ensuring data consistency due to the qualitative nature of the Rio Marker.

Luis Antonio Sánchez Perales, Ministry of Environment, Peru, spoke about his country’s approach to tracking biodiversity-related expenditure, stressing that “we must know how much goes to salaries and how much goes to trees and birds.” He presented an online platform where data on both public and private expenditure for biodiversity-related finance can be tracked, noting that an average of US$500 million was spent between 2010 and 2014 on waste management, waste water treatment and in situ conservation of potato breeds.

Bart Missinne, European Commission (EC), highlighted that the EU’s strategy for “biodiversity-proof” development cooperation must ensure that biodiversity is considered in: strategic environmental assessments, to identify and prevent undesired side effects of development projects on biodiversity, and through mitigation measures from development projects; and sector-wide planning, such as for health and infrastructure projects. He demonstrated how the EU has doubled total biodiversity-related ODA to developing countries by 116% against a baseline of average spending from 2006-2010.

Adeola Adebiyi Despite the complexities of their development, regional energy markets provide an opportunity to take advantage of economies of scale, reduce overall cost of energy, leverage technologies and rally international and domestic investments by expanding market size.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, comprised of 15 West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo), boasts an abundance of energy resources (both conventional and renewable), yet the region is characterized by low electricity access. Electricity consumption levels are also very low in the region (150 kWh per annum). Moreover, access rates vary greatly from country to country and range from as low as 9% to more than 90%. The region’s power sector, which is comprised mainly of isolated national systems, proves inadequate in meeting rising electricity demand.

These are some of the reasons that have led to the establishment of specific energy institutions in the ECOWAS region, such as: the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP), the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), the West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) and the

ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE). These institutions work together to ensure that the region achieves regional energy integration and cooperation.

These institutions, together with international partners, civil society and the private sector, got together for the maiden edition of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Week, which took place from 17-19 October 2016, in Accra, Ghana. The Week, which was supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), focused on how the region can forge ahead with the establishment of a sustainable robust and viable regional energy market. Discussions not only highlighted the historical efforts of the ECOWAS on regional energy integration, but also took stock of the current status of the regional electricity market.

Through the West African Power pool agency, ECOWAS has developed the ECOWAS Generation and transmission master plan, to promote the exchange of electricity among the 14 inland ECOWAS States.

For its part, ECREEE seeks to take advantage of the potential of the abundant renewable energy resources in the region and is developing the West Africa Clean Energy Corridor (WACEC) in cooperation with the International Renewable

Energy Agency (IRENA).

ECREEE is currently focusing on developing a 2 GW solar corridor. Efforts are well advanced in identifying the projects that will form part of the solar Corridor. The measures currently being taken include: zoning and resource assessment; country and regional planning; the development of enabling frameworks for investment; capacity building and awareness raising; and the promotion of political support.

One of the main messages from the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Week was that “ECOWAS member States have set their mind to develop a single robust regional energy market to pool regional energy resources together to increase access to modern and sustainable energy services for its citizens.” This market must also be designed to increase the share of renewable energy to take full advantage of the region’s potential and shift away from environmental polluting resources and technologies, such as coal and diesel oil. The market must also be guided by best practice rules that foster power exchange across borders.

Cross border cooperation for energy is not new. In fact, the ECOWAS Energy Protocol is modeled after the European Energy Charter Treaty. The Protocol, which was signed in December 2003 by ECOWAS Heads of State, seeks the swift elimination of cross-border barriers to trade in energy.

Going forward, all the re-

gional entities (WAPP, WAGPA, ECREEE and ERERA) have shown a commitment to the Protocol and to the development of the single market. All four entities are actively engaged in fulfilling their part through a number of regional actions.

For its part, ERERA will have to harmonize market rules that free cross border trade of energy. The WAPP is tasked to scale up the planning and construction of interconnection infrastructure, as well as the control and commercialization of cross-border electricity exchanges, while ECREEE is to ensure a significant increase in renewable energy in the overall power pool.

Overall, there is consensus that the inter-connection of national power grids, the development of a regional power pool, as well as other regional infrastructure will go a long way in achieving the energy delivery objectives of the region. All stakeholders, including the ECOWAS member’s States, are looking forward to the next edition of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Week when real concrete progress would have been made. In the words of John Jinapor, Deputy Minister for Power of Ghana, “the establishment of the West African energy market is long overdue.”

Adebiyi is Project Officer, Sustainable Energy Policy and Climate Change, ECREEE (Source: AfricanSD

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

PROPERTY NEWS

Stakeholders Brainstorm on Easy Access to Clean Cooking Energy for All Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Federal Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves organised the Nigeria Clean Cooking Forum 2016.

The event, which held in Abuja, was an opportunity to review existing policies and programmes on cooking energy, take stock of lessons learned, proffer gaps to be filled and opportunities to be accessed in the clean cooking industry.

It has been determined that Nigerians suffer a “silent” energy crisis – poor access to clean cooking energy. “Over 20 million households and about 122 million Nigerians depend on primarily wood as a source of fuel for cooking.

This is despite the abundance of modern cooking energy sources including natural gas.”

According to the WHO report on use of fuelwood, traditional use of firewood is estimated to cause 95,000 deaths annually in Nigeria. After malaria and HIV/ AIDS, this is Nigeria’s third highest killer of mostly women and children. The traditional cooking method is expensive, burning up to 90% more wood than is necessary and costing poor families money that could be put to better use on education, health and nutrition. Even though the country is one of the world’s largest exporters of LPG, most Nigerian households rely on firewood for cooking

The cooking energy poverty is felt most among persons who are affected by internal and external crisis such as refugees and internally displaced persons. In North East Nigeria, persons displaced by the Boko Haram crisis are facing severe challenges in meeting their basic needs including access to cooking energy and fuels.

Fetching of firewood around camps and host communities lead to conflicts and increase the chances of gender based violence against women. Both boys and girls spend time that could be used for education in fetching wood for family cooking.

Christine K, Chairperson Steering Committee of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves said, “Typical camps for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) are characterized by lack of opportunities for employment and meaningful livelihood. This contributes to youth restiveness and tension.

Adopting alternative fuels and energy technologies can create jobs for IDPS, especially women and youths. The use of clean and efficient cookstoves also reduces the risks of physical and sexual attacks faced by IDP women,” she concluded.

The Minister for Environment, Amina Mohammed, stated that her ministry was pleased to host the Nigeria Clean Cooking Forum in partnership with the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

The Forum was conceived as a result of the need to expand access to clean cooking energy in the country. She reminded the audience that climate change presents a growing challenge to both men and women. Its negative effects are likely to hit the poorest people in the rural parts of Nigeria which women constitute a major part of. This is even more urgent particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce and the ability to cope is lower than in the urban areas.

The Minister also brought to the attention that IDPs and refugees suffer the most energy poverty in Nigeria. She stated that in order to facilitate the displaced communities’ return home or to settle down where they wish to, providing access to energy will be a key element among the range of enabling

measures.

The President of the Senate, represented by Senator Philip Aduda, Senate Minority Whip, in his keynote address pledged the willingness and readiness of the National Assembly to support and pass laws that will promote clean cooking in the country. In this connection, support to provision of a strong value chain for efficient and clean cookstoves and fuels were mentioned. All these will be in line with the “Made in Nigeria” campaign. He concluded by stating that “the Senate will work with the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure the provision of budgetary allocations for the clean cookstoves sector in Nigeria in the 2017 budget.”

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ms. Brenda Ataga, SA

(downstream) in her address at the Forum, stated that “in furtherance of the government’s efforts to promote clean cooking, the administration is working on a national gas policy to enhance quick adoption of LPG as a choice fuel for cooking in the country” In line with this, the Executive Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, Techno oil Ltd mentioned that the company is about to launch an ultra-modern cylinder production plant to make LPG more affordable and accessible. In addition, a coastal LPG terminal of 15000MT will be commissioned by next year.

Mr. Dayo Adeshina, president, NLPG Association alerted on need to tackle the challenges of affordability, availability, accessibility and acceptability in rolling out LPG on a mass scale.

The Managing Director of

Shell, Osagie Osunbor, represented by Igo Weli, General Manager External Relations remarked that “Shell is doing a lot in the clean cookstoves sector by partnering with the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves in ensuring that cleaner and safer fuels are available in the country.” He emphasized the need for a strong collaboration with the federal government and legislative arm to deliver clean cooking energy in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the British High Commissioner, H.E Paul Arkwright commended the Nigerian Alliance for clean cookstoves and the Federal Ministry of Environment for the good initiative and reemphasized the need to find appropriate solutions that works for Nigerian in terms of affordability, financing and so on.

value ascribed to their ‘Bingo’ is certainly of a different kind than what we as Nigerians are used to.

It doesn’t need a detective or diviner to prove that there is an inherent pride in the citizenry of these nations – a pride that has come from an understanding that today is an incontrovertible result of the jigsaw puzzle that was the turbulence, inventions and personal and ideological struggles of yesterday which will continue in an unending cycle to make our tomorrow.

Their pride comes from knowing, appreciating, understanding, learning from their indelible and valued past – their history. And because the item, place, relic or dance routine (for example) is passionately valued locally and outwardly valued too, visitors from far and wide come curious to know wherein lies the reason for the value?

This is an appetite that is very rarely sated – it feeds off the locals pride and so there is always another place to visit, another anecdote to hear, another fact about an amazing people that enhances our appreciation of where these people are as a nation and where they are headed. It’s a national sort of pride.

Nigeria hasn’t got it yet. Maybe it never will.

What exactly is our present situation?

Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 14kmlong defensive city walls in Kano known as Kofar Na’isa which were completed mid-14th century were demolished in 2010.

The 161-year old Afro-Brazilian style Olaiya House at Tinubu Square, Lagos popularly known as the Ilojo Bar was reduced to rubble on September 11th again despite its listed status. As if we hadn’t had enough trauma, more recently the famous JK Randle Hall and its ancillary buildings were demolished later that same month. Are we not in a state of crisis? How much more of our built heritage will disappear in the next year? It is extremely important to create the awareness of what our valued heritage is amongst Nigerians, especially the upcoming generation. Legacy (a not-for-profit group involved in the conservation of Nigeria’s architectural heritage) is a role model in this regard and I can only commend most sincerely, its efforts in creating innovative fora at which our creation stories can be told in different easy-toappreciate formats such as in the pictorial form of Dimeji Coker’s recent superb monochrome photographic exhibition, Ile.

Six Environmental Leaders Receive Champions of Earth Award Six inspirational environmental leaders, representing government, research and grassroots action have received the United Nations’ highest environmental accolade, the Champions of the Earth award, during a global conference on biological diversity in Cancún, Mexico.

The annual award recognizes outstanding figures from the public and private sectors and from civil society whose actions have had a significant positive impact on the environment.

From an indigenous activist killed for protecting the environment, to the world’s largest beach clean-up organizer, this year’s awards recognize bold visionaries who confront the defining challenges of our generation, such as climate change, marine litter and the depletion of natural resources.

Each of the laureates, in different ways, shows how shifting the world onto a path that is low-carbon, efficient, inclusive, and socially, economically and environmentally sustainable is not only possible, but already in progress.

The 2016 winners are: For Policy Leadership: H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, for outstanding leadership in fighting climate change and in national environmental action.

For Science and Innovation: Leyla Acaroglu, founder of Disrupt Design, New York, Eco Innovators, Melbourne, and UnSchool, for dedication to positive change through design, innovation, communication and

human connection.

For Entrepreneurial Vision: Masen - the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, for its commitment to advancing solar power, making solar energy affordable and innovative approaches to green financing.

For Inspiration and Action: Afroz Shah, for outstanding leadership and initiative in mobilizing large-scale public support to remove 3000 tonnes of litter from Versova beach in Mumbai. Berta Cáceres, recognized posthumously for her tireless campaign for the rights of indigenous people in Honduras and the protection of their natural environment.

Lifetime Achievement Award: José Sarukhán Kermez, for a lifetime of leadership and innovation in the conservation of biodiversity in Mexico and around the world.

The head of UN Environment Erik Solheim said: “All around the world, we have seen significant efforts to translate last year’s historic sustainable development agreements into action, from the ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the New Urban Agenda to the intensifying of efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.

“But governments know they cannot do it alone, and this year’s Champions have demonstrated the vision and engagement needed at all levels to improve our stewardship of the planet, to develop it sustainably, and secure the prosperity of all of its people.”

The Olaiya House Photo: courtesy Unilag Architects Alumni

Now That We Have Forgotten Bisi Olumide 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC Buckingham Palace, London Eiffel Tower, Paris Robben Island, Cape Town A visit to any of these cities would be incomplete without a whistle-stop and an opportunity of a selfie at one landmark location, at the very least.

But why are these places important in today’s hyperspeed gigabyte and terabyte social-media-meanseverything global-village world? Simply because to the nations that these edifices belong, they represent a significant aspect – time, event, personality, achievement – of the development of that nation.

Note that I have chosen to use the word nation as the term country does no justice in this context. In other words, the heritage of these nations which has been a long time in formation, is a critical part of the journey to where they are now. Their today couldn’t have happened without their several yesterdays. And they are proud to say so. Proud to remember their past and determined to make it a reference point that shows their progress in all aspects of life as a people.

Acknowledging differences, learning about personalities, healing wounds of a tortuous

pathway to development: all in a bid to make sure that a collective amnesia does not envelope the citizens of the geographical entity and make them erroneously believe that only today matters.

So where are we now in Nigeria? If size was all that really mattered, Nigeria would be on top in almost all areas – population, land mass and potential – compared at least to her neighbours. As many have found out to personal embarrassment, knowing how to use a resource is also key to its value and a definite factor on its ROI. The answer is even more simply put: we have lost it. We don’t even know where we want to go to, where we have come from and therefore it stands to reason that we are going nowhere in a hurry.

If you call your pet dog Bingo, everyone else will address it in the same way. No-one will say, . . . “come here, Rover” because you who owns Bingo has placed value, identification and relevance in the dog as Bingo and nothing else. Bingo is representative of something (or anything) that is held dear or that is simply held.

In this context, our Bingo is our heritage and the various ways in which it manifests in our everyday lives. Obviously in the UK, USA and even in our sister nation South Africa, the

Olumide, a Chartered Architect, lectures in Lagos

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Nine Dead, 50 Injured as Truck Rams into Christmas Market in Berlin

A truck ran into a Christmas market yesterday evening in a major public square in Berlin, killing nine people and injuring at least 50 others, police said.

A police spokesman described it as a “severe incident.”

He said they suspect it was a deliberate attack. Video footage from the scene showed stalls knocked over and people lying injured on the ground. The driver is on the run, German media report.

The market is at Breitscheidplatz

Rebels Kill South African Peacekeeper and Policeman A South African peacekeeper was killed, two others were injured, in a rebel attack in the city of Butembo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a South African military statement.

UN and police sources told the AFP news agency that five rebels and one local policeman were also killed in Monday’s attack.

The clashes between security forces and rebel fighters, who attacked the prison in Butembo, came amid rising tension across the country as President Joseph Kabila’s mandate runs out.

Butembo is a city of around one million people in the troubled North Kivu province located in east of the country.

“At around 6am (04:00 GMT), the assailants, who were likely MaiMai fighters, launched an attack

against the prison and other places,” AFP quoted the spokesman for the UN’s MONUSCO peacekeeping force, Felix-Prosper Basse, as saying.

Mai-Mai rebels have staged several attacks in Butembo in recent months. Although the reasons for their return appear unclear, some residents say they have heard some fighters claim they are seeking to overthrow Kabila.

The country was due to hold a presidential election this year as Kabila’s mandate ends on December 20, but the authorities failed to organise the polls and there is widespread fear of protests and violence.

Kabila is barred from a third mandate under the constitution and the opposition has accused the authorities of delaying the vote in the hope of reworking the constitution to extend his tenure.

close to the Kurfuerstendamm, the main shopping street in the city’s west.

A reporter with the Berliner Morgenpost, according to the BBC, described a “gruesome scene.”

The Berliner Zeitung reported that the police have set up a meeting point for relatives at the scene.

A photographer for the DPA news agency said armed police were at entrance to the nearby zoo.

Russian Ambassador to Turkey Shot Dead in Ankara The Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, was yesterday killed during an art exhibition in Ankara, the Turkish capital .

The gunman reportedly stood behind Karlov before he fired his fatal shot. The attacker was said to have shouted “Allahu Akbar” and fired at least eight shots, according to an AP photographer who was present.

The attacker, according to The Cable, also smashed some of the photographs. A source told RIA that Karlov had died at the scene.

Turkish officials said the assassin entered the building claiming he was a police officer. Other bystanders alleged he shouted “Aleppo” when he shot Karlov, but the claims could not be immediately confirmed.

The attacker was said to have first shot Karlov in the back, before ordering people to leave the room.

He then reportedly shot a second time as he lay on the floor. Turkish special forces have surrounded the gallery, believing the attacker to still be inside.

The Russian foreign ministry said it was in contact with Ankara over the events, RIA Novosti reported.

President Vladimir Putin called an urgent meeting with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and the heads of the security services.

The ambassador had been part of discussions between Turkey that led to an evacuation of east Aleppo getting underway late last week.

He had also been a central conduit to the Turkish government’s rapproachment with Moscow inApril.

The incident comes a day before the Turkish foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuolu, is due in Moscow for talks with Russian and Iranian counterparts.

Russia and Turkey have recently gone some way to mending ties, following a long freeze in relations after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane in November 2015.

Fatih Öke, the press attache of Turkey’s embassy in Washington DC, wrote on Twitter: “The bullet to Ambassador Karlov is not only aims him. It aims also Turkish Russian relation. We are praying

for his good health and peace.”

Karlov is a career diplomat who had previously served as ambassador to North Korea.

Russia and Turkey patched up

rocky relations over the summer and have recently been working together on the evacuations from Aleppo, despite supporting opposite sides in the Syrian civil war.

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T H I S D AY •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Naira Depreciates to N490/$ on Parallel Market CBN to sell dollars to airlines, fuel marketers in special auction Obinna Chima with agency report The naira depreciated to N490 to dollar on the parallel market yesterday, compared with the N485 to the dollar it closed last Friday.

THISDAY checks showed that the nation’s currency, which earlier depreciated to N487 to the dollar, slipped further as a result of strong demand for the greenback.

A trader attributed the high dollar demand observed in the parallel market to the activities of importers who have to make payments to bring in goods for end of year sales.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked banks to submit bids for a “special

currency auction” to clear the backlog of matured outstanding dollar obligations for selected sectors of the economy, traders said on Monday.

The central bank instructed commercial lenders to submit backlog dollar demand from fuel importers, airlines, raw materials and machinery for manufacturing firms and agricultural chemicals by 1500 GMT for a special forex intervention, Reuters disclosed.

Traders said the central bank plans to sell “funded forwards of two to five months tenor” dollars to the targeted sectors at an auction ahead of the closure of the forex market for the year.

The central bank is expected to close all foreign exchange transactions this Friday ahead

of its financial year end and the Christmas period. The naira currency has traded around N305.5 to the dollar on the official interbank market since August.

Two weeks ago, the bank had asked commercial lenders to submit bids for a special intervention auction targeting fuel importers, but the result of the auction has not yet been released, traders said.

On Monday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said it had imported about 38.7 million litres of aviation fuel, which it said “represented about 26-day sufficiency”, as part of its “ensure a hitch-free air travel across the country during and after the yuletide period”.

NBS: Imported Agric Products Rose by 33% in Q3 James Emejo in Abuja The volume of imported agricultural products rose by 33 percent in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2016), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday.

It added that raw materials imports grew 60 percent above the level in Q2While imported solid minerals grew 68.5 percent compared to the previous quarter. The statistical agency further stated in its 3rd Quarter 2016 External Trade News: Trade Intensity Index/ Re-Exports Analysis, which was released yesterday that the value of exported agricultural products rose by 5.30 percent relative to Q2., while imported raw materials was 32.05 percent higher in value than the previous quarter.

Essentially, the report serves to complements the quarterly trade reports- particularly the Q3 foreign trade statistics released

recently, by providing a clearer analysis of sectoral classification of imports and exports at a more aggregated level, without crude oil and oil products which tend to distort and disguise other trade patterns due to their size.

In the new analysis by the NBS, wood fuels are separated from mineral fuel which was classed in the same category with crude oil and other oil products.

It further enhances the regular trade report by deepening trade analysis by introducing the concept of re-exports and trade intensity, according to the NBS. Nevertheless, other oil products grew by 43.3 percent in the period under review compared to Q2 estimates while solid minerals exports grew by 220.96 percent.

The NBS said the value of manufactured products exports was also 21.86 percent more than

the record in Q2 while crude oil exports rose 30.86 percent in Q3.

Nigeria’s external trade totaled N 4.72 trillion in Q3 and consisted of exports worth N2.30 trillion and imports valued at N2.41 trillion, indicating a slight negative trade balance of N104 billion.

Crude oil exports accounted for N1.94 trillion or 4.2 percent of total trade.

According to the NBS:”The Country’s import intensities were also high with India (2.57, 2.49 and 1.28) and the Netherlands (4.38, 2.57 and 1.04) during the same months. However, the import intensity of Nigeria with United States and Spain were lower, with indices less than one other than for Spain in August.

This is possibly a result of the mix of products imported from these countries, which may have been affected more by the CBN import regulations.”

FG Seeks Advisers for Debut Islamic Bond Nigeria is looking for financial and legal advisers and trustee firms to organise its first Islamic bond in the domestic market, the country’s Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Monday.

The OPEC member, which is Africa’s largest economy, is working on a debut sovereign sukuk but has yet to determine the size of a potential deal.

Nigeria, which is in a recession and needs to raise funds to plug a budget deficit, has set up a government committee

to advise on the amount to be raised from the Islamic bond sale, the timing and jurisdiction of the issue.

According to Reuters, issuance of a sovereign sukuk is part of a plan by Nigeria’s debt office to develop alternative sources of funding and to establish a benchmark curve.

In a public notice, the DMO said it required the services of banks and an issuing house to serve as financial adviser, a legal firm to serve as a legal

adviser and a trustee firm. It said bids for the roles are to be submitted by Jan. 9.

The advisers are expected to work with the debt office towards the sukuk issue at a date that is yet to be announced.

In October, the central bank issued guidelines limiting commercial banks’ investment in Islamic bonds issued by state governments to 10 percent of the total amount on offer and fixed a maximum tenor of 10 years for the bonds.

SecureID Opens SIM Card Plant, Backs Economic Diversification SecureID Limited, which provides services to the banking, public, private and telecoms sectors has commissioned a SIM Card manufacturing line for the telecoms sector. The project, it said, was in line with its continuous support for federal government’s economy diversification agenda.

It said the commissioning falls in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s strategic mandate to diversify the nation’s economy by exploiting the vast potentials

that lies untapped in the non-oil sector. SecureID Limited said the SIM Card line commissioning signals a major achievement in the domestication of strategic inputs in the nation’s telecommunications sector. “SecureID SIM Card Manufacturing Lines’ commissioning and its strategic location in Lagos, portends great opportunities for local manufacturing such as vast export potential, significant curtailment of foreign exchange outflows, in addition to higher

level job creation and in-country technology and know-how transfer,” it said in a statement.

Managing Director/CEO, SecureID Limited, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, noted that “this facility is the result of a bold vision and absolute confidence in the underlying strength and strategic importance of the Nigerian economy and resonates as a pivotal strategy for growth of the nation’s Telecoms industry especially in the area of Local manufacturing of SIM cards.”

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 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

2,893,190.01

---- 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 - 14%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT DECEMBER 16, DECEMBER 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $51.29 a barrel on Friday, compared with $50.96 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

37

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 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

170.00

170.00

0.00%

2,896,886,258,850.00

9.20

17.93

4.95

4.85%

3.76

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

142.00

142.00

0.00%

1,125,932,326,096.00

4.03

35.19

3.73

2.54%

6.87

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

25.28

25.50

-0.86%

744,020,210,782.72

4.90

5.22

1.88

6.91%

1.53

810.00

810.00

0.00%

642,051,564,120.00

8.81

91.92

3.72

3.58%

20.34

14.40

14.39

0.07%

452,109,510,518.40

3.91

3.77

0.97

12.22%

0.66

390.00

410.00

-4.88%

215,791,022,070.00 -44.58

-9.20

2.92

3.88%

0.58

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

11.45

12.04

-4.90%

210,102,361,411.75

0.68

16.48

0.35

5.56%

0.33

08 Lafarge Africa Plc

39.00

39.00

0.00%

177,641,170,590.00

-9.39

-4.15

0.83

7.69%

0.88

09 Presco Plc

42.00

41.87

0.31%

166,760,035,890.00

0.03

1,431.95

2.33

3.10%

3.98

10 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.50

4.50

0.00%

163,257,868,449.00

1.75

2.60

0.49

13.22%

0.38

11 Access Bank Plc

5.56

5.62

-1.07%

160,839,522,268.36

2.59

2.18

0.46

9.73%

0.37

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

14.95

14.94

0.07%

149,500,000,000.00

2.04

7.37

1.07

0.67%

1.27

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

37.60

39.57

-4.98%

142,251,939,000.00

0.69

63.34

2.50

0.11%

17.68

104.91

116.24

-9.75%

136,643,292,515.73

3.31

38.95

1.09

2.68%

3.88

15 Guinness Nig Plc

85.00

77.60

9.54%

128,000,495,980.00

-3.06

-25.38

1.13

4.12%

2.96

16 FBN Holdings Plc

3.46

3.50

-1.14%

124,197,713,060.32

0.21

16.92

0.24

4.27%

0.20

17 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

280.00

280.00

0.00%

100,966,673,360.00

19.32

14.70

1.13

2.53%

5.53

18 Total Nigeria Plc

280.00

277.13

1.04%

95,066,114,360.00

38.02

7.29

0.35

5.05%

4.13

19 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

129.00

129.00

0.00%

82,636,156,827.00

-0.05 -2,824.30

0.89

1.71%

3.72

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.35

6.10

4.10%

76,200,000,000.00

1.03

5.94

0.51

8.20%

1.18

21 International Breweries Plc

18.00

18.00

0.00%

59,296,487,040.00

0.02

841.03

2.34

1.32%

5.69

4.34

4.34

0.00%

52,230,245,999.96

-3.15

-1.36

0.20

17.48%

0.32

23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

18.50

18.50

0.00%

48,548,387,959.50

-1.19

-15.51

0.12

10.81%

0.49

24 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

36.75

35.00

5.00%

48,510,000,000.00

-2.95

-11.88

0.40

4.29%

2.43

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

40.00

40.13

-0.32%

38,156,400,000.00

4.82

8.32

5.82

0.25%

2.37

0.88

0.90

-2.22%

34,074,477,734.00

-0.47

-1.93

0.67

0.00%

0.47

16.50

16.50

0.00%

31,694,262,385.50

3.37

4.89

0.42

6.06%

0.42

0.87

0.88

-1.14%

25,197,449,552.04

0.39

2.30

0.17

17.98%

0.14

33.26

33.26

0.00%

23,282,000,000.00

2.28

14.56

3.49

3.46%

13.60

30 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.93

3.96

-0.76%

23,115,726,286.35

0.76

4.95

0.61

3.70%

0.78

31 FCMB Group Plc

1.07

1.12

-4.46%

21,188,900,535.67

0.61

1.83

0.14

8.93%

0.12

32 Sterling Bank Plc

0.73

0.72

1.39%

21,017,005,231.98

0.29

2.43

0.19

12.86%

0.25

33 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

10.70

10.70

0.00%

20,096,761,828.00

0.50

22.33

0.75

11.66%

2.05

34 Diamond Bank Plc

0.86

0.90

-4.44%

19,917,934,512.48

-0.29

-3.10

0.10

0.00%

0.09

35 Wema Bank Plc

0.51

0.53

-3.77%

19,672,977,701.31

0.06

9.06

0.41

0.00%

0.44

36 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

7.22

7.00

3.14%

19,128,945,089.16

0.85

8.24

0.99

7.86%

2.51

15.00

15.00

0.00%

17,938,147,320.00

-2.98

-5.03

0.64

2.00%

2.04

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.56

1.64

-4.88%

16,380,000,000.00

0.28

5.89

0.86

3.05%

0.82

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

14.99

15.20

-1.38%

14,990,000,000.00

5.69

2.67

1.06

0.66%

0.41

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.33

1.32

0.76%

10,547,162,885.14

-0.40

-3.12

0.21

12.70%

0.30

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.00

1.00

0.00%

10,372,744,312.00

0.42

2.33

0.46

12.24%

0.54

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

0.51

0.50

2.00%

6,825,196,508.52

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.56

0.56

0.00%

6,546,029,247.52

-0.10

-5.46

0.10

0.00%

0.08

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

4.21

4.24

-0.71%

5,290,613,394.86

0.22

18.45

0.46

2.48%

0.47

47 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.60

0.60

0.00%

4,158,122,688.00

0.22

2.69

0.14

8.33%

0.41

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.22

2.28

-2.63%

3,605,765,625.00

0.15

15.82

0.48

8.37%

0.65

49 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.08

2.08

0.00%

3,574,999,989.60

0.30

6.95

0.85

33.65%

0.10

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.23

1.27

-3.15%

1,845,000,000.00

0.24

5.14

0.28

4.13%

0.28

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc 05 Zenith Bank Plc 06 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

14 Forte Oil Plc.

22 Oando Plc

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 27 U A C N Plc 28 Fidelity Bank Plc 29 Cap Plc

37 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

TOTAL

8,610,660,996,882.87

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,147,806,552,684.52

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

94.13%

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

Bearish activities in the market leads 0.45% drop in ASI Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Monday, December 19th, 2016 ends on a bearish note as stock market closed red today. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the Banking subsectors, as Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas records positive performance. Trading activities decreased in volume as 262.89 million shares worth of N1.75 billion in 2,789 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 874.34 million shares worth of N4.39 billion in 3,387 deals which exchanged hands on Friday. Topping in volume terms were NASCON Plc, UBA Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, while NASCON Plc, UBA Plc and Diamond Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with 0.45% (-120.54) decrease to close at 26,586.56 from 26,707.10 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.15 trillion from N9.19 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with decrease of 0.46% to close at 110.59 from 111.10 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.61 trillion from N8.65 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 22 stocks gained on the bourse today while 15 stocks declined, 60 leaving stocks unchanged. Guinness Nigeria Plc emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 9.54% to close at N85.00 per share. It was followed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with a gain of 5.00% to close at N36.75 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, National Salt Co. Nig. Plc and Wapic Insurance Plc while on the decliners’ list, Forte Oil Plc emerge with a loss of 9.75% to close at N104.91 per share. It was followed by Unilever Nigeria Plc with a loss of 4.98% to close at N37.60 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd and Mansard Insurance 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

38

T H I S D AY •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Ashaka Cement Approves Voluntary Delisting from NSE Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The shareholders of Ashaka Cement Plc yesterday approved the proposed voluntarily delisting of the company from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The shareholders gave the approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Abuja. Following the EGM, shareholders of the company

will have a 90-day window as specified by NSE rules on voluntary delisting to decide on the exit plan on offer to shareholders.

As proposed by the Board of Directors and passed by shareholders at the EGM, shareholders may exit the company within the regulatory 90 days period prior to the official delisting of the company by either trading their shares

on the NSE through their nominated stockbroker or receive 57 shares of Lafarge Africa Plc in exchange for 202 Ashaka Cement shares and a cash consideration of N2 per every AshakaCem exchanged.

Speaking at the EGM, the Vice-Chairman of Ashaka Cement, Mrs Edith Onwuchekwa, who represented the Chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Yahyah, who was unavoidably absent, said:

“The voluntary delisting will not occasion loss of shares held by shareholders. As such shareholders may retain their membership in the unlisted company if they so wish. Post the delisting, AshakaCem will continue to operate as a legal entity with its own board of directors.”

Under the delisting and settlement of consideration, minority shareholders in

AshakaCem will be offered benefits, including revenue diversification by geography as a result of Lafarge Africa’s operations in Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana. This is in addition to revenue diversification by plant location due to wide spread operations across the North East, South East and South West regions of Nigeria.

The Board of Directors of Ashaka Cement Plc had opted

for a voluntarily delisting of the company from the NSE in violation of the exchange’s Free Float Deficiency provision of 20 per cent.

According to the directors, Lafarge Africa Plc currently holds 84.97 per cent of Ashaka Cement, bringing the free float that is tradable on the NSE to 15.03 per cent as against 20 per cent stipulated by the exchange.

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

E XC H A N G E

39

TuesdAY, december 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Adeeko Appointed Interim CEO of CSCS as Kyari Resigns Goddy Egene The Board of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc yesterday named Mr. Bola Adeeko as Interim Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company effectiveJanuary 3, 2017. He will succeed Mr. Kyari Bukar, who has resigned his appointment ahead of his contract expiration to pursue other interests. His resignation takes effect on December 31, 2016.

Adeeko is currently General Manager and Head of Corporate Services Division at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Commenting on the imminent change in leadership, Chairman of CSCS, Mr. Oscar Onyema said: “The board would like to thank Mr. Bukar for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Mr. Adeeko is deeply familiar with the company’s strategy and leadership team, which consists of highly accomplished capital market thought leaders with

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

long-tenure in the business. We believe CSCS is in strong hands during this transition period.

The board is confident that Adeeko will serve CSCS and its stakeholders well during this interim period as we search for a new CEO.” In his comments, Bukar said: “I am grateful to the board and the great team at CSCS for their immeasurable support during my tenure. I am proud of our collective achievements, which was made possible through vigorous

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 16-Dec-2016, unless otherwise stated.

pursuits of set goals over the years. I am particularly pleased that CSCS is in a very strong position for the future in the dynamic Nigerian capital market space.”

Also speaking, Adeeko said: “It is a great honour to have been asked by the board of CSCS to take on this interim role. I look forward to continuing the great work at CSCS as outlined by the board, by working with the management and staff of the company.”

Mr. Adeeko holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA), majoring in Finance & Marketing from Hood College, Maryland (USA) and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Accounting from Ogun State University, Nigeria. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School at the executive education level. Mr. Adeeko is a lifetime member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria and a Board member of the IoD Centre

for Corporate Governance.

CSCS was incorporated on July 29, 1992 as a financial market infrastructure for the Nigerian capital market. CSCS facilitates the delivery (transfer of securities from seller to buyer) and settlement (payment of bought shares) of securities transacted on the approved Nigerian exchanges. It enables securities to be processed in an electronic book-entry form thereby substantially reducing the period it takes a transaction to commence and end.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Afrinvest Equity Fund 125.52 Nigeria International Debt Fund 221.36 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 126.53 15.23% 222.74 10.62% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.70 13.08% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

17.56%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.39 288.25 22.15

Offer Price 12.76 296.94 22.82

Yield / T-Rtn 1.65% 3.13% 0.46%

1.00

1.00

16.56%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 108.48

Offer Price 109.16

Yield / T-Rtn 8.82%

1.00 1.00 15.68% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.14 9.17 83.22

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 2.19 5.10% 9.41 -6.91% 85.35 2.60% invest@fbnquest.com

Bid Price 1,084.59 110.77 100.00 $103.98 $103.22

Offer Price 1,085.80 111.54 100.00 $104.20 $103.45

Yield / T-Rtn 5.77% 5.12% 14.70% 7.53% 6.78%

114.79

14.02%

113.25

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.92 2.55

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.93 1.65% 2.55 9.86% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,178.82

Offer Price 2,203.47

Coral Income Fund 2,094.49 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 0.15%

2,094.49 10.70% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

15.87%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.67

1.69

2.54%

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 1.00 1.02 12.43% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,002.97 1,002.97 0.30% 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 9.60 9.68 -1.87% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.98% 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 1.05 1.06 6.28% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.43 10.51 4.69% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 15.09% 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 108.68 109.06 6.50% 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 9.86% 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 1,819.58 1,829.73 8.34% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 153.04 153.04 4.05% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.77 0.78 3.33% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 185.62 185.62 9.39% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 130.78 132.42 -3.35% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.07% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,526.59 7,624.46 4.70% 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 8.20% United Capital Bond Fund 1.22 1.22 16.92% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.67 -1.23% 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 9.80 9.96 2.62% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.06 11.15 -3.46% Zenith Income Fund 17.05 17.05 6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.58 123.32

3.99% 6.44%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.79 76.59

8.89 78.03

-8.20% -7.98%

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

2.75 7.03 12.05 15.13 127.80

2.79 7.11 12.15 15.33 129.80

20.17% 9.95% -2.78% -21.13% -

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.

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

CBN May Legalise Use of Bitcoin for Transactions, Says NDIC Obinna Chima with agency report The Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, at the weekend disclosed that the commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have set up a committee to look into the possibility of legalising the use of the digital currency, the Bitcoin, for transactions.

According to Bitcoin.org, Bitcoin uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority or banks; managing transactions and the issuing of bitcoins is carried out collectively by the network.

The website says Bitcoin is an

open-source, its design is public, nobody owns or controls Bitcoin and everyone can take part.

Unlike traditional currencies such as dollars, naira, the euro, etc., bitcoins are issued and managed without any central authority whatsoever: there is no government, company, or bank in charge of Bitcoin.

As such, it is more resistant to wild inflation, devaluation, import policies, currency fixing and corrupt banks. It is a true floating currency whose value is determined by demand and supply.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibrahim made the remark on the use of bitcoins for digital transactions at the

Edo Govt Proposess N150bn Budget for 2017 Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Government yesterday proposed the sum of N150,011,831,079 as its 2017 budget estimates.

Presenting the budget before the state House of Assembly for consideration, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the budget christened ‘Budget of Consolidation and Prosperity,’ was higher than the budget estimate of last year by 29 per cent of N15,913,642,987.

According to him, the 2017 budget estimates is made up of N74,900,297,917 as recurrent expenditure and N75,111,533,162 as capital expenditure with revenue estimate based on a $42.0 bench mark for crude oil and average daily production of 1.9 million barrels per day and expectations of improved performance of internally generated revenue (IGR).

In line with this, he said his administration intends to maintain a balance of capital to recurrent expenditure of 50:50 per cent in line with “our plan to spend our way out of recession.”

Obaseki while acknowledging that this year’s budget would have

a deficit of N25 billion which is within the acceptable threshold, would be funded mainly by money the federation account and IGR. “The policy directions of this budget are largely informed by my interactions with the Edo people during my campaign which was validated in a strategy dialogue comprising political, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, civil society, women and youth groups.

“The policy bedrock of the 2017 budget rests on economic revolution, infrastructural expansion, institutional reform, social welfare enhancement, culture and tourism and environmental sustainability.

“These are the pillars which if pursued with uncommon focus, will help us build a new society, create new jobs, new opportunities and wealth and usher in a new era of prosperity for all,” he stated.

Some of the highlights of the budget included N22.2billion for economic sector, N22.3 billion for infrastructure development, environment, N6.9 billion for social welfare,N17.3 billion among others such as payment of arrears of pensions and gratuities.

Int’l School Ibadan Alumni Honour Ighodalo, Ogunbayo Others The International School Ibadan Alumni Association (ISIAA) at its annual dinner and dance event recently, has honoured the Senior Pastor, Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, KOA Consultants Limited, Ibikunle S. Ogunbayo; Managing Director, Prime Atlantic Ltd. (PAL) Group, Mr. Ayo Otuyalo, among others.

According to the association in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, the Distinguished Alumni Awards was also an appreciation award to Mrs. Amorelle Inanga for her impact on students as the music teacher while she was at the school which was collected on her behalf by Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, CEO of Bestman Games while late Mr. Funto Akinkugbe was honoured posthumously.

Accordingly, those in attendance at the event which

took place the Metropolitan Club, VI, Lagos. were former students representing several generations, including those who were there at inception of the school over 50 years ago in 1963.

The association stated that the occasion was also used to present its plans for 2017, which include the building of the Dapo Fajembola Science Centre in the school and the Alumni Mentorship and Networking Programme.

The President of the Alumni, Mr. Tive Ekpere, said the alumni body is getting more established with as worldwide reach and plans are underway to host a mega reunion in 2017 which will bring together all former students including those in the Diaspora.

The Chairman of the Mentorship Programme, Mr. Segun Oshin, in his speech, stated how it will benefit all alumni and project members of the association into key areas of the business industry in Nigeria.

2016 Workshop for Financial Correspondents in Kaduna.

He said: “On our part, we have constituted a committee together with the central bank to have an in depth study of this phenomenal bitcoin.

“We will look at its advantages and disadvantages, what it means for the payment system and what it means for the safety and security of customers.

“We will also look at what it means for money laundering, anticorruption, crime and measurement of money/near money instruments for the economy.

“But we need a lot of education to do this and I’m calling on you (the media) to educate yourselves about all of this so you can educate the public.”

Ibrahim said with the bitcoin, it has included block-chain technology-based products in the market.

He said a lot of Nigerians had already started patronising the

digital currency, stressing that ‘it has started to creep in and nobody can stop it”.

In Europe and the United States, Ibrahim noted, it has gained currency and some of the leading banks in Europe have also adopted their own versions of bitcoins.

“Some of the central banks have also adopted it and are seriously doing everything possible to bring in the emergence of this invisible product.

“The owners do not need any central bank; they do not need any physical bank.

“If you are a subscriber, you only know yourselves and they give you the bitcoin and in some countries, you can convert it to cash.

“You can make payments with it because it has been recognised and one of the famous ex-chief executives of Barclays PLC, Antony Jenkins, has joined the network’s board of directors,” Ibrahim explained.

He said that the financial services

industry was not spared in the transition to the adoption of the digital currency.

On the issue of “MMM”, he stressed that it was not recognised and was illegal. “It is a very serious matter and all hands must be on deck to educate the public on things like this.”

On the current problems regarding the emergence of wonder banks, Ibrahim said NDIC would not relent in calling on Nigerians, educating and sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of patronising wonder banks.

He urged the media to help and continue to educate the public not to in anyway patronise institutions that are not licenced by the central bank or insured by the NDIC. He also spoke on improving financial inclusion in the country, saying that although the success recorded was not considerable, there was some improvement.

“The successes recorded are not much, but it is a good start given

the prevailing number of Nigerians excluded financially, “I think if you check the statistics that have been rolled out, you will appreciate that we have recorded some successes in the last three years.

“This is since the introduction of the cashless policy and mobile banking to the extent that more Nigerians are getting involved.

“But we still have a very long way to go and it is your responsibility, as journalists, to continue to help to educate Nigerians on the advantages of people not keeping money under their pillows and mattresses or in some cases in soakaways and ceilings.

“We know that people fear electronic fraud, but I can assure you that the CBN and the banking community are doing everything possible to block all loop holes associated with mobile banking.

And the advantages far out weighs the disadvantages,” he said.

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR

L-R: Former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe; Mrs. Ify Utomi; Prof. Pat Utomi; Chairman, NEPAL Oil and Gas Services, Mr. Eme Ekeoma; MD/CEO, NEPAL Oil and Gas Services, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma; and CEO, Anabel Group, Dr. Nicky Okoye, during NEPAL Christmas carol, in Lagos.....weekend.

Kolawole Alli

Resident Doctors Threaten Showdown with FG over Poor Health Facilities Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) yesterday in Enugu issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet their demands or face a major crisis in the sector.

The NARD President, Dr. John Onyebueze, who issued the ultimatum at a press conference in Enugu said by midnight on January 2, 2017, when the ultimatum expires, their members would have no other option but to possibly down tools.

Onyebueze also stated that doctors in all public health institutions across the country would start wearing black ward coats if the federal government failed to meet an agreement it earlier reached with NARD by the expiration of the ultimatum.

Speaking on the outcome of the extra-ordinary meeting of NARD in Abuja, Onyebueze explained that the health of Nigerian citizens was not receiving adequate attention it deserves as evidenced by the

worsening health indices and dilapidated infrastructure in health institutions in the country.

He blamed the state of hospitals in the country on maladministration and inadequate planning of the Federal Ministry of Health, particularly the complacency of both the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, believed to be gearing up for Osun State governorship position and retiring Director of Hospital Services, Dr Wapada I. Balami, believed to be gearing up to replace the minister.

Part of the demands of NARD, according to Onyebueze,include urgent measures to stem the rot in the health sector and ensure access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians, adequate budgetary provisions and planning for both manpower and infrastructure development in subsequent budgets.

Onyebueze said the doctors were equally demanding that the federal government should take steps to ensure proper placement of their members with its requisite funding and

immediately pay withheld salaries to their members as NARD would no longer tolerate deprivation of their members, following the ‘no work, no pay,’order of the Federal Government.

“The recent unfortunate events have made glaring the fact that NYSC medical care points lack even the most basic facilities and armamentarium to attend to the health needs of youth corps members and NYSC staff as well as guidelines for emergency care response.

“NARD commiserates with the good people of Akwa Ibom State on the recent disaster which claimed numerous lives and commends the gallant efforts of our members in the region who rose to the occasion with gusto despite the doctors their not having to receive salaries for more than three months.

“The Federal Ministry of Health is undermining staff welfare in the tertiary health institutions through improper placement of its doctors on entry and non adjustment of grade levels and steps of other doctors according to selected steps in placements.

“The Federal Ministry of Health has set out and is implementing a selective and vindictive nonpayment of our members who have legally agitated for their due entitlements.

“Pensions deductions and remittances of our members have been epileptic at best, which completely negates the underlying principles of pensions. Government has been insensitive in dealing with the pension challenges of our members,” he said.

Onyebueze decried the continued delay in enrollment of their members into IPPIS despite repeated entreaties by the association for same.

He said the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency pay all outstanding salaries of their members and offset all salary shortfalls.

The NARD helmsman charged the Federal Government to implement the National Health Act 2014 and all agreements of the July 14, 2016 mediation meeting with the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, without further delay.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

TinCan Customs Seizes Arms, Bulletproof Vests Concealed in Two Vehicles Items came into Nigeria duty free Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Command, has arrested a middle-aged man identified as Christian Mbachi over unlawful importation of rifles, bulletproof vests and gas mask concealed in a container of personal effect.

The Customs Area Comptroller of the command, Yusuf Bashar, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Lagos yesterday, stated that the items which were carefully concealed in the two vehicles were being smuggled into Nigeria from the United States of America.

Bashar, who handed over the seized items to officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), said the discovery was made as a result of tact and intelligence deployed by operatives of the command in the discharge of their duties.

Among the items handed over are nine military bulletproof vests, one military helmet, a gas mask, one Omini American tactical rifle No. AR48634, one Moasberg American pump action rifle No. U648018,3500 hollow point pellet ammunition, 4,000 military air gun ammunition, 26 packs of military made food and one rifle punch, two military boots.

A director with the DSS, Tin-Can Island Command, Mr. Julius Odey, who received the items, explained that the arms were concealed in two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla car with chases No.2T1BR32E54C30941 2004 model and a Nissan Amanda car with chases No.5N1AA08A69N709789 2007 model.

Odey said while the items in the Toyota Corolla car were discovered to contain 40 pieces of Hardy X&W ammunition, the Nissan Amanda was discovered

to contain two military rifles, military bullet proof vest, gas mask, two military boost, packs of already prepared military food and ammunition.

He said the items were declared as personal effects by their owner which allows it to come into the country duty free duty.

He explained that arms and ammunition are on the federal government absolute prohibited list, and not on the trade list, adding that this makes it illegal for any individual or group of persons to bring them in without necessary government approval.

According to him, “The items arrived in the country on November 29; the discovery was made on November 30. Since then, we had carried out discreet investigations

which account for the reason why we did not make it public since then. It is the investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect and the subsequent discovery of the country of origin of the consignment,” he said.

On his part, the comptroller explained that even though no one was arrested in connection with the importation of the Toyota Corolla, a suspect was nabbed in connection with the concealment of military rifles and kits in the Amanda vehicle.

He said: “We don’t know where we are heading to as a nation.

What would have happened if the guns and ammunition had found their way into the hands of criminals is best imagined as they would have used it to wreak

havoc on innocent members of the public.

“The concealed packed food goes to show that the owner can stay in the forest for days without having cause to come out. The Customs High Command will now have cause to begin to look into the importation of chemicals because of the presence of the gas mask in the seized consignment.

What if those behind want to engage members of the public in the use of deadly gas. Before his arrest, he would have killed so many persons because he is ready with the mask.”

The comptroller described the trend of importing dangerous items into the country as worrisome and an abuse of privilege by Nigerians who

travelled abroad and failed to import items that add value to the economy but will be quick to conceal dangerous and destructive items.

He added that the discovery of a nose mask in the container raised the customs curiosity to subject the container to more rigorous check which led to the discovery.

Bashar also disclosed that the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) had issued a third commendation letter to the command in recent times over its various seizures and discoveries.

He said Ali’s latest letter was for the command’s timely use of intelligence.

Group Berates INEC over Rivers Rerun Elections

Yakubu promises improvement Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja A civil society group under the umbrella of The Situation Room, yesterday in Abuja said the direct interference by security forces to truncate voting and collation of results at unit level in the Rivers State rerun election was unprecedented and was widely reported within the Rivers East senatorial district.

At a function attended by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mohammed Yakubu, and members of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Situation Room, Mr. Clement Nwakwo, accused INEC officials of being responsible for most of the disruptions in the Rivers rerun election as their delay in releasing electoral materials led to confusion in many ward/polling units where electorate thought that election would no longer hold.

According to him, “Objections and blockade to the distribution of materials occurred at both the state and local government levels.”

Presenting its findings on the Rivers rerun election, the group advised both the government and INEC to investigate the violence, intimidation and bribery in relation to the result from the Rivers poll, noting that serious and credible allegations have been made against major political parties that participated in the election It also asked INEC to immediately release a breakdown of results for all the areas in the state (to unit level) for both the March and December polls.

“This should be made available to political parties, observers and the media along with reports of all incidents affecting the credibility of the polls,” the Situation Room added.

Other demands by the group included an investigation into

the directly observed reports of security services interfering in polls and urgent remedial steps to prevent any further abuse by political office holders; an investigation leading to the killing of police officer, DSP Alkali, and bringing to account all the persons responsible for his killing and all other deaths that occurred during the elections.

Mr. Udo Jude Ilo, who presented a key note address at the meeting berated the INEC for its bad conduct, saying the nation’s electoral fortune since the past 22 months has been that of mixed bag of little success and grave disappointments.

He added: “It is then very disheartening that after the monumental success of the 2015 general election, Nigeria seemed to be on auto reverse on the quality of elections.

“After the world celebrated Nigeria for its electoral maturity, we are still confronted with electoral rascality as is seen in Rivers State; questionable postponement in Edo; perceived manipulations in Ondo and violence and bribery in Bayelsa.”

The INEC chairman on his part, promised better outing in subsequent elections.

He said the commission has started preparations for 2019 general election as they are looking into possible electoral law amendments to make their work much better.

He also said INEC has begun the process of empowering diaspora voting, review of polling units which was started by his predecessor.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the Senate was working on the amendment proposals of the Electoral Act for 2019.

He also said he had personally sponsored a bill for the creation of election violence commission which would handle all cases on electoral violence.

RECOGNITION FOR AIR SAFETY

L-R: Director of Flight Operations, Dana Air, Captain Segun Omole; Accountable Manager, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, Area Manager, South WestAfrica IATA, Dr. Samson Fatokun; and Director of Maintenance, Dana Air, Rickson Pasaribu, during the presentation of the International Safety Certificate to the airline in Lagos....recently

FG Secures $150m World Bank Support for Mining Development, Says Fayemi The federal government, through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, has secured $150million (N45.7 billion) support from the World Bank for the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MSSED or MinDiver) programme.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, said the ministry is working with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and other institutions to assemble a $600million investment fund for the sector, by first quarter of 2017.

The minister stated this in his 2016 end of year ministerial briefing and projections for 2017, at the conference room of the ministry.

The event was attended by the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed Abbas.

Fayemi said: “We have secured support from the World Bank for the funding of $150million Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification ((Economic Diversification MSSED or MinDiver) programme, adding that “a critical component of the support is to provide technical

assistance for the restructuring and operationalisation of the Solid Minerals Development Mining Investment Fund, which would make finance available to ASM operators through development finance, micro-finance and leasing institutions.

The minister spoke of plans for the mining sector new year, at the event which also featured the commissioning of 38 surveillance vehicles bought for mines officers, valued at about N322 million.

He said: “The fund will also help to bring back on stream previously abandoned proven mining projects like tin ore, iron ore, coal, gold and

lead-zinc among others.”

Fayemi said the sector has witnessed some positive developments and productivity in the last one year, including a major improvement in the ministry’s contribution to the Federation Account to about N2 billion n in 2016, up from N700million in 2015.

He added that increased productivity in the mining space had also led to significant discovery of mineral deposits, notably the large find of high-grade nickel a few months ago in Dangoma, Kaduna State by an Australian mining company operating in Nigeria.

He once worked with the state government before joining the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA).

He joined active politics during the Third Republic as a member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He was the Zonal Chairman and Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for

Progressives Change (CPC) before the party joined a coalition of political parties that founded the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Saidu was the state Secretary of the APC in Kaduna as well as the Secretary General of the Kaduna State Campaign Council of the party for the 2015 general election.

El-Rufai Appoints Chief of Staff John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has appointed Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Sai’du as his Chief of Staff.

Until the appointment, Saidu was the Commissioner for Local Government in the state.

Hadiza Bala-Usman previously held the position before her

appointment as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The appointment of Saidu was announced in a statement Monday

by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the governor .

Saidu, an accountant by profession was born on July 21 1957 and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA).

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Stop Using Ethnicity, Religion to Divide Nigeria, Sultan Warns Politicians Insists, Nigeria’s unity is sacrosanct Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, yesterday in Enugu asked Nigerian political leaders to desist from further use of ethnicity and religion to divide the country, insisting that the nation’s unity ought to be uppermost in the minds of the leaders and the followers.

The Muslim leader, who spoke at a grand reception in honour of Rangers Football Club for their victory in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, said the nation’s unity remained sacrosanct, and therefore, asked those clamouring for secession to desist from embarking on a wild-goose chase.

Abubakar said he was in the South-east not only to strengthen the bond of unity but also the bond of love and “the bond with Igbo race, Enugu people and South-east,” having started his military career in Nsukka, Enugu State, 32 years ago.

He noted that God did not make any mistake by putting together this country called Nigeria, saying that he must have good reasons for doing that.

“Our leaders, especially the Politicians, should please stop using religion to divide our country. Stop using ethnicity to divide the country, the country is so wide to contain everybody.

God cannot make a mistake by putting together this country called Nigeria, He has reasons for that and that is why I tell

people who say we want to go our different ways, how do you go your different ways, don’t you read history? Please refer to history books. We have Igbo people everywhere in the country and they are industrious. In Sokoto, nobody pays school fees whether you are Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo and that is the kind of thing we want to see everywhere in the country,” he said.

On the herdsmen menace which has claimed several lives across the country, the Sultan said it would be out of place to attribute the problem to just the Fulanis, noting that nobody should be allowed to hide either under ethnicity or religion to commit crime of any sort. He said no sane religion would accommodate the destruction of lives and property as a way of life.

“If anybody commits any crime, lets us take that person head on, and unless we do that, we cannot overcome the security challenges of this country. I have been in different parts of this country, I know Fulani people who have not been in other parts of the world except in Igboland, is it possible that these same people can now take up arms and begin to kill people where they live?

“It is not possible; something must have gone wrong somewhere. If there are criminals among us, it is left for us to find out who these criminals are and arrest them, it is the responsibility of all us to look at these criminals in the face and arrest them and prosecute them according to the

laws of the land but sitting down and giving it name as terrorism and lamenting will not solve the problem.

“We will never support any killer taking the life of anybody because for us as Muslims we know what the Almighty Allah said about killing one single soul unjustly and unjustly, here means without recourse to law; a killer is to be killed but not through jungle justice but through the law. For anybody to kill in the name of religion, that person is a criminal and should be treated as one, and if we do that, definitely we are taking care of the unknown problems.

“The second part of the solution is for us to come together to tackle these challenges. There are many good people around and there are bad ones. Let us not do something that will alter our relationship.

“The evil ones among us must be dealt with. Those killing people we should find out who they are and deal with them. There are

criminals all over, the issues of Boko haram and I want to tell you that many more Muslims have died in this insurgency than non Muslims. It is not issue of religion,” he said.

He further dismissed insinuations in some quarters that there were plans by the federal government to islamise the country using the herdsmen menace as part of the process, stressing that “you don’t Islamize people by killing them but through the show of love and friendship.

“They tell us that herdsmen are invading Southeast and South-south to Islamise Igbo and I ask how do you Islamise somebody by killing him, you Islamize somebody by showing a good relationship with him, showing that you are a nice person and he will now ask you about your religion. In the holy Koran, there is no force religion.

Our problem is extremism and we must come together to put

it out of us.

“There are extremist Muslims, there are extremist Christian and Hindus, so let’s show love because you cannot be a good person if you don’t show love to your friends, if you are a good Christian you must love your neighbor as yourself and a good Muslim must love his neighbor as himself and if the two religions teach that, why are we now fighting? It is important for us at this time to love one another,” the Sultan noted.He also used the opportunity to come in defence of President Muhammadu Buhari especially in view of the biting economic hardship, saying that president indeed means well for the country.

“I want to tell you that I have talked to President Buhari several times and I want to tell you that what the people are thinking is not what he is thinking. I am not speaking for him but I know he means well. Justice is the bedrock of any good governance and

We want to see respect for one another because if you don’t respect somebody, you may not know who he is. You did not create yourself, God created everybody and we should fear God in whatever we do,” he said.

In his speech, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, expressed appreciation to the Sultan for the historic visit to the state, the first since he mounted the throne of his fathers as the Sultan, expressing optimism that thd visit would ho a long way in addressing some critical issues in not just the state but the south-east at large.

Also, the fiery Enugu-based Catholic priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka said the remarks by the Sultan had gone a long way in clearing so many doubts in the minds of the people of the state and South-east zone.

“Before now, we were biased unnecessarily, fighting a war that never existed. Your visit has succeeded in quenching a looming war,” he said.

Gridlock on Abuja-Lokoja-Okene Road as Truck Drivers Block Highway over Taxes Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja Traffic on the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road was heavy yesterday as hundreds of truck drivers used their vehicles to block the road in a protest over exorbitant taxes.

The road which serves as one of the major road between the North and South was blocked for about eight hours by the truck drivers.

Many vehicles traveling along the road were forced to stop because of the protest as the drivers blocked the road on both sides with their vehicles.

Some travellers who spoke with THISDAY said they were shocked over the situation because the blockage prevented over 500 vehicles from traveling along the road.

Some of the truck drivers who spoke with THISDAY alleged that they were made to pay N2,000 then suddenly jumped to N5,000 and later increased to N10, 000 by the Board of Internal Revenue without any notice, stressing that the exorbitant taxation was uncalled for.

They stated that at this critical period, they cannot afford the amount as they called on the Kogi State Government to reverse its decision with immediate effect.

However, it took the intervention of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and the police to control the situation.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe, who visited the scene held talks with some of the truck drivers as he appealed to them to make way for motorists to pass.

Chafe, while speaking with journalists, said they had meet with the leadership of the trunk drivers’ union, saying all stakeholders will meet on Wednesday to find lasting solution to the appealed to the truck drivers not to take laws into their hands, noting that the issue can be solved without blockage of the road.

Also speaking with journalists, the head of the FRSC, in the statem Mr. Abayomi Omiyale, said they were in control of the situation, stressing that in the next three hours, there will be free movement of vehicles.

Meanwhile, effort to speak with the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Yakubu Oseni, proved abortive as THISDAY was told that he was in a meeting.

MAN OFTHE PEOPLE

CrossRiverStateGovernor,ProfessorBenAyade,celebratinghisSupremeCourtvictoryafterarrivingtheMargretEkpoInternationalAirport tothewarm embraceofhissupporterswhobeseigedtheairporttowelcomehimbacktoCalabar....yesterday

Obiano, Abubakar, Dickson, Ambode’s Wives, Others Nominated for 2017 MostValuable Governor’s Wife Award Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The first lady of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano; her Bauchi State counterpart, Hadiza Abubakar; Rachael Dickson of Bayelsa State as well as wives of the Governors of Kebbi and Lagos States , Mrs. Zainab Bangudu and Mrs. Bolanle Ambode respectively have all been nominated for the 2017 Most Valuable Governor’s wife Award (MVGWA).

The Chairperson of MVGWA, Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said the award which was the third in the series was designed to lead a new phenomenon in the

assessment and recognition of the governors’ wives who are providing complementary achievements to the governors’ achievement.

She stressed that the award is scheduled to take place on February 28, 2017, with the theme; ‘The Roles of the Governors’ Wives NGOs in Helping the Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria’.

According to her, “The 36 governors’ wives and the wife of the FCT minister are assessed based on their projects availabile in the public domain and their impacts on their beneficiaries.”

She added that “the governors’ wives shortlist comes from impact

of their projects experienced by the beneficiaries in their various area with the assessment team of the MVGWA, as well as adopting this criteria-sustainability, empowerment, impact, change agent and corporate branding (SEICC), according to global best practices.”

Magoro noted that Mrs. Obiano who is the founder of the Caring Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) was nominated for taking care of 40 mentally challenged persons who were treated and discharged while Mrs. Abubakar, founder of Bauchi State Women Economic Empowerment and Peace Initiative (B-SWEEP), was nominated for continuous presence at the plight

of the IDPs. Also, Mrs. Dickson, founder of Friday Konyefa Foundation (FKF), was nominated for curbing early exposure of Ijaw girls to expatriate and Mrs. Bangundu, founder, Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MFC), was nominated for walking away cancer.

The chairperson of the project said the first lady of Nassarawa State, Hajia Mairo Al-Makura, founder Tallafi Women and Young Foundation, was also nominated for providing incubators to hospitals in the state.

Other awardees include first ladies of Lagos, Oyo and Niger States.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Buhari Says Nigeria Guided by Best Practice in Protecting IDPs Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria is guided by international best practices and standards in rehabilitating millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke while receiving Mr. Phillipo Grandi, the United

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees yesterday at the State House.

Buhari told his guest that Nigeria was making efforts to domesticate the Kampala Convention, which legally binds governments to protect the rights and well-being of people forced to flee their homes by conflict.

The president commended the military for creating a safe passage that had made it easier to help the displaced persons.

Leadercast Nigeria Host Its Maiden Global Simulcast in Lagos Leadercast, world’s largest one-day leadership project is poised to launch its first event in Nigeria at a training scheduled to take place at the Canton Concourse, Victoria Island from the 20th to 21st of December, 2016.

The programme, tagged: ‘Architects of Tomorrow’, which will bring together over 100,000 leaders around the world at its annual simulcast, will feature international innovators and business executives like Steve Wozniack, co-founder of Apple Inc., Kat Cole, group president of Focus Brands and many more, who will engage with business professionals, students and teachers in attendance.

Speaking on the importance

of this programme, a seasoned leadership coach and convener of Leadercast Nigeria, Lara Ejizu, said: “We are really excited to be hosting this programme at a time when our nation is on the path to leadership reformation. It is time to begin deliberate efforts to groom visionary leaders for our country.

Visionary Leaders have the ability to see a preferred future. They operate effectively in the present and utilize the resources around them to Architect Clear Path to A New Destination. Our nation is seeking a new path, but it will take the emergence of new leaders - leaders who can envision a better tomorrow and architect a path to getting there. Leadercast Nigeria

He disclosed that different mechanisms had been put in place to care for the displaced, in areas of nutrition, health, physical and spiritual rehabilitation, among others.

“About 150,000 refugees have also come back home from across the borders. Our sleeves are rolled up to face the challenges head-on,

along with our strategic partners, “ the president said, adding that Nigeria appreciated the continued collaboration of the United Nations.

Grandi, who had visited Cameroun, Niger, and Chad, as part of his tour of the Lake Chad Basin region, commended what he called “Nigeria’s determination to resolve the humanitarian crisis”

at hand, noting that his visit to Maiduguri, in Borno State, afforded him the opportunity “to see the excellent work being done by the authorities, with support of the international community.”

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said he was leaving Nigeria with the conviction that things were under control, stressing:

“A lot remains to be done, but I see progress. I have seen the protection given to the rights and privileges of civilians in the North-east, and it is commendable.”

Grandi said the UN would always be willing to assist Nigeria with resources and the needed expertise to resettle displaced persons.

Supreme CourtVerdict: Ayade DedicatesVictory to God, Promises More Jobs Bassey Inyang in Calabar Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has dedicated his recent triumph at the apex court in a pre-election matter instituted against him by Mr. Joe Agi (SAN) to God and promising that more jobs will be created in 2017.

Ayade yesterday made what could be described as a triumphant entry into the state, following the December 9, Supreme Court verdict which affirmed his victory as the lawfully elected governor.

In what was clearly a further reaffirmation of his popularity and acceptability by the people, over 20, 000 people drawn from the 18 local government areas, including Hausa and Yoruba communities

had taken over the airport and major streets of Calabar to welcome the governor.

Bearing different solidarity messages, the crowd carried banners with inscriptions such as ‘welcome back home after the conquest’, ‘you came, you dared and you excelled’, among others.

Governor Ayade who arrived the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, at exactly 12.30 pm, was received by a large crowd of Cross Riverians, traditional rulers, party faithful, House of Assembly members as well as members of the state executive council, who had thronged the airport as early as 7.30 am.

Addressing journalists at the airport tarmac, shortly on his

arrival, Professor Ayade disclosed that, “we have put the political tension occasioned by the litigation behind us because we are now done with the courts.”

Governor Ayade who said it was time for Cross Riverians to come together as a people and move the state to the next level, appealed: “It is time for us to come together as a state and as one big family, united by the challenges of our circumstance to march forward with verve and vitality to reconstruct a new Cross River State that will protect and take care of the younger generations.

I call on my brother, Joe Agi to join me so that together we can make our dear state, one that we can all be proud of. Please send any of

your best eleven to join my team.

What we both went through was a normal test of our democracy and the strengthening of our judicial process. It was nothing personal.”

He noted that “It is the duty of this administration headed by a seasoned business man who is now in government as the governor to bring the desired change, a change that will put Cross River State on a direction for prosperity.”

He further stressed that God who has delivered him and his administration throughout those anxious moments at the various courts would ultimately provide the Eldorado for his people.

Asked whether he was distracted while the court case lasted, Ayade said: ”The distraction was minimal

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Collapsed Building: Court Strikes out Lekki Gardens MD’s Motion for Bail Variation An Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court, yesterday struck out a motion filed by the Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, seeking a variation of the earlier bail conditions ordered by the court following his arrest in connection with the collapse of a five-storey building under construction on Kushenla Road, Ikate Elegushi area of Lagos State which killed no fewer than 35 persons.

The state government had dragged Nyong and one of the contractors handling the project, Odofin Taiwo Henry, to court, after which they were admitted to bail on some conditions including the deposit of their international passports.

Nyong had filed the motion for variation asking that his passport be released to him to facilitate a trip abroad for medical healthcare.

But at the resumption of the matter yesterday, Nyong’s lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun, applied to withdraw the motion, saying the issue had been overtaken by events, and as such, it was no longer neccesary to forge ahead with it.

The application was not opposed by other parties, while the trial Magistrate, Mr. T.A Ellias, struck it out.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr. Goddy Osuyi, drew the court’s attention to the legal advice issued by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) of Lagos State Ministry of Justice on the case.

Osuyi, a Legal Officer attached to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, said the case file was forwarded to the DPP by the police for legal advice, and that the DPP had since concluded work on the file.

Two Female Suicide Bombers Die in Maiduguri Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Two female suicide bombers have died in a failed attempt to attack Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Victor Isuku, the suicide bombers were halted on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

Isuku, in a text message, stated: “At About 20.30hrs yesterday (Sunday), two female suicide bombers were stopped for routine

check at Geleri village which is about five-kilometre to Muna Garage, an outskirt of Maiduguri.

“One of the suicide bombers detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strapped to her body, killing her and her accomplice whose IED vest did not explode.

Three residents of the area were however injured.

“The command’s EOD unit rushed to the scene to render the unexploded IED safe. The area has been secured and normalcy restored.”

UK Returnee: Why I Killed My Father Chiemelie Ezeobi A United Kingdom (UK) returnee, Abubakar Babalola, suspected to have stabbed his father to death and attempted to kill his mother, yesterday confessed to how he committed the crime.

Babalola, who was paraded yesterday by the Lagos State Police Command attributed his act to his anger over his parent’s decision to allegedly use him for rituals.

He said: “My father got what he wanted. He started it all. I was living in the United Kingdom when he used black magic to bring me back to Nigeria and he locked me up in the house.

“I don’t know what they intended to do with me. They called some native doctors to do some rituals with red oil which they kept in my room.

“The native doctors made some incisions on my body and since then, I have not really been myself and since then, I have been seeing strange things and hearing strange voices.

“As a religious person, I resorted to God and was praying for my freedom but each time I tried to escape, my father will call area boys who will beat me up with reckless abandon.

“The intimidation was too much and I was looking for any means of escape. One day, I escaped from my room to the kitchen and I took two kitchen knives which I hid in my pocket for protection.

“On that fateful day, while my mother was cooking in the kitchen, I greeted her but she started raining abuses on me. I knew there was trouble because she always beats me whenever she is angry.

“I went to my father too and he started raining curses on me. When I asked what the problem was, he started beating me and as I was tired of his beating, I dipped my hand in my pocket and brought out the knife and stabbed him in the leg.

“When he wanted to disarm me, I stabbed him in the stomach and he fell down and my mother started shouting. I threatened her to give me the key to the door so that I can leave.

“She refused and I stabbed her too. They started it all. They wanted to use me for ritual. I regret my actions anyway but if they did not bring me back to Nigeria, I would have still been in the UK.” The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, said the suspect would be charged to court for murder.

He, however, urged the court to allow the legal advice to be read to Nyong and Odofin But Olanipekun and Odofin’s lawyer, Mr. Gboyega Okenla, opposed the application of Osuyi, saying same was not

supported by any practice or legal authority.

“Our clients are aware of the contents of the DPP Legal Advice and I am aware that the issue of involuntary manslaughter in the report

is outside the purview of the jurisdiction of this court.

“So, I think it is better for us to wait for the next action to be taken by the Attorney General of the state whether he will or not file a criminal charge in

the matter,” Olanipekun said.

After considering the arguments by the parties, Magistrate Ellias adjourned the matter to February 23, 2017 to await the decision of the Attorney General.

TIME TO FACE JUSTICE

Two Chinese nationals, Managing Director, ZYG, Mr. Cai Zhihui (second left), and his partner, Mr. Young Lam, after they were handed over to the police for importing substandard phones into Nigeria by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Lagos .....weekend

Family of Deceased Broadcaster Appeal to Kidnappers to Release Daughter, Pregnant Friend Chiemelie Ezeobi The family of budding broadcaster, Aisha Thelma Alli-Balogun Abiose, who was at the weekend shot dead by suspected militants has appealed to them to release her two-year-old daughter and her pregnant friend, whom they also abducted.

The displaced pipeline vandals turned militants had during the weekend stormed the Ajegunle area of Ikorodu and held motorists stuck in traffic, hostage for over an hour without police intervention.

After robbing the motorists and carting away with their valuables, the gang had shot Abiose dead and also kidnapped her two-year-old daughter, Fareeda and her pregnant friend.

It was gathered from family sources that Aisha was shot while trying to protect her daughter from the marauders.

The family source who did

not want to be mentioned said, “It’s a double tragedy for our family so we are appealing to the militants to please release Aisha’s little daughter. The girl is innocent and is too fragile to be in the midst of militants.

“Her mother has been buried according to Islamic rites. If the girl is still in their hands, we will be mourning and still be mourning Fareeda.”

Meanwhile, the militants were said to have called the family to demand N10million to secure the release of the minor and the pregnant woman.

After carrying out their successful operation, the gang had crossed over the bridge and made away with their speedboats.

Although operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the divisional police officers later stormed the vicinity, the robbers had already left the vicinity, thus earning the policemen the

wrath of the victims.

It was also gathered that asides the deceased, another person was shot dead by the armed robbers in the operation that lasted for one hour.

Meanwhile, checks revealed that the state police command has activated its anti-kidnapping squad to go after the gang and rescue the minor.

Already, efforts have been intensified to round up the kingpins of all the major kidnap syndicates operating in the Ikorodu area and its environs.

According to police sources, those behind all the kidnap incidents in Ikorodu have been narrowed down to some displaced Ijaw militants who relocated to the area.

The police said they were on the trail of the two major brains- simply identified as Agbala and Ossy, adding that they have since been declared wanted by the Owutu Police

Division in Ikorodu.

Confirming this, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, said the police are working hard to rescue the victims, and arrest the culprits in order to bring them to book.

He said: “The problem is that people do not give information to the police. The police saw the two vehicles but did not know that it belonged to the kidnapped victims.”

The deceased, a Lagos State University graduate of English, was the presenter of Standup Nigeria, a popular comedy show owned by Bunmi Davies.

Born on March 7 1988 (aged 28) and married to Ajibola Yussuf Abiose, the deceased had two kids, a boy and a girl, and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

She attended Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School and bagged a degree in English from the Lagos State University.

Ekiti Police Paymaster Kidnapped, Murdered by Gunmen Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The paymaster of the Ekiti State Police Command and a Superintendent of Police, Mr. Idowu Taiwo, was yesterday found dead after being kidnapped on Sunday night by some gunmen.

Taiwo was reported to have been found dead in a car in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, in the early hours of yesterday by detectives who were on the trail of the

evildoers.

Taiwo, who was an Officer in Charge of Finance, fondly called OC MSS in the force’s parlance, was said to have been found dead the morning after he was allegedly kidnapped in Ado Ekiti Sources claimed that he was at a joint within the vicinity of Ologede police station located in Ajilosun area of the state capital when some yet-to-be identified men arrived at the place and forcibly bundled him into the

car and whisked him away to unknown destination.

The sources added that Taiwo was not found until the next morning (Monday) but he had already been murdered with his hands handcuffed and lifeless body left in a car.

Confirming the gory incident, the state Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, saying “it is true” and also confirmed that he was

‘OC MSS.’ Adeyemi gave his name as SP Idowu Taiwo and explained that “he was taken away from where he was at Ologede area and was later found dead at Ajebamidele area of the same Ajilosun.”

The PPRO added that “after he was murdered, they abandoned his body in a car in Ajebamidele area of the town.”

Adeyemi said: “Investigations have begun to arrest the perpetrators, but no arrests yet.”

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

2 1 - M O N T H SA L A RY A R R E A R S

Protesting Footballers Barricade Taraba Govt House Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The entrance to the Taraba State Government House was yesterday barricaded by players of the state-owned FC Taraba and Taraba Queens over non-payment of 21 months salaries.

The blockade brought activities in the Government House to a halt as security operatives were forced to lock the gate thereby preventing vehicular movement in and out of the premises.

The players, numbering over 50, were dancing and singing solidarity songs as they beat drums and other musical instruments thereby drawing the attention of visitors to the Government House and other passersby.

As the crowd began to grow and the players becoming restive, security operatives were drafted in to disperse them and in the process, teargas canisters were fired but the players stood their ground and insisted on being paid before leaving.

Narrating their ordeal to journalists, Assistant Captain of FC Taraba, Uzih Michael, said the state government has

continued to ignore them for too long and they have no choice other than to occupy the Government House to draw attention to their plight.

“We’re so sad over what the Taraba government is doing to us. We have not been paid for 21 months now. The state government is owing us 10 months in 2015 and in 2016, 11 months have gone now without any payment.

“We protested here last month and government promised to pay us at the end of the month but we didn’t receive anything” He noted that the team was in the Nigeria Professional Football Premier League in 2014 but dropped to the lower tier due to hunger occasioned by the non-payment of salaries by the government.

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Hassan Mijinyawa has disclosed that Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has directed the deputy governor, Haruna Manu, to ensure immediate release of three months salaries to the players.

Mijinyawa, who maintained that the governor was very

B E A C H N AT I O N S C U P

Lagos DG Says Ambode’s Passion Secret behind Successful Hosting

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, has disclosed the secret behind Lagos State’s successful hosting of the just concluded 2016 CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations stems from the passion of the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to make Lagos the hub of sports in the African continent.

The director-general noted that, he was delighted by the assessments of the officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which gave the Lagos State Government a pass mark on the hosting of the five-day tournament.

“True to the rating of CAF, our team in the Local Organising Committee which was carefully selected has done excellently well. The facilities and the general organisation

were fantastic. Throughout the duration of the competition, there was no casualty.

Everything done flowed seamlessly into each other with no friction. All activities were channeled together. There was no complaint and the players were very happy.

“The other aspects of the competition also went well, the boat cruise and the bus tour all went well. It was an excellent competition and we are indeed very proud to host the championship.”

He assured all that, if the opportunity comes again for Lagos to host such a championship in the nearest future, the state would go for it, as the structure put in place

by Governor Ambode to host regional and international championship would readily accommodate such international competitions.

Managing Director, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Sunil Sawhney (right), presenting the Pepsi Man-of-the-match award to Senegalese midfielder, Babacar Fall, at the CAF Beach Soccer Nations Cup Final in Lagos... last Sunday

sensitive to the plight of the players stressed that Ishaku is on top of the situation and would do everything possible to alleviate the sufferings of

the players.

According to him: “The governor is very sensitive to the plight of the players and he has directed the

immediate payment of three months salaries to the players through the office of the Deputy governor.

“I can assure you that

the governor will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the problems being faced by the players are alleviated,” he stressed.

L-R: Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria, Dare Kafar; Former Super Eagles captain and Bundesliga Legend, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and DFL Manager for International Marketing, Tobias Ross, at an interactive session with sports journalists in Lagos… last weekend

Ugwuanyi Showers Champions Rangers with N41.5m, Land Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday showered 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Rangers International Football Club with goodies for ending the state’s 32 years wait for football honour.

Apart from presenting the players and their management with a cheque of N41.5 million, the governor also announced that each member of the team would get a parcel of land at an estate named after the club.

Speaking at the grand reception in honour of the club for lifting the NPFL trophy at the Michael Okpara Square in

Enugu, the governor pledged his readiness to sustain his support for the club.

Ugwanyi said his administration had already given a face-lift to the Rangers quarters, adding that it was his desire to take the club to the next level for winning the all important trophy after 32 years wait.

Speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, described Rangers FC’s feat as a “sweet victory,” urging them to sustain the winning tempo in the coming season.

The Sultan further disclosed that he had remained an ardent supporter of the club from his days in the military

when he severally functioned as a match commissioner during Oriental Derbies, noting that the club had continued to serve as a unifying force for the Igbos all over the world.

Other speakers including Commissioner for Sports, Charles Ndukwe, Acting Chairman of Rangers FC, Steve Oruruo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, the chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu as well as founder of Adoration Ministries and fiery Enugu cleric, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka poured encomiums on the players and management of the club, pledging to support them in

their continental competition.

The governor also used the opportunity to present special plaques to some of outstanding members of the management and players of the club including former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, former goal keeper, Emmanuel Okala, Dominic Nwobodo, Nwabueze Nwankwo and Technical Adviser, Imama Amapakabo.

Others are Rangers FC Captain, Okechukwu Oditah (Best Behaved Player of the Year), Central Defender, Chibuzor Madu (Most Consistent Attacking Midfielder), Obinna Nwobodo (Best Player), Chisom Egbuchulam (Highest Goal Scorer).

Okocha: Bundesliga Better than Premier League Duro Ikhazuagbe Former Super Eagles Captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha has described the German Bundesliga as a better league than the English Premier League in terms of statistics.

Speaking with sports journalists at the Bundesliga Legend Tour with Austin Jay Jay Okocha, organised by foremost digital television company, StarTimes and DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga, Okocha insisted that in terms of tactical approach, technical approach, discipline, stadium attendance and number of goals scored per week, Bundesliga was better.

“Bundesliga is better than Premier League in terms of tactical approach, technical approach, discipline, stadium attendance and number of

goals scored per week,” observed Okocha whose stint as Eintracht Frankfurt remains talking point to date.

Okocha also insisted that the Bundesliga has the best youth development programme in Europe.

He attributed the youth programme as one of the reasons for the successful development of German football in recent years.

Bundesliga usually attracts more than 18 million spectators in total to the stadiums every season.

The Bundesliga’s current average attendance of about 42,000 fans per match is the highest in a professional football league worldwide and only second after the American National Football League (NFL) compared to all professional sports leagues.

According to StarTimes Marketing Director, Mr. Dare Kafar, “The Bundesliga Legends Tour is a continuation of the journey that was started

more than twelve months ago when StarTimes signed the exclusive broadcast right of the Bundesliga for five years in Nigeria.”

Night of Excellence Holds in Lagos The organisers of the maiden League of Sports Editors Night of Excellence put together to honour some of the brightest brains in sports journalism and beyond have promised a night to remember.

Tony Ubani, who presides over the Sports Editors body said at the weekend that the event scheduled to hold today, December 20 at the Pearlworth Hotel and Suite, in the heart of the Lagos State capital, Ikeja is to be graced by the high and mighty in sports journalism, administration

and relevant bodies. Take off time is 7.30pm.

Among those who have already signed up for the event is Nigeria Olympic Committee President, Habu Gumel, who less than a fortnight ago, was elected the vice president of the world volleyball body, FIVB .

Also on the VIP list is former Scribe of the NFF, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu and NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

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Tuesday December 20, 2016

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Price: N250

MISSILE NUPENG to IOCs

“Our members that put in their best within the duration of time they worked were not paid their severance packages by their employers when they sacked them. ‘This is a big slap and it will not be allowed. What they are practising here in Nigeria, they cannot practise in their countries, so that is why we say enough is enough. We will take the bull by the horn” – The South-west chairman of the NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Konodo threatening to shutdown operations if the International Oil Companies fail to respond to their demands to appropriately remunerate their sacked members.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

The Bidoung Challenge C

ameroonians got their chance of introducing into the syllabus of Comedy and Other Comic Forms (a subject I taught in my other career), what seemed like a variant of the domestic nature of humour and wit, when in the last week and more days, they forced humour out of what seemed like an ordinary situation and added to the Ice Bucket Challenge and the Mannequin Challenge, what has become known internationally as the #Bidoung Challenge or the #CourberDosChallenge.

While we were busy here disgracing the Super Falcons who won the Golden Trophy at the 10th African Women Cup of Nations Championship Football Tournament (AWCON), by refusing to pay them their entitlements, and forcing them to take to the streets to advertise national shame and disgrace, the Cameroonians who came second in the tournament, were treated to a Presidential banquet and special romp with the President and his wife. It was a special occasion in sports whereby a silver medal was better rewarded than a gold medal and in this instance, an odd commentary on sovereignty and its priorities.

There are other comparisons in terms of the attitude of the managers involved.

Nigeria’s red-beret wearing Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, a graduate of the University of Jos and a lawyer I am told, publicly confessed that Nigeria did not expect the Super Falcons to win.

They got to the Semi-Finals and they were not expected to win and this was the reason their allowances were not paid?

This same man, may be he should stop wearing a red beret, would later revise the English Language and say on tape that the “money that was spended on the Falcons was well spended”. Gbagaun!

Shame on WAEC! WAEC, you see your shame? How do we justify this kind of grammatical seppuku by someone who purportedly passed School Certificate English? Abi, Lobade oh, Abi, Lobatan oh.

This same fellow two months back kept the Nigerian male soccer team stranded in Atlanta and wondered why they were going to the Olympics. Compare and contrast him with the Minister of Sports and Physical education in Cameroon. His name is Pierre Ishmael Bidoung Mkpwatt.

His team, the Lionesses of Cameroon came second in the 10th edition of the AWCON. He got them a Presidential reception, handshakes and all that. But when it was his turn to greet the President and his wife, Mkpwatt bent down so low, the whole of Cameroon erupted in laughter and for weeks, Mkpwatt has been the butt of trans-national joke. How low should any government official bend to show loyalty to a President? Mkpwatt’s bend- down-low greeting went viral on social media, and has since inspired so many memes and imitations, with goats, cats and humans, ridiculing the Minister.

Mkpwatt was so grateful the team under his watch came second; he was

Biya

willing to kiss the floor. Here in Nigeria, our own team has been subjected to ridiculous humiliation. In Cameroon, they are laughing and having fun, over their second place prize, here in Nigeria we are gnashing our teeth over our distinction, and behaving as if it was wrong for the national team to have won the gold medal. Something is not right.

Cameroonians are not worrying about what was spent for their country to win the Silver Medal, Nigeria’s Sports Minister is bragging about “what was spended” to get a gold medal. When we are all spent with “spended” funds and we are left with a demoralized female soccer team that has won the AWCON eight record times, then we would probably in the future realize how we “spended” useful talents that could always lift the nation’s spirits and foreground our sovereignty in strategic areas of strength.

A silver medal brought Cameroon so

Nigeria’s red-beret wearing Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, a graduate of the University of Jos and a lawyer I am told, publicly confessed that Nigeria did not expect the Super Falcons to win

much humour and wit; a gold medal brought Nigeria so much agony, regret and embarrassment. This is the first sub-text of the Bidoung Challenge in the context of crucial sovereign questions.

Let us now return to Cameroon.

Cameroonians obviously don’t know when to laugh. Mkpwatt’s offence is that he bent too low while paying respects to imperial leader, Paul Biya. Respect is something important to Africans. Mkpwatt probably overdid it. One online-parody showed him bending 90 degrees at a 30 metres distance remove. By any normal standards, that is too much of a show of respect. Other memes, google this, are worse, cats and goats got into the matter with Cameroonians bending so tragically low and purportedly making fun of Sports Minister Mkpwatt. What nobody has said is that the man actually being ridiculed is President Paul Biya.

They are ridiculing his 34 years of autocratic rule. The national objection to autocratic, patriarchal rule through comedy is a way of saying we have had enough, sir. Why should we all bend so low to make you so important? Comedy after all as Hugh Walpole tells us, is “for those who think while tragedy is for those who feel”. Cameroonians through the Bidoung challenge are saying therefore that they are tired of the culture of subservience, too many years of Cameroonians bowing down to one man who doesn’t want to leave.

When is Biya planning to leave? Beyond the comedy, this is the message. He has been President for more than 30 years. We are all tired of him. We don’t want him behaving like he is a President for life.

Africa’s biggest problem is the continued existence of sit-tight rulers. Our rulers don’t believe in democracy. They believe that there will be no country without them or their sons and very soon, their daughters. Just look at Gambia, the Republic of Congo, Equitorial Guinea and Gabon. Even the recently elected leaders behave like monarchs.

In this matter, Nigerians are better off.

Nigerians have now reached a stage in our democratic evolution where they seem to believe that nobody can steal their mandate. And the way they are all waiting for 2019, it looks like they believe in the sanctity of democracy. But I will like to defend Cameroon’s Sports Minister, Pierre Mkpwatt. Nobody outside Cameroon has accused him of speaking out of turn like our red beret guy who doesn’t know the elementary difference between “spend” and “spent.” But the Cameroonian Sports Minister ’s biggest offence is his bending “down too low.”

In Africa, I beg, that is not a big deal.

There is something in Africa called eye service in the corridors of power.

Mkpwatt is the latest victim of the eye service syndrome in Africa’s corridors of power. I have seen pictures of the US President Barrack Obama carrying his own umbrella. Members of his staff call

him Barrack. In Germany, Angela Merkel still cooks for her husband every Sunday, and she goes to the groceries store to get special delicacies. I am not making this up. She said so in my presence. In the Western world a leader is not considered God, he or she is a citizen. The problem we have in Africa is that the leaders behave like they are monarchs. Mkpwatt bending so low to greet President Biya was merely succumbing to an African expectation and tradition; in fact, if he had prostrated, he would not have been out of place. Abusing and maligning him is hypocritical. Any other Cameroonian would have bent just as low if not lower.

And Nigerians need not act superior.

Even here, people bend too low to show loyalty to the reigning President. One prominent figure once told me that it is survival strategy. Nigerian opportunists bend even far lower, they prostrate, and they utter all kinds of stupidities to impress the man of power. Sycophancy is the biggest challenge to power in Nigeria.

There are too many people approaching the man of power telling him things and seeking to influence him, They would kneel down if they have to. They will recite the Holy Books if they think that will help. They will do whatever it takes to have their way. All of this is never in the interest of the people.

A former privileged government official once told me that he found himself on one occasion at the Presidential Villa whereby he arrived and he found everyone kneeling down before the President. He thought it was odd and he didn’t think he had to kneel down. He stood his ground and stood up but the President was growling at him and he too was looking back. At that moment, he suddenly saw a respected national figure, who slumped onto his knees and started crawling towards the President, shouting “Rankadede” with clinched and raised fists, as he did so. What was he supposed to do? He went on his knees! In some government houses, the Governors sit on thrones. When they stand up, their subordinates also stand. When they sit, the subordinates also sit. When they go for lunch, or dinner, no appointee eats anything other than what the Governor eats. The protocol is that you cannot obey an order of gravity that positions you higher than the big man. This is precisely the Biodung Challenge. The Sports Minister had to stay away from and below the big man. It is worse in Nigeria where people actually kneel down or prostrate to the man of power or his wife, even when there is no need for such overt expression of loyalty.

The irony of it all is that the same people who bend down so low may not recognize the same man of power once he is out of office. The same Mkpwatt that is bending so low for President Biya may claim tomorrow that he no longer has his phone number. Unfortunately, Paul Biya plans to die in office.

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