Sunday 8th January 2017

After a Lull, Niger Delta Militants Threaten Attacks Say FG not sincere with negotiations Air Force spends N2.8bn to fuel fighter jets for nationwide security operations

Michael Olugbode, Sylvester Idowu and Emmanuel Addeh

More than a month after cessation of hostilities, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has threatened to resume attack

on the nation’s oil assets in the oil-rich Niger-Delta region.

The militants, who issued their threat yesterday in a statement, expressed disappointment that the federal government was not sincere in acceding to their de-

mands and reaching a peace deal with their representatives, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) led by Chief Edwin Clark.

To make good its threat, NDA stated that it had placed its fighters and commands on high

red alert. The militant group in the statement titled "Operations Walls of Jericho and Hurricane Joshua", signed by its Spokesperson, Murdoch Agbinibo, said that all fighters and commands have been placed on high readiness

for the operations to hit and knock the enemy very hard.

It claimed that the planned showdown was in response to the refusal of the Federal Government to dialogue with Chief Edwin Clark led Pan Niger

Delta Forum (PANDEF) set up to negotiate a peaceful means of finding lasting solutions to the crisis in the region.

NDA, which met with Buhari Continued on page 8

Adeboye Appoints Nigeria Overseer, Remains Worldwide Leader… Page 10 Sunday 8 January, 2017 Vol 21. No 7934

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Akufo-Addo Takes over in Ghana, as Uncertainty Beclouds Gambia Demola Ojo with agency reports Heads of state from across Africa including Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari

and thousands of guests and dignitaries were in attendance yesterday as Nana Akufo-Addo was sworn in as Ghana's new president at a ceremony in

Ghana’s capital, Accra.

It was another statement that democracy is increasingly the preferred choice of governance in Africa, with the successful

transition in Ghana reinforcing the country’s reputation for the peaceful transfer of power between administrations.

Akufo-Addo took the oath of

office as Ghana’s fifth president in its fourth republic, after beating John Mahama in last month's election. Akufo-Addo, a 72-year-old former human

rights lawyer, promised free high school education and more factories in Ghana.

Continued on page 8

1,000 Days After, How Many Chibok Girls Are Still Missing?

After successful return of 24 , the fate of scores remain uncertain Meanwhile the politics of a terrorist kidnap continues

Anayo Okolie Nigeria marks a bitter anniversary today. One thousand days ago, 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist sect. Fifty-seven of the girls managed to escape while being taken away in vehicles by their captors. One was found and rescued in May last year by the military working in conjunction with local vigilantes, also known as civilian JTF. Twenty-one were released on October 13 last year after negotiations, and one was found on November 5 with her 10-month-old baby. On January 5, the army announced that another of the girls had been found with her six-month-old baby and rescued. The whereabouts of the remaining 195 is unknown.

Today’s anniversary of the April 14, 2014 abduction of the Chibok girls will be marked worldwide, but without fanfare.

While civilised humanity can heave a sigh of relief now that

Continued on page 8

See THISDAY Style Inside…

CONGRATULATIONS GHANA

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating the new President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, after his inauguration at the Black Star Square, Accra, Ghana ... yesterday

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

PAGE EIGHT AFTER A LULL, NIGER DELTA MILITANTS THREATEN ATTACKS

last November and made 16 demands from the federal government, recalled that since the suspension of attacks in the region by all its fighters and affiliates, it had been evidently clear that the federal government was not ready for any form of dialogue and negotiation with their people to address the issues sustaining the unending sufferings and deprivation of the people of the Niger Delta.

"The world is aware that, after listening to calls from our Royal Fathers, Community Leaders, Stakeholders and members of the comity of nations especially the governments of the United States of America, Great Britain and the European Union, we halted all actions.

"This prospect for hope for a genuine dialogue and negotiations have been dashed and rejected. The world knows that PANDEF as team of critical stakeholders was mandated to engender a genuine dialogue and negotiations process that will be made of apolitical committed Niger Deltans to engage with the government and people of Nigeria, representatives of the International Oil Corporations and neutral observers.

"But this government decides to go around to politicising and blackmailing the process to forestall any genuine dialogue and negotiations," noted, the militant group.

NDA however assured that its next line of actions to 'redeem Operation Red Economy' will be unannounced with surely overwhelming signatures to the Federal Government and humanity adding, "The world is aware that, the government of Nigeria has ear problems but we never knew that it has taken a deteriorating deaf level dimensions. It is only through hard knocks we can speak to the Nigerian government henceforth".

The militant group expressed

its belief that, the 2017 national budget is not based on the crude oil production output from the Niger Delta but that on the newly found oil deposits in the North and the new pipelines construction from the Niger Republic.

It accused the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and their partners that have been awarded the 2017/2018 crude oil term contracts by the federal government of conspiracy against the people of the region. "Their contract at a time when the Nigerian State has turned deaf ears to the Niger Delta Agitation is seen as a conspiracy against our people that will fail. These contracts will make or mar the destinies of your companies in our Niger Delta.”

Since the militant attacks were put on hold, Nigeria’s crude production, which had been draining witnessed increases, which translated to accretion to the foreign reserves. For instance, on November 1, the gross foreign reserves stood at $23,946,448,274 and by November 30, the level was raised to $24,771,597,897, representing an increase of $825,149,623 or 3.45 per cent in the review month. Only few days ago, the reserves recorded a remarkable rise to $26.2billion from $25.8billion on December 30, 2016.

But NDA noted that it was declaring "Operations Walls of Jericho and Hurricane Joshua” simultaneously to "reclaim our motherland and dislodge all cleavages the Nigerian Ruling oligarchy has foisted on the region that is sustaining the on-going primitive accumulation by dispossession".

"As we get prepared for the challenges ahead 2017, We make bold to tell the people of our Niger Delta, sane minds in Nigeria and the comity of nations that the remaining 11 months and couples of weeks in 2017 will be filled with surprises and a reconfiguration of the struggle for

the liberation of our motherland", it added.

THISDAY could however, not get a reaction from the Nigerian government on the threats issued

by NDA. However, the Federal Government has recommenced the payment of monthly stipends owed ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta.

The arrears, which had already started causing ripples among the repentant warlords were being paid in trickles as only two months out of about five months arrears of stipends owed the former agitators have been offset.

A leader of Phase 3 of the Amnesty Programme, Mr. Ramsey Mukoro, who spoke on Saturday in Yenagoa, confirmed that some former agitators had received two out of their arrears.

"The Amnesty Office has started paying but my third phase people have yet to get alerts. We are hoping that we in the third phase will benefit soon as well.

"It has really been difficult for us. We spent Christmas and New Year on empty stomachs. The government should try to make the payment go round quick'', the ex-militant leader said.

In his reaction, the Liaison Officer, PAP, Bayelsa State Office, Mr. Piriye Kiyaramo, also confirmed that the Amnesty Office recommenced the payment after the New Year holidays.

"The Amnesty Office commenced payment of the outstanding stipends this week after the new year.

"The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.), is concerned about the welfare of beneficiaries in the programme.

"He would stop at nothing until a sustainable reintegration of the ex-agitators into the society

with sustainable source of livelihood,'' Kiyaramo said in a statement.

The commencement of payment of allowances came a few days after chairmen of Phase 1 and 2 of Bayelsa State Amnesty Programme, Mr. Excel Divine, and Salvation Ibina-Rufus, respectively, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene.

They had contended that the President's quick intervention would douse the tension already mounting in the region over the unpaid arrears.

Ibina-Rufus, had urged Buhari to order the Federal Ministry of Finance to release money to pay the ex-agitators to avoid another round of restiveness in the region.

However, they added that based on the meeting they held with Boroh, the Amnesty boss had shown sincerity and commitment towards their pay.

They had blamed the Ministry of Finance over the delay in the release of funds for the Amnesty office for the payment of the five-month arrears.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Nigerian Air Force has revealed that it spent N2.8 billion on 10.9 million litres of aviation fuel to ensure security across the nation. The amount covered a period of January to December 2016.

The Air Force noted yesterday at a press briefing that various airplanes were flown for 7,316.9 hours to maintain the security of lives and property in the country.

This disclosure was made even as the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the Air Force would continue to fly day and night over Sambisa Forest to ensure that the Boko Haram insurgents never regroup again.

Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri on the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force to ensure

1,000 DAYS AFTER, HOW MANY CHIBOK GIRLS ARE STILL MISSING? some of the girls have been freed and there is hope that many of them are alive and may soon regain their freedom, an atmosphere of solemnity still pervades the anniversary. Some of the parents of the kidnapped girls have died in agony over the fate of their children, and for many, it remains a grief that their children are still in the custody of the abductors. Sadder still are some of the stories that have emerged about the fate of the girls remaining in captivity.

Few days after the negotiated release of the 21 girls last October, reports said about 114 of them had either died, been married off, or become radicalised and may not be willing to leave their Boko Haram kidnappers. The sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations said that only 83 of the kidnapped schoolgirls would be negotiated for when the Nigerian government resumed talks for their release. But was before two others were found.

If the reports are correct, it means over 40 per cent of the girls kidnapped in 2014 by Boko Haram stand no chance of returning alive or even being freed. For now, only 81 of the 276 girls may return.

The negotiations for the release of the girls were brokered by the Swiss government and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Though, the Nigerian government has denied claims

that the talks involved swap of captured Boko Haram terrorists for the girls or ransom payment, there are allegations that both conditions featured in the release of the 21 girls.

The kidnappings had sparked global outrage, with prominent figures such as U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai lending their weight to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign for the release of the girls. The BBOG group, led by former education minister Obiageli Ezekwesili, and comprising many female activists, has tried, through rallies and advocacy, to inspire proactive steps by the federal government to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls. The support of prominent Nigerians and foreigners lent the group a good deal of credibility. But it also tended to set them up as political pawns.

The then opposition All Progressives Congress had found in the BBOG group a close ally against the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the period before the 2015 general election. APC succeeded markedly in currying favour with the masses by identifying with the#BringBackOurGirls campaign.

But after winning the election, President Muhammadu Buhari and his APC have frowned on the campaign. In September last

year, the Nigeria Police labelled the Bring Back Our Girls group a “threat to public peace and order” and took steps to block their rallies.

The politics of the terrorist kidnap has continued, sometimes getting really messy.

In March last year, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, a PDP member, alleged that the story of the Chibok girls abduction was fake and politically motivated to sway public opinion against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general election. Fayose’s allegation was consistent with the initial sentiments of the Jonathan government, which was said to have disbelieved reports about the kidnap and delayed the authorisation of rescue operations, giving the insurgents ample room to consolidate their hold on the girls.

Fayose said on March 30 last year, while declaring open a two-day workshop on “Political Aspirants Capacity Enhancement,” organised

by Women Arise for Change Initiative, “I don’t think any of these girls is missing; it is a political strategy. Who is fooling who? If you wanted to use it to remove some people, you have succeeded already.

“I don’t know if there are missing girls but no indication has shown that. It is a political strategy, because I don’t think

any girl is missing. If they are missing, let them find them.”

But when in October 21 of the girls were released, Fayose retorted that it was a ploy by the APC government to divert public attention.

“It has become the practice of the All Progressives Congress-led federal government to divert the attention of Nigerians each time it goofs,” he said. “I keep my fingers crossed on this reported release of 21 Chibok girls. This is because we were once told by this same government that one of the girls was released and the girl, who was supposed to be writing Physics WAEC examination then, could not speak one sentence in English….

“Again, it was reported yesterday that Boko Haram bombed Maiduguri, Borno State and killed more than 10 people. How the same Boko Haram insurgents that bombed Maiduguri yesterday could release 21 Chibok girls today is a question Nigerians must ask.”

While the politics and advocacy around the April 2014 kidnappings continue, the fate of the schoolgirls still held remains uncertain. Buhari has promised to do all within his powers to ensure that they are rescued alive. But for now, the parents of the victims and Nigerians, generally, can only live in hope that one day the girls would come home.

the security and unity of the country, Abubakar said that the dangerous terrain of Sambisa Forest was being monitored daily to ensure that the insurgents did not restrategise against Nigerians.

He argued that there was no way for the terrorists to regroup in Sambisa Forest as airplanes were hovering on it day and night.

According to him, in the last one week there had not been any life in the Forest as no movement had been allowed in the area.

Abubakar said the Air Force was on red alert to deal with any threat in the former Boko Haram enclave. He expressed excitement about the comradeship existing between all the arms of the military especially in the counter-insurgency in the North-east.

Earlier presenting the assessment for the year ending 2016, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshall Nurudeen Balogun, said that the year was a good year for them especially in the various theatres where they are battling with criminals like, Sharan Daji, Delta Safe, Awatse and Lafiya Dole.

He revealed that in Operation Awatse, warplanes flew for 25 hours which translates to the consumption of 21,350 litres at N5.4 million; Sharan Daji with 181 missions which took 275.9 flying hours with 65,494 litres of fuel at the cost of N16.7 million.

The two other operations, Delta Safe had 382 sorties in 516 hours and 341,264 litres of fuel at a cost of N87 million; in Lafiya Dole where 1,994 missions were undertaken in 3,353 sorties in 6,500 hours of flight costing N2.7 billion.

Balogun said the potency of air power of the Air Force was displayed in the campaign against insurgents.

"The spread of security challenges led to the various operations like Awaste which has been on since 2010 where gun boats and illegal oil containers were taken out. Operation Sharandaji, was a response from

July to September 2016.

"Others include patrol of Kaduna Abuja railway tracks to ensure security and reduction of vandals where footage showed that criminals scattered as a result of aerial pounding. Also, 181 missions were conducted in this operation.

Balogun said that, "The above statistics underscores the immense contribution of the NAF towards decimating the BHT leadership, degrading major BHT lethal capabilities and blocking their supply routes.

"Additionally, these operations facilitated the recapture of other BHT occupied territories and paved the way for the establishment of government controls in these territories."

He said the Air Force also in the course of 2016 complemented the efforts of Federal Government by providing significant humanitarian assistance to various IDP camps in Borno and Adamawa states.

He said the people of the country should expect more from the Air Force as the experiences in the North-east, North-west, South-west and South-south axis of the country had brought to the fore a number of operational gaps in the application of airpower.

According to him, "It is the ability to learn from these experiences that would make the NAF more effective in the Year 2017. This experience underscore the need for a more effective intelligence gathering capability as well as night capability and precision guided munitions, good communication network and availability of aircraft critical spares.

"Also, the need for better synergy and understanding between the NAF and the surface forces as well as the need to enhance reach and endurance of NAF platforms called for the need to establish additional FOBs. The overall objective is to improve capabilities, methodology and refine processes with a view to ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in the application of airpower."

AKUFO-ADDO TAKES OVER IN GHANA, AS UNCERTAINTY BECLOUDS GAMBIA Taking the oath of office in the capital's Independence Square, he promised to "protect and defend" Ghana's constitution and said he would reduce taxes to boost the economy, adding that Ghana was now "opened for business again".

Akufo-Addo, from the New Patriotic Party, was elected on his third attempt to reach the post, after a campaign dominated by the country's faltering economy.

In contrast to Ghana however, there seems to be no end in sight for the impasse in The Gambia, where incumbent President Yahya Jammeh has rejected the results of elections he lost last month.

After initially conceding defeat and congratulating his opponent, Adama Barrow, Jammeh – who has been in power for 22 years - has decided to challenge the result of the election, rather than hand over power to Barrow on the scheduled date of January 19.

This is despite entreaties by fellow African heads-of-state, ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations.

ECOWAS leaders had earlier travelled to the Gambia to plead with Jammeh to hand over but he rebuffed their request and

has been talking tough since.

African leaders led by Nigeria’s President Buhari were to meet yesterday on the sidelines of Akufo-Addo’s inauguration, to take a decision on how to resolve the political crisis in The Gambia.

Buhari was designated as the Mediator for The Gambia along with immediate past president of Ghana, John Mahama, at the ECOWAS Summit held December 17, last year in Abuja.

The summit also gave the terms of reference to include ensuring the safety of the President-elect, Adama Barrow, the political leaders and the entire population; upholding the result of the presidential election held in the Gambia on December 1, 2016 and ensuring that the President-elect is sworn into office on January 19, 2017, in conformity with the constitution of the country.

According to a statement from the presidency, President Buhari remains optimistic of a peaceful resolution of the impasse, in line with the laws and the constitution of The Gambia, and that the inauguration of Adama Barrow as new president of The Gambia on January 19 is still possible.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

SUNDAY COMMENT LEGISLATIVE RASCALITY IN STATES

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Frequent impeachment of speakers of houses of assembly does much damage to our democracy

n what has become the latest game of musical chairs, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Azubuike was last week impeached. A new Speaker, Bishop Kennedy Njoku, representing Osisioma Ngwa North, was immediately elected to replace him. However, barely 24 hours later, Njoku announced his resignation “on personal grounds”, with speculations that he might have been forced out for political reasons by those who control the levers of power in the state.

On Tuesday, the Jigawa House of Assembly impeached its Speaker, Idris Garba and elected Isa Idris as replacement. The Clerk of the house, Hussaini Ali, who had earlier announced receiving an impeachment notice signed by 25 of the 30 assembly members, said the speaker was removed due to alleged high handedness and abuse of power. A week earlier, the Speaker of the Rivers State More often House of Assembly, Adams Dabotoruthan not at the dima, resigned from bottom of the office. Dabotorudima’s impeachments predecessor in office, Mr. saga is the trust Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, had deficit between similarly resigned a year a Speaker and earlier in December, 2015 under unclear circumhis colleagues stances. who often 25 July last year, suspect that their theOnSpeaker of the Edo leader may have State House of Assembly, been collecting Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, financial resigned after just two inducements from months in office. She the executive and took the decision to preempt an impeachfailing to bring ment motion that was it to the table for predicated on the “need fair sharing to ensure fairness in the political system, so that the three senatorial districts would be represented”.

Meanwhile, the sordid drama in the Kogi State House of Assembly in which the governor played a prominent part ended only recently.

Although the frequency of impeachment of speakers of Houses of Assembly may seem like a circus by some unserious political jesters, we are increas-

Letters to the Editor

ingly being marked down as a country where a constitutional instrument meant to enhance good governance is being abused and desecrated.

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

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

ith very little excuse and sometimes for pecuniary reasons, legislators have no qualms about impeaching their speakers. Yet behind most of the impeachments is the overbearing disposition of the executive in these states where the Governors lord themselves over the legislative arm of government which they seek to emasculate as was, for instance, the case in Kogi before it was resolved. But our democracy cannot develop under a situation in which the position of presiding officer in a legislative house would be so insecure.

It is noteworthy that Speakers do not have absolute powers of their own. They remain “executive heads” of the legislative branch by virtue of being elected by their peers; in other words, they are just first among equals. But the moment some of them are elevated to the office, they begin to hobnob with the executive branch, sometimes turning themselves into errand boys of their Governors at the expense of the Legislature. That has led to the undoing of some speakers. Yet the manner in which many have lost their jobs calls to question the seriousness with which the lawmakers perceive their assignment.

Although there are constitutional provisions for removing speakers and other erring public officers, assembly members most often invoke flimsy excuses for seeking the ouster of the incumbent office holder. Unfortunately, more often than not at the bottom of the impeachments saga is the trust deficit between a Speaker and his colleagues who often suspect that their leader may have been collecting financial inducements from the executive and failing to bring it to the table for fair sharing.

The immediate consequence of this interminable bickering in the legislative houses is its toll on the quality of debate and legislation for good governance in our country today. In fact, there is no serious legislative oversight in many of the states.

The ultimate victims of this unfortunate state of affairs are people of their states who are denied quality and effective representation. It is therefore time the lawmakers in the states put an end to the nonsense.

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

GRAZING LAND RESERVE AND SOUTHERN KADUNA KILLINGS

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e are watching with breath-taking amazement the level of reported destruction of lives and property going on in Southern Kaduna which had claimed about 808 lives while about 57 others suffered life threatening injuries in the hands of some suspected Fulani herdsmen. And more surprising was the body language from The Presidency. Until he was literally forced, the President kept mum on the mass killing that could be likened to a genocide.

However, the Sultan of Sokoto frowned at the wanton destruction of lives and property in the area.

The respected Traditional Ruler and Head of the Muslim Community in Nigeria–Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III - has even advised

President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el-Rufai to put an end to the crisis in the area. In his condemnation of the Southern Kaduna killings, the Sultan declared that fundamental Islamic law forbids the unlawful destruction of lives and property except for a just cause.

And according to reports, while defending his Principal, the Presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina had said that there was no need for the president to speak on the matter since the governor, El-Rufai is on top of the matter as the chief security officer (CSO) of the state. This is a governor that Rev. Father Paul Jatau has accused of being complacent in the handling of the contentious matter. In fact, the Rev. Father went ahead to allege that it was the refusal of the Southern Kaduna residents to turn their lands into grazing reserves of the Fulani herdsmen that formed

the bedrock of the crisis.

We are not really sure whether the Presidential spokesperson was quoted out of context or whether the statement actually emanated from him. About 808 human lives reportedly lost in a particular section of a federating unit. We are talking of human lives here and not livestock or chickens. What does it cost the authorities to condemn such unwarranted destruction in unmistaken terms before going ahead to investigate the matter with a view to getting to the root of the matter and put a final step to such ugly occurrences? Since the Sultan and the President of the NSCIA has strongly condemned the destruction and went ahead to advise both the president and the governor of the affected state on what to do, there is no need to further flog the matter.

But we will not cease in

offering our prayers for this current administration of President Buhari for Godly counsel to always prevail in their efforts to direct the affairs of this country.

The issue of Fulani herdsmen has become a recurrent decimal in our national security discourse. It is either they are involved in destruction of human lives and property or in destruction of farmers’ crops, kidnapping for ransom and sometimes armed robbery. And we thank God that the Sultan of Sokoto - himself a foremost Fulani man and scion of Othman Dan Fodio - has used several fora to condemn and distance himself from the activities of these rampaging herdsmen. It was revealed that these culprits are foreigners and not Nigerians. And if indeed they are itinerant / migrant Fulani herdsmen from foreign lands, should the government at whatever levels

continue to watch as they systematically disrupt the peace of our nation or any part thereof? This should be a food for thought for those that are concerned.

On its own reaction to the Southern Kaduna killings, apart from condemning such dastardly acts in strongest terms as the Sultan has done, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has admonished its members through a statement credited to the General Secretary of the body that Sunday, January 8, 2017 should be observed as a day to identify with the travails of the residents of Southern Kaduna through prayers and mourning.

Black has also been recommended as the dress code for the day to reflect the mood of the people.

––Gbemiga Olakunle ,JP General Secretary, NationalPrayer Movement

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

SUNDAYNEWS

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

Bring Back Our Girls Now and Alive, #BBOG Urges FG Abimbola Akosile

WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE L-R: CEO, WFM 91.7, Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; Executive Vice Chairman,

FAMFA Oil, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, and wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, at the 2016 edition of WFM 91.7 Voice of Women Conference And Awards in Lagos…recently

Adeboye Appoints Overseer for Nigeria, Remains Worldwide Leader Abimbola Akosile

In a surprise announcement yesterday, the General Overseer and spiritual head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, stepped aside as the General Overseer (in Nigeria) and announced the Assistant General Overseer (Finance) and Pastor-in-Charge of Region 2, Pastor Joseph Obayomi, as his successor; and also two other senior pastors as General Secretary and Treasurer for Nigeria respectively.

Making the announcement yesterday morning around 10am at the annual Ministers Thanksgiving Service which took place at the new Km3 by Km3 auditorium of the church located at Simawa, Ogun State, PastorAdeboyealsoannounced theappointmentofAssistantGeneral Overseer (Administration) and Pastor-in-Charge of Region 1, Pastor Funsho Odesola, as the GeneralSecretaryforRCCGNigeria, and the Financial Controller, PastorJosephAdeyokunuasthe Treasurer of RCCG Nigeria.

However,Adeboye,popularly calledDaddyGObyRCCGmembers who number over a billion globally, remains the General Missioner and spiritual leader of thechurchworldwide,according toamemoissuedyesterdaybythe church, which was titled ‘New

Structure in RCCG Nigeria’ and sent to all Assistant General Overseers, Special Assistants to the General Overseer both home and abroad, Pastors in Charge of Regions, Pastors in ChargeofProvincesandCountry Coordinators.

The memo which was signed bytheAssistantGeneralOverseer (Administration) Pastor Funsho Odesola, who is now the new General Secretary, noted that “Sequel to some legal provisos guiding the operations of registeredReligiousOrganisationsand Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria,RCCGinNigerianowhas anOverseer,aGeneralSecretary and a Treasurer”.

The memo also informed the senior pastors that the new structure is particular to Nigeria alone, “as Pastor E.A. Adeboye, DaddyG.O.remainstheSpiritual Leader and Global Missioner of theRedeemedChristianChurch of God. Kindly pass this information down to Ministers and workersinyourdomaintofurther enhance their understanding about this new structure”.

PastorObayemi’sappointment as Nigeria’s new overseer was madeincompliancewiththenew legal requirements set up by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeriaforallregisteredchurches, mosques, and CSOs, which stipulate that heads of non-profit organisationslikechurchesnow

have a maximum period of 20 years to lead their organisations while in retirement.

THISDAY also gathered from informed pastoral sources, who were present at the ministers’ thanksgivingservice,thatObayemi’s appointment was purely administrativeandthatAdeboye remains the General Missioner of the RCCG worldwide, the spiritual head of the church, and the Chairman of the Governing Council of the church.

According to Adeboye, who would be celebrating his 75thbirthday on March 2, Pastor Obayemi has for long been representing the RCCG church atvariousmeetingsconvenedby boththeChristianAssociationof Nigeria(CAN)andthePentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and he would continue to do so inhisnewcapacityastheGeneral OverseerinNigeriaalongsidehis other supervisory duties.

Meanwhile, Pastor Adeboye was also said to have disclosed at the ministers’ meeting that he wouldalsocontinueinhiscapacity as the General Missioner on thegloballevel,andalsocontinue to coordinate the monthly Holy Ghost Service (HGS), the annual Conventionwhichtakesplacein August, the annual Congress which takes place in December, and the Let’s go a Fishing evangelism programme which takes place during Easter and

Christmas periods.

Meanwhile in response to numerous enquiries from shocked members of the RCCG around theglobe,anotherstatementwas issued yesterday by the church, clarifying that Pastor Adeboye only relinquished his position as head of the Nigeria church but will remain RCCG’s worldwide overseer.

According to a statement signed by Leke Adeboye, the clergyman’slastsonandpersonal assistant,theannouncementofa newNigeriaoverseerwasmadein compliancewiththenewlegalrequirementssetupbytheFinancial ReportingCouncil ofNigeriafor allregisteredchurches,mosques, and CSOs, which stipulate that heads of non-profit organisations like churches now have a maximum period of 20 years to lead their organisations while in retirement. Such heads are also not permitted to hand over to their families.

Leke Adeboye advised all members of RCCG to “understand this new structure and go about their service to God and humanity in holiness and soul winning”.

“Weappealtomemberstoeducatepeoplearoundthemandnot spread inaccurate information, as Pastor E.A Adeboye remains the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide,” the statement added.

APC Leadership to Wade into Crisis in North-west Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it will step in to settle the conflict involving its members in North-west zone.

The zone had witnessed seriousturbulenceinatleasttwostate chapters,KanoandKaduna,with the recent conflict between the North-westNationalViceChairman,InuwaAbdul-Kadirandthe Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai threatening the

unity of the zonal chapter of the party.

While addressing a news conference on Friday in Abuja, Abdul-Kadirhadallegedthatthe Kaduna governor was behind an orchestrated campaign of calumny against him. He also said the Kaduna Governor had threatenedtobeathimupduring oneofreconciliatorymeetingsin the presence of others governors from the zone.

However,theNationalPublicity Secretary of APC, Mallam BolajiAbdullahihassaidtheparty

leadershipinAbujawillrespond appropriatelytotheclashbetween El-rufai and Abdul-Kadir.

The ruling party spokesman, who spoke to THISDAY on telephone on yesterday, disagreed with the notion that the crisis has engulfed the north-west zone of the party.

“The party has taken note of the comments made by the ZonalViceChairmanatthepress conference and I can assure you we will respond appropriately. I do not want to see what is going on between the two party men

as crisis, you know politics by its nature is bound to breed conflict and when there is conflict, it does not mean that automatically you have crisis. Whenever you have conflict, they will be addressed,” he said.

Onwhetherthepartyisaware ofthemisunderstandingbetween bothmen,thespokesmansaid:“I amsurethismatterwillbetabled at the appropriate hierarchy, but the first thing is for the party to establishtheveracityofthereports anduntilthen,itwillnottakeany position on the matter.”

As the world today marks a historic 1,000 days of the abduction of 276 school-girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, the Federal Government was yesterday urged to bring back alive the remaining 195 girls who are still missing and re-unite them with their parents.

Thecall,whichurgedPresident Muhammadu Buhari to rescue and bring back the girls without any more excuses or delays, was contained in a release issued by the members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) Campaign drawn from Lagos, Abuja, New York and Washington DC in the United States.

Thereleasenotedthatsincethe day of the abduction on April 14, 2014, when the 279 schoolgirls wereabducted,57ofthegirlshave escaped; 4 have been found; 21 have been released, with four infants with the girls; 19 parents ofsomeoftheabductedgirlshave died,while195girlsarestillmissing and remain in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists Italsounveiledaseven-dayplan ofactiontomarkthe1,000daysof the captivity of the Chibok Girls, which began with a speak-out and conversation in Lagos and Washington yesterday and is to end with a street march on Saturday, January 14 in Abuja.

The twelve signatories to the releaseincludedAbiolaAkiyodeAfolabi, BBOG Lagos; Aisha Oyebode, BBOG Lagos; Aisha Yesufu, BBOG Abuja; Ayo Obe, BBOG Lagos; Babasola Olalere, BBOGLagos;EvonIdahosa,BBOG NewYork;HabibaBalogun,BBOG Lagos; Lola Adele-Oso, BBOG Washington, DC; Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome, BBOG NY; Ngozi Iwere, BBOG Lagos; Oby Ezekwesili, BBOG Abuja; ‘Yemi Adamolekun,BBOGLagos,and Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, BBOG Lagos.

According to the release titled ‘#Day1000GlobalWeekofAction January 7 – 14, 2017’, the campaigners noted “We must keep demandingthatourChibokGirls andallotherNigeriansabducted byBokoHaramarerescuedand united with their families.

“On Sunday, January 8, 2017, it will be 1,000 days since 276 schoolgirls were abducted from theirschoolinChibok,BornoState, Nigeria by terrorists on the night of April 14, 2014. 57 girls escaped withindaysoftheabductionand 219 were taken into captivity.

“Since then, 4 girls have been found–September24,2014;May 18,2016;November5,2016&January5,2017.3ofthemhaveinfants.

The Federal Government with assistancefromtheInternational CommitteeoftheRedCrossand the Swiss Government successfully negotiated the release of 21 girlsonOctober13th,2016,oneof whom has an infant. In the two yearsandninemonthssincetheir daughtersweresnatchedaway,19 parentshavedied.195ChibokGirls remain in the hands of terrorists.

“Ten weeks ago when the 21 ChibokGirlsreturned,theNigeriangovernmentsaidthatbased ontheirdiscussions,83moregirls wouldreturn‘soon’.Nothinghas beensaidofthemsincethattime.

The BBOG Movement worries that the Nigerian government

has, once again, relapsed to the samecomplacency,lethargy,and inertiathathasbeenrecurrenton this tragedy.

“What else explains the fact that despite all assurances that the release of another 83 Chibok Girlsisbeingnegotiated,therehas beennofurthercommunication on the status of their release?”

“We are doubly disappointed that the Federal Government contradicted itself by the recent declaration and celebration of the capture of Sambisa Forest as the end of the war. This action is contrary to the pledge that Mr. President and the military have maderepeatedlythattheywould not declare victory without the rescue of our Chibok Girls and all other abducted victims of terrorist abduction.

“Sambisa’s ‘Camp Zero’ is the same stronghold in which the Federal Government stated thatthegirlswerebeingheldand the 21 released were from there.

Should parents, communities, Nigeriansandtheworldassume thattheFederalGovernmenthas givenupontheChibokGirlsand other abductees?

“AswiththeJonathanadministration, the Buhari administration’sresponsetoissuesaboutthe Chibokgirlsisrepresentativeofits handlingofotherissues–insecurity,welfareofinternallydisplaced persons,militarywelfare,corruption and poor governance”, the release noted.

“Painfully, #Day1000 of their tragic abduction is in two days and there has been no status report provided by the Federal Government. As such, we are constrained to resume our various activities to mark this tragic milestone,expectingMrPresident toregardthis#Day1000milestone as an overdue time to bring this horrific saga to an end.

“Weshallthereforecarryouta series of activities for a period of one week to compel our Federal Governmenttoacceleratethedecisionandactionsnecessarytobring backtherestofourChibokGirlsto ananxiouslywaitingnation.Our actionsshallalsoservetoremind Nigerians and the international communityaboutthecontinued state of insecurity in Nigeria.

“The ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ familiesinAbuja,Lagos,NewYork & Washington, DC will embark onthefollowingactions:Saturday, January 7th – Day 999 Lagos: Regular ‘Speak Out Saturday’ at FalomoRoundabout,Ikoyi,while inWashington,DC:HelonHabila, author of ‘The Chibok Girls: The Boko Haram Kidnappings and IslamistMilitancyinNigeria’,will beinconversationwithEmmanuel Ogebe,aNigerianhumanrights lawyer and surrogate father to a fewoftheescapedgirlswhonow live in the U.S. 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, DC 20008. 6pm.

“On Sunday, January 8, Day 1,000, there will be a solidarity marchatUnityFountaininAbuja at 3pm, while another solidarity march begins at Society for Advancement of Judaism (SAJ), 15 West86thStreet,ManhattanNew York at 12:30 pm and ends at The House of the Lord Church, 415 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn for a vigil at 4pm. The BBOG Family willbejoinedbyinterfaithleaders; elected officials from New York City & State; and Heads of UN Agencies and Working Groups.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

SUNDAYNEWS A New Dawn Has Come to Ghana, Says Tinubu Anayo Okolie

ROYAL BLESSING R-L: Senator representing Delta North, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, receiving blessing from the Chairman, Delta State Council of Tra-

ditional Rulers, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor, the Obi of Owa-Oyibu, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, when Senator Nwaoboshi paid a New Year Homage on the royal fathers at the palace of the Obi of Owa-Oyibu...yesterday

PDP Condemns Dismissal of Police Officers Attached to Wike • Wike pledges support for affected officers

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The national leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed dismay over the dismissal of six police officers attached to the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday.

The party, which described the allegations levelled against the officers as concocted and a ruse, demanded their immediate reinstatement by the authorities of the Force.

In a statement issued by the PDP Spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the opposition party said the Police action in sacking the officers without opportunity to openly defend themselves, was against their basic human rights. It also said the police officers were being punished for failing to do the

bidding of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who planned to use the security agents to manipulate the re-run election.

“We condemn in strong terms the dismissal of six police officers attached to the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday.

The offense adduced for their secret trial and subsequent dismissal was a mere concoction and a ruse.

“The hurried dismissal of these police men is another valid pointer to the pre-election rigging plans and the assassination attempt on Governor Wike by the APC led administration before the December 10, 2016 re/run elections in Rivers State. It will be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force withdrew over 70 percent of its personnel deployed to Rivers State

Government House and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor few days to the Elections.

“It is obvious by this latest action that the APC led administration after the failed assassination attempt on Governor Wike, decided to punish the six police officers who defended their oath of office and job ethics by refusing to carry out the hatchet plans.”

PDP said the accusation of “professional misconduct” leveled against the officers who were only performing their constitutional duties by the Police hierarchy is a slap on the rule of law, ethical responsibility of police duties and the tenets of democratic values.

“This is unacceptable and the dismissed officers should be reinstated immediately in the interest of professionalism, justice, equity, and fair play.

This call for their immediate re-instatement is equally in the interest of the Nigerian Police to save the battered image of the Force.

“Otherwise, this action will be further understood to mean that the Police surely has something to hide but instead played to the gallery with this contraption as a cover up to their hidden agenda and the atrocities committed by some of its men during the Rerun elections.

“It is a well-known fact that the security agencies in Rivers State during the re-run elections threw caution to the wind and worked assiduously in favour of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These and many more unholy activities of officers and men of the Force should be of serious concern to a well-meaning government. “

Royal Fathers to Ensure ‘Runaway’ Candidates Don’t Win Elections • Senator Nwaoboshi thanks traditional rulers for backing Okowa Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Owa-Oyibu in Ika NorthEast Local Government Area of the state, HRM (Dr.) Emmanuel Efeizomor, has warned that traditional would henceforth work harder to ensure that politicians who were not in touch with their people do not win any elections.

Efeizomor gave the warning in his remarks during a special New Year homage to the traditional rulers in the state, particularly those from Delta North senatorial district, for supporting the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, organised by Senator Peter Nwaobshi and held at the palace of the Obi of Owa-Oyibu.

The state traditional council chairman lamented that many politicians had in the past come to meet their people while seeking elective positions as aspirants

or candidates even though such politicians lived far away and far withdrawn from their people at the grassroots.

When such men and women manage to get into office, they often exhibit oppressive styles, trample on the people who they are supposed to represent and contribute very little or nothing to the development of their communities, he observed.

Efeizomor, who noted that he was well aware of the antics of most elective office seekers in the state having been on the throne of his forefathers for 50 years, stressed that what the royal fathers wanted to see was development of their respective communities rather than the money politicians throw around to capture power though the ballot box.

According to him, the traditional rulers have given unalloyed support to the Okowa-led government because he has

not only demonstrated that he is a leader in touch with the grassroots over the years, but has also made visible efforts to touch most communities in the state with various development projects.

He sued for unity particularly among the people of Anioma Nation (Delta North), saying they should rally support for Okowa, forge a common front and speak with one voice in order to attract development to their area.

While thanking Senator Nwaoboshi for according the traditional institution in the state due recognition and respect, Obi Efeizomor said the traditional rulers were prepared to frustrate the efforts of elective office seekers who have not shown evidence of consistent empowerment and support of their people before seeking such offices.

He therefore advised politicians to use the money they throw around during elections

to empower their own people, pay school fees for the less privileged or render various support in the development efforts of their communities.

In his remarks, Nwaoboshi thanked the royal fathers for the support for him as well as for Governor Okowa, saying such support and encouragement was invaluable for the success of the numerous development projects of the governor. He noted that despite the prevailing financial crunch in the country, the governor has zealously embarked on “development of infrastructure, provision of social amenities and economic empowerment programmes.”

He said the governor has done well so far and at the right time he (Nwaoboshi) would confidently come to appeal to the people through the traditional rulers to give Okowa a chance for a deserved second term of office.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has congratulated Ghana’s new President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Vice President, Mahamadu Bawumia, over their inauguration, saying a new dawn has come to Ghana.

He described Akufo-Addo as a seasoned administrator and diplomat from a strong political family, saying with him, Ghana is headed for greater heights. Asiwaju Tinubu also congratulated Ghana for setting the right democratic example for Africa.

HesaidinastatementbyhisMedia Office on Saturday: “I congratulate Ghana’s new President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Vice President, Mahamadu Bawumia. The people of Ghana have chosen right. AkufoAddo is a seasoned administrator, diplomat and hails from a strong political family in Ghana.

“With him at the helm, Ghana is poised for greater heights. He has been in government before as Foreign Affairs Minister and comes prepared for the office he has sought for two times unsuccessfully. His election is a testa-

ment to perseverance, vision and commitment.

“I also congratulate Ghana for setting the right example for Africa. With transition not only from one leader to another but also from one government to another, from a governing party to an opposition party, that country’s democracy is maturing.

“Indeed, it’s a new dawn for Ghana. President Akufo-Addo must now join our President, Muhammadu Buhari, in the task of taking Africa to the next level.

“I must congratulate Ghanaians for the peaceful election and orderly transition. The conduct of all involved in the election shows that democracy has been firmly established in Ghana. As has been its tradition, Ghana has once again helped to lead Africa in the way it must go. The Black Star truly shines for all of Africa!

“I commend former President John Mahama for his courage and gallantry. He has helped to further stabilise democracy in Ghana. By conceding defeat even before the winner had been called, President Mahama had demonstrated that he is a true democrat and a progressive leader” Tinubu added.

Constellation Sets Q1 Date for NLP Licensed Practitioner’s Programme Constellation (INL), an international consulting and coaching company has concluded arrangements for a nine-day NLP Licensed practitioner training, which promises to be a landmark event in management executive training for corporate Nigeria.

The coaching programme which holds from March 2017 will see Constellation imparting knowledge from its flagship training course outline, the NeuroLinguistic Programming Licensed Practitioner International Certification program. Geared towards imbibing a culture of coaching, people enhancement, communication, and change management skills in leaders of organizations, the programme is expected to benefit major top executives and senior H.R. Practitioners in corporate Nigeria and West Africa.

Accordingtoareleaseissuedby the organization, the programme is in line with the global shift from

classroom based training to other forms of experiential learning such as coaching. The NLP certification is targeted at helping leaders deviate from the traditional ‘carrot and stick’ and ‘threaten and train’ approach which causes several forms of negative results such as early burnout, low commitment, poor performance, among others.

Fit for this programme are a wide array of persons in leadership positions such as Board Executives, Sales teams, Influencers, H.R Practitioners, Experienced Trainers, Teachers et al.

“NLP is the most practical, results-driven method there is for detecting, understanding and controlling our conscious and unconscious thinking. Constellation Group will show participants how to harness the power of NLP and apply it to yourself and others - individually, in business and as a coach at our NLP Practitioner Training”, the release added.

FFAF Announces 2017 Edition of Women on the Winning Edge Reverend Funke Felix- Adejumo Foundation has announced the 2017 edition of Women on the Winning Edge. Holding on January 14 to 15 at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos Nigeria, Women on the Winning Edge is a female development initiative organised to help women reach their potential.

An annual event, led by Mrs. Funke Felix-Adejumo will see 16 exceptional speakers address a wide range of female focused issues over two days including Mrs. Joel Odumakin, Pastor Mrs. Nike Adeyemi, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, First Ladies of Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara states and many others.

Funke Felix Adejumo foundation is a developmental agency set up to help women

fulfill their purpose as mothers, wives, careerists, friends and nation builders.

The conference, which is its first, is one of the signature events of the FFA Foundation, along with the Mother’s Summit, Grace Orphanage Projects and “The Woman” Programme The event is targeted at every woman, single, married, divorced, single mothers, all and every woman.

The FFAF foundation is a development agency founded

by Felix-Adejumo to empower women to improve humanity.

She is a female enthusiast, with many women developmental projects. A Bible teacher, conference speaker, her principal objective for setting up the foundation is to bless and empower women.

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SUNDAY JANUARY 8, 2017 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JANUARY 8, 2017

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JANUARY 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION

Taking Back Our Nation

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The one resolution that will matter this New Year is buying Nigerian, writes Obi Adigwe

here is no doubt that 2016 was a difficult year for many Nigerians, on both personal and organisational levels. During the year, the country’s economy slipped into a recession. This together with the attendant terminations, factory closures, retrenchments, and drop in living standards occasioned by the inflation, meant that 2016 was an ‘Annus Horribilis’ for many. This New Year however presents an opportunity for ordinary Nigerians like us to take back our country. I posit a simple yet powerful New Year resolution that will enable us collectively pull our country out of the current morass and set it firmly on the path of greatness that I strongly believe that we can achieve. Although it has always been my modus operandi, this year I will make a more deliberate and conscious effort to patronise made-in-Nigeria products and services. I now enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians and residents of our country to also make a point of requesting and ensuring that the products and services they patronise and commission are local.

Earlier, I posited that this resolution, if adopted nationally, would rescue us from the recession and enable us regain our greatness. Some of the overarching policy objectives that can be achieved by increasing national consumption of locally made products and services include a reduction of our chronic dependence on foreign exchange, as well as a rapid and wide-ranging development of our local industries and service providers. It will also increase the appeal of our local industries to foreign investment, especially when the targeted patronage is considered alongside our considerable market size, as well as our gateway status to sub-Saharan Africa.

Medium term objectives that this initiative can help achieve include the development of local human and organisational capacity in various developmental sectors, as well as the stimulation of relevant and ‘fit for purpose’ research to address contextual issues peculiar to the Nigerian setting. In the long term, fidelity to this initiative will ensure that Nigeria leverages on its significant population and position to develop an economy that is not only self-sufficient in all critical areas, but is also dominant in regional and global politics and policy making.

From personal experience, I can attest to the quality of made-in-Nigeria products in many sectors. I bought my first house in Abuja when Olusegun Obasanjo and Nasir el-Rufai auctioned government houses early in the last decade. The building I bought was literally on the verge of collapse and required rebuilding from scratch. Among the materials my contractors used, were Nigerian electrical cables. These have lasted almost two decades now, whereas my contemporaries have reported that the imported ones they used have all melted or malfunctioned. Another similar but even more important example relates to locally produced medicines.

Anyone who has kids, knows that you do not joke with their

health, right? Now fathom that despite the fact that my children were all born in Europe and America, I have always preferred to administer made-in-Nigeria medicines to them. I have so much faith and trust in our medicines that in addition to when they use our products here in Nigeria, I have been known to take Nigerian medicines for their use, when they resided in the UK. There are however some critics that will still insist on making comments about the quality of Nigerian products and services.

Yes, I agree that there are a few other sectors where more could be done to bring local products and services to the highest international standards, but then, without the kind of patronage I propose, companies will be hard pressed to make the sort of investment that would result in world class quality. Besides, there are now a range of strategies that can be used to increase accountability and responsiveness, which will in turn help improve quality of local products and services. Some of these include increased activity by statutory agencies of government, review sections of relevant websites and robust social media engagement in the quality debate. Other strategies that exist elsewhere, which can be adopted in the Nigerian setting to further improve quality include mystery shopping as well as ranking websites and applications.

For those in charge of growth and development strategies for their companies and organisations, I also have a piece free of advice to offer. There has not been a better time than now, to invest in local capacity, as well as build or improve relevant production infrastructure. Firstly, due to the FOREX scarcity in Nigeria, investors from outside the country have the most bang for their buck right now.

However, with the recent OPEC deal and the increasing likelihood of a calm Niger Delta, the National FOREX issue may soon be resolved and this window may soon close. Secondly,

The fight against corruption must be holistic. The dragnet of anti-corruption must spread across all divides. I expect the Buhari administration to clamp down on corrupt officers within his administration, without having sacred cows

policy directives from the Presidency are increasingly focused on improving patronage of goods and services produced locally. This is part of government’s overall strategy for developing local industries. The implication is that as government programmes unfold over the next few years, the policy milieu will most likely be more favourable for organisations producing locally, compared to those that rely on importation. Thirdly, a review of the current administration’s policies will reveal that encouraging the patronage of local goods and services is one area where there is significant coherence and consonance, amongst various arms as well as levels of government. It therefore means that in terms of patronising local goods and services, legislation from the National Assembly is likely to dovetail into policies from the executive, and vice -versa. There is also emerging evidence that a number of state governments are developing various initiatives along the lines of the resolution proposed here.

These are just a few of the points that company executives, board members and shareholders should consider, if they want to maintain or increase their market share in Nigeria.

To ensure that government is faithful to the initiative being pushed by the current administration, directors general, permanent secretaries and other chief executives of government MDAs must ensure that Nigerian goods and services are favoured in procurement exercises, while still conforming to relevant international laws. Nigerian companies and local contractors should also study the procurement laws and leverage on existing advantages for companies that produce locally. On the private side, owners of businesses should endeavour to stock and recommend locally made products and services. In order to ensure that everyone one does their own bit, shop attendants and clerks should also be trained to identify the source of goods and services, as well as endeavour to offer Nigerian products as first choice to customers.

Customers, clients and consumers however represent the most important part of the equation. In tandem with the resolve to buy local so as to take back your nation, you need to specifically ask for made-in Nigeria products and services, and even when you are served, you must verify by checking the label.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that in the face of adversity, most Nigerians abdicate all responsibility and defer to government for both blame and solution. There is however incontrovertible and empirical proof that citizen-led initiatives such as the targeted patronage proposed here, can lead to an about-face in national fortunes. The entertainment industry, has witnessed a paradigm shift from being foreign-dominated just over a decade ago, to the current setting, where our tastes and proclivities in the sector are almost totally local.

–– Dr. Adigwe is a Proponent of Systems’ Theory and an expert in policy and strategy

Year 2017: My Wish List

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Israel Ebije urges President Buhari to put a smile on the faces of Nigerians

hough the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari may have staggered several times against the tempestuous waves in a journey to direct Nigeria towards a path of social, economic and political change, his resilience against the hydra-headed monster of corruption and security malaise will remain indelible and indeed a major reason why he had a cult followership at the polls in 2015.

He may not have picked an omnidirectional approach in his allegedly skewed fight against corruption, but his determination against North–eastern terrorism has paid off despite meeting the military in its most politicised, demoralised state. The victory against the immediate past tenants of Sambisa forest is indeed remarkable and a show of will power against all odds.

According to Pauline Kael who added more words to a quote in 1800, asserted that “where there is a will, there is a way. If there is a chance in a million that you can do something, anything, to keep what you want from ending, do it. Pry the door open or, if need be, wedge your foot in the door and keep it open.” The availability of fuel in 2016 Yuletide is another testament to the resilience of the present administration to bring about traceable, positive change.

The president means well for Nigeria, at least if that will make him deny critics of poisonous appraisal, and keeps his cult followers firmly behind him. Sadly, we are all Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more.

One. Psychological defeat of terror: Let me humbly start with this all-important area. It is instructive to intimate that the battle against terror may have yielded physical results in Borno State but the war is not yet over. While the president should be commended for his strides in combating Boko

Haram, the federal government must work on correcting the psychology of Nigerians against terror mentality, which has festered over the years.

Provision of jobs/food, social welfare/infrastructure, reduces incidents of youth involvement in terror organisations. Emphasis must also be geared against religious hate preachers. Schools and places of worship must make moral instruction a priority. The government should also impose stiff penalties against terrorists and terror sponsors.

The issue of rampaging herdsmen, Niger Delta militants must be handled within the rules of engagement. Buhari must never tell Nigerians via his spokespersons that he doesn’t have to comment on every terror attack. If the spokespersons can comment on his silence, they’d better use that space to condemn violence on his behalf.

Two. Anti-corruption war, beyond rhetoric: It is important for the president to embrace the fact that corruption is responsible for terrorism, poverty, fragmented interests and polarised structure in the country. The fight against corruption must be holistic. The dragnet of anti-corruption must spread across all divides. I expect the Buhari administration to clamp down on corrupt officers within his administration, without having sacred cows.

The most positive anti-corruption weapon is good salaries for civil servants, stable economic environment for business and peace across societies. Once people can manage their resources, the urge to be corrupt won’t be on the high side. We will however traverse no remarkable distance once Nigerians are hungry, angry and despondent.

Three. Cabinet change: I expect Buhari to effect immediate cabinet change. Most of his ministers have performed abysmally. Many analysts insist Buhari is indeed surrounded by misfits as co-travellers in the change

administration. It is believed that most of the ministers are either inexperienced or too corrupt to be focused on people-based agenda and patriotic in national interest.

President Buhari must be courageous enough to remove “unproductive” public officials in his administration. We have seen remarkable progress in the fight against terror on account of having the right military officers in their beats of competence. We must have well-vested professionals to turn the economy around.

Once cabinet is changed to replace people who do not know our foreign reserve, those who do not know the right economic policies or those who use billions to either cut or buy grass, the economy will bounce back.

A good economy will positively affect morale of citizens, which will in turn reduce corruption, terrorism, splinter agitations.

Four. Avoid skewed appointments: President Buhari must avoid the mistake of concentrating most appointments on people from the North. His waves of appointments in the military and civil environments have been largely sentimental. It has indeed pegged him as a leader ingrained in nepotism.

Going by the present appointments, Northerners have been given priority over other parts of the country. If the president will yield to calls to shake up his cabinet he must apply the federal character policy. The present status quo has copiously fragmented the country and further aggravated the sick call for republic of Biafra.

My wish list is endless. It is my desire for him to leave an indelible mark that will redefine Nigeria economically, politically and socially.

––Ebije, ebije05@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

LETTERS

An Open Letter to President Buhari

I

prefer to write a personal letter to you, because I don’t have a better channel. I pray it reaches you through this medium.

As an ardent supporter of change and your candidacy as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2007,2011, and 2015, I have no regret whatsoever of voting you and will surely do the same come 2019 should you indicate interest to come back. Your impressive pedigree as a former head of state and holder of many important positions in our great country gave me and millions of other Nigerians the hope that you can effectively deliver on the much anticipated change Nigerians are hungry of for decades.

Change is not always about good things, change can be stressful, costly and at times destructive. The most important thing is how we anticipate it and the way we react to it when it finally comes.

Nigerians laboured for a change with high expectations mostly for a better living condition, peaceful coexistence, improved power supply, employment, among others.

Sir, there is no doubt Nigerians have suffered in the hands of the previous administration. Even in the oil boom era, our foreign reserve kept going down due to their ‘I don’t care attitude’ to track corruption

Buhari

and nonchalant notion that stealing is not corruption. It is generally understood that the present economic woes are not unconnected with the way and manner the previous government squandered our resources.

Mr President Sir, while we understand the monumental fraud and unchecked corruption in the previous government, you were elected with a clear mandate - to rescue our economy, eliminate insurgency and insurgents, create employment, kill corruption before it kills us, among other pressing needs.

Twenty months after your swearing in, a lot has been done

and a lot is yet to be done.

Sir, 2016 was a terrible year in terms of economic growth and development. Inflation, the biggest enemy of the year made life difficult to almost every Nigerian especially the low income earners. According to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in January 2016, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 9.6% as at January. The CPI rose steadily and freely. In November, 2016, the CPI hit 18.48% (almost double) the highest since 2006, a disturbing trend indeed. The CBN alone seems incapable of containing the situation. The prices of sugar, salt, electricity

bills, house rent, everything, are up. For the CPI to be rising for the 11th month is not funny at all, it’s either we’re not doing enough or we are doing the wrong thing.

Sir, the modus operandi of your anti-graft war needs to be sanitised. Most Nigerians appreciate the way and manner your government is fighting past corrupt practices which ordinarily should serve as a warning to officials on board; unfortunately your government is not doing enough in tracking corrupt officials in your cabinet the way it is done to officials in the previous administration. I don’t want to mention names here, but I believe as a president that belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody, we expect to see tougher actions against corrupt officials close to you.

Corruption is everywhere today in Nigeria; most Nigerians never dreamt of giving N20 to security personnel on our highways 20 months after a Buhari presidency. This is happening on daily basis Sir. Since stealing is now believed to be corruption, we want to see a more proactive approach in tracking corrupt practices.

Sir, many Nigerians listen to your speech during the presentation of 2017 budget to the NASS not for the sake of its contents alone but to witness

LAGOS AND THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF 2016

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ear 2016 was certainly a crucial year for Lagos state. It was a year in which the state scored many remarkable firsts, thereby further attesting to its rising profile as the nation’s acclaimed Centre of Excellence’.

A major highlight of 2016 in the state and, indeed, the country at large, is the grand entrance of LAKE Rice, the product of a joint agro- venture between Lagos and Kebbi States, into the market. The product currently sells at designated points across the state. Considering the current harsh economic reality in the country, its roll out, no doubt, offers good tidings to Lagosians as it is believed that it would cushion the effect of economic recession to a great extent. The price is equally largely reasonable when compared with that of imported rice of same quantity.

Aside providing soccour for local consumers, one major goal of the LAKE Rice Project is economic diversification.

Presently, the need for economic diversification in our country cannot be over emphasised. Faced with a bleak economic prospect brought about by an agonising economic recession, this, indeed, is the exact time for governments at all levels to embrace every creative strategy that would fast track economic emancipation. It is, therefore, quite commendable that the Lagos and Kebbi State Governments are already leading the way in this direction.

Another landmark

attainment of Lagos State in the previous year was the discovery of crude oil along the Badagry axis of the state.

Consequently, the federal government has approved four of the discovered five Aje Oil wells. With this, the state effectively entered into the league of oil producing states in the country and as such now entitled to the monthly disbursement of statutory 13 per cent derivation fund as an oil producing entity. It should be stressed that that the commencement of oil production from Aje oil field

by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited is the first time oil is being produced outside the Niger Delta basin and, therefore, of a significance in diversifying the source of crude and gas production in the country.

The Lagos feat has kick-started the path to diversification of oil production in Nigeria.

The landmark accomplishment came after several missed targets for the achievement of first oil, the latest being March last year. Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, a wholly-owned indigenous firm and operator of the OML 113 offshore Lagos, had announced the commencement of production of crude oil from the field.

Other partners are New Age Exploration Nigeria Limited, EER (Colobus) Nigeria Limited, Pan Petroleum (Panoro Energy) Aje Limited and PR Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited.

2016 further consolidated the plan of the state government to transform Lagos into the entertainment hub of Africa. This

was largely achieved through an increasing commitment to the ideals of T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sporting Excellence. In 2016, Lagos hosted a few international and continental entertainment events such as an evening of Jazz and AFRIMA. Similarly, the maiden edition of Lagos Street Party was held in 2016 while Lagos equally had an astonishing showing at the 2016 edition of Nottingham and Toronto Carnivals where eight films produced by Lagos State-based filmmakers were selected for red-carpet premieres and screenings.

The 2016 edition of the now famous One Lagos Fiesta capped the entertainment landmark of Lagos in 2016. The event held concurrently across the five major divisions of the state viz- a -viz at Agege, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Lagos Island. The plan is to guarantee that every part of the state was given the opportunity to have a taste of the stimulating experience.

In other to empower budding artistes, a talent hunt event tagged: “Lagos Got Talent” was incorporated into 2016 OLF. Participants cut across the five divisions in the state. Epe-born promising musical star, Ogunlaja Ahmed aka Mr. Dollar emerged overall winner just as 18 years old Ikorodu-born rapper, Abiodun Blessing aka Candy Bliss was the runner up.

In 2016, Lagos became a huge construction site as major infrastructure development programme became visible

across the state. For example, the construction of the reinforced concrete fly-over and signalised intersection at Ajah Roundabout was being undertaken simultaneously with the rehabilitation of Freedom Road in Lekki, with a view to reducing the heavy traffic being recorded at Ajah Roundabout and Lekki- Ikoyi axis.

While the Ajah project is aimed at easing movement of residents and commuters on the Lagos Island-Ibeju-Lekki areas, the construction of the reinforced concrete dual-carriage flyover at Abule-Egba junction will bring relief to millions of commuters plying Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Alimosho, Agege and IfakoIjaiye Local Government Areas of the state.

Similarly, construction work on the pedestrian bridge at Ojodu-Berger along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with provision for the physically challenged, was completed last year. The project with provision for 200m laybys on either side of the expressway for commuters to disembark and embark from the buses has already led to drastic reduction in traffic gridlock along the axis.

Perhaps, the most audacious infrastructure development stride of the state government in 2016 is the construction of 114 roads in 57 local governments/local council development areas.

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

how you will caution the NASS on budget padding.

To our great dismay, nothing was said about it, an action that makes us to feel you’ve endorsed the scandal.

Silence they say is complicity.

Abdulmumin Jibrin, the former chairman house committee on appropriation has said enough to have driven you to act appropriately. In August last year, Jibrin wrote a comprehensive letter to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, a committee that is close to your office. Furthermore, in September last year, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay, SAN said the

outcome of the 2016 budget padding scandal would be forwarded to the Presidency and EFCC for next line of action.

The issue of budget padding should not be allowed to go freely unchecked if really change begins with you Sir. Like the previous administration, secret recruitment continues with passion by the MDA’s with the beneficiaries mostly children and relatives of highly placed politicians in the centre. Majority of Nigerians never expected this to be happening under a Buhari Presidency. Whether qualified or not, getting a job in Nigeria has been reduced to who you know.

––Abdulmajid Lawan, Jos

IS KATSINA GOVT NOW EFCC’S MOUTHPIECE?

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n December 16, 2016, Malam Abdul Labaran, the spokesman of Governor Aminu Masari, was reported by THISDAY on December 16, 2016 as saying that the former governor of the state, Barrister Ibrahim Shema, would be arraigned in January by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N11bn fraud when Shema was governor of the state. We are appalled at the fact that it is the governor’s spokesman who announced the impending arraignment of ex-Governor Shema.

From previous practices by the anti-graft agency, it is usually the spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who informed reporters of upcoming court cases. But in this case, it is the Katsina State Government that is doing the talking for the EFCC. This means the government is not allowing the EFCC to do its own job, or that the sitting governor sees the prosecution of Shema as its dream achievement. What is happening is very unfortunate.

It is no longer news that Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has always made all shades of allegations against his predecessor, but if Masari has rein in the EFCC in this unwholesome task he has set for himself, the anti-graft agency will have itself to blame. The jail-Shema-at-allcost-through EFCC- posture of the Masari administration is already rubbing off on the image and integrity of key institutions like the EFCC and Katsina State Judiciary. We are, therefore, calling on President Buhari and other well-meaning Nigerians to pay attention to the ongoing development in Katsina State.

Since his assumption of office in May 29,2015 as Governor of Katsina State, Masari has set up more than nine committees made up of the All Progressives Congress (APC) card-carrying members, with the sole mandate to find Shema and the officials of his administration guilty at all cost. The government has petitioned EFCC and ICPC, even when, at the same time, it has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by a serving Judge from Plateau State, Justice Mohammed Suraj Ibrahim,

along with APC card carrying members .

It is on record that EFCC, ICPC and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry are all investigating the same allegations against Ibrahim Shehu Shema and the officials of his administration simultaneously. As a result the EFCC declared Shema wanted on September 14, 2016, though the former governor was at his house in Abuja awaiting an appointment date with EFCC as requested by his lawyers since June 28, 2016.

Governor Masari’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Abdul Labaran, in the statement, mentioned that the EFCC and Katsina State government had jointly dragged former Governor Shema and three others to a Katsina State court. This is the first time in the history of EFCC that a statement would be issued, saying the EFCC and a state government are jointly charging a suspect to court.

It is feared that with the kind of desperation being demonstrated by Katsina State Government, if eventually Shema is arraigned, he could be given a stringent bail condition that would necessitate his incarceration in Katsina prison, in order to humiliate the former governor.

We would call on the National Judicial Council to preempt any miscarriage of justice by any Katsina Court, by ensuring that the judges to handle the case be seriously screened.

If the threats by Katsina State is carried out, no doubt, the outcome would impugn on the integrity of judicial officials as their interpretation of the law could be based on some form of motivation or event threats from the executive, and based on the principles of the Rule of Law. It is, therefore, pertinent for the National Judicial Council(NJC), National Human Rights Council, Foreign Missions in Nigeria and well-meaning Nigerians to watch closely and show interest in the illegality and injustice that Masari and his cohorts are planning against Shema and his former aides in the plan to drag them to Katsina State High Court for prosecution.

––Bello is the Secretary, Movement For Justice and Rule of Law, Kofar Yandaka, Katsina.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 8, 2017

INTERNATIONAL Alleged Hacking of US Presidential Elections by Russia: The Lessons for Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

B

efore the 2016 US presidential election took place, there were reports of hacking of records of the Clinton Foundation in the United States.

Messieurs Shadow Brokers has suggested that there was a group of malware that could be used to hack any US-made firewalls and routers and that the hacking tools belonged to a group of malware developed by the Equation Group. This point was revealed in 2015 by Kaspersky, a cyberspace security firm.

Following the presidential elections, various reports have also shown that Russia was actually instrumental to the hacking of the election, reports which Russia have consistently denied but the evidence of which Washington authorities have shown.

Many experts have argued that it is quite difficult to prove the involvement of, or complicity of, Russia in this matter.

However, if accusing fingers had been pointed to Russia, some explanations may not be far-fetched: Russia’s opposition to the candidature of Mrs. Hilary Clinton as President of the United States and support for Donald Trump. There is also the issue of timing, as well as the first target, of the hacking, that is the democrats. The fact of Edward Snowden, who revealed serious classified diplomatic and strategic information and which made him to be considered as a hero, is said to be currently under political protection in Russia.

It should also be remembered that the French TV network (12 channels), TV5 Monde, was off the air in April 2015, reportedly because of a powerful cyber-attack by a group of Russian attackers. As explained by Mr. Yves Bigot, the Director General of TV5, ‘it’s the worst that can happen to you in television... We were a couple of hours from having the whole station gone for good...

We were saved from total destruction by the fact that we had launched the channel that day and the technicians were there.’

More interestingly, Russia had also, in July 2016, said about 20 Russian government organisations had been targeted by spyware but without naming who would be responsible for the spyware. This gives the impression that the hacking of US 2016 election might be an act of reciprocity, and, therefore, an expression of perception by Russia that the Americans might be the people responsible for the spyware targeting the Russian government agencies.

The political rivalry and economic competition for leadership of the world, especially at the level of the United States and its allies, on the one hand, and at the level of China and Russia, on the other hand, does not allow for objective determination of who really is hacking or does not. But true enough, both Russia and the United States have the capacity to undermine one another. Again, hacking is a cyber crime in which computers or computer networks are not only the tools, target or place of the criminal activity, but which also can take different forms: introduction of computer viruses, denial of service attacks, hacking, theft, internet fraud and violation of copyright laws through file sharing and the aforementioned forms. Hacking as a form of warfare is a major issue in international relations.

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

As at today, hacking has become an instrument of inter-state relations, even though it is illegal. Every state condemns it but still engages in it in different ways. Hacking is a cyber crime that exists essentially as a result of lack of effective control of the information highway in the cyber space. It is a non-traditional security threat. And true enough, the non-regulation of the information traffic necessarily results in cyber traffic accidents, as well as in the free use of the cyberspace for purposes incompatible with the main objectives of the United Nations: maintenance of international peace and security, resolution of misunderstandings by peaceful means, and better living.

Probably in strong belief in these virtues or because of fears

of the implications of a cyber warfare, China and Russia, with some other countries, proposed a draft international Code of Conduct to the United Nations General Assembly on 13th September, 2011. The main objectives of the draft code was to articulate states’ rights and responsibilities in information space, promote responsible behaviours, ensure joint approach to common threats and challenges in information space.

In this regard, the provisions of the draft Code of Conduct include the need for compliance with the UN Charter and universally recognized norms governing international relations (respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for diversity of history, culture and social systems of all countries, etc); non-use of ICTs, including networks, to carry out hostile activities or acts of aggression and pose threats to international peace and security; non-proliferation of information weapons and related technologies; the need for cooperation in combating criminal and terrorist activities; preventing states from using their resources, critical infrastructures, core technologies and other advantages to undermine the rights of other countries which accepted this Code of Conduct; the need to reaffirm all States’ rights and responsibilities to protect and to fully respect the rights and freedom in information space, including rights and freedom of searching for, acquiring and disseminating information on the premise of complying with relevant national laws and regulations; promotion of a multilateral, transparent and democratic international management of the Internet to ensure an equitable distribution of resources, facilitate access for all and ensure a stable and secure functioning of the Internet; and perhaps more interestingly for Africa, the need to facilitate the creation of a culture of information security, the protection of critical information infrastructures, as well as assisting developing countries in their efforts to enhance capacity-building on information security, close the digital divide and to bolster bilateral, regional and international cooperation, in the field of information security, as well as enhance coordination among relevant international organizations (for more details, vide Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China (2011): “China, Russia and Other Countries Submit the Document of International Code of Conduct for Information Security to the United Nations” at http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx/t858978.htm (last accessed, 2 July 2012).

Without doubt, cyber security and cyber-warfare are two critical issues of concern in contemporary international relations.

They are critical, essentially because of the unlimited extent of damage it can do to national development. As noted by Chris Baraniuk, a technology reporter for the BBC, on August 18, 2016, ‘cyber spying is an inherently murky world. The nature of cyber space makes it easy to hide your tracks and obscure your identity and there is a difference between traditional espionage (stealing information secretly and releasing information publicly), something more akin to information warfare,’

Trump

Putin

Cyber Warfare as Instrument of International Relations

In this regard, Baraniuk has it further that ‘stealing information is age-old but so is the release of information to undermine your opponent. During the Cold War, the United States and the USSR both engaged in what were often called “influence operations” or “political warfare” spreading information or disinformation or propaganda about individuals or political parties or ideas.

Cyberspace only offers a new way of doing this.’

The implication of this observation is multidimensional: the Cold War is already rearing its ugly head in a new form; the operational area of Cold War now includes the cyberspace; cyberspace war is a manifestation of Cold War; the hacking of United States 2016 presidential election allegedly by Russia is nothing more than a declaration of war, cold or hot, on the United States, etc. If we admit of these hypotheses, does the United States have the right of claim to legitimate self-defence?

If yes, can the claim to legitimate self-defence put a stop to cyber warfare or the Cold War in the making?

The United States is on record to have been accused of using stuxnet virus to damage Iran’s nuclear programme. This revelation clearly shows that hacking in whatever form it takes cannot and should not be limited to the Russians. Those who have the technological capacity to do so have simply been doing so while those countries without the capacity only have the option of complaining to no avail. Hacking is there a matter for international politics.

However, there is a major problem when countries having the capacity to confront one another, accuse one another and are threatening brimstone. It is often posited that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. In the very case of the allegations of hacking of the 2016 US presidential elections

by Russia, who really suffers or are to suffer? How far will this Russia-United States misunderstanding go? With the allegations, can we really say that the US president-elect enjoys or has democratic popularity or has majority vote both at the popular level and the electoral college level? Will the issue of alleged hacking by Russia not also affect other bilateral and multilateral relations, especially in terms of quests for global cooperation, and particularly the UN objectives of global peace and security?

There is the need to take a closer look at the implications of the international politics of it.

International Dimensions of the Hacking

The hacking of the US presidential elections has international dimensions. Even though Russia has denied involvement in the hacking, the Washingtonian authority does not believe in it. So do not France, Germany and the Netherlands all of which nurse the fear that Russia might also hack their forthcoming elections this year but openly say Russia is not a threat.

US Permanent Representative to the NATO, Mr. Douglas Lute, has said that ‘no one in Russia plans to attack NATO.’ The German government similarly said on December 30, 2016 that it had no proof that Russia was planning to hack its elections.

Marine Le Pen, President of the Far Right Party in France, also dismissed the allegations against Russia as conspiratorial. As the presidential candidate put it, ‘we are in a moment when conspiracy theories were seem to be very popular...’ The viewpoint of the US is different.

In a statement made in Hawaii on Thursday, 5th January, 2017, and entitled ‘Actions in Response to Russian Malicious Cyber Activity and Harassment,’ President Barack Obama took a number of sanctionary measures against Russia, especially its intelligence agencies, the GRU and the FSB. He said: ‘these actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm US interests in violation of established international norms of behaviour.’

In this regard, he noted that US diplomats ‘have experienced an unacceptable level of harassment in Moscow by Russian security services and police over the last year. Such activities have consequences.’ Consequently, he issued an executive order sanctioning various people involved, as well as ‘shutting down two Russian compounds in Maryland and New York, used

by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes’ and ‘declaring persona non grata 35 Russian intelligence operatives.’

The unwanted people are to leave the US within 72 hours in a manu militari fashion.

And perhaps most noteworthy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are ‘releasing declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence service cyber activity to help network defenders in the United States and abroad identify, detect, and disrupt Russia’s global campaign of malicious cyber activities.’

The sanctions taken by President Obama are interesting because of their implications for the future. For instance, Russia is much likely to reciprocate, meaning that ties between Russia and the US cannot but be strained further even under President Donald Trump. It is precisely the national interest of the US, which is above intra- or inter-party wrangling, that is at stake.

Many leading republicans do support Obama’s sanctions. For instance, Paul Ryan (Wisconsin) has it that ‘Russia does not share America’s interests,’ undermining US values, and ‘sowing dangerous instability around the world.’

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

BUSINESS QUICK TAKES

Customs

Followingthefederalgovernmentban onimportationofvehiclesthroughthe land borders, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, is set to lose 50 per cent of its monthly revenue valued at about N13 billion.

The Seme command of the NCS rakes in between N25 billion to N28 billion monthly with 50 per cent of that amount coming from vehicle importation.

The federal government had last year prohibited the importation of vehicles, new and old, through land borders,restricting allvehicleimports to Nigeria Sea Ports only.

However, Customs Area Controller of Seme Border, Victor Dimka, said: “You will agree with me that over 50 per cent of our revenue comes from vehiclesimportationinthiscommand, so that is going to be completely removed and what is left is what we shouldexpectbutwewillcreateavery friendly environment just as we have been doing. You will also agree with methatthetradebetweenNigeriaand thecountriesofthecorridorsaremore or less informal, we will try to perfect on this relationship so as to make the place more business friendly. ”

Aviation

Lagos trading floor of NSE...Expectations are high as stockbrokers resume trading

Improved Turnover Fails to Lift ASI, Market Capitalisation at Stock Exchange Kunle Aderinokun

Trading activities, which resumed on the floors of the Nigeria Stock Exchange after the Monday public holiday declared for the New Year celebration, ended the week with a depreciated NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation.

While the market recorded a total turnover of 4.319 billion shares worth N7.376 billion

CAPITAL MARKET

traded in 9,330 deals, representing a significant increase over a total of 405.939 million shares valued at N3.724 billion that exchanged hands last week in 6,363 deals, it was not enough to lift the ASI and the market capitalisation, which depreciated by 2.32 per cent.

In absolute terms, the NSE All-Share Index and market

capitalisation close the week at 26,251.39 and N9.032 trillion respectively in contrast to 26,874.62 and N9.247 trillion of the previous week. Similarly, all other Indices finished lower during the week Sectoral analysis showed that the Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 4.177 billion shares valued at N5.306 billion 18 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 37 equities of the previous week.Thirty-one equities depreciated in price, higher than the 21 equities of the previous week, while 126 equities remained unchanged higher than 117 equities recorded in the preceding week

traded in 5,047 deals, thus contributing 96.71 per cent and 71.94 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Oil and Gas Industry followed with 65.827 million shares worth N594.522 million in 1,385 deals. The third place was occupied by Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 26.487 million shares worth N48.163 million in 299 deals.

Trading in the top three Equities namely – Unity Kapital Assurance Plc, Omoluabi Savings and Loans Plc and FCMB Group Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 3.863 billion shares worth N3.013 billion in 286 deals, contributing 89.45 per cent and 40.85 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Also traded during the week were a total of 55 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N505.65 executed in 11 deals, compared with a total of 9,965 units valued at N56,446.35 transacted last week in 16 deals Besides, a total of 5,100 units of the Federal Government Bonds valued at N5.120 million were traded this week in 2 deals, as against no bond transaction last week.

According to a summary of price changes, 18 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 37 equities of the previous week. Thirty-one equities depreciated in price, higher than the 21 equities of the previous week, while 126 equities remained unchanged higher than 117 equities recorded in the preceding week.

Despite the explanation made by the MinisterofStateforAviation,Senator Hadi Sirika, at a stakeholders’ meeting, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, an umbrella body for carriers in the country has opposed the move by the government to shut the NAIA. The Federal Government had earlier announced that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja would be shut for six weeks beginning from March 8 in order to carry out repairs on its runway and taxi ways.

The Federal Government had earlier stated that during the closure of the Abuja airport, passenger traffic and flight activities would be diverted to the Kaduna International Airport for the six-week period, a development that would lead to the screening of air travellers twice, in Abuja and Kaduna.

In a bid to get the inputs of stakeholders,theFederalGovernmentconvened an industry-wide meeting which had in attendance different security agencies’ officials, representatives of foreign embassies in Nigeria, international airline operators and their domestic counterparts, legislators, the governments of Kaduna, Kwara and Niger states, as well as other participants.

Bonds

The Federal Government has set aside a total of N177.46bn in the 2017 budget as a sinking fund to retire maturing bond obligations.

A sinking fund is a part of a bond agreement that requires the issuer to regularly set money aside in a separate custodian account for the exclusive purpose of redeeming the bonds.

The N177.46 billion allocated in the 2017 budget is N6.02 billion higher than N113.44 billion allocated for the same purpose in the 2016 fiscal period. The proposed spending iscontainedinthe2017budget,which was submitted to a joint session of the National Assembly by President MuhammaduBuharionDecember14, 2016. The N7.3trillion budget has a total capital vote of N2.24trillion, representing 30.7 per cent, while the recurrent component stood at N2.98trillion, with the rest allocated for debt servicing. Findings revealed that the sinking fund of N177.4billion would be used by the government to settle maturing obligations arising from its domestic indebtedness.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

18

BUSINESS/ENERGY

The Shortlist for 2017 Crude Oil Lifting Contracts The oil industry came alive last week as 18 Nigerian firms were shortlisted alongside 11 international trading firms, five refineries, and two subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to lift and sell government’s share of Nigeria’s crude oil grades in the 2017 term contracts, reports Chineme Okafor

An oil worker at a crude terminal

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ast Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) disclosed that it shortlisted 39 companies to partake in the lifting of Nigeria’s crude oil grades in the 2017 term contracts, having concluded the selection process.

From a statement which its Group General Manager Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, sent out in Abuja, the corporation noted that, out of the 39 firms, 18 were Nigerian-owned oil companies, 11 were international oil trading houses, while five foreign refineries were selected as well.

Three foreign National Oil Companies (NOCs) and two of NNPC’s trading arms Duke Oil Ltd and Calson/Hyson were equally selected by the corporation, which said it arrived at the numbers after a transparent exercise which saw 224 firms put in their bid for the crude oil lifting contract.

How They Emerged NNPC said in the statement that through a competitive and transparent bid rounds, the 39 companies were selected from 224 that submitted their bids in 2016.

During the opening of the bids in November 2016, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated that the list dropped from 278 that applied for the term contract in 2015 to 224 because the corporation introduced some new requirements that must be met by bidders.

He said as part of the new requirements, refiners and big crude oil lifters would be

given priority consideration.

According to him,“It marks the beginning of the 2016, 2017 term contracts for Nigerian crudes under the NNPC on behalf of the people and government of Nigeria.

“Essentially, we are targeting refiners and big traders, as well as companies that have made substantial investment in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the downstream sector.”

Baru further stated:“When we sell this crude, the money goes straight to the Central Bank account on behalf of the Federation, NNPC does not operate any of those accounts.

“The best input from the NNPC is confirmation that the money has been paid but we have no signature rights on this account, contrary to the perception that NNPC is hoarding some money on behalf of the Nigerian people, all the crude that we sell go to the Nigerian people. There is nothing that is hidden, it is all open for everybody to see.”

The Oil Lifting Deal Although the corporation did not disclose in the statement the amount of crude oil that would be committed to the 2017 exercise, Baru, in November 2016, revealed that about 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), representing the countries equity share in its Joint Venture (JV) and Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangements would be put out in the lifting contract.

“It is the volumes that we get from our JV operations that is about 600,000 barrels per day (bpd). We also have somewhere in the

region of 100,000 barrels per day in terms of royalty and tax oils that is from the PSC operations, these are the kinds of volumes we are expecting next year,” he had stated.

Notwithstanding, the corporation still disclosed that apart from Duke Oil Ltd which was given the rights to lift 90,000bpd in the term contract, other nominated lifters would lift 32,000bpd of oil each from the country within the contract.

However, a computation of the overall volumes for the 39 lifters indicated that the corporation may be putting out 1.306 million barrels per day (mb) of crude oil in the 2017 lifting contract.

Also, while the NNPC got 278 bids in the 2015-2016 term contract and shortlisted just 27 as confirmed by Baru, it however got 224 bids in the 2016-2017 cycle but selected 39, thus increasing the number by 12.

According to the statement, Baru said the decision to announce this number of winners was done transparently. He noted that, the outcome reflected NNPC’s commitment to transparency.

Similarly, the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of the corporation, Mr. Mele Kyari, specified that the contracts would run for one year, starting from January 1, 2017.

The shortlist of the successful bids include for refineries; Hindustan Refinery, Varo Energy, Sonara Refinery, Bharat Petroleum, and Cepsa, while the international trading companies have Trafigura, ENOC, BP Trading, Total Trading, UCL Petro Energy, Mocoh Trading, Trevier Petroleum, Heritage Oil, Levene Energy,

Glencore, and Litasco Supply and Trading as part of the successful bids.

On the National Oil Company (NOC) cadre, the likes of Indian Oil Corp., Sinopec of China, and SacOil of South Africa were shortlisted while Nigerian firms such as Oando, Sahara Energy Resources Ltd, MRS Oil and Gas, A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited, Bono, Masters Energy, Hyde Energy, Britania-U, North West Petroleum, Optima Energy, AMG Petroenergy, and Arkleen Oil and Gas Ltd were shortlisted as part of the local oil firms.

Other Nigerian firms shortlisted were Shoreline Limited, Emo Oil, Setana Oil, and Prudent Energy. However, Calson/Hyson, and Duke Oil Incorporated, which are subsidiaries of NNPC completed the list.

As part of its demands on the successful bidders, the NNPC would also require that they show evidence of good yearly turnover, as well as their ability to establish an irrevocable Letter of Credit (LC) for the payment of any allocated crude oil, subject to the terms of the contract.

The firms would also need to show evidence of their compliance with certain legal rules in Nigeria as well as details of their operational facilities, markets and the volume of crude oil/products they had traded or processed over a certain period.

Oil and gas trading experts, who spoke to THISDAY on the 2017 lifting cycle, explained that while this could ensure some level of uninterrupted oil and gas revenue to the Federation, it also gives the NNPC some good position to deal well with challenges of a dynamic global oil and gas market.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JANUARY 8, 2017

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

BUSINESS/LABOUR

One of the labour rallies when NLC was still one family

A Fractured Labour Finally Heads for the Rocks

Since the inception of the Ayuba Wabba Nigerian Labour Congress leadership, the organised labour has been a house divided against itself in the midst of daunting challenges. And with the recent move by a faction of the union to set up a new labour movement, Paul Obi writes on the gradual ruination of the once unified labour

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hese are really troubling times for the Nigerian workers. Amid a crippled economy that is bleeding profusely with job losses, it appears the bargaining power of the workers to defend themselves against arbitrariness has now been eroded. For now, the organised labour is a shadow of its old self, going by the acrimony that has bedeviled the union in the country. So far, the division among leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has attracted more defeats than victories ever since the coming of All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

But the sun set at dawn not when the NLC gladiators were cooling off in cosy offices in Abuja, it sets when Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero fought themselves to a standstill in 2015 over the plump job of NLC President. Since then, labour has lost its vibe, losing one battle after another. According to observers, the seed of discord was first sown when politicians from the two major political parties, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), infiltrated the ranks of labour in order to influence the election of its leadership.

After the controversial election, the Wabba group had the upper hand as many of the NLC founding fathers like Comrade Hassan Sunmonu pitched their tent with the group. Thus, Wabba was accepted as the substantive NLC President and Labour House, the headquarters of the labour union handed over to him. Though, the Wabba faction held sway, the Ajaero flank relocated to Lagos where they operated sundry and skeletal labour activities. A situation that polarised NLC further.

To compound the issues, when the federal government increased petroleum products price in May 2016, the Ajaero group quickly capitalised on the existing gulf among NLC members and dealt a big blow to organised labour negotiations. While the Wabba leadership was bargaining for outright reversal of the pump price hike, the Ajaero group quickly aligned with the federal government, accepting the increment with some conditionalities attached - in the form of palliatives. That was the

first major signpost that the Ajaero group alongside President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese, could really go away from NLC. One other area of vexation against the Wabba leadership is the fact that NLC under his watch has become more of a lame duck, labour analysts who spoke to THISDAY said. Those familiar with Wabba’s tenure told THISDAY that the leadership has not been able to hold the Buhari administration accountable on any of the anti-workers’ policies of the government. From fuel subsidy removal, electricity tariff increment, minimum wage, privatisation and many more, not a single victory has the NLC achieved. For instance, even when a Federal High Court mandated the federal government to return back to the status quo ante, on electricity tariff hike, the exorbitant price forced on the throat of Nigerians still remains. Some close watchers argued that, under Wabba, NLC has acted as if it was an appendage of the APC government, sustained more by slogans and less on results and action. These are the many sins of Wabba, according to his traducers.

On the contrary, Wabba debunked such allegations targeted at his leadership. In response to the setting up of a new labour centre named United Labour Congress (ULC), he said NLC will continue to pursue the path of unity. According to him, “The Congress would like to assure our members across the length and breadth of the country and the general public that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress is committed to the unity of the working class in the country notwithstanding the latest declaration by Comrade 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.”

He also cited out the olive branch, which his leadership has extended to the Ajaero group, stating that, “despite the antics of our comrades, and their obstinate 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), Comrade Ajaero’s union had representation in the state leadership structure of congress and also the National Executive Council of NLC, the Chairman of Kebbi NLC is from that union, as well as SAC members in Jigawa and a few other states,”the NLC President stated.

Wabba also highlighted how much Ajaero and his co-travelers had derailed organised labour agendas.

He said, to pacify the group, they had worked hard to ensure that they were part of the system.“We didn’t want our class opponents to use them as the weak link to undermine the solidarity of our movement. Unfortunately, as Nigerians saw during our last national strike against the fuel price increase by the federal government, our comrades chose to allow themselves to be used as willing tools to undermine our collective struggle,”the NLC President noted.

Also speaking, NLC General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Ezon, argued that those insinuating that the failure of the NLC leadership to hold the Buhari government accountable was responsible for the formation of the new labour movement did not follow the logic. He maintained that the whole agenda of the Ajaero group was to scuttle NLC’s plans geared towards redeeming the Nigerian workers.

“That logic does not stand.They were the ones who went and had an agreement to discuss minimum wage within the framework of palliatives. That was a way of weakening the system. Therefore, those who want to scuttle workers’ plans cannot turn around and claim that they are fighting for the interest of the workers,”Ozo-Ezon stated.

Conversely, at his purported inauguration as the President of ULC, Ajaero said: “The new labour centre instead of weakening the movement will present labour as a creative partner that has strategic benefits for its publics, especially the employers and the government,”Ajaero said.

Speaking to THISDAY, Achese who was elected Deputy President of the Ajaero-led ULC argued that in the first place,“retired public servants”which formed the block of the current NLC National Executive Council “were not qualified to run” for

the said March 2015 elections. He contended that the crisis was precipitated when Wabba refused to honour laid-down agreement that NLC leadership should be rotated between the public and private sectors’ unions.

On why they would decide to create division among the organised labour at a time unity should be the bedrock of labour’s strategies, Achese maintained that,“there was no issue of faction”among labour.

He stressed that all over the world, there were different labour centres and Nigeria could not be an exception.

Although, the two groups are acting as if there isn’t any big deal on their actions so far, the division runs deep before the eyes of the Nigerian public. As the two factions attempt to take charge of the nation’s labour movement, only genuine union leaders could save organised labour with an intervention. What is at stake now is merely a display of ego - than protection of the interest of workers. Added to that, there are no winners either on the side of the workers, neither will Wabba nor Ajaero emerge triumphantly.

Labour will sink and would eventually be the loser.

The only winner will be government, regrettably.

The NLC has come a long way; from fighting a military junta on Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), to putting the lives of its members on the line during the Sani Abacha regime, to confronting the Obasanjo administration. Yet the stakes have never been this high. After Nigerians yearned for change from the APC in 2015, that clamour has regrettably snowballed to a colossal failure, leaving a sour taste on the lips of those who chanted the change slogan. Consequently, the only hope for the Nigerian workers is the NLC. That hope has now been dashed and crushed on the altar of ego based on the current crisis.

More so, the path to a disunited labour has now gathered pace, leaving the workers to sort out their individual struggle in the midst of a system that enjoys suffocating the ordinary worker. To ensure unity, the feuding labour leaders must sincerely put aside their grievances. Otherwise, the lone path to a weakened labour union is guaranted.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW WITH AYO AROWOLO

Email ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com Tel: 08147963886 (sms only)

Tim Akano: Nigeria Must Borrow, Sell Assets or Do Oilfor-Cash Deal to Generate Cash Tim Kayode Akano, Managing Director and CEO of New Horizon Systems Solutions, a Lagos- based ICT firm, regularly issues out informed commentaries on key national and international issues. In this chat with Ayo Arowolo, Akano who says he has done extensive research over the past three months to understand the dimensions of Nigeria’s current economic situation concludes that Nigeria is in a serious life support and it would take a miracle to prevent it from relapsing into a coma . Excerpts:

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here is hunger, fear and pessimism all over Nigeria today - what do you think the Buhari administration should do to bring quick relief?

I have both the good news and the bad news for Nigerians at this moment.The bad news first: there is no equilibrium in poverty, suffering and pains- it can always get worse. But, here is the good news: Nigeria is a maturing democracy and since Nature abhors a vacuum, when enough people truly have their backs on the walls, something will give way. Necessity, as the saying goes, is the mother of invention.

At the level of spirituality, I strongly believe that this crisis is necessary for the nation’s much awaited moral rebirth. There is no other way through which God can make a wayward nation become disciplined and focused without going through near-death excruciating pains as we are witnessing.

In essence, there is no quick fix. The rot is systemic, endemic, and partly genetic. This kind of ‘Nigeria-ailment’ is peculiar; it will, for total healing to happen, require a mixture of prayer and fasting, sweat and blood. It’s certainly not today that the rain started ‘beating’ us.

The irony of it all is that the people who sin are not the ones suffering. The political elite with their cronies in the Judiciary, Civil Service and the business world and their foreign collaborators brought this ‘peculiar mess’ on the nation. The masses and the middle class who are now suffering could be rightly accused of docility, though.

And the consequences of docility are mass retrenchments, children dropping out of schools and ‘ death-on-sales’- death is now very cheap ( buy-one-get –two-free- sort-of-discounted death is now a common place in the rural communities) because Paracetamols are beyond the reach of the poor, retail ailments like cold and fever are now killing people randomly. The Ruling Elite has what it takes to live in opulence for 1000 years with their family members without going to the bank one day for any transactions.

Be that as it may, peculiar problems require peculiar solutions.

If President Buhari can muster enough political courage- let him get the CBN and the National Assembly to outlaw completely the usage of the following currency bills from circulation: N1000, N500, $100 and $50 with effect from 1st of January 2017. We can make do with other foreign convertible currencies from China and Japan as a nation.

Will this solution immediately bring jobs, food and medicine to the table? No. Will it bring justice, equity and fairness? Yes. How? The punishment will be even. The volume of dead money in Nigeria today stuffed in mattresses, septic and water tanks, underground bunkers is mind-boggling. I believe about 70 per cent of the stolen money is not only in cash but it is in those four denominations of naira and USD. Since it is dead money- PMB could as well finish it off by burying the money and allow its ghost go home and rot in hell.

But for those who have genuinely earned their cash – they should be allowed to deposit it in the bank within the first fifteen days of 2017 to reflate the economy. Immediately our naira will get relief.

As an Entrepreneur and ICT practitioner, what has been the impact of this recession on businesses in general and ICT sector in particular?

Taking the blood pressure of a patient is the first thing a doctor does when you get to the clinic. This is because there is a one-to-one relationship between the amount of pressure in your veins and your overall wellbeing. The higher the blood pressure- the closer the patient is to hypertension, heart diseases, and ultimately, strokes.

The same scenario is applicable to Nation-States.

As at today, Nigerian economy’s blood pressure test shows something like a systolic of270 and a diastolic of 190- 1.e. 270/190mm. With this level of stress, the Nigeria economy is dangerously regressing from hypertensive level (Recession) to stroke level (Depression).

From Depression, a partial or total paralysis (Destruction) is not impossible. In a word: Nigeria economy is on a life-support machine as we speak. Will it slip into coma?

Could you comment more on the dimension of the crisis?

Frankly speaking, the time on the Nigeria watch right now is 15

Akano

minutes past the hour. By 2017, it will be half past the hour. And by 2018 it will be quarter to the hour. In a word, the year of full restoration is 2019! People should study how Americans survived in 1930, Argentines in 2001 and Japanese in 1989 and the on-going Venezuela economic crisis to prepare for the challenges ahead and to fully understand the signs of the times

What are the signs you see on the horizons that makes you arrive at this conclusion?

First, before we discuss the signs, let us ask ourselves: how did we get to this junction?

Nigeria can be likened to a couple with a very complicated and unhappy marriage; nonetheless, the couple is extremely blessed

by Providence with all the good things of life: wonderful children; peaceful neighbors, and rich environment. But the couple lacks one thing: Discipline. Among the children bestowed by God to the couple called Nigeria are - Agriculture as the eldest child followed

by Manufacturing, then Mining, followed by the Services , then Oil, which is the fifth child, followed by Information Communication Technology (ICT) – the sixth and the last born.

But tragically as soon as the Couple called Nigeria had the fifth child called The Black Gold and saw how beautiful, attractive she was, ebony black , easy money-spinner -even in its crudest formNigeria, the couple, abandoned the other children and allowed them to suffer and, indeed, waste away. With huge ecstasy, Nigeria cuddles The Black Gold, turn it to ATM for about four decades, treats her like gold that she is to the level of even refusing to bath her (Refining) or send her to school to add value to her (value-chain enhancement). Suddenly, the Black Gold beauty began to fade, her value depreciated, and other nations started giving birth to Black Gold - Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Chad, Congo, Venezuela, Iran, USA,- Black Gold is now everywhere. The Nigeria Black Gold

is no more special.it has lost the sweetness and bride- status she enjoyed for forty years. In fairness to Lady Black Gold, she shit about $600Billion for the Nigeria couple within those four decades without any commensurate development to show for it. And she did more unofficial billions of US Dollar shit which are in private pockets of Nigerians and foreigners.

On page 16, paragraphs one of Marc Rich biography- the King of Oil, after making so much billions of dollars from Nigeria, Marc concluded: ‘Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and indeed, the undisputed Global Headquarters of Corruption…’

Today, The Black Gold’s capacity to shit US Dollar at the same volume, value, and velocity of yesteryears has been weakened by a combination of factors.

Consequently, wholesales hunger and anger, untold frustration and disillusionment coupled with total hopelessness have now enveloped the nation that once bragged that money was not a problem but how to spend it. It is bad enough for a nation to be running on one kidney but more criminal to not even maintain the one kidney, which is what Nigeria did. Nigeria is paying for its sin(s). To be sure, there are over 200 by-products of crude oil that can create wealth and jobs for Nigerians that we failed to exploit.

Now the chicken has come home to roost, Things are Falling Apart, the Falcon can no longer hear the Falconer. Nigeria is stranded at what Yoruba call – ‘’Orita-Meta’ (T-junction) - dazed, wearing a garment of shame and pessimism, lacking in self-esteem and bereft of wisdom as to which way to turn that will lead her to the promised land. Obviously, the fault is not in our Stars, but rather, in us.

What would you say are the national and international dimensions of the situation?

There are seven major signs nationally and three major international shifts that I have observed so far.

Signal 1: Dead Money- there is currently unbelievable huge

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EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW WITH AYO AROWOLO ‘Nigeria is on a Serious Life Support’

Cont’d from Pg. 21 consequences may be fatal for Nigeria. I am aware of a couple of Multilateral Funding Agencies that can fund projects in excess of the $30 billion which Nigeria is seeking for.

Finally, as Captain of the football team that has not scored a goal at half-time, PMB should fire his Team members; 75% of them can’t light matches!

amount of dead money in Nigeria- i.e. money stuffed in mattresses, water tanks, toilets, on the cassava plantation farms, underground bunker.

I learned some of those deserted ghost-looking houses in Abuja are warehouse of dead money.

This money is not in circulation to create jobs and reflate the economy. Any country where the volume of dead money is excessively high, watch it, rain of recession is nearby.

Signal 2: Low Naira/Dollar Velocity- the higher the velocity of money, the stronger the economy as a result of multiplier effect. As at today, the naira velocity is at its lowest level in the nation’s history. Nobody is spending because of uncertainty of tomorrow. There is massive loss of faith in the system. Everyone is expecting the rain to start pouring sooner than later.

Signal 3: Huge Assets Price Decline/ Devaluation-- all over Nigeria cities today - you see signs of ‘’To Let- Distressed Sales- Call The Owners Directly’’ This is a colour of trouble. Home- owners are selling not to build new businesses but rather to buy food, drugs and pay school fees. This only happens in a war- torn country. This economic violence obviously has the same effect like physical war on Nigerians.

Signal 4: Emergence Of MMM Economy (for want of better terminology I call it: ‘Miracle Money Machine’)

When interest on fixed deposit, loans and Treasury Bills is in the upper double digits then there is trouble: banks now offers 20% per annum on fixed deposit, then, where is the incentive to do business when you are not sure of making 15% Returns on Investment at the end of the year? Worse still, the bank interest on loan today is hovering around 30%. So what do you sell to make profit – It is worse in the black market, where interest rate on unsecured loan is 15% per month and 180% per year! This is why about 70% of SMEs have totally lost capacity to function.

Then suddenly from the blues MMM- has become the life wire of Nigerian economy. People are selling their cars to invest and make unbelievable returns from 30% to 100% within few weeks. I was told that if not for MMM, there would have been revolution in the land, that people would have taken to the streets to protest hunger in anger.

The massive patronage of MMM is a sign that people are frustrated and do not care about the longer term ruins it will plunge them into.

Signal 5 : Social Damage- The rate at which marriages are collapsing , the rate of child prostitutions, ritual killings, kidnapping, suicide, mental illness in Nigeria today has no equal in the history of Nigeria. One of the fast-moving businesses in Nigeria today is Diagnostic Centers because people are falling sick at a faster rate than before. This is a signal of an ailing economy progressing from hypertension to strokes.

Signal 6: Political Implosion- . All countries that went from Recession to Depression to Destruction were all victims of both economic and political violence. Think of USSR, Yugoslavia, Venezuela, etc. When you combine economy suffering from high blood pressure with Hot Politics – the result is always almost destruction for the country. The on-going power game among the different four power bases that came together to form APC may compound the recession and prolong recovery.

Signal 7: Indecision– In 18 months, government has been very sloppy in tackling the issue of multiple and rising foreign exchange rates.

This was how it all started in Venezuela- today people queue up to obtain ‘ purchase voucher’ from government to buy tissue paper, drinks and milk from supermarkets in Venezuela and you have only one chance per month, per family to buy essential commodities.

All these seven Signs are present in Nigeria today and they are signs that 2017 may be worse than 2016

What about International Shifts?

Yes there have been three major international Shifts that will have all round effect on Nigeria economy in 2017.

Shift One- America Debilitating Trillion- Dollar Debit: USA will likely witness some form of economic recession sometime in 2017. The fall-out effect will be global.

America has been living above its means for the past twenty years. The national debt has risen by an average of more than 1.1 trillion dollars yearly since Barack Obama became Captain, and in 2016 alone America is on pace to add more than 2 trillion dollars to the debt.

As I write, America’s national debt is a huge $19,901,545,151,126.51, and still climbing and most likely to cross the 20 trillion dollar mark by the time President DT is inaugurated on January 20, 2017.

What do you consider as the critical success factors that will eventually drive the recovery of the Nigeria economy?

Akano

Obama inherited 10.6 trillion dollars debts, but in 8 years our brother from Kenya doubled it by adding about 9.3 trillion dollars to the debt.

Indeed report from McKinsey is scarier. It put the USA total debt at $51trillion. The yearly consumer spending in the USA is estimated at $11.2 trillion yet the amount of money in circulation officially is about $250 billion. The implication of all this is that the volume of Dead Money is extremely high in the USA, which is a sign of stress that can trigger recession in 2017. This is also making cash dollar to skyrocket in value. People are becoming afraid of tomorrow so they are keeping cash Dollar also under their mattresses in the US as I write. The $20 trillion America debt is not sustainable; it is a major threat that may beget a major negative economic shift globally in 2017. Since about 25% of our oil sales come from Americans, if countries like China that is holding the American Treasury Bills decide to make a call for their money – just to spite the President DT- we should be prepared for a weaker demand of our oil from the USA. Does Nigeria have alternative market to the USA at the moment?

International Shift 2: Nationalism 2.0- This brand of nationalism will signal the contraction of globalization and free trade and the enthronement of Thomas Hobbes State of Nature where life is short, brutish and nasty.

The rise of unbridled Nationalism as epitomized

by Brexit and the triumph of Trump in the US is a major threat to globalization. From France to Germany, Italy, to Netherlands, the new song in town is ‘’ to thy tent…..’’

Not that Nigeria has benefitted greatly from globalisation- No. We are a mono- economy- exporting crude oil in its cruddiest form, bereft of value.

We do not have a second economy and infrastructure which we can fall back upon immediately in the new unusual world. The infrastructure to make Nigeria become a producing nation as against a consuming nation will take three years of hard, consistent and deliberate activities. In the new World, Nigeria will still remain a dumping ground for China products If Trump puts tariff of 35% on all Chinese products going to the US as he has threatened, this will make Chinese to be more desperate to colonize Africa economically because we are seriously indebted to them. Giving China unrestricted access to our market is like mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren.

International Shift 3:- A New Orphan World In The Making- In the past, the former USSR and America were the two super powers ruling the world and bringing balance through terror. When USSR expired and collapsed, the World came under a single parenting with America as the new foster single father. But with the emergence of President Trump- things are bound to change. Trump-Putin on-going courtship which may likely lead to marriage will alter the world equation as it affect US-Europe relationship, US-China, US-Japan/South Korea and US-Africa. If Trump throws Europe under the moving bus, Germany and England will not fold their arms and be watching. If Trump pushes China, which it has labeled a currency manipulator, China will fight back and dirty economically. If Trump abandons NATO, there will be major

realignments of power. All this will have serious implications on the Nigeria fragile economy as from 2017. The world is presently in a state of flux; Japan is on the edge, ditto Germany, South Korea and China- waiting for Trump moves. Nigeria needs to have its own Plan “B” in the midst of all these global uncertainties.

How can Nigeria profit from this coming global disorder?

First, Nigeria should reposition itself as Africa’s business Hub. To that extent, we should encourage Lagos state government to build its proposed Airport in Lekki to international standard so that it can serve the African market. Two, Britain is single and searching for a new partner after fantastically but foolishly separating from the European Union recently. She has her eyes on China and Africa. We have a good chance of marrying Britain cheap on our own terms if we get our acts together. England needs the African market more than any other thing now. Three, Japan is on the edge- it does not want Trump to throw her under the bus. Japan has a budget of $100 billion to invest in Africa and other developing countries. We should allow Britain and Japan to have access to the Federal government Free Trade Zone in Lekki, since the Chinese controls the Lagos Lekki Free Trade Zone.

In the interim, Nigeria needs urgent blood transfusion. The blood level is too low for comfort.

This is why PMB should move fast and either borrow or sell the refineries / other unproductive assets or do oil- for- cash deal at a competitive and transparent pricing to generate immediate cash to stop the nation from slipping into coma.

If nothing tangible is done before June 2017, the

In the interim, Nigeria needs urgent blood transfusion. The blood level is too low for comfort. This is why PMB should move fast and either borrow or sell the refineries / other unproductive assets or do oil- for- cash deal at a competitive and transparent pricing to generate immediate cash to stop the nation from slipping into coma.

If nothing tangible is done before June 2017, the consequences may be fatal for Nigeria

There are five critical success factors I could put my hands upon immediately. First Factor is Lagos.

Second is Dangote. Third is Agriculture. Fourth is Abuja. Fifth is Direct Foreign Investments 1 Lagos Mega City Project: Something big is going on in Lagos; unfortunately most analysts have not been able to connect the dots. At the government level there is the Lagos state Mega City Project which includes the construction of the ambitious 4th Mainland bridge supported

by JP Morgan which will gulp close to a trillion naira and be ready in about three years. Also at the government level there is another budget of close to a trillion naira in 2017 for infrastructural development of Lagos.

At the private level there is- the Eko Atlantic City – the Africa Dubai city. When completed, about 500,000 quality residents and workers will inhabit the city.

Two, the Lekki Free Trade Zone about sixty companies are already within the Zone and more are to come – when completed it will house about one million quality workers and residents.

Three, The New Planet Team is putting together a $2.5 billion massive, project that will put Lagos on the world map of tourism and hospitality permanently and serves as a catalyst for foreign exchange earner for Nigeria. This is one project that will support the Lagos State Government along the hospitality window and employ about 200,000 people.

The second critical success factor is Dangote.

As at today, Dangote is to Nigeria what Samsung is to the Koreans, what Toyota is to the Japanese, what Ford is to the Americans and what TATA is to the Indians. The second biggest opportunity for Nigeria’s economic revival today is not Federal Government, it is Dangote! If an individual is investing over $20 billion to build a colony of companies that will put over 250,000 Nigerians to gainful employments- then it could be said without fear of contradiction that Dangote is more active than the Nigeria Federal Government in creating jobs and wealth opportunities.

But Nigeria needs at least ten Dangotes competing with one another. Government should consciously groom local entrepreneurs and patronize locally made products.

The third critical success factor is Agriculture- I read what Minister Audu Ogbeh put together in the Green Alternative Road Map book the very day and very hour it came out. I believe we should become food- self-sufficient within three years with what I can see all around me from Anambra to Kebbi, Ebonyi, Niger, and others. To get to the Promised Land, however, we have to discount the government role and see it as bonus if something good comes from Abuja. We are not competitive presently in any crop or product, save cassava.

For instance, the number one Cocoa exporter in the world today is Ivory Coast, Yam is Ghana, and Plantain is Uganda. Kenya does extremely well in exporting flower to Europe. Vietnam is the Cashew Tiger, while India is Mango leader.

America is wheat; Thailand and Cambodia are rice experts. The Audu Ogbeh book does not have strategies to compete and win Gold at the Agriculture Olympics Game; it only contains strategy to participate. This is something Abuja should look into and commission experts to work it out.

The fourth critical success factor is Abuja (i.e. what decisions PMB and his Economic Team take on Foreign Exchange rate, Privatization, Taxation, and Rail lines construction). We need to throw away emotion and sell off all those government organisations that have become unprofitable. It is obvious to the blind that Nigerian government cannot run any business at a competitive profit.

Imagine if we still hang on to NITEL by now? NNPC refineries cannot survive Dangote competition just the same way NITEL could not withstand MTN. Fifth, there has been a continuous behind the scene in-flow of Foreign Direct Investment in Lagos and some other parts of Nigeria. According to reports from Africa Capital Digest, Tana Africa Capital recently sold its 25% interest in Promasidor Group to Ajinomoto Co. for $399 million. The deal came about as part of the Japanese manufacturer’s $532 million transaction to acquire a 33.3% stake in the privately held FMCG Company. Another one

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW WITH AYO AROWOLO ‘Nigeria is on a Serious Life Support’ is tagged the biggest off-grid solar deal to date in Africa. Lumos Global, an off-grid solar company operating in Nigeria closed a $90 million round of debt and equity financing. There have been dozens of these deals going on in Nigeria of late which will all congregate in two to three years to strengthen the economy.

Based on the above on- going projects in Lagos (4th Mainland Bridge, Eko Atlantic City, Lekki Free Trade Zone and The New Planet and FDI) coupled with the dynamism of Governor Ambode of Lagos, I am convinced that over 1,000,000 quality jobs will be created in the next three years and over $15 billion in foreign exchange conserved with concomitant multiplier effects in the economy. Thus, our national currency, which has been suffering from erectile dysfunction will regain its erectility and potency and stand once again shoulder-toshoulder with the American dollar. Here is the basis of my optimism that 2019 will be a turning point for Nigeria, and the premise is that 75% of the recovery job will be private-sector-driven- and not PMB and Abuja.

Why should Nigeria depend on Lagos for its economic revival- is it safe?

No, it is not safe. Just the same way I have been advocating for the deliberate creation of ten Dangotes through government patronage of locally made goods in Nigeria for the past ten years. I will also advocate for the creation of six Regional Economic Development Hubs (REDH) in Kano, Yola, Jos, Enugu, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.

We need to create competitions for Lagos from everywhere; secondly for strategic security reason it is not safe to have Lagos as the only viable place for commercial activities. If there is war between us and our neighbors, Lagos becomes our soft spot.

Today, Lagos is competing against itself.

What hope do we have on job opportunities?

Which ICT skills can get our youths hired either locally or internationally in 2017?

In every situation, there will always be an exemption. Oasis in the midst of desert will continue to be discovered by those who have eagle eyes.

The task is to locate where the oasis are in this period of recession and get the information out to our youths so that they can equip themselves accordingly. There are ten hot ICT skills that can get our youths and even adults hired both nationally and internationally in 2017.

1. Cloud and Distributed Computing- organisations are all relocating to the cloud and taking not only an apartment but a whole house in order to remain competitive. Therefore the number one person they are looking for is that fellow with cloud and distributed computing.

2. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining- The job of analysts cannot be replaced by Robots yet.

With all the information coming from Social Media like Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Tweeter, etc, the employer treasures the Analysts who can look at this information and come up with useful top lines that Management can use in taking decisions.

3. Web Architecture and Development Framework- Web Architect and Developers have been in great demand for the last ten years. There is no sign it will slow down for the simple reason that almost all business transactions are done using the website today. From Airlines, to Security Agencies to Retailers – all need Web Developers of highest grade.

4. Middleware and Integration Software- the ICT industry is in need of Software integrators that can connect several software and make them to have a seamless handshake 5. User Interface Design- In business today- Data is King. Employers are looking for people with user interface design that will make available mountain of data useful for their customers. This is why experts in User interface Design will not smell recession in 2017.

6. Network and Information Security- Network and information security are like Siamese twins and they will ever be relevant in the ICT industry. A lot of companies suffer heavy data breach in 2016.

We are in a new networked-world where Internet of Everything ( IoE) reign supreme. Therefore, the safety of the information in the cloud, the driverless car, the connected devices is key to employers.

Whoever can protect the information 24/7 will be treasured.

7. Mobile Development- We are all going Mobile, on-the-go 24/7. The much expected convergence has come and it is on mobility. This is why anyone who can bring new solutions to Mobile devices will be in hot demand.

8. Data Presentation- there is a new boy in the house. It’s a brand new skill employers are looking

Cont’d from Pg. 22

for globally. Anyone who can show, not tell data will be in high demand: Show me, tell me not.

Data presentation is basically about visualizing data, employers need employees who can organize data in a beautiful concise way bereft of jargons and technicalities to make it easier for all stakeholdersshareholders, Directors, Management, Customers and Suppliers and staff to understand.

9. Social Media Marketer ( SMM)- Even though globally, the demand for Marketing Campaign and Channel Marketing is slowing down. But here in Nigeria we do not have enough Social Media Marketers. All churches, industries, Government Agencies will continue to hire Social Media Marketers for a long time to come in Nigeria.

10. Storage Systems and Management- It is not enough to have data, ability to store it and get it retrieved when needed, disaster recovery mangers, business Continuity skills and Management will always be in good and steady demand.

Will Robots replace human beings, when and how? Which profession will disappear and which ones will emerge in the new economy?

The answer is yes and No. Robots will take away some jobs but new jobs will be created in the process. The challenge is to prepare our youths with a new educational curriculum that will help them compete in the new era of Robotic Technologies.

A few years ago people would have argued that it is not possible for a computer to beat the best human in the world at Jeopardy. However, in 2011, IBM’s supercomputer Watson bested two former Jeopardy superstars, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter.

Today IBM Watson is being used at Cleveland Clinic in the US to assist physicians and improve the speed and accuracy of medical diagnosis and treatments. In this case, Watson augments the skills of physicians, creating more demand for doctors with access to the supercomputer. True, some professions like journalism, Teaching, Driving, and Receptionists etc will witness heavy usage of Super Computer in the next few years. For example, recently a driverless truck was successfully tested on a 300km journey in the US without an accident. Google, Amazon, Apple and Uber and others are relentlessly researching into driverless cars which I see happening in the next two to three years.

But professions like Nursing, Psychologists, Physiotherapist, Computing, Medical Sciences, and Investment Advisors, etc will never go down in value but rather increase.

What are the seven hottest ICT trends to expect in 2017?

1 Mobility- Everyone in your Team is on the go, the journalists, bankers, Pilots etc. At the same time you want to connect with your customers, team mates and superiors in the office. Giving people access to use their own devices to navigate your network will continue to pose challenges to BYOD security.

2 Internet of Everything- Today we have Coffee pot with IP addresses that you can communicate with via network. There is ATM Pizza machine with internet enable, there are children pampers that can give warning to the mother when the pamper is wet. There is virtually nothing that has power that we cannot connect with other things.

This poses serious security challenges as well. The more things connect the more vulnerable the world becomes.

3 Big Data: Today Police everywhere make use of information in their Big Data to fish out crime in their hide-out without necessarily disturbing the peace of other neighbors with siren targeting crime hot spots at a given point in time based on real-time and historical data in their Super computer.

However building new data architectures to fix mountain of data and in real-time mode, is not as big a challenge as getting people with the appropriate skill set to work with.

4 Business value dashboards- Every business will like to see action live on their business dashboards.

You want to see every transaction going on within your network live, even hacking activities also. There is a new cyber security company that launched a new product two weeks ago in the US that allows you 100% visibility on the dashboard of all the incidences regarding your business. This will remain the trend in 2017 and beyond.

5 Webscale IT Architecture- The CEOs will challenge the CIOs on why and how their respective organisations could do what Google, Facebook and Amazons are doing. For better or worse, business leaders want to know why you can’t do what Google, Facebook and Amazon do. However, legacy hardware and software architecture are not designed with such capability. Which means

Akano

this trend relies on software-defined everything and open philosophies coupled with attitudinal change on the part of ICT Team.

6 Intelligent Technologies- Human-like Robots, Drones with deadly capacity, Autonomous vehicles, Autonomous Soldiers – all this and many more will continue to become mainstreams. Intelligent APPS like Virtual Personal Assistants (VPAs) that will assist the CEOs in highlighting important emails and urgent matters to respond to real-live.

7 Multilayered Cyber Security- Now that everything is going to be connected and since everything that is connected can be hacked then we have the issue of security to battle. This is why cyber security will move to a new level of Multilayered- cyber security.

How has it been with your business in 2016 and what new things do we expect in 2017?

We thank God that despite all the challenges and uncertainties we are able to overcome. In 2017 we plan to introduce new courses to the market like Robotics Technologies, Embedded Engineering, Big Data, Social Media Consulting, and new security courses among others. This is with a view to equipping the workforce with new skills that will be required as the economy takes a new dimension in recession and recovery

What are the three best pieces of advice you have ever received that you want to share with younger entrepreneurs?

The three best pieces of advice I have received from my mentors are permanently written on the table of my heart. One is that entrepreneurs should not hesitate to ask for help when in trouble. ‘Tim they don’t shoot you for asking’- ‘DS’- will always tell me. ‘The worst answer you get is a No’.

Second: ‘hang-on when the going gets tough and pains become almost unbearable. ‘Don’t come down’: ‘the darkest part of the night is the one that is closest to day-break’- I was admonished.

Nothing can happen to you that have not happened to others before. If I did not die for taking hot loans called ‘Boku-O-Ku’ in Yoruba language (i.e. where you as a borrower will sign an agreement like this: ‘Borrower beware, for you may die as a result of stringent conditions attached to the loan you are about to take and in the event that you die without paying the loan, the lender will not allow your corpse to be buried until your relatives pay up the capital and interest up to the day of your death’). These are the kind of money they charge you 15% per month or 180% per year. Most SMES in Nigeria look for a poisonous solution like this when cash dries up in their business, which always almost happens to all Start-Ups. Three; I was told and believe now that every disappointment is a blessing in disguise. Every disaster is a rapped opportunity. One day sometime

between 2008 and 2009, the Managing Director of a bank gave me one ‘Hot Information’ that his Bank ‘ABC’ stock will climb from N22.00 to N66.00 per share within the next 3 months. And that I could use my house as collateral to get a loan of about N100 million, and the bank will give me additional N200 million as stock- loan to buy the bank’s stocks worth about N300 million which I could sell for N1 billion in three months. Who does not want to become a Billionaire? Most banks were involved in this kind of practice in those days and most of the big men were involved as well- they call it insider trading. My wife stopped me from participating in the ‘’Deal Of The Year’- I was angry with her though then. Today, I have learned how to tap into women’s instinct when taking certain risks. Women have sharper, stronger instinct than men!

Thirty days later: the bubble burst. Just like volcanoes, the Nigeria stock market caught hot fire, it crashed, and heavily too. Overnight, big men of yesterday became jelly taking permanent abode in their doctor’s clinic to bring down their blood pressure. People lost their monies, houses and some even died in the process. Several marriages collapsed because both wife and husband had made secret investments that were not known to each other until the house roof came down.

The said bank died as well.

The lesson I learned from the 2008/2009 stock crash is that there is no short cut to Good Success- it is a narrow, lonely, frustrating pathway meant for the courageous and positively crazy people who are blind to fear and immune to criticism. The pains: always almost heavy; the scare: always almost permanent, but the joy: indescribable. The beauty of butterfly comes as a result of hardship it went through trying to get out of its shell; it has to use its wings to break the shell all alone. The blood that flows from its veins in that process bring about the butterfly beauty that people admire. When I see the people we have been able, by God’s help, provide jobs for.

When I see millions of students we have trained in ten years some of them doing great overseas and some now CIOs of banks and Multinationals in Nigeria, and when I look at some of the permanent scare on my body covered by cotton, which can be traced to this entrepreneurship endeavor, I smile, with deep satisfaction, that with the gift of one life, value has been created, joy has been multiplied and thousands of candles have been lit with just one candle and still lightning.

As an entrepreneur, I have learned that the joy is the process, the pains, the mistakes, the disappointments, the anxieties on the road to the Canaan land- and not the destination itself.

In trying to make a difference, I have learned in the school of life the hard way that if you want to get pregnant you can’t stay a virgin.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

TRAVEL

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

The Vai Vai band fron Brazil won the International Carnival

PHOTO: ATQNews

Cultural Fusion, As International Carnival Calabar Highlights Climate Change The International Carnival Calabar which is distinct from the traditional street parade, helped to make the 2016 carnival the best ever, despite coming close to being derailed by bad weather, reports Demola Ojo…

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he performances by different bands and troupes at the U.J Eusuene Stadium in Calabar on December 29 last year were spectacular. Drawn from different countries across the world, the troupes wowed the audience with feats that were entertaining and surreal in equal

measure.

Some looked downright impossible, from the fire-eating Ghanaians to the pole climbers from Kenya, from the Croatians on stilts to the acrobats from Ethiopia.

Others entertained through music, costumes and dance. The Brazilians – crowd favourites and repeat visitors to Calabar – come to mind in this regard.

Rwanda and Burundi too, with their resounding drums and choreography. The energy of the South African troupe was notable, especially the plus-size man who jumped, twisted and rolled on the tracks with incredible dexterity.

The war dance with swords and shields from the Turks was another highlight. The audience was especially involved in this act, as they helped in bellowing the war cry.

Nigeria wasn’t left out of the International Carnival, with the street parade champions, the Seagull band, representing alongside accomplished acrobats from Imo. It was a fusion of different cultures, expressed especially through a joint performance by a Spanish ballerina and the Ethiopian acrobats.

It was breathless back-to-back entertainment at its peak. Pure magic!

But as awe-inspiring as the International Carnival was, it was just one day of many. Calabar was already agog from the street parade by five bands the previous day, and the Bikers’ Carnival a day before that.

Looking back at 2016 as a whole, it is safe to say without any doubt that Carnival Calabar was the biggest tourism event in Nigeria and the largest

street party in Africa. The latter statement is not a tagline but a statement of fact.

Climate Change Truth be told, it didn’t seem like it would be the resounding success it turned out to be when the month-long carnival and festivals was about to climax with the much-vaunted International Carnival.

For the second consecutive year (coinciding with Governor Ben Ayade running the show), international bands and troupes entertained a mammoth audience while competing for prize money. This new concept is an addition to the street parade the indigenous carnival bands traditionally compete in.

Every carnival has a unique theme that each of the bands interprets through costumes, dance, drama and floats. It may be all fun and fanfare on the surface, but there is always a message conveyed. This past edition, just like the previous one, the theme of the Carnival was Climate Change.

Initially, repeating the theme seemed like a personal obsession for Prof Ayade. He is a renowned environmentalist who has invented groundbreaking solutions in groundwater remediation. He has been chairman of Cross River State’s Ecological Fund and has led African governors to a UN-organised summit on climate change. Perhaps, his background as an environmentalist was unnecessarily influencing the choice of theme.

Again looking back, and considering the events that occurred in the build-up to the carnival, there was – and there still is – a pressing need to highlight the reality of climate change. The choice of theme turned out to be apt as without warning, a heavy Harmattan haze descended on large swathes of Nigeria from December 26.Visibility was low, flights were delayed and cancelled, itineraries were altered.

Suddenly, it was a herculean task getting more than a dozen groups representing different countries

to the venue of a competition they had waited a year for. Some of the bands, like the Vai Vai Carnival Band from Brazil, had up to 40 individuals.

The race to get so many foreigners to Calabar safely was on. It needed all the ingenuity the Carnival Commission and other stakeholders could muster.

Some cities were worse hit than others by the haze.

By a funny twist of fate, flights to Calabar were a no-no. The options included flying to Uyo, PortHarcourt and other airports close by, then travelling to Calabar by road. But leaving Lagos and Abuja, and landing at these other airports was no forgone conclusion. There was still the possibility of making the journey from Lagos by road, if all else failed.

The International Carnival was almost over before it started.

With hindsight, it is easy to see the upside to the flight disruption. The Brazilian band, as well as troupes from Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi and a few others flew into Port-Harcourt from Lagos on the night of the 27th. In tow were some Nigerian celebrities and journalists, this writer inclusive.

Road Trip Road trips are usually exciting and are opportunities to bond. It is also the best way for tourists to explore a country. Unfortunately, the road trip culture is dying in Nigeria because of bad roads.

Surprisingly though, there is no recollection of a bad patch on the approximately four-hour trip from Port-Harcourt to Calabar via Uyo. The surprise (and feel good emotions for yours truly) started from the Port Harcourt airport to the hotels in the GRA part of town where the international troupes were lodged. It was lit all the way. This is not to be taken for granted in our climes.

Some of the other countries had to be ferried through different routes, with the last batch arriving Calabar a few hours to the event. Some countries

like Zimbabwe couldn’t make it. Only two members from the Ukrainian band made it. This meant that the International Carnival that was billed to start for 7pm started a few hours late. However, for those who did, it was certainly worth the wait.

Vai Vai Encore At the end of visual spectacle, the Tobias Vai Vai Band of Brazil came out on top, with the Ghanaian and Rwandan dancers coming second and third respectively in the competition that featured 13 countries. However, he true winners are the government of Cross River for put together a stunning show, and the audience that witnessed it.

Challenges It goes without saying that there’s room for improvement. The bigger the carnival gets, the more important it is for infrastructure to keep up. Calabar certainly needs more international standard hotel rooms. It is also imperative that the city and the state, take advantage of the influx of visitors to sell other tourism products in the state. Making Cross River an all-year round destination, rather than the month of December alone, is the task.

The challenge shouldn’t be the government’s alone. Opportunities abound for the private sector in areas of transportation, tour guiding, destination management, souvenirs, hotels and more.

The future looks bright and at this rate, the carnival can only get bigger and better. The Cross River government should be proud of successfully hosting a great event. Beyond all the fun and entertainment however, the theme of the carnival shouldn’t be lost on us. Climate change is real and the earlier we come up with solutions to help mitigate its effects, the better for us all. If it takes Nigeria’s biggest tourism product to bring attention to it, then so be it.

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TRAVEL

How Nigeria Loses Millions of Dollars to South Africa, Rwanda, Gambia in Global Tourism For the second year running, Nigeria shunned the just-concluded World Travel Market in London. Funke Olaode, who attended the three-day global event, examines the dire economic implications for Nigeria and how the country loses multimillion dollars in travels and tourism

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ince its debut 36 years ago, the World Travel Market usually organised in London, the United Kingdom, has remained a melting point for 187 countries across the globe to share ideas on how to improve tourism and travel industry –but more importantly, to deal in multimillion pounds tourism enterprise.

The gigantic exhibition centre situated in Excel, East London, is an avenue that attracts common interests and offers stakeholders the opportunity to keep up with latest insight on travels. In its 36th year, at least 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, businesspeople and top government officials and international press, converge on Excel-London every November to network, negotiate and discover latest opinions and trends on travels enterprise.

With the dip in oil prices and recession troubling many countries, not a few countries are exploring their tourism potential as support system to boost their economy.

According to a recent report, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with its famed Abu Dhabi and Dubai sits atop over 93 billion barrel of crude oil.

But as it stands today, the country has since put oil aside. Tourism is its cash cow.

With its less than six million population and a GDP per capital predicted to rise by 22 per cent to $75,000 in a few years’ time, Dubai, a city of superlatives, pristine beaches and an interesting mix of indoor and outdoor entertainment, has in the last few years been playing host to thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Owing to factors such as rising incomes, retail real estate expansion and steady inflow of international brands, the UAE tourism offering is set to reach new heights in the years ahead.

Dubai’s ambition to become world’s most visited city is obvious. Tourism is an important part of the Dubai government’s strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. As of 2013, Dubai was the fourth most visited city of the world based on air traffic and the fastest growing, increasing by a 10.7 per cent. Dubai attracts at least 14 million tourists in 2015. And by the end of 2015, the country’s gross domestic product stood at $340.8 billion. Another example of a nation that has shifted focus beyond oil is Turkey.

Turkey is a nation straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosporus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th century Blue Mosque and the 1460 Topkapı Palace – former home of sultans. Istanbul welcomes thousands of visitors daily.

During this reporter’s visit to the ancient city, a tour guide at Hagia Sophia Mosque explained that an average 3,000 visitors converge on the iconic site daily at $10 per head. Which means the site makes an average $30,000 per day ($900,000 monthly and $10.8m yearly). That is only one site.

Barbados is the wealthiest and most developed country in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region.

Recently, Barbados celebrated its 50 years of independence. The Island was one of the first European colonies in the Caribbean and broke from British rule on November 30, 1966. The five decades have seen its tourism industry rise to overtake sugar production as the Island’s major source of income.

However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about four-fifths of GDP and of exports being attributed to service. Last year, the country welcomed a record 591,872 visitors, which apparently boosted the nation’s hospitality industry, increased employment and put the number of flights to the country at its height. At the end of 2015, the country has an estimated GDP of $4.412 billion.

While the Middle East, the Caribbean and godfathers of destinations such as the UK, the United States, Germany, even South Africa and Kenya have continued to position themselves

World Travel Market venue in Excel, London as tourists’ havens and are raking multimillion dollars, Nigeria seems to be teetering on apathy and lack of ingenuity.

In recent times, Ethiopia, Rwanda Tanzania, Kenya, and The Gambia have demonstrated how lucrative travels and tourism are. For instance, despite its genocide of 1994, Rwanda is one of most visited countries on the continent of Africa and Gambia – despite being run like a police state – welcomes thousands of tourists. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in its recent reports said the country generated $304.9 million.in 2014 from tourism, compared to $293.6 million in 2013, representing an increase of 4 per cent. These revenues increased from $62 million in 2000.

The Gambia, with population of about 1.849 million as of 2013 and over 30 top tourist attractions receives over 100,000 visitors a year and its tourism industry is the second highest earner of foreign revenue. Tourists mainly come from Europe with package tour operators from UK making up over 50 per cent of visitors; the remaining number of visitors arriving from Germany, Norway, Sweden and other countries. In terms of GDP per capital according to World Bank (2013), the country rakes in $488.57 yearly.

Little wonder, in spite of domestic challenges back home, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have not failed to take advantage of the WTM. The trio marketed themselves as a single destination for the first time at joint stand at this year’s WTM London under the banner,“East African countries opt for joint marketing, Borderless Borders, One Destination.”

The single East Africa Tourist Visa, recently launched, enables travellers to visit Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda under one visa.

According to the East Africa Tourism Platform, the move is in line with the vision of marketing East African Community (EAC) as a single destination.

South Africa is a popular tourist destination and the industry accounts for a substantial amount of the country’s revenue. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism industry directly contributed ZAR 102 billion to South African GDP in 2012, and supports 10.3 per cent of jobs in the country. Another important source

of revenue is domestic tourism, which contributes 52 per cent of total tourism consumption. The number of tourists that throng South Africa also reached the ten million mark in 2014.

For so-called ‘Giant of Africa’ –Nigeria – with its vast tourist destinations and human resources things are falling apart in travels and tourism as it faces the quartet of kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and lack of ingenuity.

According to an expert, this is a bad omen for a country struggling to make tourism as one of its exports besides oil and agriculture.

“Since Nigeria joined World Travel Market in 1996. This (year) is the second time Nigeria did not participate in the annual event. Not only that, Nigeria has defaulted in many international exploits. For critics, the move is a misstep because among the African nations, Nigeria has always been a cynosure of all eyes. Since it registered its presence at WTM London in 1996, the country has recorded remarkable successes.

“These were attributed to past administrations of director generals of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) such as Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho, Chief Olusegun Runsewe and a host of others. Many would not forget in a hurry in 2001 how the then first black Nigerian Miss World, Agbani Darego, drew the world to the Nigerian tent at WTM under the leadership of Mrs. Omotosho.

This, of course, placed Nigeria on top of the league table in travels and tourism industry,” the publisher of African Traveller and organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko, said.

In 2012, the country’s tourism industry got international recognition as a potential powerhouse in global travel and tourism markets.

That year, in an industry report signed by the WTM chairman, Fiona Jeffery, Nigeria was highlighted as a viable travels and tourism destination.

Head of Tourism Research of Euromonitor International, Caroline Bremmel, revealed how Nigeria’s film industry, dubbed as Nollywood, has placed the country on the world map.

In the 53-page report tagged,“Africa-DestinationNollywood,” Bremmel said Nollywood was the

second largest in volume terms after Bollywood (India) and ahead of Hollywood (US) with over 2,000 films produced annually.

With these positive remarks, the world always looks out for Nigeria each year at the WTM. Since the last administration of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) headed by the recently removed Mrs. Sally Mbanefo came on board, Nigeria has performed poorly.

It was with fanfare at WTM London 2013 when a new slogan and logo was launched as part of rebranding Nigeria. Former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhaltu Tafida and former Minister for Culture, Chief Edem Duke, were both present. But the fanfare ended there as it had no significant impact on the country’s tourism or economic development.

Experts who spoke with this reporter noted that Nigeria’s continued absence at the WTM can only lead to one thing: loss of foreign exchange earnings and job opportunities for locals.

Uko, explaining how much Nigeria loses for not being at the WTM in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), laments that the picture is pathetic.

According to him, before the country’s recession, Nigeria had the highest hotel pipeline projects in Africa. It was expected that all leading global hotel chains will invest in Nigeria.

“If Federal Palace hotel can scratch an investment of $450 million you can imagine when more chains come over. WTM is the biggest platform for an English-speaking country. The whole world is there.

That is where it happens as it is a must-visit for all players in the sector. We cannot grow tourism without engaging with the global community and we ought to go where the world meets. Nigerian Tour Operators and Hoteliers missed the meetings and the networking necessary for growth.

“When people are looking for Nigerians to do business with and they are nowhere to be found, it is a huge loss. If you noticed Nigeria’s participation in international fora went down within a particular period – not just the WTM. ITB Berlin, FITUR Madrid, Arabian Travel Market Dubai, Akwaaba in Lagos, Carnival Calabar and other tourism events lost the attention of the Federal Government.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

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

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ansard Insurance Plc. is a member of the AXA Group, the worldwide leader in insurance and asset management with 157,000 employees serving 102 million clients in 56 countries.The company was incorporated in 1989 as a private limited liability company and is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM).The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/investment management services, medical insurance solutions and pension fund administration through its three subsidiaries Mansard Investments Limited, Mansard Health Limited and Penman Pensions limited.

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

The company released its third quarter results, for the year period ended September 30th 2016, an impressive performance in both top-line and bottomline earnings.

INCREASE IN GROSS PREMIUM DRIVES NET UNDERWRITING INCOME For the third quarter period ended September 2016, AXA Mansard reported an increase of 25.48% in gross premium written to N16.94 billion from N12.48 billion in the corresponding period of 2015, despite stiff competition in the Nigerian insurance sector with regards to the sales of various insurance packages and products.The significant growth in gross premium was driven by an increase of 22.04% in gross premium income to N15.23 billion in September 2016 from N12.48 billion in September 2015. However, reinsurance expenses also grew by 31.09% to N6.78 billion from N5.17 billion over the period.

Despite the increase in reinsurance expenses, the strong growth in gross premium income resulted in a growth of 15.63% in net premium income to N8.45 billion from N7.31 year on year.

Furthermore, the company’s fee and commission income on insurance contracts decreased moderately by 1.87% to N728m in September 2016 from N742m in September 2015; however, net underwriting income for the period ended September 2016 grew by a significant 14.02% to N9.18 billion from N8.05 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

INCREASE IN UNDERWRITING EXPENSES WANES UNDERWRITING PROFIT The company’s gross claims expenses increased massively by 28.07% to N7.11

THE POTENTIAL OF THE INSURANCE SECTOR IN NIGERIA REMAIN RELATIVELY HUGE. WE BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT PUT IN PLACE AN ADMIRABLE STRUCTURE IN TERMS OF COMPLIANCE, CUSTOMER ACQUISITION, RETENTION AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SECTOR AND TOWARDS DELIVERY OF EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE WHICH STRENGTHENS EARNINGS, INCOME GENERATION CAPACITY AND GROWTH IN LIQUIDITY BASE.

billion in September 2016 from N5.55 billion in September 2015 while claims expenses recovered from insurers also increased significantly by 32.58% to N1.80 billion from N1.36 billion over the period.

Expectedly, net claims expenses also increased by 26.61% to N5.30 billion in the period ended September 2016 from N4.19 in the corresponding period of 2015.

On the other hand, underwriting expenses increased by 12.07% to N1.54 billion from N1.38 billion over the period.

However, due to the significant rise in claims expenses and claims expenses recoverable, net underwriting expenses grew by 20.25% to N6.90 billion in September 2016 from N5.74 billion in September 2015. However, due to the higher expenses, the company’s underwriting profit decreased slightly to N2.28 billion in September 2016 from N2.31 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2015; reflecting a slight change of 1.47%.

INCREASED EXPENSES FAILTO IMPEDE SURGE IN EARNINGS

Finance cost for the period ended September 2016 rose slightly by 5.61% to N337m from N319m recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. However, other operating expenses increased by 7.93% to N1.47 billion from N1.36 billion over the period; despite the increase in operating expenses, pre-tax earnings increased substantially by 86.94% to N3.71 billion in September 2016 from N1.99 billion in September 2015.

Furthermore, income tax expense for the period ended September 2016 rose to N673m from N209m in September 2015; net income also followed suit with a massive increase of 71.04% to N3.04 billion from N1.77 billion over the period.

Thus, the company’s net Income margin rose to 17.94% in September 2016 from 13.16% in September 2015 while pre-tax margins also rose to 21.92% from 14.71% over the period.The company’s return on assets (ROA) grew slightly to 5.31% from 3.47% while its return on equity (ROE) also followed suit to increase to 16.95% from 10.21%%.

STRONG ASSET QUALITY The company’s balance sheet shows positive changes in total assets, net assets and total liabilities, as at September 2016, when compared to the corresponding period of 2015.Total assets grew by 11.78% to N57.24 billion in September 2016 from N51.21 billion in December 2015.The key drivers of the company’s total assets were a 127.15% increase in trade receivables to N1.56 billion from N686m, 48.70% increase in Reinsurance assets to N7.52 billion from N5.06 billion and a 42.18% rise in investment property to N13.09 billion from N9.21 billion in December 2015.

On the other hand, the company’s total liabilities shows a growth of 14.66% to N36.22 billion in the period ended September 2016 from N31.59 billion in December 2015.The key drivers of the increase in liabilities were an increase of 23.43% in insurance liabilities to N15.94 billion from N12.92 billion, and a 53.14% rise in trade payables to N2.51 billion from N1.64 billion during the year under review. Expectedly, the company’s net assets grew by 3.01% to N17.94 billion from N17.41 billion during the period under review.

WE RECOMMEND A HOLD Nevertheless, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc delivered an impressive performance despite harsh and unstable business terrain.The potential of the insurance sector in Nigeria remain relatively huge.We believe that the Company’s management put in place an admirable structure in terms of compliance, customer acquisition, retention and capacity building to take advantage of the identified opportunities in the

Valuation Metrics 6-Jan-17 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price

1.73

Current Price (N)

1.69

Outstanding Shares (m)

10,500

Market Cap (N'm)

17,325

Rolling EPS (N)

0.28

Rolling PE Ratio

5.92

Forward EPS

0.33

Forward PE Ratio

5.02 Source: BGL Research

Q3 September 2016 unaudited Results Turnover (N’m)

16,942

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

3,714

Profit After Tax (N’m)

3,040

Pre-tax Margin (%)

21.92

Source: Company Data 2015 AC, BGL Research

2015 Full Year Audited Results Turnover (N’m)

16,574

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

2,023

Profit After Tax (N’m)

1,662

Pre-tax Margin (%)

12.21

Source: Company Data 2014 AC, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Assur Africa Holdings Ltd

76.48

Public Float

23.52 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

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

Based on our review of the company’s financials, we revise our projected gross earnings and Net earnings to N20.02 billion and N2.92 billion respectively for financial year end 2016.This leads to a forward EPS of 0.33. Using a relative Price to Earnings Valuation (PE) and (NAV) Net Assets Valuation method, we arrive at a 3-month target price of N1.73. Since this represents a downside potential of 2.37% on the current price, we therefore place a HOLD recommendation on AXA Mansard Insurance Plc shares.

27

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY8, 2017

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

TOTAL OIL NIGERIA PLC: Substantial growth in top-line and bottom-line earnings despite macroeconomic challenges

T

otal Nigeria Plc is a Marketing and Services subsidiary of Total; a multinational energy company operating in more than 130 countries and committed to providing sustainable products and services for its customers. For over 50 years, Total Nigeria Plc has remained the leader in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry with an extensive distribution network of over 500 service stations nationwide and a wide range of top quality energy products and services.

Total Nigeria Plc (RC 1396) was incorporated as a private company on September 1, 1956 to market petroleum products in Nigeria. In December 11, 2001, the company had a successful merger which paved way for sustainable growth and continuous development.

Total Oil Nigeria Plc recently released its third quarters result for the period ended September 30th 2016, showing significant increase in key performance indicators despite the tough operating business climate in Nigeria.

TURNOVER IMPROVES DESPITE HIGH INFLATION AND DECREASE IN PRICE OF CRUDE OIL

. IN ADDITION, WE EXPECT THE MODEST LEVERAGE IN THE BOOK OF THE COMPANY TO ALLOW IT SIGNIFICANT ROOM FOR BALANCE SHEET OPTIMISATION AND IMPROVED EARNINGS PER SHARE TOWARDS ENSURING MAXIMIZATION OF SHAREHOLDERS RETURN IN THE DAYS AHEAD

For the third quarter period ended, September 30th 2016, Total Nigeria Plc’s selling and distribution Total Oil Plc reported a 38.24% expenses increased by 15.42% to increase in revenue to N220.22 N3.96 billion in September 2016 billion in September 2016 from N159.30 billion in the corresponding from N3.43 billion recorded in the corresponding year in 2015. Over period of 2015. Despite the the last few years, the company challenging global and domestic has improved its effort to curtail oil market quagmires during increase in operational costs due the period, Total Nigeria Plc was to high overhead cost ranging from able to record a magnificent the cost of delivering its supplies rise in revenue. Most Nigerian through trucking to all its retails oil marketers struggled to grow outlets and others. Impressively revenue during the first quarter due to the sharp drop in petroleum the Company was able maintain personnel costs, advertisement product supply following the rise in importation cost and scarcity of and promotion expenses as well as depreciation. Rise in selling foreign exchange which resulted into the sudden upward review and and distribution expenses was recorded due to increase in: partial deregulated of prices of changes in inventory of lubes, petroleum in domestic market. greases and refined products, Costs of sales, therefore, grew custom duties, transportation by 33.84% to N188.21 billion in of supplies and maintenance September 2016 from N140.61 expenses. Also, the Company’s billion in September 2015. The management succeeded in Company recorded a massive rise curtailing its administrative of 71.32% in gross profit to N32.01 expenses which declined by 3.14% billion in September 2016 from N18.69 billion in the corresponding to N11.63 billion from N12.00 billion reported in September 2015. year of 2015, Furthermore, Total Oil recorded a marginal rise of 0.91% in other EFFECTIVE COSTMANAGEMENT income to N814m in September LEADSTO FURTHER INCREASE IN 2016 from N807m over the PROFITABILITY

corresponding year of 2015. Hence, operating profit for the year as anticipated grew substantially to N17.24 billion in September 2016 from N4.05 billion in September 2015, indicating an enormous growth of 325.08%.

PROFITABILITY SOARS HIGHER AS FINANCE COST DEPLETES

Financial income decreased notably by 87.06% to N277m from N2.14 billion while finance cost recorded similar feat as it dropped by 59.24% to N509m in September 2016 from N1.25 billion in September 2015. Therefore, net finance cost decreased massively by 126.05% to N232m from N891m over the period.

Hence, profit before tax and net income for the period grew substantially by 243.75% to N17.00 billion and by 319.91% to N11.63 billion in third quarter 2016 from corresponding figures of N4.95 billion and N2.77 billion respectively.

STRONG ASSET QUALITY

Total Oil Plc reported an increase of 39.39% in total asset to N116.60 billion as at September 2016 from N83.65 billion as at December 2015 while its total liabilities grew by 39.18% to N93.82 billion in September 2016 from N67.41 billion in December 2015. The increase in total assets is attributable to: 96.07% rise in other receivables, 140.33% increase in inventories and a 63.98% in cash and bank balances; while on the flip side, rise in total liabilities is attributable to: 73.78% increase in trade and other payables and an increment of 200.10% in current tax liabilities.

Also, shareholders fund rose significantly by 40.26% to N22.78 billion from N16.24 billion over the period.

The company’s profitability and efficiency ratios rose significantly.

Return on asset (ROA) increased to 9.98% while return on equity (ROE) stood at 1.06%. Pre-tax profit margin rose to 7.72% as at third quarter 2016 from 3.11% a year ago.

BUY RECOMMENDATION

Total Plc’s management succeeded in curtailing its expenses in spite of growing prices and high cost of finance.

Hence, considerably improving profitability which otherwise would be eroded. In addition, we expect the modest leverage in the book of the Company to allow it significant room for

Valuation Metrics 6-Jan-17 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

317.73

Current Price (N)

299.00

Outstanding Share(m)

339.52

Market Cap (N'm)

98,461

Rolling EPS (N)

38.02

Rolling PE Ratio

7.63x

Projected EPS

38.59

Projected PE Ratio

7.51x Source: BGL Research

Q3 September 2016 Results Turnover (N'm)

145,481

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

17,004

Profit After Tax (N'm)

11,632

Pre-tax Margin (%)

7.72 Source: BGL Research

Full Year 2015 Results Turnover (N'm)

208,027

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

6,495

Profit After Tax (N'm)

4,047

Pre-tax Margin (%)

3.12 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Total Societe Anonyme

45.24

Elf Aquitaine S.A.

16.48

Public Float

38.28 Source: Company Data 2015 AC, BGL Research

balance sheet optimisation and improved earnings per share towards ensuring maximization of shareholders return in the days ahead.

Based on the company’s current performance, we revised our revenue projection to N290.62 billion and also revised our net income projection to N13.10 billion for the full year ended, December 2016. This leads to a forward EPS of N38.59. Using an Industry PE multiple of 8.02x, we arrive at a three-month target price of N317.73 and since this represents a 6.2% upside potential on the current price, we therefore place a BUY on the stock of Total Nigeria Plc.

28

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • january 8, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Vitafoam Reduces Loss to N32m, Declares 12 kobo Dividend Goddy Egene Vitafoam Nigeria Plc has recorded a loss of N32 million for the year ended September 30, 2016, which is a reduction compared with a loss of N71.9 million posted in 2015. The operations of the foam making firm have been under pressure due to highly challenging environment. Details of the results released at the weekend showed that the company recorded a revenue of N13.569 billion, down from N16.853

billion in 2015. It ended the year with a loss of N32 million, compared with a loss of N71.9 million in 2015.

However, despite the loss, the directors have recommended a dividend of N125 million , which translates to 12 kobo per share.

The dividend is in line with the recent assurance by the company, which said that despite the economic recession, shareholders would receive dividend.

The Group Managing

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

Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vitafoam, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi had said that 2016 was a very tough period. According to him, the most difficult problem was how to make realistic business decision in the face of continuous uncertainty in view of insecurity, exchange rate, interest rate, devaluation of the naira and insecurity of lives and property.

Adeniyi had disclosed that company had learnt how to operate profitably

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 05-Jan-2017, unless otherwise stated.

under recession assured the shareholders of dividend.

“Our shareholders are our pride. We have an obligation to work very hard to ensure that they are rewarded.

We have consistently paid dividend. We shall pay dividend for 2016 despite the recession. We have always sustained our culture of shareholder value and we shall continue to appreciate our shareholders’ advice on how to move the company forward. It has been difficult to

plan under recession. But we have mastered the terrain. We can now do better planning.

Our strategic focus is now to plan by the day. We plan as they come. At least we can now forecast some variables.

This is helping us,” he said.

Adeniyi explained that companies that import most of their raw materials had challenges with the exchange and availability of Dollars due to improper alignment of fiscal and monetary policies.

According to him, the federal government’s policy of preferential allocation of Dollars to genuine manufacturers did not achieve desired result because it is cashed backed. He explained that the manufactures could not take advantage of the special window for forex because many of them could not back their high demand with cash while the banks who are supposed to lend money had liquidity problem.

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 126.02 Nigeria International Debt Fund 213.89 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.69 AIICO CAPITAL LTD Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price AIICO Money Market Fund ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name ARM Aggressive Growth Fund ARM Discovery Fund ARM Ethical Fund ARM Money Market Fund AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Nigeria Global Investment Fund Paramount Equity Fund Women's Investment Fund FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name FBN Fixed Income Fund FBN Heritage Fund FBN Money Market Fund FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Equity Fund Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Growth Fund

100.00

aaml@afrinvest.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 127.13 -0.59% 215.40 0.47% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.70 -1.17% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

17.06%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.51 290.95 22.57

Offer Price 12.88 299.72 23.25

Yield / T-Rtn 2.63% 4.10% 2.35%

1.00

1.00

17.06%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 105.58

Offer Price 106.32

Yield / T-Rtn 5.95%

1.00 1.00 15.30% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.15 9.19 83.57

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 2.20 5.58% 9.42 -6.76% 85.71 3.03% invest@fbnquest.com

Bid Price 1,088.81 110.53 100.00 $104.93 $104.26

Offer Price 1,090.02 111.29 100.00 $105.18 $104.51

Yield / T-Rtn -0.14% -0.94% 15.33% 0.64% 0.68%

113.63

-0.48%

112.11

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.92 2.57

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.93 -1.60% 2.57 0.16% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,189.46

Offer Price 2,214.18

Coral Income Fund 2,108.26 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 -0.35%

2,108.26 1.13% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

15.90%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.67

1.69

-0.65%

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 0.00% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,011.23 1,011.23 0.13% 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 9.58 9.67 -0.83% 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 1.07 6.65% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.37 10.54 0.28% 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 109.19 109.96 7.18% 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 1.25 1.25 0.16% 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 1,835.38 1,845.51 0.22% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 154.04 154.04 0.05% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.76 0.77 -0.65% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 187.61 187.61 0.39% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 130.68 132.41 0.67% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.38% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,533.30 7,631.11 -0.59% 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 1.12 1.13 7.13% United Capital Bond Fund 1.23 1.23 17.13% United Capital Equity Fund 0.67 0.69 1.89% 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 9.85 10.03 3.19% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.13 11.24 -2.78% Zenith Income Fund 17.16 17.16 6.96%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 123.97

1.01% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.68 74.78

8.78 76.15

-1.13% -1.34%

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

2.61 6.94 11.94 15.67 126.49

2.65 7.02 12.04 15.87 128.49

-5.00% -1.27% -0.49% -1.74% -2.59%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

08.01.2017

AMAKA CHIKA-MBONU

SECRETS OF A HOME-KEEPER

30

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • January 8, 2017

COVER

AMAKA CHIKA-MBONU

SECRETS OF A HOME-KEEPER With an intriguing, even if a mouthful title like, ‘How to Get Your Wife to Swing from a Chandelier in a Red Negligee’, Amaka Chika Mbonu’s new book dangles a trailer load of solutions to troubled marriages. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

T

he firm feet in wellheeled dark shoes conveyed the strength of a graceful lady who adores her role as a home-keeper. Quietly, Amaka Chika Mbonu led the way into her work room upstairs at the serene Ikoyi residence where an idle computer was surrounded by a few books on the table. The seats felt cozy and the conversation started quite easily.

Mbonu didn’t say her age but gave enough clues to it. The ageless beauty is a mother of two children, 19 and 20, who has been married for 23 years. She left her banking profession for home keeping and there’s no reason to ask her why. Her husband, a household name in the banking industry, offers her a home that is in itself a good project. With children schooling outside Nigeria, travelling has become more than just a chore. After a while, she started making clothes. Not long after that, she decided that looking after her children was her primary responsibility.

As she grew in the marriage institution, her passion for it did the same.

In church, she worked as a marriage counselor; a position she’s held for 15 years. By virtue of this role, she is aware of different challenges couples are facing. Although she didn’t dwell on any particular case, she must have seen and heard a lot, for she observed that, “a lot of marriages are in turmoil.’’

From busy work schedules to incompatibilities, marriage counselors have worked assiduously to identify grave areas that married couples need to work on for successful marriages.

She talked cheerfully about the subject.

“I am passionate about making them work and about letting people know the pitfalls in relationships and what they sign-up for when they marry,’’ she began.

Women are markedly different from men and their needs vary. For one, women are more emotional than men.

However, both sexes face the same temptations in marriage. Secondly, women possess a rare ability to multitask. All these ideas are part of the issues addressed in Mbonu’s new book titled, “How to Get Your Wife to Swing from a Chandelier in a Red Negligee.’’

That title may seem a mouthful but she kept it that way for a reason.

“I don’t want to keep it shorter. It is a strong metaphor for how a man can make a woman feel comfortable within marriage and enable her to be all she can and wants to be. By doing so, a man can be all that he wants to be,” she

said, smiling.

Having worked on the book for about 14 months, Mbonu plans a public presentation in February just in time for the Valentine’s Day. Writing a book on marriage and relationships feeds on past experiences. For this reason, a married woman or one who is about to get married; receives pieces of advice from friends, family and loved ones as well as the religious leaders. Of course, it is widely believed that a woman has the primary role of keeping the home.

“They’d tell you to treat your husband like he is your child; you need to be patient, you need to endure.

Nobody ever tells the men what they should do. That said, I want to give men an insight into the mindset of the women. Most men think all a woman wants is just the money. That is not necessarily the truth,’’ she said.

Popular culture promotes materialism and without doubt, its influence is huge on many romantic relationships. Men typically woo women with money and material possessions which cannot buy true love. Women have been accused of being too demanding of attention from men. Whatever the case, Mbonu’s book seeks to address the underlying issues.

“I want to give women the tool to articulate their thoughts and needs; because a lot of women know that certain things are missing in their relationship. Even when you have a good marriage, there are certain extras that you want but are never ready to articulate them. Even when you try, you do so in anger or a tense situation and then your man doesn’t hear you, therefore you are not communicating.

What women want is very simple and it is not necessarily money. It gives the single woman the tool to articulate her thoughts to her man and gives him an insight into what that language means.

I am a person of faith so everything I say must have that backdrop. You must count the cost of anything you want to do in life. Any worthy venture demands that you look at the cost. For the single man, the book will let you know the mind-set of a woman,’’ she revealed.

Many marriages cool off; some in a few months or years. Some marriages last more than two decades and suddenly crash. Mbonu said that marriage is an institution that demands certain skills from both partners.

“People tend to believe that when you go in to marriage you just keep loving each other. There is a skill set for marriage. The single women who may be looking for a tall, fine handsome

Chika-Mbonu

JANUARY 8, 2017 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

31

COVER “A MARRIED WOMAN OR ONE WHO IS ABOUT TO GET MARRIED RECEIVES PIECES OF ADVICE FROM FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES AS WELL AS RELIGIOUS LEADERS. OF COURSE, IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT A WOMAN HAS THE PRIMARY ROLE OF KEEPING THE HOME…THEY’D TELL YOU TO TREAT YOUR HUSBAND LIKE HE IS YOUR CHILD; YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT,YOU NEED TO ENDURE. NOBODY EVER TELLS THE MEN WHAT THEY SHOULD DO. THAT SAID, I WANT TO GIVE MEN AN INSIGHT INTO THE MINDSET OF THE WOMEN. MOST MEN THINK ALL A WOMAN WANTS IS JUST THE MONEY. THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE TRUTH… POPULAR CULTURE PROMOTES MATERIALISM AND WITHOUT DOUBT, ITS INFLUENCE IS HUGE ON MANY ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS. MEN TYPICALLY WOO WOMEN WITH MONEY AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS WHICH CANNOT BUY TRUE LOVE. WOMEN HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING TOO DEMANDING OF ATTENTION FROM MEN.” WHATEVER THE CASE, MBONU’S BOOK SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ISSUES man that is giving her certain things that are in-built in a woman may have issues. It is not about how your body responds when he touches you. The book gives us the pointers to look out for before he says he wants to put a ring on your finger. The book starts by stating what the issues are and we all know that marriages are in turmoil.

The book gives pointers to what I think can be part of the solutions, may be not all,’’ she said, without being boastful.

When it comes to balancing her faith with counseling people of other faiths, Mbonu does a fine blend. She believes everyone is entitled to his or her own faith and is free to be guided by it.

“A woman is a woman irrespective of the culture or religion. I can’t speak for the men. I believe in the freedom of expression. I will counsel any kind of person. Even within girlfriends, there are certain rules that apply. For instance, whether you have a boyfriend, girlfriend or a wife, certain rules apply.

Even in polygamous settings, certain rules apply and it is not a free fall.

Whether, you are an atheist you will want certain things in a relationship. I am Ibo and traditionally in Ibo, you can marry more than one wife. But even in such systems, there are certain rules of engagement. If there is anything that lacks rules and structure; there is always an issue. People going into marriage chose the laws that they want to be governed by. They need to be led by their faith system,’’ she said.

Armed with a degree in Literary Studies from the University of Calabar, Mbonu loves writing and believes in the power of books to impact on

human lives. Against the general belief that the reading culture is dying, the writing culture, she believes has flourished. There are new methods of reading in our contemporary world that is technologically-driven. For this fact, electronic copies of the book will be available for downloads.

“Other media are forever but the written word is like engraving something on stone and it is embedded.

I wrote something concise, something interesting and not just words,’’ she said.

Mbonu has a youthful, age-defying appearance. The secret of that is still unknown although she admitted that healthy meal choices and make up removal habits may have helped. This casual conversation led to the delicate question of why many married couples battle with the challenge of infidelity.

Movies, talk shows and love columnists have tried to find an answer to the question. Many have blamed women for neglecting their husbands while taking on more duties as housewives, secular workers, business women, entertainers or as workers in the church. It is common for women to get criticized for not being creative in coital relations with their husbands or getting too fat after childbirth or generally losing the beauty that attracted their men to them in the first place.

Largely, men have been accused of not emotionally connecting with their wives, giving more attention to sports and friends who think having extra marital affairs or “side chicks” are fashionable. Regardless of

the fundamental cause of infidelity, Mbonu seemed to agree to the notion that infidelity remains a major cause for divorce and separation in many marriages today. Her voice thinned as she discussed the sensitive topic.

“Infidelity is a very personal topic.

It is a painful thing. I don’t know why men cheat. I don’t know if anyone has been able to answer that question and I believe that one of the ways to counter infidelity is through some of the counsel in my book. I am not saying that my book is a kind of miracle. What I am saying is that if you are able to forge some kind of tight connections, it might help to prevent infidelity.

“For some women, they fall into infidelity because of finance or lack of emotional connection with their husbands. Sometimes, men lack certain emotional connection with their wives or with their husbands and I don’t condone that. Infidelity can be devastating. I think there is a different reason for it in different relationships but I will say that infidelity is something everyone should steer away from because it causes more harm than good and it is not worth the trouble,’’ she warned.

The nature of African traditional society has also made it more difficult for polygamy to be condemned. It is acceptable in most African societies for a man to have more than one wife whereas the woman is only permitted to marry one. Under the common law, a man is required to have only one wife and that goes for Christians too. But whenever a woman cheats on her husband, the news is always

Chika-Mbonu

scandalous.

“I believe that is unfair and it is our culture that has made it so. There is hardly any culture in Nigeria that is not polygamous. So, in our culture you will never hear of a woman marrying more than one husband at a time. But it is embedded in our traditional laws that one man can marry more than one wife.

If things don’t improve, we will come into a generation that a lot of women are going to be in physical affairs and many women are and will continue to be in emotional affairs.

“Physical affairs involve sex while in an emotional affair you are not sleeping with them but you are sharing confidential talks, fears, hopes, dreams and aspirations with someone who is not your spouse and that is prevalent today. It can actually lead them to having a physical affair. When a woman is speaking to a man and he is listening to her, the tendency is that she has the potential to have an affair with the person and it is the same for the men. If you are not connecting with your wife or your significant other, the chances are that she will be cheated on. And that is dangerous,’’ Mbonu remarked.

She believes strongly in the sanctity of marriage as a life-long commitmentan essence that requires relentless work.

“We made vows that we will be together, ‘for better for worse, in sickness and health.’ If you have taken those vows, you will want to do all you can to keep it together. For every author, whatever you do is fueled by personal experiences and encounters with others,’’ she said.

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entertainment

with nseobong okon-ekong 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

One Lagos Fiesta Scores High Nseobong Okon-Ekong reports that the second edition of the year-end entertainment and leisure initiative of the Lagos state government, one Lagos Fiesta was a huge success

I

n its second edition, the One Lagos Fiesta has established itself as one of the must see events in the country with the potential to attract fun loving people from within and outside Nigeria. Staged in five centres across Lagos including Badagry, Epe, Agege, Ikorodu and Victoria Island, the event featured performance by artistes like Don Jazzy, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Olamide, Iyanya, Dammy Krane, 2Baba, Darey, Zaina, Tony Tetuila, Sasha, Oritsefemi, Seyi Shay, Wizkid, MI, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Adekunle Gold and Dr. Sid. A major component of the festival second edition of the OLF which took place simultaneously in the different centres for eight days climaxing on New Year eve was a talent contest tagged Lagos Has Got Talent. Mr. Folu Aderibigbe whose company Globacom was one of the major sponsors of the show described the search for new talents as one of the significant highlights. From the lot who showcased their gifts in dance, rap, comedy and drama, Ogunlaja Ahmed, better known as Mr. Dollar from Epe Division impressed the judges to emerge the overall winner, while Blessing Akiote of Agege and Flexible Twist were adjudged runners-up.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has assured Lagosians that the year 2017, which incidentally marks the 50th anniversary of the state, would present limitless opportunities and true happiness for all Lagos residents. He spoke at the Bar Beach, Victoria Island where the grand finale of the OLF held.

According to him, “Our vision remains the same: to create a smart mega city where business and creative opportunities abound; where physical and social amenities are world-class; and where lives and property are safe and secured.”

Obviously the organizers staged a bigger, bolder and better event with Governor Ambode visiting each of the five centres and rounding up his visit at the Bar Beach in Victoria Island.

At Ikorodu, the event held within the premises of the Ikorodu Town Hall.

Many adjudged Ikorodu as the overall best centre for its excellent stage and clear sound. Perhaps the only sore point was that the venue could hardly contain the throng of happy people who wanted to catch a piece of the fun. Ikorodu set itself apart by branding its stage floor and the roof top with bold OLF markings. For three consecutive days, the Ikorodu leg of the fiesta was the number one trending event in Nigeria on Twitter!

Impressed with what he saw at Bagadgry, Governor Ambode said, “I have been to all centres but this is the best crowd I have seen so far.’ The event managers in Badagry showcased an LED lit Spandex that gave the stage

BRIAN MUNRO, 2BABA SURPRISE WINNERS OF BUY N WIN PROMO True to its words, Brian Munro Limited put a smile on the faces of loyal customers who participated in its the Buy N win promo. Despite the recession that many corporate bodies have decried, Brian Munro Ltd took it upon itself to reward consumers to the tune of 15 million naira.

The Buy N Win promo was organised to reward consumers of Campari, American Honey and Skyy Vodka for their loyalty to the brands. The lucky winners were rewarded with a brand new car each valued at 5 million naira each.

An excited winner of the American

The Mavins Crew...on stage at the One Lagos Fiesta

Gov. Ambode with his team at one of the shows in Badagry

eye-pleasing effects and colours. Perhaps, Ambode was further drwn to Badagry for producing customised T-shirts Many who visited the Epe centre came away with the impression that it presented a seemless flow of event. This mark of professionalism by the managers was also observed in the technical area where the audience was presented with magnificent sound quality through

Honey Buy N Win promo, Afolabi Idowu who was present at the venue gushed enthusiastically: “From the first day of this year, I have dreamt of having my own car, but as an average haulage worker with a family to support in Nigeria’s present economy, it hasn’t worked out. Although, I was almost at the point of giving up but something in me kept the hope alive.

I can’t express how much joy I have inside me now as the owner of a brand new 2016 Hyundai Accent just 16 days to the end of the year.”

Adding more thrills to the joyful atmosphere, Campari’s ambassador

Cont’d on pg. 57

25,000 watts speakers. The lighting effect was also superb.

The show managers at Agege could not take full advantage of the Agege Stadium venue to attract a capacity crowd. Perhaps, failure to brand the venue adequately contributed to this. Absence of delayed speakers at a venue of that size drowned the sound. Agege, however, had a few things going for it. For instance,

the flood light enhanced security and kept mischief makers away. It was also the only venue with an airconditioned green room for artistes.

Expectedly, the Cross-Over Night pooled a massive crowd at the Bar Beach. However, the managers failed to enhance the viewing pleasure of the audience by not providing screens.

Tuface

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ENTERTAINMENT 2baba made a surprise visit to the event which held at Ikeja City Mall, Lagos. Fans were star-struck when he made a quiet entrance during the raffle draw of the Campari Buy N Win promo that was ongoing. He soon took over proceedings and dazzled the guests with his charisma and an on-the-spot performance.

2Baba took fans through his hits one after another, to the delight of the excited guests. Thereafter, the winners got a phone call from the pop legend who informed them of the prizes they won.

Apart from being treated to personalised calls from 2Baba announcing them as winners, Fans at the mall enjoyed throwback songs like Implication, Ole and so much more.

BEAT FM ROUNDS UP THE YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE The 2016 edition of the Beat FM Christmas concert was definitely one to remember for music lovers had a fantastic experience as they were serenaded by international and local acts. Held at The Federal palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, the concert opened with performances from Nigerian artistes like Saeon, Mayorkun, Dice Ailes, Uzi, Mologo, Aramide, Koker, Henrotion, Terry Apala, Ajebutter, Dot man, Dremo, Niniola, Praiz who dictated the mood and pace of the concert.

West London group, WSTRN thrilled the fans with some of their hit singles like ‘In2A-list’, ‘Come Down’, ‘Got Love’, ‘Coming Home’, ‘Wait for it’, ‘Social’, ‘Trap Love’, and the reception was very encouraging as the musicians gave an absolutely amazing performance at the concert.

London rap duo, Krept & Konan are not new to the Nigerian audience so it felt more like a back to back as they were here last year for the same concert. They also got fans screaming and singing along to some of their popular songs like ‘Freak of the Week’, ‘Young and Reckless’.

True to his moniker, Omo Baba Olowo, Davido brought the show to a standstill when he climbed on stage and gave a show stopping performance, which left revelers screaming.

American hip-hop group, Migos gave a terrific performance as they kept the crowd cheering while they did the closing performance of the concert.

General Manager, Megalectrics, Deji Awokoya said he was elated at the turnout of music fans to the event.

“We’re proud to say the show was a success and it just goes to show that THE BEAT 99.9FM is the number one youth oriented radio station in Nigeria. The calibre of international acts and the response from the audience just goes to show that THE BEAT 99.9FM has a clearly defined target audience and we fully understand this audience and what makes them tick.”

He promised a greater experience next year.

Also featured were notable Nigerian artistes like Patoranking, Wande Coal, Ycee, Adekunle Gold, and Simi.

INSIDE PRINCESS ROMEO OGHENE’S HOUSE OF GMYT Fashion has never been so opulently adorned like it is in House of GMYT. Set in the elitist environment of Lekki, Lagos, the fashion house is home to luxury couture, academy, salon, bespoke tailoring, garment, interior, events and modeling services. From finely-detailed fabrics with vintage designs to the exquisite interior decor to transform your space with an ethereal touch, House of GMYT is poised

Seyi Shay with her dancers

Pepsi Turns Up Fun with Rhythm Unplugged Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged enhanced its credential as the biggest indoor music party in Nigeria with another exhilarating and exciting night of fun in Lagos at the weekend. With several other shows this yuletide season in Africa’s entertainment hub, it was obvious that Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged was the show everybody was waiting for; it was a sold out concert as Eko Hotel Convention centre venue of the event was filled to capacity including the gallery.

The all Nigerian artistes ensemble was one of the best packaged concert Lagos has witnessed in a long while. Grammy Award Nominee, Wizkid The Starboy, Davido, Seyi Shay, Tiwa Savage (all Pepsi music ambassadors), Tekno, PSquare, Adekunle Gold, Omawunmi, Olamide, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Falz the Bahd Guy, DJ Cuppy, DJ Exclusive, DJ Obi, and many more were some of the artistes on parade.

For Lagosians the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged was an opportunity to turndown stress of work and traffic to turn up fun, turn down loneliness to turn up excitement. The show hosted by versatile comedian Bovi did not disappoint. From

Princess Romeo Oghene

to give the eclectic luxury shopper a holistic experience.

Owned by top model and entrepreneur Princess Kelechi Romeo Oghene, it was formally launched last year, December and was well attended by the high-brows of the society.

Being an entrepreneur with several thriving businesses, the inspiration to open the luxury house was another way Princess Romeo is etching her brand in the fashion and beauty industry where she had spent a career that spanned over a decade.

As the face of Orange Drugs, Romeo had the opportunity to ply hands in different fashion businesses. Although,

the first opening act at about 10.30pm on the night of Friday December 23 to 5:15am Saturday December 24, there was no dull moment.

Wizkid who said he had to fly down from the United States a day before against his doctor’s advice “because of the importance I attached to Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged” waoed the audience with his superlative performance. So did PSquare, Davido, Falz, Olamide and others that it would have been difficult to choose a clear winner were it to be a contest. No wonder the audience danced and partied all night that when Tekno drew the curtain on the show at 5.15am on Saturday, many stayed glued to their seats.

Highlights of the event were the giving away of Iphones and Ipads by Pepsi the lead sponsor. Ace comedian BaseketMouth was also given an award for his contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney said the Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged has provided the platform for consumers and music lovers to unwind, have fun and network.

she revealed that her love for fashion has a history with her mother who was a seamstress. “Growing up, my mum would force us to go learn something. I remembered then, I made a few things.

My mum was a seamstress. At a point I diverted a bit into buying and selling but same fashion.”

From that little trade, she set up GM Events Modeling- a platform offering models a chance to achieve their dreams without exploitation. This has morphed into God’s Might World- a one-stop fashion shop where bespoke fashion products are sold to numerous clients with a yearning for top quality products.

Through her GMYT Skill Acquisition Academy, the graduate of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the Lagos State University, is paving a way for aspiring fashion designers to have an insight into the intriguing world of fashion. She plans to build the capacity of 1,000 youth and women by 2017.

INTRODUCING AFRICAN BEAUTY TV SERIES A new TV series that focuses on the lives of beauty queens is set to hit the screens this year. Written and produced by beauty queen and actress Collete Nwadike, the storyline is multi-themed with crime, comedy, betrayal and addresses some of the issues that most beauty queens face which are according to her, a result of their carelessness.

“It’s more like an expose into the pageantry world. Things we go through that the viewer don’t see or know.

Apart from the glamorous faces, elegant

dresses, the pain we go through is all shown in this film. It is also a way to inspire and guide young models so that they won’t be misguided, they can add value to the society, instead of being a mockery. There are some scenes that address one or two issue like the recent case of Miss Anambra.

I deliberately addressed these issues because I think it ought to be corrected, I don’t care about hurting people, I care about correcting issues.

Beauty queens have lost their value and it really hurts me.”

For her cast, the Special Adviser on Tourism to Anambra government meticulously chose models who can portray the characters well. Known faces in the series include Jide Kosoko, Dan Ugoji, and Funny Mallam.

African Beauty tells the story of an ex-beauty queen turned detective who delved deeper to uncover the recent kidnappings of various beauty queens. So far, two seasons of the series are already in post-production.

Talks are still ongoing with Africa Magic and other viewing platforms to showcase the series.

WINNERS EMERGE AT ‘FACE OF OKIJA’ PAGEANT Recently, Okija town in Anambra State affirmed its historical importance as the hub of Igbo tradition, as winners emerged at the 2016 ‘Faceof Okija’ Pageant held at the Obijackson Sports Arena with participants from thirty villages in attendance.

The event, sponsored by Obijackson Foundation, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, saw Chinasa Ezeamaka and Chukwudi Enukoha emerge as the new Queen and King of Face of Okija respectively.

Those present at the event included Anambra State Governor, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze, Secretary to the Government of Anambra State, Professor Rich Umeh, Chief Pete Edochie, one of Africa’s most talented actors, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere (Kanayo O. Kanayo) and Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule (Okey Bakassi).

According to the Founder of the Obijackson Group, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, who presented the winners with keys to brand new Toyota Corolla cars and cheques for the sum One Million Naira each, the “Face of Okija Pageant is a Special Purpose Programme (SPP) activated to insulate the Igbo culture, beliefs and tradition from continuous attrition.

With their emergence as winners in the 2016 ‘Face of Okija’ Pageant, Chinasa Ezeamaka and Chukwudi Enukoha, in addition to other prizes, have become Ambassadors of the Obijackson Foundation and are placed on fixed salary of One Million and Four Hundred Thousand Naira for the duration of their reign.

The winners are expected to impact lives through their active involvement in a mix of social welfare programmes and initiatives.

The event which had Ebuka ObiUchendu (Ebuka) and Bovi Ugboma (Bovi) as comperes was a thrill with the scintillating performance by Ifechukwu Eze (Ifex G), winner of the star prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira in the Okija Rising segment of the event created to discover and help youths nurture their musical talent.

The sensational rapper and face of urban Ibo tradition, Phyno ignited the stage with his energetic and thrilling performance.

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focUs

How Festival Mall Promotes Culture and Lifestyle

Shoppers shopping at Shoprite

Vanessa Obioha

M

alls are fast becoming a lifestyle for Nigerians, particularly Lagosians due to the novel setting and ambiance associated with them.

Unlike in the past where consumers are limited to supermarkets, chain stores and local markets, the mall is proffering easy and affordable purchases, entertainment and other services under one roof. It is not uncommon to see consumers flocking the shopping centres just to get that mallfeeling even if they end up making no purchase.

In a metropolitan city like Lagos where commerce thrives effusively, the basic need for malls cannot be neglected. They are needed to cater to the varying needs of consumers who work late in offices, the housewives who are tired of the dirty markets, the trendy parents who want to give their children premium entertainment, the co-workers who want to relax in a cool spot with friends after work, and the gentlemen who serenades their ladies with a movie date or surprise shopping.

Despite this emerging trend, there are sparsely enough malls to cater to the evolving needs of the teeming consumers. Thus, most malls are crowded and hardly provide comfort due to the hustling and bustling of eager shoppers or funseekers.

Perhaps, this was what informed the UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) to set up a modern-styled shopping mall that will provide delightful shopping experiences to residents of Festac Town, Mile 2, Crystal Estate, Anchorage Estate, Okota, Navy Town among others and create a destination point for residents of Lagos State. Most shopping malls are located on the Island and other focal parts of the Mainland.

Therefore, Festival Mall is the first of a kind to be opened along the Lagos/Badagry which is currently under renovation. It is expected that at the completion of ten-lane highway, that the mall will compliment the ultra-modern city design proposed by the state government.

Opened for business a year ago, the mall completes the luxury mix of commerce and hospitality in the mixed hub setting at Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin Lagos. It shares grounds with Golden Tulip Hotel, formerly Durban Hotel and a block of 195 apartments, known as The Residences.

Stepping into the serene ambience of the mall, one is captivated by the breathtaking layout. The 12,722sqm building spread across the vast expanse of land in such a way that it can be approached from two entry points: Mile 2 Jakande Estate or through the Amuwo-Odofin bridge.

With about 3,320sqm of anchor space and

ample car park, the mall faces The Residences and the majestic Golden Tulip Hotel, creating a centre of community where fun, hospitality and commerce thrive harmoniously.

Inside the mall is a different world. Designed to meet the varying needs of consumers, the tenant mix is appropriate for a location like Festac Town, a town whose history is embedded in the culture of arts and commerce. Thus, naming the mall Festival is very appropriate for its location.

Over the years, Festac Town has become an ideal suburb for most residents living along the Lagos/Badagry expressway. Although its speed of urbanisation has not been exceptionally fast, it has indeed become an elite haven for people living within that axis.

Festival Mall however enhances that lifestyle with the tenant mix. A visit at the mall showed that the lifestyle centre is improving the culture of lifestyle commerce with its booming retail outlets.

With an anchor retail shop, Shoprite, residents from far and near thronged the shop to get amazing discounts on their purchases,

be it groceries or other household commodities on Black Friday. The shop was filled with carts fighting for space with human feet.

But, there is absolutely something for everyone in the mall. Luxury lifestyle consumers can hop into the timely-paced Timekeepers watch store for designer watches or check into Montaigne Place for exotic perfumes and other skincare products.

Trendy divas can feed on Casa Bella myriad of beauty products or step into Audacious for classy clothes. For their accessories, they can choose between Diva House of Accessories or Accessories to Die 4.

Sport lovers or fitness trainers also have Sports World which offers a variety of sport equipment.

You can also do a routine check-up of your health at Health Plus as well as see an optician at Opticka Vision.

However, entertainment is not left out in the mix. Silverbird Cinemas with its 4 screens provide both on and off-screen fun. Located at the far-left of the mall, that is from the first entrance, its spacious area provide snooker tables and sitting areas to

pop your corn and sip a drink while waiting for your movie. In case, popcorn doesn’t do it for you, you can give yourself your sweet tooth a treat at the Cakes and FroYoghurt store close to Silverbird. Seafood lovers can explore the tasty meals at Ocean Basket and if you just want to chill out with friends in a relaxed atmosphere, you can buy a drink at Rhapsody’s.

While the mall is not a themed park, it offers children a momentary thrill with its mini car train that drives them through the length and breadth of the mall.

Upwardly mobile businessmen are not left out in the melange. Office Everything, Tesla Mobile among other stores are there to meet their demands with designated ATM machines for easy transactions.

What really sets Festival Mall apart besides its captivating landscape is the tranquil aura it offers. With CCTV cameras and surveillance team monitoring every activity in the mall, a lifestyle shopper can revel in the entertainment mix the mall provides with a peaceful mind.

At New Testament Assembly Convention, Obas Renounce Idol Worship

Oba Moses Alao Oyeniyi Okekuki II, Asero of Isero; Evang. Bola Are; Pastor Bamgbayan and the Oba’s wife during the dedication of their twins

F

or five days, the kilometer 47 of New Testament Assembly along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway played host to several traditional rulers and other eminent personalities across the country.

It was during the 21st Annual Conven-

tion of the NTA and with the theme: “All Round Blessing” the camp ground was jam-packed. Declaring the 5-day Convention open, its General Overseer, Pastor (Dr.) Samson Bamgbayan said, “Permit me to also specially welcome and appreciate our Royal Fathers from different parts of the nations

for their sustained interest in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

“It is a step in the right direction to keep an appointment with God as we always do at success Camp, especially during our annual convention. Our focus has always been and will continue to be the spiritual re-awakening

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PERSONALITY

Strings from a Spirited Guitarist Yinka Olatunbosun

T

he fast rising musician, Adeh defines a crowd-pleaser. Once, he was thrilling music fans at the 2014 Lagos International Jazz Festival, Freedom Park and he announced that he would perform a last song. The crowd yearned for more until he ended up performing “four last songs’’. Truth be told, Adeh’s dynamic guitar skills and fascinating band organisation constitute just a part of the few things that people know about him. And that’s why this reporter sought him out on a Saturday morning when he wasn’t performing.

Without any stage costume or faddish hairstyle, Adeh strikes you as a boy-nextdoor. From the rearview of the waiting automobile, this reporter spotted him at Oba Ogunji road, Agege (which was a pre-planned meeting point) and disabled the central lock to let him into the passenger seat. Since it wasn’t a carpool karaoke, we had to find a convenient place to talk. The car was pulled up in front of a nearby eatery where the only noise filtering in was the television newscaster’s.

Born Adeola Jeremiah Gbolahan, the young guitarist adopted the stage name ADEH, obviously from his first name and don’t ask about the ‘h’. His love for music began as a child who was forced to go to church several times a week by a devout Christian mother. His young mind might have strayed from the spiritual activities, mostly designed for the adults, but he had it fixed on the church choir and the band, starting with percussions. Though his maternal uncle had been a guitarist with King Sunny Ade, Adeh never learnt from him. The streets where he grew up offered even more involuntary teachers.

“I was attending the Celestial Church of Christ, Ajegunle,’’ he recalled. “I was born and bred in Ajegunle. I left the place when I was about ten years old. Ajegunle is a place replete with a lot of vices. So the bail out for most of the youths was music as well as sports.

I used to play football also. It was also an environment where you could easily

Adeh

find people of like minds. We had a lot of youths who travelled around with masquerades. There were also the music bands that played music at funerals. We had a lot of these in Ajegunle. And then at school, you have young boys who played the school drums at the assembly ground. So you could choose to be a bad boy, play music or football or read your books,’’ he said.

And did he read his books? Of course he did. He had parents who favoured formal education. After his secondary school, he proceeded to the Lagos State University where he obtained a Diploma in International Relations and Personnel Management. He later studied Market-

ing for his Bachelors of Science degree.

He owed it all to his parents who relocated to Ojo for the well-being of their children.

“My parents left Ajegunle eventually. I was beginning to come home late. There is a place called St Mary’s College in Ajegunle where I would play football till late in the night. My parents would beat me for returning late but I would still go back there. We then moved to Ojo,’’ he recounted.

Adeh hinted that he would love to study music outside Nigeria as his father wouldn’t hear of it when he was much younger.

“While in school, I was doing music

AT NEW TESTAMENT ASSEMBLY CONVENTION, OBAS RENOUNCE IDOL WORSHIP Cont’d from pg. 58 of every soul in attendance. Our social relationship is also sure for renewal, so are our business and other life- related matters not left behind, in fact, this Year Convention is thoughtfully tagged: “All Round Blessing” Because of what it holds out for everybody.

The convention which started with Ministers/Leadership conference was revealing.

Messages and seminars ranging from Good Testimony in Ministry; Personal Retreat – purposes and privileges; Blessings of leadership: care and commitment let us pray; Church and Nation; Handling challenges of breakaway and unstable members; to saving your home and ministry from total collapse and be strong in the Lord were delivered.

The Host Pastor, Pastor Bamgbayan and his Guest Ministers admonished Christian leaders to at all times prepare their members for the end time and how to contend with the faith.

Rev. I.D. Lawon, Dr. Shola Kolade, Pastor Akin Akande and Yinka Popoola used the biblical examples to buttress their teachings.

Other guest ministers were Pastor Samson Ajibodu, Pastor Tunde Tolani and Mike Ahove.

Two ministers were drawn from the New Testament Assembly – Pastor Ade Popoola, the chairman, Convention Planning Committee and Pastor Akin Adeyemi of Transformation Assembly. While Pastor Popoola

spoke on blessings on leadership: care and commitment, Pastor Adeyemi delivered a seminar paper titled: Personal Retreatpurposes and privileges. Pastor Adeyemi stressed the need for ministers to go on a retreat to reflect and refresh for more insights into the word.

Evangelist Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey, one of the gospel artists, electrified the convention hall with his hit song “Aimasiko” after he gave the testimony of how he conquered poverty.

Evangelist Adelakun, the Ayewa crooner was also there briefly to rejoice with Pastor Bamgbayan. Evangelist Bola Are also gave a good account of herself as her soul inspiring rendition filled the Hall, while FABADA Crew, Testimony Kingdom Gospel band and Destiny Voices were not left out in the spiritual re-awaiting songs.

The high point of the convention was the testimony by some traditional rulers present. To Oba Samson Adeyeye, the Lesi Ekun of Omifunfun, Ile Ife, his visit to the Camp Ground during the 20th edition of the convention last year was the turning point in his life. According to him he had been Childless for years until he came in contact with Pastor Bamgbayan through Oba Solomon Adenipekun who invited him to the last year convention.

“I am a Deacon in Christ Apostolic Church

(CAC). I have been to several places looking for child to no avail. I give God all the glory for what He is doing in the Success Camp through His anointed servant, Pastor Samson Bamgbayan,” an elated Oba Adeyeye told the congregation.

For Oba Moses Alao Oyeniyi Okekuki II, Asero of Isero, the arrival of his twins coincides with his visit to New Testament Assembly Convention last year. Oba Asero said he had been looking forward to having twins until he was invited to the NTA Convention.

According to him it was an encounter with God at success camp that proved to be the Game Changer.

The testimony of Oba Solomon Adenipekun Ademakinwa, the Oloosi of Osi, Ile Ife inspired the congregation. Apart from his utmost faith in God which he displayed while the convention lasted, Oba Adenipekun said as a born again Oba, he had nothing to do with fetish power again, adding that God will supply all his needs according to His riches in glory. Oba Adenipekun did not mince word when he said that idol worship had been banned in his domain.

Other traditional rulers at the convention were Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Oba Abeeb, Adetoyese Arowookunjoye, Oba Kamil Ajadi Ojelabi, Olu of Sonebe and Oba Sikirulah Omoyemi Oyewahi I, Olowu of Owu Ilemowu.

with caution because I didn’t want my GP to suffer. I was playing for some artists then. I had played for Lara George.

I think someone gave her my number when she was looking for guitarists. I have recorded songs with Nigga Raw, Tiwa Savage, Segun Obe, Kenny Kore,’’ he revealed Largely influenced by the works of Segun Obe, King Sunny Ade and George Benson, Adeh is currently working on his next album.

“I have two tracks from the album already. The first one is titled, ‘You and I’ produced by Wole Oni. It’s a love song; a wedding song, you need to listen to it,’’ Adeh said persuasively.

His songs had always fallen into the gospel and inspirational music categories but it seems that the creative muse has widened his music spectrum with his latest single.

“I am not the artist that you can box. I have been described as an ecletic guitarist. Nature affects my music. I needed to write a love song and I did. I usually work around African melody; melodies that are catchy. I am a musician and a Christian. The last time I was at Felabration and I could not say just because I was a Christian I would not go and perform at the event. I performed at Freedom Park. I do my inspirational and motivational songs. I stay true to myself anywhere I perform,’’ he explained.

His performances are often characterised by call and responses in a bid to ensure he is not entertaining himself alone.

This style, though folkloric in nature, has been a predominant feature of the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s music. Even Adeh could not deny the influence Fela’s music wields in world music and pop culture.

“In 2014, when I went to Cape Town International Jazz Festival with Ayoola Shadare, lots of artists were playing Fela’s Afrobeat. There is no musician who would not be influenced by the arrangement of Fela’s music,’’ he argues.

For the sake of artistic debate, Adeh was drawn into the subject of new artists’ preoccupation with the female anatomy in the content of their music and the criticisms they have received from the older generation of artists and music critics on this.

“I am not sure they are criticizing the whole younger generation of artists.

They are just referring to some of the known afro pop artists. You won’t blame them because what they saying is the truth. If you want to produce music, produce music that would outlive you and that you can export,’’ he said.

When he was reminded that afropop is being exported, inspite of the numerous criticisms against the music genre, it didn’t strike a responsive chord with him. But he was willing to talk about his own artistry especially on how he had once performed for over four hours at a stretch. This kind of performance requires that he knows lots of songs especially the classics because members of the audience often request for special tracks.

The artist who hails from Oyo state has performed at several gatherings including the Bayelsa International Jazz Festival in2013; NAIJAZZ festivals in 2013 and 2014, Lagos Book and Art Festivals from 2013 till 2015, Irep Film Festival in 2014 and 2015, Lagos Tribute To Mandela in 2014, Alliance Francaise, Jazzhole, Diplomatic Jazz Night at the Indian high commission Abuja, Lagos Int’l jazz festival at the State House with Governor Ambode amongst others.

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ecently, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, a former Federal Permanent Secretary and Executive Vice Chairman Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, and his wife, Deaconess Lola Olaopa, gave out their daughter, Opeyemi Foluke Olaopa, in marriage to Olarewaju Omofolarin Taiwo, son of Pastor Kunle and Pastor (Mrs) Peju Omotoso. The solemnization of their marriage took place at The Redeemed Christian Church of God Central Parish Abuja, while the reception was held at the International Conference Centre. Here are some the personalitiesthatgracedtheoccasion.Photos: Julius Atoi

Opeyemi’s siblings ( L-R: Ifeoluwa, Ademola and Opeyemi Olaopa)

The couple, Opeyemi and Olarewaju

The bride’s parents, Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Kunle Omotoso

The groom’s parents, Dr and Mrs Tunji Olaopa

Dr Tunji Bolade and Mr. Taiye Haruna

L-R: Dr. Omobola Johnson and Mr. Wole Edun

Mr. Tosin Ogunmoyela and Senator Iyiola Omisore

Prof. and Mrs Gbenga Ogunmoyela

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Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, (Head of the Civil Service of the Federation)

Prof Siyan Malomo and wife Ajibola.

Femi and Bimpe Oye at wedding Introduction

Duro and Pauline Martins (uncle and aunt of Grooms mum, Pastor (Mrs.) Omotoso)

Mrs. Funmi Roberts and Prof. Jide Owoeye

Dr. Joe Abah and wife, Kemi

Asst. General Overseers with other Senior officiating ministers from RCCG

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PERSONALITY

Habibah Adamu Abdullahi: An Activist and Writer Jameelah Nuhu Sanda writes about 23 year old Habibah Adamu Abdullahi from Uke, Nasarawa State - a child rights advocate, who pioneered the Nigerian Children’s Parliament

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abibah Adamu Abdullahi has an interesting story. A graduate of International Affairs and Diplomacy, Habibah is the author of ‘Memoirs of Malika’, which was launched recently in Abuja. She started activism pretty early. From age 7 she was involved in a TV segment show for children, The Zuma Kids, on NTA. From then on she thought she could do more, and to be involved more, she kept participating in children-related programmes like the Tales

by Moonlight with Aunty Nkem and Tell a Tale by Randy, all on NTA. By then she had already developed keen interest in advocacy and media programmes so she joined a group called African Children Broadcasting Network, and shortly after she joined the Nigerian Children’s Parliament as a member and pioneer deputy speaker in Nasarawa State.

At the parliament, Habibah held different offices and she made sure she made a difference, no matter how controversial the issue was. She had the tenacity to achieve anything she set her mind to. She was also a house leader during her tenure in the FCT Children’s Parliament, and finally became a National representative, representing the FCT. She then became Chairperson for the Northern People’s Congress of the Children’s Parliament, where she succeeded her late brother Mohammed Nura Abdullahi, before he left the parliament.

Activism is what Habibah is good at, it is her second nature and she believes she is destined to touch a lot of lives. During her high school days, she was a part of numerous activities and held several positions of responsibilities - acting social prefect, member of some school clubs, the Life Club (AntiHIV/AIDS) where she was junior president and a peer educator, and the Press Club.

She was chosen to be the newscaster every Monday morning at the school Assembly, and it became a game changer for her. Her membership of The young Readers’ Club made her win a few reading competitions within and outside the school and in fact the club inspired her to write.

Habibah came across beautiful books, and to her the concept of writing was fascinating; seeing how writers manage to just put a scene together even with just a thought of illusion. She was captivated by the writings of creative literary minds in Nigeria. She loves books like ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe, ‘The Black Boy’

by Richard Wright, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and the works of Shakespeare.

She really never imagined herself becoming a writer, because she wanted to be a lawyer. So that ambition drove her, until life made her realise that it is full of surprises, and it is easier said than done.

As soon as she realised her overwhelming passion for literature, she decided to give it a try. Her first work was an essay competition in school and the topic was ‘My Teacher’.

After winning it, it just pushed her further. All she needed was a reminder, a little push and here she is.

She started writing ‘Memoirs of Malika’ immediately after secondary school at the age of 16 and she didn’t complete it until a year later. The day Habibah completed the book was the day she turned 17. She also did programmes with Save the Children UK UNICEF, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), National Programme on Immunisation (NPI)

Habibah

with Dere Awosika, NAPTIP, NAFDAC, e.t.c.

Habibah kept going for conferences and seminars that will build her intellect and met amazing minds. She participated in States of the World Children’s Report by UNICEF, The Children’s Forum with Obiageli Ezekwesili, and the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting. She was at Hope Summit 2003, Inter-generational Dialogue with Nasir el Rufai, Turkish Radio and Television Festival 2005, Youth Forum on the Removal of Subsidy dilemma, Youth Leadership Programmes e.t.c.

Growing up, she worked hard every day to make her mother proud as she remained a great source of inspiration. Habibah holds family dearly and she built great friendship with great minds. She believes family should

SHE STARTED ACTIVISM PRETTY EARLY. FROM AGE 7 SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A TV SEGMENT SHOW FOR CHILDREN, THE ZUMA KIDS, ON NTA. FROM THEN ON SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD DO MORE, AND TO BE INVOLVED MORE, SHE KEPT PARTICIPATING IN CHILDREN-RELATED PROGRAMMES LIKE THE TALES BY MOONLIGHT WITH AUNTY NKEM AND TELL A TALE BY RANDY, ALL ON NTA

not only be by blood relationship.

Recalling when she wanted to start writing ‘Memoirs of Malika’, she said she contacted one of her best friends, Hafsat Kaugama, with whom she had done a lot of advocacy. She laughed at the idea, not because she thought they were not capable of achieving the goal, but because of their many preoccupations. Hafsat was their Speaker at the FCT Parliament then.

As God would have it, Habibah was blessed with profound knowledge to write the book and the next time Hafsat talked about the book with her it was done! So they continued with their usual day-today activities and juggled school and also the ‘Islamiyya’ as it was one of the most important trainings of a practising movement.

With the opportunity she had in her childhood she made sure she became someone worthy in the society - someone that impacts lives. Habibah really cherishes helping people especially children. She and one of her best friends, Victoria Ndam, always carry out the ritual of having their birthdays at Orphanages.

Habibah saw how happy she was every time they were there and she looked at how comforting it was in the eyes of the children.

She thought about creating an NGO that would help children anyway they can. So she called a few close friends and told them her plan. They were all supportive and so ‘GMCY Foundation’ with the aim of impacting lives, was founded. It has been six years now and they have done quite a lot of good works. Even when they lacked funds, they became creative just to put a smile on a child’s face, “During my time in a Republic of Benin school, I and a few friends started a small campaign in trying to give back to the community where the school was located and also became good ambassadors of our beloved country”, she recalled.

They called the group ‘Hearts for All’

and their programme was “photography pur les enfant”, meaning photography for children. The idea was to take photos and sell them and then buy school materials for children on the street and the ones that their schools have nothing, seeing that Benin is a small country. Habibah held the programme on October 1 with her partners, Petite Fille Foundation, Visions Photography and League of Extraordinary Women in Lagos.

Apart from this, Habibah had always being a volunteer with the sickle-cell campaign.

Her participation has a personal emotional connection - her late brother was a victim of the sickle cell disease. She also joined the Arewa Youth for Empowerment and Change Forum where she became the vice president till date.

Habibah who is a member of Antihuman trafficking Task Force and founder of Greatminds Children and Youth Foundation, is the Vice President, Arewa Youth for Change and Empowerment Forum, and UNICEF volunteer on the ‘Girl Goals’ campaign.

She also joined the anti-human trafficking cause with Devatop Centre for Africa’s Development, which recently featured in Good Morning Nigeria NTA programme as guest of honour for the International Girlchild Day with the theme, ‘The state of the girl child now’.

She was a guest speaker and role model at the UNICEF GforG campaign (Girl Goals), and recently took part in the Initiative for RevivaI and Sustainable Goals (IRSD), a three-day seminar, after which she was made an ambassador of the movement alongside vibrant and articulate youths who share the same passion for productive change for the greater good.

Habibah completed her youth service with the Nigerian Police Pensions Ltd few months ago. She recently ventured into public relations under a business name, The PR Dynamics, which is basically a fixer for those who are in need of help with having employees, hosting corporate events, printing services, ghost writing, campaign strategy and help, business branding, advertising and packaging, reputation building, etc. “Basically they take the clients’ worries away”. She does this just by the side as she is still committed to writing and running her NGOs along with her partners Ibrahim Danlami Kankia and Bashir Shettima who she described as her pillar of support.

A fast learner of languages, Habibah loves learning about diverse cultures and traditions and most importantly people’s dialects.

She is single but hopes to get married when Allah sends her a partner.

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe

ARTS & REVIEW A

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ECHOES OF ABUJA CARNIVAL PAGE 66

08.01.2017

93 DAYS

HISTORY IN REEL Danney Glover in 93 Days

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\MOVIE

93 DAYS: HISTORY IN

Two years after Nigeria was declared Ebola-free, a drama thriller movie, produced by Bola Olakurin and Steve Gukas, titled “93 Days” made a distinctive mark in Nigerian cinema cultu lives of those who made this monumental history possible. Ayodeji Rotinwa writes

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A shot from the movie

eath and the news of it are by nature or at least imagination, something dark. The Grim Reaper appears only in black robes.

However, when the news that a virus, that killed thousands of people across West Africa, arrived on the shores of Nigeria, it came in white paper. It looked harmless. It betrayed no threat.

Yet, it confirmed that Patrick Sawyerr, a Liberian diplomat visiting Nigeria was infected. It was very possible that he would die; and he would infect over a dozen others before he did.

It was in this scene that the film 93 Days really took flight. The docu-drama - co-produced by Bolanle AustenPeters Productions, Michealangelo Productions and Native Filmworks - depicts how the Ebola virus came to be in Nigeria. It also rehashes the events that followed, while medical personnel and administrators tried to contain and ultimately stop it.

Most of the latter part, we already know, as has been detailed in newspaper reports, breaking news, and solemn radio broadcasts. What we had not yet seen much of are the inner lives of the people who worked behind the scenes to contain the epidemic. These people made

sacrifices so the most discomfort we had to face as a nation was repeatedly pressing hand sanitizers into our hands - instead of lying, writhing in bed. They risked their lives so we could have the opportunity to touch our loved ones, without the veil of plastic sheets. We were spared the indignity of having to wear adult diapers because of a heavy bowel flow.

93 Days follows closely the lives of Dr. Ada Igonoh (played excellently

by Somkele Idhalama) Dr. Morris, Dr. Benjamin Ohaireri, late Nurse Justina, Dr. Amos, Evelyn Uko, and unsuprisingly - most shatteringly - Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh. We see them as human and not just heroes. It shows who they loved and who loved them in return. We saw what was dear to them and what Ebola took away from them.

We saw - though little - their frailties.

We learn that Stella Adadevoh prayed for her patients at the dinner table after praying for the gift of food. We learn that Dr. Ada Igonoh was trying to have a baby. We see that Dr. Amos believed in his Bible as much as he believed in science. We see that Evelyn Uko was raising four young children by herself.

The first thing she says when it was confirmed that she was infected is, “Who will cook for my children when I am not there?” We also learn that Dr. Adadevoh, though the first to detect a disease crisis was at hand in Lagos,

and potentially the country, was tragically, the last to detect it in herself. We see scenes of denial where she keeps working (on how best to manage the virus) worrying (about everyone else who’s declared infected) and fending off concerns from her husband, son and Dr. Benjamin Ohaireri.

All of this is played out in excellent cinematography sharp dialogue and impressive individual performances. In director, Steve Gukas’ deliberate hands, the film wears a consistent mood and colour that is mostly sad, demanding.

This is a shattering film that allows little comic relief. It is a task of emotional endurance. How long into the film till you start to cry? It took this reviewer about 30 minutes. The film also benefits from great writing from Paul Rowlston.

In one exchange and the moment when Dr. Stella’s gut instinct saved us all, Dr. Amos questions the wisdom in continuing to keep a diplomat in the hospital, against his will - stating, “Why would he lie about being sick?”

An exasperated Adadevoh retorted, “Why do men do anything?”

Similar lines and overall quality of dialogue makes one wonder where in writing, fiction took the place of a retelling of real life conversations, as they happened, word for word. Also doubtful was just how saintly events played out in real life as the movie made it seem. The movie showed too

little or not enough of the friction it took to get the government to act against the spread of the virus at both state and federal levels. It also glossed over the fear of ordinary citizens who happened to work in facilities where the virus was fought.

As revealed in a memoir piece by Dr. Igonoh after she was cleared of the virus, nurses, for instance, did not always complete their duty of care. They delivered food to infected patients but left it at the door of the ward. We see none of this in the film.

In one scene, ambulance drivers are regaled with a histrionic pep talk per why Nigerian needed their help.

Why they needed to go pick up infected people from their homes. Though overdone, it would likely be a moment of swollen pride for Nigerians. Ordinary citizens were being asked to risk their lives for their country, make sacrifices that it has never made for them. The driver will go home at the end of month, underpaid, if at all. The administrator will likely receive a raise. Still, Nigerians did their part. They did go pick the infected patients. In a country, where have far to few moments to be proud of, this will be an indelible one for all time, as guaranteed by the creation of this film.

Other things to take pride in, was the acting. In Idhalama, playing Dr.Igonoh undoubtedly a new star is born. In

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REEL

nle-Austen Peters, Dotun ure while documenting the

scenes that required a telling of pain without saying so, she shone. She said everything with her body, with expression, in measure, with restraint.

Bimbo Akintola’s performance as Dr. Stella Adadevoh confirmed yet again - if there was any doubt - that she is the most talented actor in Nollywood, today.

Ultimately, 93 Days is an important, historical piece of film. For a country that hardly preoccupies itself with its past, this production is an act of preservation. Not many Nigerians will remember that come October 20th 2016, it would have been two years since we were declared Ebola free.

The film also captures a rare appearance of a kind of Nigerian spirit - unity. Though resilient, enterprising, and other adjectives with which Nigerians like to describe themselves, we are mostly divided. The 93 days in which Ebola existed amongst us proved to be the exception. We did not think about what tribe, political affiliation, gender, deserved help first or at all. We just helped, first. It is telling, that it was death that made us see reason. And in the future we inevitably don’t once again, maybe 93 Days and the lives of those will help us remember. And like our national anthem goes, “the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain...”

ARTS & REVIEW\\moVIE The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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ARTS & REVIEW\\CARNIVAL

Masquerades from Bayelsa

ECHOES OF ABUJA CARNIVAL

Stories by Yinka Olatunbosun

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he pre-midday sun shone brilliantly against the rear of the sleek, beautifully decorated and mounted horses in the Durban contingent waiting outside Eagles’ Square, Abuja, the venue of the recently held Abuja Carnival 2016. It was tempting to run a bare palm over the well-polished horses or ask to bestraddle one of them but their cultural antecedent was a mental warning to back off from making that private desire become a public action. To be sure, Durbar is recognized as an historical event, introduced by colonialists, to symbolize authority and material prowess. Hence, each contingent represents a royal palace or kingdom.

Back to the celebratory atmosphere at the venue, the trumpeters at Eagles’ square defied the scorching sun as their awakening sound signaled the second day of the four-day carnival which was expected to rouse the city from its cultural slumber. The entrance, manned by some vigilant men and women of the Mobile police, was quite busy with drop-offs and traders who were arriving at the grounds to display their wares under the shade of the exhibition stands at the carnival with the theme, “Creative

Industry: Pivot to Economic Growth.’’

The delegates from other states in Nigeria arrived in trickles, some in clownish costumes while others took position outside the perimeters to rehearse before their performances.

One couldn’t help but look around for Lagos, a state that prides itself as the cultural heartbeat of the nation. For this reporter, the absence of Lagos State troupe at the first three days of the carnival was as crushing as a date wherein a well-dressed lady is stood up by a promising lover.

To signal the start of one of the most spectacular displays which featured the Emirates of Northern Nigeria, the Durban contingents were led in groups by various traditional rulers.

One of them was the Grand Commander of the Bauchi Warriors, Gidado Baba. No doubt, it was a show of valour, dignity and honour with a serving member of the House of Representative, Hon. Aminu Musa leading one of the Durban contingents alongside the Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu. A very bewildering moment it was when the contingent named Galadima Bauchi arrived with swords and danced atop the seemingly tired horses. Reeling backwards, the horses added dramatic tension to the show.

Reports had it that each horse costs N5m and the daily budget for the horses’ water alone, no thanks to harmattan, can pay a monthly rent in a room apartment in some poor communities

Five Decades of Oshogbo Art

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s part of the celebrations in honour of Oshogbo Art, the exhibition on 50 years of Oshogbo Art is being sponsored and organised by Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) Oshogbo.

The two oldest cultural icons of Oshogbo, Chiefs Jimoh Buraimoh and Muraina Oyelami are at the forefront of this special show. The exhibition

preview will take place on Monday January 16 and will be followed by the official opening of the exhibition as well as launching of the Journal CBClU on Tuesday, January 17.

The exhibition is expected to run from January 17 to 23rd and subsequently, it will move to Abuja. The Abuja show will take place at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, 18 Libreville Street, Wuse ll, Abuja. The exhibition which will open on January 24 will be curated by Jeff Ajueshi, the Artistic Director, Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

in Nigeria. About thousands of these horses were on parade.

Then came the Fika and Machina Emirates from Yobe State. The latter is known for urban artistry adding some chants to the display.

Interestingly, women were included in this parade where incense was burned at a good distance from the audience. Yobe, inspite of insurgence and economic turmoil put up a good show to promote the rich cultural heritage of Northern Nigeria.

A special event called the Children Fiesta tugged at the conscience of the audience made up of policy makers, teachers, media professionals and other stakeholders in the creative sector. Predominantly, the themes explored in their series of performances include national unity, economic empowerment as well as dangers of girl child marriage. Mr. Oludotun Osunsanya who represented the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Dayo Keshi expressed satisfaction at seeing a large turn-out of future leaders drawn from various primary and secondary schools.

Dancers and masqueraders occupy a special place in showmanship. They have the power to get people up from their seats. Perhaps, Nigerian police and security personnel should be educated that in African traditional theatre forms, members of the audience necessarily gather around performers. It was “for security reasons’’ that the appreciative audience was refrained by some of the security men from the arena. But a few determined ones watched at close quarters when masquerades from Kogi , FCT and Bayelsa performed the next day.

Later that evening, the boat regatta participants flooded the shores of the Jabi Dam, a very serene waterfront that could inspire love poetry. Instead of romance, competition rented the air. Canoes were afloat. One of them, belonging to Bayelsa was waterlogged. But in few minutes, the Bayelsa state troupe drained the water and put the canoe back in shape for the show. The waist dance from the lead dancer added to the spectacle although the large number of paddlers didn’t account for a win at the boat regatta. What a life lesson!

The troupe from Delta exchanged banters as they assembled their signature blue and white coloured- balloons around their canoe. Their

choreography was beautiful and admired but the effervescence was lost as soon as Kogi paddlers showed some skills with the backsplash and tilt technique.

Ogun state came with lots of supporters clad in their state uniform, adire. Kogi which had a few supporters initially and of course, the smallest canoe at the competition, paddled their way to victory. The defending cultural champions, Akwa Ibom, which emerged as the overall winner at the last carnival held in 2014 was absent.

Then the night of the Command performance at Aso Villa Banquet Hall was declared open by the Minister of Information, Alh. Lai Mohammed in attendance who watched keenly as Abia, Plateau and Benue arrived just in time for command performance. As good as the contemporary dancers inspired by Korean spirit were, they couldn’t match the stage equilibrium of the drum ensemble from Delta state.

With the support of the lighting crew from Zmirage, the audience could see the semblance in cultural expressions with the use of staff by the Abia dancers. That prop resonates with dancers from South west Nigeria and even Plateau state. One major absence felt that night was not that of President Mohammadu Buhari who was represented by the FCT Minister, Alh Muhammad Musa Bello but of the National Troupe that had been tipped to perform Wole Soyinka’s Death and The King’s Horseman.

To harp on the inadequacies of the 2016 Abuja Carnival is to shut one’s eye to the reality that the carnival had been held against the odds of short term preparations, minimal budget and limited support from other state troupes and international participants.

In all, Kogi won six trophies in different categories to emerge overall winner while Nasarawa, Bauchi, Abia, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, and Bayelsa also took home prizes in other categories.

Mr Biodun Abe, the Artistic Director, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and Chairman of the 2016 carnival committee reasoned that many states did not participate due to paucity of funds and praised the states who still turned up even at the closing ceremony, such as Lagos.

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

NewYear Resolutions Buhari Must Make President Buhari must adopt proactive new measures to redress unjust situations that have caused anguish and tended to deepen division among Nigerians, writes Vincent Obia

W

hen President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged in his New Year’s message on January 1 that the masses were living through harsh socio-economic conditions, but sued for patience and hope, saying there is light at the end of the tunnel, his words were filled with sensitivity to the mood of an apparently despairing citizenry. The people are not completely hopeless, but they are, certainly, struggling to keep hope alive. They are sensitive to the president’s body language, watching his moves and pondering the roadmap he is reading. Buhari needs to demonstrate commitment to the wellbeing of the whole Nigeria as a single constituency to really strike a chord with the citizens.

A new year has dawned with excellent potential for change. Buhari should seize the opportunity to reset his priorities. He should take urgent steps to redress certain unjust situations, which are obviously politician-made, that have caused Nigerians pain and threatened to divide them the more in the previous year. The situation in Southern Kaduna is the most urgent by all constitutional and moral standards.

The country’s constitution says the security and welfare of the citizens is the primary essence of government. So the president must demonstrate concern about the plight of the people who have been victims of savage killings since the last couple of months. He should see ending the carnage in Southern Kaduna as a political priority.

On Thursday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari had ordered decisive measures aimed at ending the frequent bloody violence and destruction of property in Southern Kaduna. Shehu said as part of the measures, the Inspector-general of Police, Ibrahim Idris, was in the troubled area penultimate Saturday to assess the situation. In addition to the conventional policemen deployed in the area, a squadron of the Police Mobile Force has also been stationed in Southern Kaduna, according to the statement by Shehu.

“The Nigerian Army is also in the process of setting up two battalions in Southern Kaduna while the military continues to carry out air surveillance across flash points of the area,” the presidential aide added.

While these actions by the federal government are commendable, their belatedness cannot be overlooked. The response came after about 800 people had been, reportedly, killed in clashes between host farming communities and migrating Fulani herdsmen. The latest flare-up began about three weeks ago. Had

Buhari responded to the crisis earlier, there is no doubt that the casualty rate would have been much lower.

But beyond the security setup in Southern Kaduna, there should be an honest effort to find the perpetrators of the killings with a view to bringing them to justice. The deadly feuds between Southern Kaduna natives and pastoralists may never be permanently resolved until those behind the deaths and destructions are made to realise they cannot get away with such crime.

Interestingly, there are clear indications that the killers are identifiable. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the umbrella union of the herdsmen, said recently, “The latest attacks in Southern Kaduna were reprisal attacks for the killings of Fulani herdsmen after the 2011 presidential election.”

Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai also said this last month, adding that Fulani herders from outside Nigeria were involved in the killings.

Punishing perpetrators of the killings is key to the search for a long term solution to the crisis in Southern Kaduna, and attacks by herdsmen in other parts of the country. Buhari should be worried by the reputational damage

these savage killings are doing to the country at a time it is in dire need of investment by foreigners and Nigerians. Classical economics teaches that it is the absence or shortage of such investment that is mostly responsible for rising unemployment, like Nigeria is currently experiencing.

Buhari should also resolve to deliberately address the nagging question of tilted regional attention, which he tended to endorse in July 2015 during his official state visit to the United States. “I hope you have a copy of the election results. The constituents, for example, (who) gave me 97 per cent (of the votes) cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me five per cent,” Buhari had been quoting as saying in answer to a question.

He added, “I think these are political reality.”

For the president, the new year should be a time for a reality check, to face the fact that the sectional mind-set and the consequent suspicion, certainly, would not give him the confidence and cooperation he needs to succeed in office. And it may also hurt his political legacy.

As Nigerians continue to wonder what the new year would look like, Buhari should seize the opportunity to reassure them and calm their anxieties.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Need to Formalise Buhari’s Social Investment Programmes

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Buhari

he President Muhammadu Buhari government has announced the commencement of the N5, 000 monthly stipends to poor Nigerians, which the president and his All Progressives Congress promised during the 2015 presidential election. The payment, started in nine pilot states, is part of the conditional cash transfers under the administration’s social investment programmes for which it budgeted N500 billion in the 2016 national budget. This is cheery news.

Very commendable also is the fact that the beneficiaries of the N5, 000 payments are sourced from a social

registration technique that captures the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians.

The federal government says the social register is compiled through a community based targeting system developed in conjunction with the World Bank.

But there is need for legislation to formalise the social investment programmes as a permanent system of social security for the poor, which will not go with the Buhari administration. The scheme should be given a fixed structure, like the social security law in the United States that has been in operation since 1935.

– Vincent Obia

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

• JANUARY 8, 2017

CICERO/REPORT

Nigeria Air Force, Local Content Policy and War against Terrorists The piercing economic recession may have forced the Nigeria Air Force to creatively harness local means of survival. Iyobosa Uwugiaren reports

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he Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Engr.

Simbi Wabote’s advice last year, urging the Nigerian defence community to look for creative ways to keep the community going---amidst biting economic recession enveloping the country---by adopting the local content policy in its operations, may have started yielding positive result.

To be sure, judging by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recent exploits, the military may have begun looking inwards, particularly in areas of the manufacturing, maintenance of security equipment and development of software----in what defence authorities attributed to the federal government’s new approach to foreign procurement of military hardware.

THISDAY’s findings revealed that the new policy on procurement mandates that all equipment purchased by the military, including aircraft, spare parts and ‘’weaponization’’ devices, to be sourced directly from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) or state accredited vendors.

Different defence sources said that the policy, apart from its cost-efficiency, guaranties transparency and accountability, citing the alleged massive embarrassment and suspicion, which greeted the botched arms procurement that led to the confiscation of about $9.34m reportedly belonging to the federal government---on whose behalf thirdparty arms procurement was sanctioned.

Indeed, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, recently disclosed to journalists in Abuja that the first thing the Air Force did, after the alleged arms deal scandal, was to take stock of military aircraft and weaponry.

He said the Air Force decided to look inwards for repair, maintenance and weaponization of its crafts---in line with the new procurement policy, apparently in reaction to the controversial tailback issue relating to patent rules of arms procurement among international arms blocs – East and West, which recently characterized delays in delivery and costing Nigeria billions of naira.

Investigations revealed that to tackle the challenges arising from restrictions placed by some countries, especially the United States to regulate aircraft and weaponization procurement, the NAF had to break away from the manacles of such Eastversus-West conventions and challenged Nigerian universities to repair, weaponize and maintain military aircraft for operations.

And consequently the Nigerian Air Force aircraft were said to have carried out operations in the 60,000sqm of Sambisa on aircraft weaponized and serviced in Nigeria

by Nigerian engineers.

The Chief of Air Staff stated recently that 25 of its personnel were currently undergoing training in Cranfield University, United Kingdom on aeronautical engineering, especially in the areas of weaponization and servicing of military aircraft----whether they are manufactured in the East or West. These steps, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said, has proved efficient and effective in the fight against the terrorists.

The NAF was said to have recently successfully reconfigured two demilitarized Alpha jets in its inventory----that were acquired without weapon delivery capability.

The two jets, according to NAF, were part of the four Alphas bought from the United States in 2015. The CAS had said that their use was limited because they could not be deployed due to their weapon delivery

Nigeria Airforce personnel preparing for an operation

deficiency. It was initially suggested that the use of the jets was near impossible, partly because the OEM of the jets had stopped production.

However, the NAF authority told THISDAY that ‘’desperate times call for desperate action’’, saying that the NAF’s commitment to the fight against insurgents in the Northeast necessitated it to look inwards and provide bespoke solutions to its operational needs. And the defence source said that in the end, the weaponization cost NAF a mere N4million, as against the hundreds of thousands of dollars it would have cost if contracted to foreign vendors. ‘’This is the kind of right thinking required to build a better Nigeria, not only in the defence sector but also across other sectors’’, the source said.

The NAF boss is said to have opened up new procurement platforms in countries like Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and the United States of America---with sources of aircraft, spare parts and weaponization equipment diversified for optimum effectiveness and cost-efficiency. The ultimate goal of this new direction, according to NAF, is to achieve a level of self-reliance by locally fabricating weapon delivery capabilities in its aircraft as well as developing local talents in the nation’s universities and research institutions.

Defence authorities said that if this new policy direction is ‘’followed through’’, Nigeria would not only have a relatively selfsufficient military, but also create a generation of trained and qualified young people in the field of aeronautical engineering.

THISDAY gathered that the NAF presently has MOU with 22 Nigerian universities and research institutions. Apart from the academic and research institutions, NAF is also said to be in partnership with indigenous manufacturing companies to expand its ability to locally solve its needs.

One of such partnerships concluded in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NAF and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company.

The deal would see Innoson overhauling NAF’s Alpha Jet break assemblies---using the MB339 brake pads. The company is also expected to assist in maintaining the NAF’s Aerospace Ground Equipment and locally

source materials for brake pad production. ‘’If we are serious about looking inwards for solutions to our challenges, the Nigerian Air Force has, within the past year, presented us with an example of how to do just that’’, the NAF source added.

Arguably, President Buhari assumed office with a critical intent to stamp out terrorists group Boko Haram in the Northeast. The military had said that the administration effectively mobilized and galvanized the armed forces towards this all important goal. And military experts said that through the employment of air power, the NAF has effectively degraded the activities of Boko Haram, by providing ‘’surface forces’’ with the opportunity to secure and consolidate lead on the terrorists, which recently allowed for the liberation of territories hitherto occupied by the deadly Boko Haram group.

A better-equipped NAF, the source said, has enhanced surveillance activities---which last year resulted in locating the abducted Chibok schoolgirls----21 of the girls were recently released from captivity. ‘’Under the current leadership of the NAF, one could safely conclude that aerial bombardment against the insurgents has been quite successful, resulting in the destruction of the Boko Haram terrorists, thereby forcing the insurgents to flee the Sambisa Forest’’, our defence source added. ‘’On December 25, 2015, the NAF launched a precision strike against Boko Haram leaders and junior commanders that were said to have gathered for a leadership meeting in Sambisa Forest. 15 terrorists were reportedly killed, according to a post-strike assessment report. ‘’On January 17, 2016, an air strike against a high value Boko Haram terrorist leader taking refuge at a location South of Arra in the Sambisa Forest. These and several other air operations were carried out with huge success and little collateral damage.’’

The ‘’better-motivated NAF’’ is not without challenges. In a paper presentation to participants of the National Defence Course 24 last year, the current Chief of Air Staff listed the challenges and constraints facing the Nigerian Air Force, while articulating his vision to tackle the challenges.

“My vision for the NAF is to reposition the NAF into a highly professional and

disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperative”, he said.

Sources close to the Air Force boss said it was probably in cognizance with this vision and the need to maintain the tempo of airpower similar to roles during ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone that the NAF leadership held a retreat of its ECOMOG veterans to enable them share their combat experiences with the aircrew involved in operation Lafiya Dole.

With the theme: “Air operations in counter insurgency: ECOMOG operations in perspectives”, the retreat was said to have been organised with the sole purpose of enabling the NAF draw lessons from its ECOMOG air campaign in order to refine strategies in the fight against the deadly Boko Haram group.

Among the resolutions reached at the retreat was the need to train and deploy Forward Air Controllers in tactical roles for effective target acquisition. And as the senior NAF official put it: ‘’Going by these and the successes recorded so far it is quite discernible that the vision of the current NAF leadership is being translated into practical reality as evidenced by efforts towards enhancing professionalism and service delivery.’’

Professionalism? There are voices cranky against NAF and other military agencies about their disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law norms.

Local and international rights groups had often cited and released what to them were compelling evidence proving that the military personnel violated rules of engagement in the course of their peace-giving and peace-keeping operations.

For example, in 2012, the Amnesty International (AI) released a report titled, “Nigeria: Trapped in the Circle of Violence.”

In the report, the international human rights organization said that “the situation of violence and insecurity for Nigerians intensified, with at least 1,000 people killed in attacks by Islamist armed group Boko Haram in central and northern Nigeria.”

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

• JANUARY 8, 2017

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CICERO/TRIBUTE

Iwuanyanwu: A Prophet Honoured by His People Amby Uneze, in Owerri, reports on the lecture held recently by engineers to honour Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu

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ll roads leading to the Imo International Convention Centre, Owerri, was busy on December 8, as the venue hosted the Inaugural Lecture of the Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Annual Lecture Series. It was also very obvious that the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport played host to numerous dignitaries that came in from Lagos, Abuja and other places for the event.

The organisers of the annual lecture series ensured a smooth and successful outing. Prior to the date for the event, the chairman of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Lecture Series, Prof. Remy Uche, chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Owerri branch, Engr. Emeka Ugoanyanwu, and other members had called a press conference where they unveiled the details of the lecture to the press. Uche told journalists that apart from recognising Iwuanyanwu as one of their own who has contributed immensely to the promotion and development of engineering profession in Nigeria, the occasion was also to celebrate his numerous contributions to the politics of the country.

Uche, a professor of industrial and production engineering and a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, also disclosed that the lecture series would culminate into Iwuanyanwu Foundation, which would train young engineers to uphold the profession. He noted, “We are doing this to honour our patriotic Nigerians who are living and not to celebrate them when they are dead; by doing this we are encouraging others to do more.”

He maintained that the institution of the lecture in honour of Iwuanyanwu by the Owerri chapter of the NSE was in appreciation of the business mogul’s services to humanity and contributions to the engineering profession in Imo State, in particular, and Nigeria, in general.

The lecture was attended by dignitaries from far and near.

They included the former senate presidents, Ken Nnamani, Adolphus Wabara, and Anyim Pius Anyim; Ike Nwachukwu, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, and his wife, Nkechi, and the guest speaker and Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Engr. Umar Buba Bindir.

Welcoming guests at the ceremony, chairman of NSE, Owerri branch, Engr. Emeka Ugoanyanwu, said the lecture series was to provide a platform for engineers and knowledgeable technocrats to proffer solutions and professional advice on topical national and societal issues and problems; and promote good governance by strategic planning and application of appropriate methods and standards in the execution of infrastructural projects and municipal services for the comfort of the governed and the government.

According to him, the series will always emphasise the Nigerian content for the mere fact that it is only the Nigerian engineer and technologist that will develop the country in a sustainable manner. “Nigeria as a nation must go back and develop from the basics to enhance sustainability of our infrastructural development,” he stated.

He raised a pertinent question as to why do successive governments in Nigeria destroy what they call “illegal refineries” instead of harnessing such indigenous potential for sustainable development of the country.

Ugoanyanwu noted, “China and India harnessed and developed the potentials of their indigenous engineers and technologists and the outcome of that policy is well known to all of us in this hall. Why not Nigeria? The lecture series will always highlight the potentials and ingenuity of the Nigerian engineer and create the linkage between indigenous innovations on one side and the government/industries on the other.”

Presenting the inaugural lecture with topic, “Economic Recession in Nigeria: Engineering Response for Solutions,” the lecturer, Bindir, decried the level of poverty and lack of engineering innovation in Nigeria, because “Nigerian technology is 100 per cent dependent on foreign creativity, foreign knowledge and foreign know-how.”

He maintained that for Nigeria to move forward, “We must move from the old ways of doing things. Nigeria must be able to produce young people who will no longer see the old ways of doing things but improve on them,” adding that the country’s leaders must show the way so that engineers can be motivated to revolutionise technology in the country. He, however, rated Nigerian universities low in research work. Bindir also scored the present government low in technology-driven indices. According to him, for the desired change to manifest, riding on the current efforts of the change mantra of government, most especially to address the challenges of the on-going recession, it must be based on the strategy of philosophy of “no business as usual”.

“We must ensure that words are matched with actions to

Iwuanyanwu

evolve quality leadership and followership. A logical and strategic approach of immediate, short term, medium term and long term programmes and projects implementation based on knowledge must evolve.”

Bindir contended that the degree to which Nigeria would overcome the recession and unleash its technical and managerial capacity to engage in innovation and specialisation would depend on its ability to maximise the opportunities systematically based on results of a comprehensive system of strength, weakness, opportunities and threat (SWOT) analysis in tandem with a functioning science, engineering technology, and innovation (SETI) system.

Bindir believed that SWOT analysis and SETI system must mean that “we are being innovative at the product, process, managerial and organisational levels”, as they are the functional levels that would guide the way for the evolution of a viable sustainable development of the Nigeria economy.

He said attaining a strong economy, especially through a strategic and viable use of engineering either by domesticating imported knowledge/know-how, or by moving the outputs of technological endeavours from the National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system, was imperative for evolving a sustainable national development.

According to him, “There must be a deliberate programme to develop a viable middle class in Nigeria. This would require knowledge workers and technology service providers to modify their language of communication such as mounting a programme that would lead to the creation of 1,000,000 technical and managerial jobs yearly using Nigerian technologies and know-how (most of which are efforts having direct implications on the development of the agricultural/food industry).

“We must mount deliberate programmes to intensely and proudly promote technologies and innovations emerging from the National Innovation System, especially through viable partnerships, synergies and networking of related institutions on both supply and demand. Such promotional activities must be regular and qualitative.”

The programme, which was well attended, also featured a goodwill message from the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan described Iwuanyanwu’s recognition as well deserved considering his commitment to the growth of

science and technology, and innovations he pioneered in the field of engineering in the country.

The former president said concerning Iwuanyanwu, “You are one unique personality who, driven by a deep sense of patriotism, reached out beyond your professional calling, to seek fulfilment in other areas of human enterprise. Through hard work and faith in God, you have achieved greatness in engineering, industry, politics and publishing. You equally stand out in the area of philanthropy where many beneficiary communities and individuals bear witness to your stream of humanitarian services.”

Ihedioha, in his own message, emphasised the significance of instituting an annual lecture series in Iwuanyanwu’s honour, given the respectable pride of place which the NSE occupies in Nigeria. He reasoned that the honour was because of the scientific contributions he made to the growth of the engineering profession in the country.

Ihedioha said regarding Iwuanyanwu, “You have continued to blaze the trail, complementing your other accomplishments and recognitions in other fields of human endeavours.

As a disciplined professional, entrepreneur and philanthropist per excellence, you are clearly a positive role model and inspiration to pupil engineers and aspiring students of this dignified profession.

“It is also imperative to note that you have imprinted your foot steps on the sands of time as a soldier of Christ, political giants, business mogul, respected community leader and, indeed, embodiment of many positive virtues that are rare in today’s Nigeria.”

Iwuanyanwu obtained his first degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1971. He has a D.Sc. Engineering from the Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA (1983), L.Ld (Hon) from the University of Releigh, North Carolina USA, (1982), and doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) from several universities within and outside Nigeria.

He is a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and a fellow of the following professional bodies and institutions: Nigeria Society of Engineers, Nigerian institution of Civil Engineers, institute of Science and Technology, Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, Institute of Management Consultants, etc.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

President Buhari’s Strides in 2016

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Garba Shehu

he administration of President Muhammadu Buhari completed 19 months in office at the end of December. Except for this period being the end of a year and the beginning of another one, it is not a milestone of spectacular importance.

It is, nonetheless, another opportunity to reiterate the Buhari success story, a period in which so much changed. This is even as the beneficiaries of the old order seem even more determined to dislodge that narrative of success.

Here, we are in a country in which an essayist with excellent online credentials writes a syndicated weekly column in which he attacks our Minister of Finance, Ms. Kemi Adeosun, who keeps a clean sheet, not for the work she did for the country but for having graduated from a UK Polytechnic.

But pray, would you rather have as your money keeper an Ivory Leaguer, even though clean by himself/herself that allows a free-for-all looting under his/her watch, or one that is a product of a polytechnic but keeps your money safe?

President Buhari swore to his oath of office on May 29th, 2015 on a promise to tackle insecurity and corruption; to arrest the decline of the economy with a pledge to create jobs and diversify the monocultural economy. These three big, bold ideas warranted the CHANGE in 2015 and the President never loses sight of them.

The most important of the challenges faced by the administration in 2016 were mainly caused by weak revenues.

Oil lost more than 60 percent of its value in the world market and output was severely curtailed by pipeline bombings in the Niger Delta, reducing production by, sometime as much as 50 percent.

Budget for the year 2016 was caught in a series of disputes between the executive and the Legislative arms of the government following the uncovering of a huge scam through which the allocations to the various ministries were padded with sums that the executive did not ask for.

When the budget was eventually passed and signed, cash backing for capital projects approved for the year came only in the second half of the year. This notwithstanding, the government pumped an unprecedented N800 billion into the economy for financing capital projects to lift the country out of recession.

To everyone’s great relief, security in the country improved significantly but that too came with a number of challenges. Vast areas of the country in the Northeast were freed from Boko Haram terrorists and that opened up the humanitarian situation for the world to see: Two million people displaced from their communities faced imminent hunger. On record, we had eradicated the Polio disease, just awaiting certification. With the discovery of new, even though a few cases, Nigeria which was the second of three countries still in the Polio black book suddenly realized that there was more work to do.

The country has been celebrating the “defeat of the Boko Haram” which was officially proclaimed by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff. President Buhari has expressed his pride in the Army’s bravery. But Nigeria won this war on the back of a leadership that is strong and decisive; a President that believes that it is important to end terror for peace, which is a prerequisite for development, to be established.

Given his strong will to win the war, he explored all the ways and means available to the government to ensure that weapons procurement and supplies did not suffer a breakdown. He released the two newest helicopters in the Presidential fleet to the Airforce to strengthen their capacity for air combat and asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to release theirs to the military as well. The Nigerian Airforce must be given credit for the successful conversion of the civilian aircraft to military uses at home here in Nigeria without any foreign technical assistance.

The problem of cattle rustling was prevalent in the North Central and Northwestern States in the first half of the year. There has been a noticeable slump in these activities in the last six months. As can be seen, relative peace has returned to Benue, Plateau, Enugu in the Southeast although Zamfara and Kaduna States still remain flashpoints.

With recent measures put in place by the Police and the Military, as well as the peacemaking efforts

Buhari by the governments of both states, it is hoped that this too will fade.

For the first time in many years, Christmas and New Year came and passed without a noticeable escalation of armed robbery and kidnapping in the southeast and all over Nigeria. There was a seamless supply of petroleum products throughout the country. Similarly, road accidents were minimal following intensive exercises by the Federal Road Safety Commission.

Equally important for the country’s security is the ongoing direct and indirect discussions between the government and the oil producing communities in the Niger Delta. There is still more to accomplish in this regard but the decision of the federal government to resume the Amnesty Program and the involvement of community leaders in the region towards disarmament of the militants continue to be of help. The President is determined to see that whatever promises were contained in that agreement are carried out to the latter.

The Buhari administration has been successful in averting public uprising in states following the issuance of bailout funds to attack the problem of unpaid salaries. Salary payments are important to the economy of the states and without this, it is hard to see such economies will keep moving.

In the year 2016, the success of important economic policy decisions of the government began to manifest through the diversification and inclusiveness of the people in the economy.

There is huge boom in the rural economy mainly following good rains in the year and the government’s increasing role in quality control through extension services. It is equally important in this regard that there are willing off takers of farm products.

Agriculture failed to thrive in the past in the country because farmers were left to the vicissitudes of the market. One of the policies of the Central Bank to manage scarce foreign exchange include the restriction of currency supplies to important sectors that assist manufacturing and jobs creation.

It is a systematic move to curb the importation of unnecessary goods, to serve as a boost to local production.

Anyone paying attention to the agricultural activity going on in some states in the list of rice growers Ebonyi, Kebbi, Jigawa knows that economic diversification is taking a serious root.

Businessday reported that there was a record 48,000 new millionaires last year in Kebbi State alone. This diversification is greatly being aided by forward-looking companies that are backward-

integrating. The brewers and other manufacturers of consumables such as Dangote, Nestle and Unilever are aiding the economic transformation by changing many of their formulations to integrate local content.

As part of the goal of promoting home made goods, all cars and trucks bought by government as approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2016 were supplied by local vehicle assembly plants.

The Power Sector which is yet another priority for the administration has made significant advances.

But for the pipeline vandalism that has deprived many of the plants of gas, the country’s output would have moved up to 6,400 MW. Government is also showing the seriousness of a responsible consumer by making a huge provision in the 2017 budget for the settlement of debts owed to power distribution companies.

The Minister has been doing a lot towards diversification of power sources, talking about an energy mix that incorporates biomass, solar and increased water sources. A lot of ground has been covered towards the realization of the Mambila, 4,000 MW power plant. The highest funds allocation in 2016 went to the roads construction sector because government wanted contractors to return to site and recall staff they had laid off.

Roads and bridges such as Lagos-Ibadan and the East-West expressways which have perennially existed as uncompleted projects are being brought up to completion levels as a matter of priority. The 2nd Niger bridge which has been used to fool the people in the past is beginning to see action. Ghost contracts such as the Kano-Katsina dual carriage way are having life breathed into them.

In the war against corruption, new heights have been reached with the announcement of the whistle blower protection policy. The President has also ordered that the limelight be shone on leaders around him that have been accused of corruption.

The biggest takeaways in the last twelve months are introduction of the whistleblower program which, by the way has received so much welcome from Nigerians that the website hosted by the Ministry of Finance crashed in few days of its announcement. A finder’s fee of between one to five percent is being offered for whistle blowing that leads to assets and funds recovery. As you go around Abuja, you are likely to come across government ministries or departments moving out of rented accommodations, settling into buildings seized by the EFCC. The albatross of the war against corruption has been the slow Legal-judicial process.

Some of the pending cases go back to the Obasanjo era. That’s a decade ago. This is something about

which the President is limited in what he can do by the constitution. He will, in that regard, continue to respect the doctrine of the separation of powers as enshrined in our laws.

The program of social investment, our own version of the social security kicked off after delays occasioned by weak revenues that characterized 2016. The administration has started the payment of N5, 000 monthly stipends to the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country through the Conditional Cash Transfer.

The administration is already implementing Micro-Credit Scheme borrowing for about 1.2m.

All those that completed documentation among the two hundred thousand graduates list of the intended 500,000 N-Power jobs have now started receiving their N30, 000 monthly stipends.

On the International front, the President continues to focus on issues of security, economic collaboration and trade.

He has spent a lot of quality time reaching out to regional blocks on the continent, with ECOWAS states, East Africa, North Africa and the South of the continent as well.

He has done very well with China, European Union countries, the U.K and the US. In dealing with the EU, particularly France, Italy and Germany, a lot has been achieved on the issues of security and immigration. Italy and Germany are training our police and immigration officials. They are also giving skills training to our citizens who entered their countries illegally before their deportation. That way, they can have work to do here on their return. Without France, it is difficult to see how Nigeria surrounded by Francophone countries can achieve anything. President Buhari continues to improve his personal and official relationships with French leaders. US banks and lending institutions are giving money to Nigerian banks and other business entities. There is also a growing relationship with US-based IT companies as witnessed by the visits by the CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg and the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates.

With China, the administration looked at the past and the present to build and strengthen existing relationships. As a consequence, Zungeru power plant will soon be delivered. After a careful scrutiny of the fine prints, the costs of Chinese rail and airport projects in Nigeria have come down.

In the year 2016, the President in his foreign policy looked beyond our traditional partners to undertake visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, UAE as well as Iran. With Morocco, we just came out of very successful bilateral negotiations that will lead to the establishment of the dream pipeline to transport gas from Niger Delta to European outlets. There will be the manufacture, here in Nigeria through this agreement, of one million tons of fertilizer by the next planting season and four million tons per annum three years ahead when Dangote starts his own fertilizer plant in collaboration with the Moroccans.

We are signing bilateral agreements leading to the creation of frameworks for friendship and improved ties around the world.

In a country of high oil revenues, citizens had developed brutally ostentatious life styles and consumption patterns. Assumptions were made by all of us that we could afford foreign brands from school uniform, rice and tissue paper. The fall of oil revenues means that we have to look inwards and diversify. This is proving to be very helpful.

The government’s tough attitude towards corruption means that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption. Savings are being made from renegotiated contracts and continuous auditing of the payroll. The whistleblower program in effect means that government has handed the baton of the war against corruption to the citizens. It is exciting seeing how enthusiastically the public has responded. This will change many things in the country.

Government is succeeding in its primary duty of protecting life and property as can be seen from the noticeable slump of Boko Haram terrorism and the gradual return of normalcy to states in the North central zone.

The New Year 2017 has been described as the year in which the major policies of the APC administration will show results in full. President Buhari who is not a man of many words will speak through his actions. No one who messes with the President’s 2017 budget can stand his fury. It is a warning he has given. Let’s watch as the year unfolds.

––Mallam Shehu is Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President

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JANUARY 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Some of the abducted Chibok girls paraded by Boko Haram in 2014

Chibok Girls: Painful Memories of a Thousand Days Oby Ezekwesili

O

n that 30th April 2014 when diverse citizens gathered to march in solidarity, no one could have imagined any out of our 219 Chibok Girls abducted from their secondary school in April 2014 would remain in captivity of terrorists 1000 days after the tragedy. One recalls pictures of distressed parents supported by local hunters foraging through the path they were told that the terrorists had hauled away their daughters.

Meanwhile, their government was missing in action cynically indifferent to the cries for help.

One of the parents said he was desperate to find his daughter by walking off into Sambisa Forest before the Nigeria Army prevented them, because the future of the entire family depended on that daughter finishing school and taking care of her siblings.

How can we not be moved by such decisiveness on girls education in a region that topped both then and now, the chart of poor school enrollment and worse parity ratio of four boys for every one girl in school compared to the rest of the country?

Nations that have bothered to know the value of having all their girls in school have since discovered the multiple and diverse benefits. More than ever before in history, the economic health of a country depends upon the skills, knowledge, and capacities of its people. Research validates that countries which have made dynamic progress in the last century, are also the ones that help each of their citizens - male and female- to acquire the human assets of values, skills, knowledge and capacities that education bestows. In addition to the obvious productivity and income earning benefit to the girl-child and their families, some of the data validating a diverse range of benefits have global relevance.

According to UNESCO, the “Children of mothers with secondary education or higher are twice as likely to survive beyond age 5 compared to those whose mothers have no education. Improvements in women’s education explained half of the reduction in child deaths between 1990 and 2009. A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past age 5.

We are products of the Values that shaped us. A Value that some of us imbibed, while growing up, was that nothing made a female child inferior and so nothing should keep them from being educated. Those of our parents that held strong to such a Value bequeathed them to us by sending us to school, despite our being female. Like the parents of the 219 ChibokGirls, our parents overcame all barriers that are known to limit educational opportunities available to girls around the world or even more specifically, our various regions in Nigeria.

For the forward thinking parents of the abducted girls, they desired that their daughters would not be part of the statistics of out-of-school adolescent girls. A recent report on Girls Education in Nigeria by the United Kingdom’s British Council found that in the North East, 54% of adolescent girls are out of school. In the North West, it is 53%, in the North Central, it is 21%, in the South South it is 9%, in the South West 6% and in the south-east, it is 4%. The ChibokGirls parents understood that at an individual and family level, the benefits of offering education to their daughters outweighed the associated social, cultural, religious, physical risks and economic constraints.

What they did not imagine as part of that calculus was that the physical risk to life for those who dared to show up in school.

The terrorist are driven by the hideous determination to make knowledge is abominable thus challenging our civilization. None of our ChibokGirls parents could however have imagined that neither their own government nor that of the rest of the world would defend the dignity of endangered lives of their children if anything like abduction happened. None of those parents could have imagined that the lives of their daughters would not be protected by the Nigerian nation-state which has a constitutional duty of security and welfare of citizens- especially its young ones. None of those parents could have thought that having their daughters show up from their various schools in that local government to take their certificate examination with peers in that Government Secondary School, Chibok would become a fatal choice between being educated or staying alive.

Doubly tragic is that as we mark #DAY1000 since the worst nightmare of those Chibok Parents materialized, two successive governments have completely failed to be as bold as the parents of our missing ChibokGirls. From the initial self-preserving coldness, indifference, mockery and tentativeness of the immediate past administration to the “cannot-be-taken-for-their-word” hubris, lethargy and inertia of the current one, any discerning observer can see a common thread. It is the same we-don’t-give-a-damn attitude that is making their successors who assumed office on the back of a strong promise to commit their utmost to rescuing the girls within six months in office to repeat history.

What is the cause of this empathy-deficit toward citizens by those that govern regardless of their political symbol and hue?

The disconcerting answer is that citizens - whether dead or alive - have no bearing on the incentives that drive the quest for the right to govern them among our political class. Unlike those countries where leaders set their country Development vision on their citizens’ values, knowledge, skills and capacities, our own “rulers” place their stewardship quest not on the lives of citizens but on the certainty that oil will flow. Oil will flow and the public purse will flourish whether a citizen dies or is missing.

The logic is simple: As long as the proceeds from oil are guaranteed, the nation can afford to leave its children with terrorists for any length of time. For as long as oil flows and with that, the proceeds, the cutting short of any Nigerian life has no effect on the country. It therefore has not mattered as much to any of the two successive Governments of Nigeria that losing our ChibokGirls is a loss to our national stock of human capital. That our Governments prolonged the time it is taking to give justice to children who were abducted in the course of their search for knowledge is a statement on the things we value.

Should any think this assertion to be farfetched, all they need do, is, compare the swiftness with which our governments -regardless of which political crew run it- responds to any threat to the flow of oil in the Niger Delta. For our governments, the cynicism towards citizens who with a certain measure of education are converted to human capital is that they are of less value than a barrel of oil. This is where the parents of our ChibokGirls have more than a lot to teach our political leaders.

These parents may not have any “political clout” - part of the reason that many adduce for the way their daughters have been neglected by our government-- but they know something that our political rulers are yet to grasp: No commodity but our human beings like Chibok Girls, other abducted citizens, hundreds of Nigerians needlessly killed in distressed conditions in the North East, Mainland and South Kaduna, Agatu, Aba, Enugu, Onitsha,

Jos, Keffi, Abuja, Lagos and such other places, can guarantee us the swift passage to economic development.

The slight redeeming prospect of the President Muhammadu Buhari led government as far as the specific matter of ChibokGirls rescue goes, is that in the last three months, it has managed to bring back 24 of them mostly through negotiation for their lives. For our freed school girls and their peers in all the internally dislocated peoples’ camps in the North East, it is the duty of the Government’s - Federal and State- to place a premium on their education and skills acquisition to ensure that Nigeria speeds up the accumulation of our human development scores.

The education of the girl-child benefits not only the girls and their families but their communities, states and nations.

Following its inauguration in May 2015, the administration was trapped in more than 15 months of numbing indecisiveness on how to rescue our ChibokGirls, whether through military option or by negotiation with the terrorists. 21 of them were eventually released on 13th October 2016 to our Government by the terrorists and embraced by their exuberantly joyous parents. Just a few days ago, another one of the girls returned, having been accidentally found among terrorists and their victims that the Nigerian Army captured. She returned after 997 days in the stronghold of terrorists clutching an innocent baby rather than the certificate her parents hoped for when they took a risk to send her to school.

The tragic irony is that one of the reasons parents send their girl-children to school is to help delay marriage and child bearing while they acquire life skills for a better life. Rukiya Abubarka Gali’s parents while rejoicing at the return of their daughter yesterday, must be regretfully wondering like not a few other parents, whether it was worth it after all, to have made the choice for knowledge for their daughter.

That DAY1000 is upon us with still more than 80% of our Chibok Girls still captives of terrorists, the only person that can assuage their deep regret is the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria. The way it can do this is to ensure that not one more day goes beyond the one thousand days of suffering of our young daughters. This Federal Government must realize that the more it makes promises and fails to immediately back them with decisiveness and results-focused actions, it risks completely eroding its fast depleting stock of credibility and goodwill.

The inability and perhaps unwillingness to learn from mistakes is reason this Federal Government has again relapsed into inertia, lethargy, contradictions and silence on the status of its public pledge last October that another 83 of our girls would be back “soonest”. Our ChibokGirls have always been a symbol of several other victims without identity that are captives of our common enemies or those whose lives were wasted across the country. Now is the time for our President to find the courage to accord the highest value to the Nigerian life regardless of their region, religion, ideology, political persuasion, social and economic status above any other thing in this country.

We must not allow more deaths over and above the 18 of the brave mothers who sent their girls to school to become our more enduring capital. They did so, trusting that their Government cares about the dignity of life. It is therefore time for their 195 daughters to return. 1000 days are already too long. Mr President, we want more results! It is time to bring back home our girls now. And alive!!

––Ezekwesili is co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls Movement `

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PERSPECTIVE

Usani Uguru Usani: In Appreciation of God

T

Obong Akpaekong

he church hall was filled to capacity, with nonmembers constituting over 80 per cent. They comprised top public servants from Abuja, businessmen and women from various parts of the country, and politicians, especially of the All Progressives Congress, in states of the Niger Delta. The event was the thanksgiving service of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, held at Liberty Gospel Church, Calabar, December 3.

Three state governors were in attendance. They were Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Godwin Obaseki, who recently took over from Adams Oshiomhole as governor of Edo State.

Other personalities included Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Senate leader and chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission; Nsima Ekere, former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State and managing director of NDDC;and Umana Okon Umana, former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government and APC governorship candidate in the 2015 election.

It was another opportunity for Helen Ukpabio, a lady apostle and general overseer of the church, to present Christ to her countrymen and women. She did it with all humility but indeed, in grand style. Ukpabio mounted the pulpit colourfully dressed and wearing her trademark goggles. Preaching on “National Prosperity”, after reading from Deuteronomy 28:8, among other scripture passages, Ukpabio said it was the desire of God to bless nations of the world with prosperity. She said when a nation prospers, everybody will be happy and the people will together enjoy the good of the land. She said throughout history, God had always prospered nations that recognised His sovereignty while those that would not put Him at the centre of their affairs experienced dimensions of crisis: suffering, hunger, anger, violence, war and such other contrary winds of life.

Pointing to Christ as the light of the world and source of prosperity, Ukpabio called on the nation’s leaders to receive Him into their lives, live right with God and teach their subjects to follow suit for God to liberally prosper the country. She said in spite of the current economic recession, God loved Nigeria a lot and had made it one of the best countries to live. There was wild applause in the auditorium when the people heard this. She called on the leadership and people of Nigeria to reciprocate this love of God to reap more of God’s benefits.

Usani said he was not celebrating one year in office but calling friends and well-wishers to join him to appreciate God’s favour upon his life as well as pray to God to continue giving the nation direction. He lamented that there were many petition writers in the country, recalling that when he was Commissioner for Information in Cross River State, one petitioner said that he (Usani) had murdered in cold blood. He said also after his appointment as minister, rather than show support and celebrate the development, some people wrote petition.

He called for peace and unity among Nigerians, saying it is the only way the government at the centre and those in the states and their agencies could function effectively.

Going somewhat philosophical, the minister said, “History is a platform

Usani and his family at the thanksgiving service would work together to fast-track the of reference which guides our actions needed development. for the future. Sometimes, it just Usani holds a degree in Geography happens and at other times it is just alongside two Master’s degrees – one made….. When history wants to in Philosophy of Environment record you, your effort will not be important.” Usani insisted that he was Management and the other in Globalisation and Development. He not “talking politics”, when he told is a PhD student at Nigerian Defence the people to “tolerate the economy Academy, Kaduna, and has served the of globalisation” and assured that nation in various capacities, including President Muhammadu Buhari was personal assistant to the governor of determined to take the nation out of Cross River State on speech Writing; the woods. He called on Nigerians to support the Buhari administration and secretary to then Structural Adjustment Programme Relief Committee, embrace God in their lives, “because without God, life has no foundation.” and sole administrator of Cross River The occasion was a unifying factor State chapter of Nigerian Legion.

He was the director of Oban Rubas politicians from different parties ber and Palm Estates Limited and has particularly the ruling APC, and the at various times been commissioner main opposition Peoples Democratic for Youth and Sports, Information Party, sat under one roof to exchange views and even pray with eyes closed. and Social Development, and Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Ayade, a PDP member, was seen Development in Cross River State. excitedly sharing views with APC’s He has also served as a member of Okorocha, who sat to his left. When the governing board of Nigerian the minister invited him to take the Copyrights Council. He has taught at microphone, Ayade walked up, put the London Academy of Management his hand across Usani’s shoulders Sciences, Essex, and London Academy and described him as a man known of Higher Education, Stratford. Usani for his humility and honesty. He who had contested the Cross River said the people of Cross River State State governorship election twice were happy for Usani’s appointment (2003 and 2012) and lost, was the and promised to work with him to develop the state and the Niger Delta chairman of APC in Cross River State region. “I will work with him to raise before his appointment in November prosperity in the Niger Delta region,” 2015.

As Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he said, calling on the people to support them for greater development Usani has continued with many of the projects initiated by his predecesof the state and region.

In his speech at the service, Okoro- sors and has started new ones to change the face of the Niger Delta cha described Ukpabio as a woman with a heart for God and commended and fortunes of the people. In addiher effort towards the spiritual renais- tion, he has developed a Technical sance of the country. He said although Audit Report of projects undertaken by the ministry from inception. He many had complained about poverty has also carried out a baseline study in the land, it was hatred that was really destroying the people. Okorocha of social and infrastructure resources of the region with the assistance of agreed with Usani, that Nigeria had United Nations Development Project. a good number of petition writers, The thanksgiving service had noting that the petitions are targeted many bright areas. Among them at their leaders. He urged Nigerian the willingness of politicians from preachers not to relent in their effort different camps to sit under one roof to promote love and unity in the to celebrate their own and Obaseki country.

Ndoma-Egba said his appointment travelling from Benin to Calabar to rejoice with a fellow Niger Deltan. and that of Usani and Ekere had The church succeeded in gathering accorded the Niger Delta region top politicians in the land to pray for another golden opportunity for rapid the good of the country. Usani led development, stressing that they

in the session of prayer for Nigeria.

The peaceful atmosphere recorded at the church service and the reception that held at Transcorps Hotel was something to be happy about.

Ayade’s arrival in the church with his wife and their sitting quietly for the service to begin full gear was something to emulate. It is ‘Nigerian culture’ for governors to arrive for an event late and the doors to be shut against other late-comers once the governors take their seat. Even when the door is not shut, security operatives would not allow anyone to enter the hall. And most times, the governor will leave the event mid-way. It was not so at that occasion.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, a pastor with Liberty Gospel Church, sat with pastors. The congregation noticed how he resisted efforts by politicians and aides to move him to some exalted seat among dignitaries. It was a demonstration of the humility Ayade spoke about. It was also quite interesting to observe that Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio did not use the occasion to launch some project of the church or even her films and ask the governors and other personalities to make their donations. She also overcame the temptation to preach to suit the special element in church that day.

Her message was good enough for the occasion – if the leadership does well spiritually and morally, the subjects will do well and the land would experience Godsend prosperity and security.

There was evidence that her sermon sufficiently hit target when Okorocha said in his brief speech at the church that governors in Nigeria stayed in office for eight years if they succeeded to grab second term, whereas pastors are always there to show the people the way of good living. He urged the clergy to continue to preach the message of salvation and change to the people for a better society.

–– Akpaekong is a former Senior Associate Editor of Newswatch.

A S P E C I A L R E P O RT

2017

the shape of things to come POLITICS

ECONOMY

ARTS

SOCIETY

INTERNATIONAL

Heralded by colourful display of fireworks and messages of hope from leaders around the world, 2017 looks set to be an eventful year. Some issues and events were set in motion in the outgone year and will climax this new year - both in Nigeria and around the world - thereby providing a safe forecast of the shape of things to come. Also, within the 365 days that make up 2017, new paths would be charted with unpredictable outcomes. However, some personalities, issues and events are already primed to shape 2017 POLITICS

The Year That’ll Herald 2019

P

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) has already homed in on returning to power in 2019 as its next major pursuit, signalling a pivot on which political battles would revolve in 2017 PDP has been enmeshed in internal dissension since the last four years. The PDP crisis worsened on August 31, 2013, when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar staged a walkout with seven governors and other chieftains in protest at alleged exclusion during the party’s special delegates’ convention in Abuja. It reached a crescendo in 2015, when PDP lost the last general election and was forced into the role of opposition after 16 years in power.

But PDP breathed a sigh of relief following the November 22 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which recognised the candidate of the mainstream faction as the authentic nominee for the Ondo State

governorship election. This effectively ended the party’s factionalisation, at least in the eyes of the law. Now the party is plotting a new route back to power, and this would involve a lot of battles that look certain to shape politics in the New Year. Chairman of the PDP caretaker committee, Ahmed Makarfi, said regarding defections from the party, in a recent interview, “It is the movement in 2018 that will bother me.”

The 2018 movements will be determined by this year’s happenings, making 2017 a crucial year for 2019 politics. But whatever 2017 holds in store will be based largely on what 2016 had thrown up.

Below are some of the issues thrown up by 2016, which are expected to shape politics in 2017.

2017 Budget President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2017 budget of N7.298 trillion to the National Assembly on December 14. The two chambers of the federal legislature are expected to separately debate the Appropriation Bill when they resume from the Yuletide holiday this month.

With some legislators already expressing reservations about the budget on which the ruling All Progressives

Congress pins its hope of pulling the country out of recession, a potentially explosive discussion is expected on the budget.

PDP Crisis Following its recent successes at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, the Makarfi leadership of the PDP has expelled some key members of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction, in what seems to be an aggravation of the leadership crisis in the party. The national secretary of the Sheriff-led executive, Professor Wale Oladipo, and the chairman of a faction sympathetic to it in Osun State, Soji Adagunodo, were recently expelled by the state’s chapter of PDP. Though, an appeal against the November 22 judgement of the Court of Appeal, which recognised the Makarfi leadership as the authentic sponsor of the PDP candidate for the Ondo election, is still pending at the Supreme Court. It is also widely suspected that the Makarfi group is waiting for the right time to expel Sheriff. These expulsions look set to trigger further disagreements and destabilisation, which may complicate reconciliation efforts in PDP and weaken it even more

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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

POLITICS

APC Squabbles The rows in the ruling APC, which have been largely hushed, are expected to become louder and more pronounced as the country moves towards 2019. Various political interests in the party would become more forceful in the declaration of their ambitions, triggering more disagreements, new alignments and realignments.

And with the seeming isolation of key party leaders

by Buhari, he would be hard-pressed to hold the party together as a united front in future political activities.

Cabinet Reshuffle Buhari will likely reshuffle the cabinet this year and change some of his ministers. The change would probably be aimed largely at bringing about a rapprochement with important leaders of the party, particularly, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who have felt alienated. Tinubu has been the target of an elaborate influence cutting scheme coordinated from the very top and implemented by his erstwhile loyalists since the inauguration of Buhari as president in 2015. The issues went into an open quarrel during the party’s governorship primary in September ahead of the November 26 election in Ondo State. Tinubu, who is obviously the leader of APC in the South-west, alleged attempts to frustrate his favourite aspirant by the APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, with support from Abuja. The attempt to create alternative power centres in the South-west would continue, but Buhari would be under pressure to make up for his seeming hostility towards Tinubu and other leaders of APC.

Buhari Second Term The president has not declared an intention to seek another term, but it could be read from the utterances of his close allies and his own body language that he is not eager to leave in 2019. This would be a critical issue for politics this year, as groups and individuals seek to advance or hinder his attempt to have another term.

Atiku The former vice president is suspected to be nursing a presidential ambition ahead of 2019. The alleged ambition has put him at loggerheads with some persons in the party who are equally perceived to be eyeing Aso Rock, like Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai. Atiku’s recent pronouncements in support of restructuring of the federation towards fiscal autonomy for the federating units, which is obviously unpopular with Buhari, is seen in some quarters as part of the attempts to assert himself ahead of 2019. Though popular with most Nigerians, the idea of restructuring has been scoffed at by Buhari and many northern politicians. The disagreements would continue and even heighten this year as Atiku seeks to align with more progressive minds in the party.

Sheriff

President Buhari (right) and Onnoghen after his inauguration as acting CJN. The president is expected to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation early this year

New Party Rumours There would likely be a lot of frantic behind-thescenes negotiation across party lines towards the emergence of a major political party that would accommodate aggrieved members of APC and PDP. Speculations about the new party have been on for some time, but this year may see greater activity towards its actualisation.

Saraki Trial

at the Sambisa forest, in Borno State, but the government says the antiterrorism war is not over yet. The government will be alert to the possibility of Boko Haram attacks on soft targets and attempts by the sect to regroup in, especially, the remote border areas.

Justice Walter Onnoghen’s Confirmation as CJN

The Nigerian Armed Forces have taken the last stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorist sect

Justice Walter Onnoghen, being the next most senior justice of the Supreme Court, has served as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria since November 10, following Justice Mahmud Mohammed’s retirement after attaining the statutory age of 70. But Buhari’s delay in sending the name of the Cross River-born Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation has raised concerns. There is a point in worrying over the fate of Onnoghen. He would be the first southerner to occupy the post of CJN in nearly 30 years, after Justice Ayo Irikefe, who occupied the office between 1985 and 1987.

The anxiety about the substantive CJN is set to intensify and may not die down until the next occupier of the office is confirmed by the Senate. There is an age-long tradition of making the most senior justice of the apex court CJN after recommendation by the National Judicial Council. Though, under the law, the president is neither bound by this tradition nor the recommendation of the NJC.

Makarfi

Atiku

The Code of Conduct Tribunal would be expected to deliver judgement in the case against Senate President Bukola Saraki. Saraki is charged with irregularities regarding his assets declaration while he served as governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011. The trial has faced many controversies, including allegations that Saraki is being persecuted for emerging senate president against the wish of the leadership of his party, APC. The federal government had last October 6 stopped a second case against Saraki. The government withdrew the charges of criminal conspiracy bordering on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, to facilitate their elections as principal officers, filed against Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at the Abuja High Court.

Boko Haram War

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ECONOMY

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Lagos Central Business District

A New Lease of Life for the Economy?

A

fter going through the most challenging times, the worst being in 2016, the economy, this year, is expected to receive new lease of life, going by the projection of experts, reports Kunle Aderinokun 2017 comes with renewed hopes and aspirations. The hope that aspirations would be better realised than the previous year. While hope may wane, it’s the human perseverance and faith that keep hope alive even when the economy gets to its nadir and the outlook appears bleak. That was why when, in the outgone year, the economy faced serious challenges and eventually plummeted into recession and sank deeper, Nigerians were full of hope that things could only get better.

Nevertheless, how the economy would fare this year is not dependent on hope but the ingenuity of its managers. It behoves on the monetary and fiscal authorities to implement the right mix of policies that would set it on the path of recovery and stability.

Although, the federal government has rolled out a 10-point roadmap, it is yet to be ascertained if the policy is the one that would lift the economy out of recession hitting Nigerians very hard.

While the data for the fourth quarter of 2016 gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate is yet to be released by National Bureau of Statistics, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had, in its World Economic Outlook, projected that, the Nigerian economy would close the year with a negative economic growth of 1.7 per cent. It has therefore projected that the economy would expand by 0.6 per cent this year, which is 0.5 percentage points lower than the 1.1 per cent it earlier predicted and later also reviewed downward from 3.5 per cent.

The IMF had pointed out that Nigeria alongside South Africa and Angola, the largest economies in Africa, were experiencing sharp slowdowns or recessions as lower commodity prices interacted with difficult domestic political and economic conditions.

However, painting a bright outlook the fund is optimistic that recovery is projected to pick up in

2017 as the outlook improves for Nigeria and other emerging market and developing economies and the United States economy “regains some momentum, with a fading drag from inventories and a recovery in investment.”

Also, in his analysis, Senior Economist, Africa and the Middle East, Bloomberg Intelligence, Mark Bohlund, is optimistic that increased oil production, which should help to ease the forex squeeze, and indications of acceleration in agricultural growth means that the outlook for 2017 is not altogether bleak.

Bohlund, however, added that, “The debacle with the medium-term economic framework and continued strains in the banking sector indicate some of the challenges that the economic policymakers face next year.”

According to him, “While funds from the African Development Bank and a potential Eurobond issue will help, government spending will not give much of a boost to economic growth if it is not able to do anything more fundamental issues as the continued shortage of forex, due to new Naira peg being too high, and lack of electricity.

“Obviously, the former will be easier (by letting the market determine the exchange rate) to fix than the latter but the government will need to make progress on both for investors not to opt to wait for a new administration in 2019. Nigeria should be able to grow 2-3 per cent next year but a weaker Naira and high inflation will likely make it feel like a continued economic recession for many.”

Similarly, Managing Director and Chief Economist, Global Research Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, who presented the bank’s position on the economy, noted that the Nigerian economy would grow by 2.8 per cent this year.

Khan expects the economy to close 2016 with a contraction of 1.7 per cent. According to her, “With no evidence of improved FX liquidity, and the FX shortage still one of the key constraints on activity in Nigeria, we now expect negative growth to persist in Q4-2016.”

“Consequently, we lower our 2016 GDP forecast to -1.7per cent y/y (0.4per cent prior). We raise our real GDP growth forecast for 2017, but only on a weaker base,” she noted, suggesting that,” Important reforms, not least those centred on Nigeria’s FX market, are required to unlock faster and more sustained economic growth, in our view.”

Khan lamented that, “Despite the challenge posed by weaker oil earnings, Nigeria’s record on economic reform to date has disappointed.”

In the same vein, Moody’s Investors Service forecast a ‘subdued’ growth of 2.5 per cent for the economy this year, but expected stagnation in real GDP for 2016.

According Moody’s, “While Nigeria’s government should comfortably meet its financing gap over the next 12-18 months, increasing liquidity pressures, rising inflation and stagnant growth pose key challenges.”

It noted that, “The Government of Nigeria (B1 stable) continues to face low oil prices, volatile oil production, a spike in inflation that has eroded purchasing power, foreign exchange scarcity and an economy that has entered technical recession. Moody’s projects stagnation in real GDP in 2016 and only subdued growth at 2.5 per cent in 2017.”

VP-Senior Credit Officer at Moody’s, Aurelien Mali, who said, “We expect that Nigeria will contain pressures on its public finances in the short term, however, expressed “greater doubt about the severity of the impact of these challenges, particularly on government liquidity and economic growth, over the medium term.”

Overall, Moody’s views the recent devaluation of the naira as credit positive. “The new system should enable the naira to better absorb external shocks over time, and dollar availability should gradually increase.

Moreover, the fiscal benefit of the depreciation and the current oil price (which is above the budgeted oil price) exceeds the loss in oil output,” it noted.

However, while saying the depreciation implies a material loss in purchasing power given import-price inflation, Moody’s “expects inflation to accelerate to 18per cent by year’s end, before falling to an average of 12.5per cent in 2017 (based on the recent 2 percentage point hike in the central bank’s policy rate to 14per cent).”

Besides, the rating agency expects that the depreciation will increase Nigeria’s external debt marginally to 5.2 per cent of GDP by end-2016 from 3.3 per cent in 2015.

Moody’s fiscal outlook for Nigeria’s general government’s fiscal position has not materially changed since April. The rating agency expects it to remain in deficit at around 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2016, after posting a 3.8 per cent deficit in 2015.

States and local governments will benefit from the naira depreciation, offsetting the negative impact on oil production from the recent attacks in the Niger Delta. Moody’s expects authorities to reduce spending if revenues underperform.

Meanwhile, Moody’s predicted a stable outlook for the Nigerian banking system in 2017, reflecting

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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME its banks’ stable deposit funding bases, high local currency liquidity, resilient capital buffers and likely support from the authorities in case of need.

However, while the operating environment will gradually stabilise, conditions will remain challenging, with high inflation, reduced capital inflows and deficiencies in foreign exchange markets continuing to restrict the operations of Nigeria’s import dependent economy, noted Moody’s.

Moody’s disclosed its projections in its report titled: “Banking System Outlook -- Nigeria: Foreign Currency Pressures and Asset Risks Will Stabilise over Our Outlook Period.”

The rating agency’s Vice President -- Senior Analyst and the report’s co-author, Akin Majekodunmi, noted: “While we foresee continued loan quality and foreign currency liquidity challenges for Nigeria’s banks over the coming months, we expect these challenges to gradually ease over the second half of our outlook period, in line with our expectations of a gradual recovery in economic activity.”

Moody’s expects the banking system’s nonperforming loans (NPL) ratio to deteriorate over the next 12 months to between 12 per cent and 14 per cent, from 11.7 per cent at the end of June 2016.

As NPLs are a lagging indicator, the ratings agency expects continued upward pressure on NPL metrics in the near-term. However, write-offs and loan restructurings, as well as higher GDP growth projections for 2017 and 2018, will moderate the pressure on NPLs, it pointed out.

Besides, Moody’s predicted that, “The banks’ high exposure to the oil and gas sector - estimated at 29 per cent of the aggregate loan book as of June 2016 -- will remain one of the main sources of asset risk, along with foreign currency loans and import-dependent borrowers’ vulnerability to naira exchange rate movements.”

Noting that, “High provisioning requirements will weaken bottom-line profitability, although preprovision profitability will remain strong,” Moody’s projects “real lending growth of 5-10 per cent compared to 2016’s contraction of 5 per cent.”

Also as part of its projection, Moody’s expects “system-wide tangible common equity (TCE) to decline slightly to 13.2 per cent of adjusted riskweighted assets by year-end 2017 from 14.6 per cent at the end of June 2016, primarily due to increased loan loss provisions and the effect of naira depreciation on the balance of risk weighted assets denominated in foreign currency.”

However, the agency added that, “Nigerian banks’ capital metrics will remain in line with similarly-rated African peers and will be sufficient to absorb losses under Moody’s baseline scenario.

However, the Chief Executive Officer, The TFG Advisory, Adetilewa Adebajo, posited that the economy would still be in the negative growth territory five months from now when President Muhammadu Buhari would be giving account of his stewardship at mid-term.

According to him, “While the president has achieved success with the security issues in the Northeast of Nigeria another front has opened up in the Niger Delta. This conflict has had a direct impact on the economy, with a 50% reduction in revenues

Tomatoes and pepper on display at a local market

ECONOMY

A local market in Lagos

and a negotiated settlement remains the only viable option to ensure economic recovery going forward in 2017.

“The president has also been active with his anti-corruption drive which he needs to sustain and eventually secure convictions. No sector of the economy including the judiciary has been spared.

However, going forward in 2017, prosecutors need to simplify the chargers and reduce the number of counts to ensure successful convictions.”

Besides, Adebajo noted that, “The single treasury account has been a master stroke and exposed the soft underbelly of the Nigerian Banks, who according to a recent IMF publication enjoy one of the largest lending to deposit rate spread in the world, by a wide margin.”

“Nigerian Banks Enjoy over 25 per cent basis point spread compared to under 5 per cent for G20 countries and under 10 per cent for BRICS and Sub Saharan Africa Frontier Markets. Despite this, the stability of the Nigerian financial system will be called into question in 2017, as banks struggle with non-performing loan portfolios in an environment of high interest rates and dollar shortages. The unsustainable dependence on FX revaluation for revenues and inability to develop a viable bid and offer FX market are challenges the banks will have to address in 2017,” he argued.

The economist, which also noted that, “The

Achilles heel of this administration has been its inability to inspire confidence with the management of the economy and lack of coordination between fiscal and monetary policy,” contended that, “The management of the FX system in particular and pronouncements on monetary policy has led to both foreign direct and portfolio investors to flee and local investors and businesses to retract into their shell.”

On the way forward, Adebajo suggested that, while the economy wallows in recession and there is still momentum on the downward trajectory of growth, it is important that the government takes step in 2017 to restore confidence to the economy, financial markets, corporates, foreign and local investors.

According to him, “The recent agenda of the Finance Minister and the anticipated Economic Recovery Road Map are welcome developments.

However the quick passage of the budget and serious action on the harmonization of monetary and fiscal policy, including getting the FX system right, will speak louder and restore confidence to the economy than any document.

“While we face challenges to restore growth in 2017, government needs to be focused and consistent with its policies, especially with the backward integration and import substitution strategy, which has seen a sustained and consistent 4.5 per cent growth in the Agribusiness sector of the economy. While there will be challenges going forward in 2016, it’s important to accept that this recession was self-inflicted and man-made. The man made solutions are also available with the implementation of the right economic policy choices.”

Also, the Macroeconomic & Fixed Income Research Analyst at FBN Capital, Chinwe Egwim, who noted that, “The FGN maintains its expansionary budget policy to drive the economy out of recession,” however, pointed out that, “there is still a possibility that the government will struggle to fund the budget given oil production constraints, as well as bottlenecks associated with non-oil revenue collection.”

According to her, “The general expectation is a token recovery in growth for next year. Restoring stability in the Niger-Delta region which should increase oil production would serve as a key factor.

Furthermore, the FGN’s efforts in restructuring the economy as well as full implementation policies introduced in 2016 should have a positive impact on diversifying the economy and boosting growth.”

“Given that the month-on-month increases in the headline inflation have slowed markedly over the past six months due to squeezed household demand, there is also the possibility of headline inflation eventually declining to low- double digits in 2017.

“As for the exchange rate, there is still strong interest in Nigeria but portfolio investors remain on the side lines with the expectation of a fully liberialised exchange rate policy. If this comes to play, the possibility of increased inflows from portfolio investors is there. Thus, easing pressure on fx sourcing,” Egwim added.

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ARTS

Great Expectations in 2017

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ith nose stuck in current happenings, intent eyes on antecedents and ears glued to reliable sources, Yinka Olatunbosun gives a forecast of the Nigerian art and culture sphere in 2017

In brief, expect the unexpected. Last year, we had a lot of fun on stage, screen, public places and some adventure on the pages of new books by Nigerian authors. The year 2017 promises a lot more and you can take this forecast to the bank.

Perhaps, one of the most exciting news will come from the Grammy Awards 2017 where Nigeria’s Wizkid is co-nominated with Drake and Beyonce’s “Lemonade” holds the highest nominations. Experience has taught music fans to keep an open-mind to such sweeping nominations because the pendulum usually swings both ways, that is, Beyonce can win in most of the categories or lose to other strong contenders such as Drake, Adele, and Rihanna. Meanwhile, the thematic cohesion of the songs in the Lemonade album is almost unprecedented and the video artistry is awe-inspiring. This reporter thinks that Beyonce is very likely to go home with Album of the year as well as Music Video of the year and that means Wizkid and Drake need one year (not one dance) to win in the former category.

Top of our expectations in the second quarter of the year is the arrival of Kakadu the Musical in South Africa. It’s not the first international tour for the musical, having been in Davos, Switzerland but this is remarkable because it is the first time that a Nigerian theatre production team would be invited for the Africa Day celebrations at the Nelson Mandela Theatre. In addition, the Kakadu team will experience a collaborative workshop with their South African counterparts. It will be massive as the Nigerian theatre production team would enjoy a whole new experience especially on the technical aspect of theatre.

For Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP) and Terra Kulture, the dream of a first class creative arena hall with 500 seating capacity will come true. As you read this, construction workers are working assiduously to complete the Victoria-Island structure that will replace the existing building which has been the hub of many artists. Though the usual Christmas production didn’t happen this year, the facility is occupied by actors who are rehearsing on a regular basis.

Some artistes on the set of Kakadu

Wizkid Also, BAP production is working towards another musical in March. And for the screen, another ground breaking feature film is in the pipeline. It would be recalled that BAP produced “93days”, a cinematic success and had been screened at major international films festivals. For the visual arts, Terra Kulture will stay true to its annual art auction in March. It is also expected that BAP will tour the UK with another Nigerian play following the success of “Wakaa the musical” in the previous year.

Next, grab your dancing shoes. 2017 is a very special year for Spirit of David (SOD) as it marks 20 years. The whole year is full of incredible shows, programmes and activities in all SOD branches around the world aimed at reigniting our passion at inspiring a generation through dance.

The Second World Festival of Black Arts popularly called FESTAC will be remembered by the arts community. After four decades, Africa is yet to experience such mega month-long cultural jamboree that featured over 17,000 participants from no fewer than 50 countries. Although critics of this festival have blamed it for Nigeria’s financial meltdown, remembering this festival will rejuvenate the spirit of cultural appreciation, unity and well-placed racial pride.

For British Council, the Lagos Theatre Festival

2017 will last six days at 20 venues with at least 500 participating artists. The 2017 edition will have curated and fringe strands. The fringe is an open access festival for all genres in the performing arts namely, small theatre, children’s theatre, dance, film, spoken word, comedy, puppetry, cabaret, music and interdisciplinary arts. It is designed to allow performers/companies not participating in the curated festival an opportunity to present work for viewing, an excellent avenue to get involved in the Festival program, try out ideas and receive audience and delegate feedback but will be included in all promotional campaigns for the festival and in some cases will be programmed at venues.

The year will also witness a lot of collaborations. For instance, Goethe-Institut is collaborating with Book Buzz Foundation to facilitate a four-day workshop which will take place between 4 and 7 January 2017 at the Goethe Institut, Lagos. 14 artists, cartoonists and illustrators will be selected and invited to contribute to a collection of ‘graphic short stories’ tentatively titled ‘Life in a Big City’. Working in individual styles, each graphic short story is expected to capture the essence of living in, loving and loathing a big Nigerian city.

Word from the German cultural centre is that there will also be an electric music concert as well as children’s theatre performance during the year.

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SOCIETY

For the Social Scene, A Forecast

A

forecast may not always hit the bull’s eye, but a guided study of track record gives a good clue which very often brings home a good dose of expectation. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha take a calculated look at the shape of things to come in 2017.

Made by Design

Exquisite, beautiful, excellent: These are some of the words with which many of the visitors at Nigeria’s premier luxury homes and hospitality exhibition, Made

by Design, captured their experience. The event is designed to provide beneficial collaboration and networking experience among key players in the luxury home and hospitality market, providing choice collection of luxury products, services and experiences for the most discerning clientele. The 2017 edition holds bigger promises as more participants take advantage of the robust platform created by THISDAY Home+ Design in collaboration with Essential Interiors Magazine.

Yibo Koko

With his latest flick, ‘Three Tramps and The Law’, the prolific comediancum-filmmaker hopes to consolidate the increasing propensity for comedians to go into film making. Set in the beautiful city of Port Harcourt, ‘Three Tramps and The Law’ spins a story round four strangers whose quests for wealth crack the veneers of greed, lies and deceit that lie in them.

It will be a prelude to ‘The Rising Son’, a production entrusted by the late Amaka Igwe to Yibo for artistic direction.

BHM

The PR firm marked its 10th anniversary last year with a list of achievements including being the only Nigerian agency verified on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with 100,000 cumulative followers

Gov. Ambode and Prof. Soyinka after the inauguration of the Lagos @50 Committee

and signing up with a global organisation and one of the big four consulting firms in the world, Deloitte, to handle its audit and tax activities. Its founder Ayeni Adekunle plans to open more offices across the African continent this year.

a Bini Princess and a Lagos Prince. On the cards also is a live performance of 50 Lagos themed songs performed by the Lagos International Orchestra at the 2017 edition of the Lagos International Jazz Festival produced by Inspiro Productions.

Lagos @ 50:

Austin Aimankhu

Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the creation of Lagos State which began last year with a committee under the leadership of Professor Wole Soyinka reaches a climax this year with various events and activities. Some of the highlights include Isale Eko, a musical which has Joseph Edgar, Olisa Adibua and Yemi Sodimu as executive producers. The play dramatises a clash of royal interests in 14th century Lagos while throwing in the compelling angle of a love saga betweena

For the past three years, the fashion designer has injected numerous efforts to push his fashion and art platform to greater heights. This year, and for the first time, he will be having an Abuja edition of the FashionArtFusion show. A combination of the runway, rhythm and rhymes, expectations are high that the Luzol brand owner will dazzle his audience in the capital city. This year, as well, he plans to stage a distinct runway campaign called, ‘Wear Nigeria’, while FashionArtFusion continues to run its course and hopeful debut in another African country.

Koga Studios

Since the untimely passing of the ebullient owner of Koga Studios, Chris Jeyibo, a lot of questions have been raised on the management of the entertainment outfit. His last major outing was the collaboration for the production of The Wedding Party. Will the family run the business or will they get new managers.

Will his vision be kept alive in any form?

The Headies

Perhaps, The Headies witnessed its most challenging season last year, dogged with mixed reactions. Its producers, Smooth Productions may do well to live the spirit of the 2016 theme, ‘Create, Think, Re-create’.

The New Year poses no less a challenge to Ayo Animashaun and his team if they hope to sustain the high rating of The Headies.

Kene Mkparu

This gentleman is on a mission to revolutionise cinemas in Nigeria. He launched a world-class cinema Filmhouse Imax last year to give moviegoers a first-

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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

SOCIETY class ambience with luxury facilities. Not only that, through his distribution channel FilmOne, he’s cashing in on some of the best films in Nollywood. Surely, this year will see greater milestones as movie producers up their ante.

international attention after a supposed ban. Rahama is expected to reap the gains of her newfound international fame and to become more visible as a rallying point for the rights of women in northern Nigeria

Samuel Olatunji

President of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada may only have surprised distant watchers who are not familiar with his track record of serving and working closely with some of the famed entertainment event executive producers like Alhaji Teju Kareem of Zmirage and Ernest Adjovi of Kora Awards.

Inspired by this period of service, Dada established AFRIMA and climbed several rungs up the ladder of success above his erstwhile masters by striking a thriving working relationship with the African Union. With the three successful editions in Nigeria, the awards is expected to move to another African country this year.

It is definitely too early to describe Samuel Olatunji as a public relations guru.

What is not in doubt is his enthusiasm to grow a thriving business. After resigning from paid employment as a journalist where he had nurtured valuable contacts, particularly in Nollywood, he started a modest PR consultancy which has been known by many names through the years.

At the moment, it goes by the name, BBB Media. He also publishes www. braodwayafrica.com. Olatunji is in a hurry to hit the top and he is steadily inching his way towards the mark. He has acquired certification as a PR practitioner and taken a course of study at Tunde Kelani’s film school in preparation for the task ahead.

Mo’Abudu:

Last year, Mo’ Abudu made huge investments in film and TV production.

‘The Governor ’, ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ and ‘The Wedding Party’ are some of the few films from the stables of the EbonyLife TV that recorded good reception as well as box office ratings. With Mo, there is always an ace up her sleeve. It would be interesting to see the fresh productions from the media entrepreneur.

Charles Arong

Brand strategist and advertising practitioner, Charles Arong who trades under the name, Alternativ Media has been cooking a revolutionary product that combines creative design, advertising and audio-visual elements. Designed to deliver top brands, products and services to discerning buyers and audiences, these multi-media vehicle will display contents that are exclusively produced for and broadcast by Alternativ Media at select outlets in Nigeria.

Rahama Sadau

Which way will her career go? Many fingers are crossed in anticipation of which direction the career of Kadunabased actress, Rahama Sadau, will take.

She was surprisingly catapulted from regional reckoning to national and even

Rahama Sadau

Mike Dada:

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The Tonye Princewill and Adonis Production movie made a huge impact on Nollywood last year with its superb production and intriguing storyline. It also set a record as the most nominated film in the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

What other accolades will the ground breaking movie about the assassination of the former Head of State General Murtala Mohammed scoop this year?

The Unexpected: A Type of Bob Risky/ Olajumoke

The Nigerian social scene has become notorious for throwing up infamous surprises. From nowhere, Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju, better known as, Bobrisky stamped his presence, largely aided by the social media and his inclination towards the rebellious-bleaching his skin, cross-dressing and creating a fog around his sexuality. No one expected the Olajumoke phenomenon, as well. An unschooled hawker of bread turned model! No doubt 2017 has its bombshell. What they are and in what form they will appear is anyone’s guess.

Lagos. Brownehill Radio is an African based online radio station focused on giving Indie artists around the world a platform to have their music heard.

On BrowneHill radio you can listen to all genres of music past, present and future.

BrowneHill radio is a real radio alternative for people curious about ideas, issues and music.

Linda Ikeji:

Millionaire Blogger Linda Ikeji upped her game last year with the launch of her social networking site, Linda Ikeji Social, LIS. She also runs a full media outfit that comprises a blog, radio and TV station. With LIS, she had declared her preparedness to compete with Facebook. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa was at the public presentation of LIS to underscore that Linda’s enterprise means serious business. Going by her past major editorial blunders, will LIS lead the way or will she commit another embarrassing gaffe?

The Temple Management Company

In less than one year of its establishment last year, The Temple Management Company, TMC, pulled off, arguably, the biggest, successful coup in the Nigerian entertainment industry by convincing the entire Mavins Crew led by Don Jazzy to sign up with the company. By the time the Idris Olorunnimbe-led team of managers executed the King Sunny Ade concert at Federal Palace Hotel at which one of his guitars was auctioned, no one was left in doubt that something phenomenal had begun in the Nigerian entertainment industry. In 2017, TMC is in everyone’s view. But what will they come up with next?

Brownehill Radio

Raymond Browne has paid his dues as a disc jockey on radio. In the last couple of years, he plied his trade at iGroove, Nigeria’s foremost online radio. As last year petered out, Raymond quietly exited iGroove and set up shop in the same vicinity at the Freedom Park in Central

Olajumoke, discovered by THISDAY Style

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Putin

Trump

INTERNATIONAL

Jinping

An Emerging New World Order DEMOLA OJO

I

t’s a new year, but many of the events that will shape 2017 were set in motion last year. Some are unfolding dramas with less than certain outcomes, and while new actors are bound to enter the scene and set unknown chain of events in motion, many of 2016’s personalities are bound to take centre stage – for good or ill - this year.

One of those that will certainly be the centre of attention is Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh has decided to hold on to power in Gambia, despite initially conceding defeat in last month’s election. His decision is a blight on a continent that is increasingly embracing democratic principles and seamless transition of power.

Despite all entreaties, especially from fellow African leaders, Jammeh is turning a deaf ear to the will of the majority. This has increased the possibility of him being removed by force, with Senegal (which encircles the Gambia) ready to take military action. This is an unfolding story to watch, with many predicting that the fate of former Ivorian leader, Laurent Gbagbo, will befall Jammeh.

Just like Jammeh, Gbagbo refused to accept the results of an election that he lost, but was subsequently forcibly removed from office by external forces and has been charged to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Another character that is bound to shape events this year is US President-elect Donald Trump. Trump will be sworn-in as President January 20, and considering his utterances, there will be a shake-up in how the US interacts with both allies and adversaries. Some friends will become foes and vice-versa.

For example, the relationship between the US and China has been cordial in recent times, with outgoing US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreeing that their nations’ relationship was the most important in world affairs.

However, Trump spent a lot of time during his campaign railing against China and what he perceives as a business relationship unfair to the US. Trump’s tweets and other public comments suggest he could be ready for a major overhaul of the US’ China policy. His recent phone conversation with the leader of Taiwan is a pointer to the fact that Trump won’t be

chummy with the Chinese. It certainly won’t come as a surprise if there’s some form of confrontation between these two economic powers.

Already, Trump has threatened to impose 45 per cent tariffs on all Chinese exports to the United States.

The forecast is that China would retaliate by cancelling orders for Boeing aircraft and buying European instead, and making life harder for US companies in China, while also drying up the flow of Chinese students who have been flocking to US colleges and filling their coffers for the past decade.

On the other hand, Trump might oversee a thawing of the cold relationship between the US and Russia.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have made complimentary comments about each other recently with the present administration in the US suggesting Russia helped Trump win the American election.

While this assertion has been debunked by both Trump and the Russians, there is no debate concerning the fact that Putin’s Russia is back as a major force in world affairs. It is expected that Russia will be very active on the diplomatic, military, and cyber fronts this year.

Russia already flexed its muscles last year by effectively winning the war in Syria against Western-backed rebels in a show of force which proved that though Russia’s oildependent economy is comparatively weak, it has a strong military that is getting stronger.

With a President Trump expected to be more conciliatory towards Russia, there might just be a few more countries who will bear the brunt of Russia’s power.

This is especially true of the NATO members bordering Russia.

Another developing story that will unfold in the coming weeks and months is the UN resolution that demands Israel halts settlement activity, and the Zionist nation’s reaction to it. Already, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not abide by the terms of the resolution. He has also summoned ambassadors of countries that supported the resolution, including the US as recalling the Israeli ambassadors to Senegal and New Zealand (two of the countries that sponsored the resolution), well as halting financial aid.

Like last year, a few countries will go to the polls in what many have predicted to be defining elections. There is the fear among liberals that nationalists might ride on the momentum created by Trump’s victory in the American elections.

France is one of the countries where a far-right candidate seems primed to take over the reins. The country has been at the forefront of Europe’s battle with radical Islamic extremism and ISIS, but has paid the price.

Attacks in Paris and Nice have had an effect on the country’s politics, and the Front National’s Marine Le Pen—anti-immigrant, anti-Islam, anti-EU—has been the most immediate beneficiary.

She will probably contest against current President Francois Hollande, who has a 15 percent approval rating, and former centre-right President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is embarking on a comeback bid.

France’s saving grace is its two-round presidential system, with most polls showing that Le Pen would be defeated in the second round—just as her father Jean-Marie Le Pen was in 2002. If Le Pen wins the presidency, she’s vowed to hold an in/out referendum on France’s own EU membership. With Britain having pulled out, France exiting would undermine the entire EU foundation.

There is a similar plot playing out in Germany.

Chancellor Angela Merkel is going for a fourth term but is not as popular as she has been in the past. With Germany bearing a large burden of the refugee crisis, there are those blaming Merkel for what they see as the result; terrorist attacks.

The Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), an anti-Islam and anti-immigrant party, has made impressive gains in regional elections since its founding in 2013, and has entered 10 of the country’s 16 state parliaments to date.

The AfD is poised to be a player in federal elections later this year.

Iran will also be choosing a President this year.

However, unlike France and Germany, anti-establishment challengers aren’t really a concern in Iran given that the Guardian Council—the 12-person body that ensures the country’s politics line up with Islamic law—vets and approves all candidates who stand in elections.

This means that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the one who calls the final shots, backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. Still, there has been a difference if the President is a moderate like President Hassan Rouhani, as against a hardliner like his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It was Rouhani who pushed through the nuclear deal with the US and the West, even if it came with Khamenei’s final sign off.

Iran has a history with volatile presidential elections— when Ahmadinejad won re-election in 2009, there were accusations that the election results were rigged which sparked months of social unrest, protests and violence.

Ahmadinejad was planning a comeback presidential campaign, but a few weeks ago was barred by Khamenei for being a divisive figure.

There will also be elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, The Netherlands, Norway, Kenya and Rwanda among others.

Yet analysts believe the biggest political transition the world faces this year doesn’t involve an actual election, as China gears up for its 19th Party Congress.

Many of the country’s top leaders for the next five years will be selected but given the scale of turnover this time around, this year’s congress could easily shape China’s trajectory for the next 15 years.

About half of China’s powerful 18-member Politburo will be swapped out. More importantly, five of the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the ultimate arbiters of power in the country, are scheduled be replaced.

The only Standing Committee members who will remain are President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, who will serve out their second and final terms until 2022.

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IMAGES

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ecently the daughter of former Managing Director and CEO of Union Merchant Bank Limited, Alhaji Salihu Ehimeakhe, gave out his daughter, Miss. Zulei Ehimeakhe, to Mr. Siraj Momodu, son of Late Alhaji M. Momodu. Nikkai ceremony was held at The Eventistry Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Here are some of the personalities that graced the occasion.

L-R: The couple, Siraj and Zulei

Photographs by Mubo Peters

L-R: Parents of the bride, Hajia Azaratu Ehimeakhe and Alhaji Sahhu Abubakar Ehimeakhe

L-R Groom’s father, Alhaji Salau Momodu and Mrs. Addisa Omo Obaze

L-R: Mrs. Janeth Momoh, and her husband, Chief Tony Momoh

L-R: HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe 111, Otaru of Auchi, and Dr. Michael Unuake

L-R: Deputy Managing Director THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Kayode Komolafe, his wife Funmi

L-R: Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, and Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka

L-R: Mr.Chike Nwanze and Former Chief Executive Director Union Bank, Mr.Barth Ebong

L-R: Mr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Former Chairman Punch Newspaper, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola

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IMAGES

L-R: Mrs. Folashade Ogunbiyi and Justice Fatima Akinbami

L-R: Mrs. Tonye Osakwe, her husband, Gabby, and Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh

L-R: Mr. Godson Ikoro and Mr. Steve Osuji

L-R: Mr. Shobanjo, his wife, J. Shobanjo and Mrs. E. Ogunbiyi

L-R: Mrs. Agbeke Ogunbiyi and her husband, Lai

L-R: Dr. Tunji Funsho and Arch. Remi Adesiyan

L-R: Mr. Sami Igodan and Vincent Osawe

L-R: Prof. Biodun Jeyifo and his wife, Hudita

L-R: Mrs. Chinyere Azike and her husband, Chief Ziggy Azike

L-R: L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Arch. Emmanuel Omo Obaze, Alhaji Sahhu Abubakar Ehimeakhe and Groom’s mother, Alhaja Zamb Momodu

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SUNDAYSPORTS FA Cup: Musa Brace Sinks Everton

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

P

remiershipchampions Leicester City fought back to move into the FACupfourthround as anAhmed Musa’s doubleclincheda2-1winatEverton yesterday. Claudio Ranieri’s side fell behind to Romelu Lukaku’s strikeafterthebreak,butMusahad come off the bench as a first half substitute and the Nigeria forward made the most of his opportunity.

He scored twice in five minutes tonotchhisfirstgoalssinceOctober andsettleahard-foughtthirdround tie at Goodison Park.

The Nigerian was overlooked from the start by Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, who opted to start Marc Albrighton, Leonardo Ulloa and Demarai Grayashismostadvancedoptions.

Musa, however, came off the bench to net a double on 66 and 71 minutestomastermindastunning win over the Toffees at a packed Goodison Park.

His first in the 66th minute was downtoinstinctasheturnedGray’s cutbackontothepost,butwasquick to react and get it over the line to level the scores at 1-1 after Romelu Lukaku had put the hosts in front three minutes earlier.

In the 70th minute, Musa, riding on the crest of a wave, scored the goal of the game to give his side a ticket to the next round of the competition.

TheSuperEagleswingerplayed a brilliant one-two with Danny Drinkwater on the edge of the box before firing a sublime effort into the corner.

It was a good day for Nigerians

Mikel

Conte Salutes Mikel’s Chelsea Career

C

helsea bossAntonio Conte has praised Mikel Obi’s contribution to ‘The Blues’ in the 10 years he was at the club.

Mikel has left for Chinese club Tianjin Teda after he lost his firstteam place on arrival of Conte at Stamford Bridge. Conte said he believes the move will be a new challenge for the Nigeria skipper after an eventful time at Chelsea.

“Mikel played many years with this club and won a lot. But there is a moment you want to change, get a new experience,” Conte said at a media briefing. “I wish for him and his family the best.”

The Nigeria midfielder joined Chelsea in 2006 after controversially opting out of a contract with Premier League rivals Manchester United. Besides winning all the major honours in England, he also won the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

in Leicester’s colours as Musa’s compatriot, Wilfred Ndidi, made his debut for the Foxes following his move from Belgian club KRC Genk.

Musa’sheroicsendedLeicester’s run of 10 away games without a wininallcompetitionsandensured the English champions avenged theirPremierLeaguedefeatagainst Everton on Boxing Day. EnglandstrikerJamieVardywas missing for Leicester, but Ranieri gave a debut to Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who completed his £15 million move from Genk this week.

The 20-year-old was keen to make a positive first impression as he tried his luck with a long-range effort that was deflected to safety by the massed Everton defence.

Demarai Gray’s pace caused problems for Everton and the Leicester winger forced a decent save from Joel Robles in the early stages.FoxesstrikerLeonardoUlloa came off with an injury late in the first half, with Musa on in his place.

ChanceswerelimitedforRonald Koeman’s side as they struggled to find any rhythm and Belgian striker Lukaku wasted their best opportunityjustbeforetheinterval.

Koeman sent on Gerard Deulofeu at halftime and the former Barcelona winger made a key contribution when Everton took theleadinthe63rdminute.Surging downthewing,Deulofeuracedpast LeicesterdefenderBenChilwelland whipped over a cross that Lukaku tapped in from close-range.

Musa celebrates after scoring yesterday

Qatar Open: Djokovic Beats Murray, Ends Brit’s Winning Streak

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ovak Djokovic withstood a comeback from Andy Murray to defend his Qatar Open title and end the Briton’s winning streak of 28

consecutive ATP Tour matches.

Murray remains world number one despite the 6-3 5-7 6-4 defeat bytheSerbianworldnumbertwo.

The Scot saved three match points to come from a set and a break down to win the second set

and level the match. But Djokovic broke in game seven of the decider to win in two hours 54 minutes.

Both players now head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam, which starts January 16.

“It’s a tough one to lose,” said Murray, 29. “It was high level tennis, some of the points were physically tough. But it’s a great way to start the NewYear and I look forward to the next few weeks.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JANUARY 8, 2017

High Life

85 with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Vacation Blues...All Work and No Play Makes Tony Elumelu a Dull Boy

•UBA boss takes time out to enjoy with family

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t is often said that we must not measure greatness from the mansion down, but from the manger up. To this end, Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank of Africa (UBA), remains one of those very rare billionaires whose greatness and worth would always defy the yardsticks of measurement. This is because his rise to commerce’s power circuits and the zenith of African banking is replete with inspiring stories and exploits that defies norms. Forget his meteoric rise, Tony, contrary to popular opinion is not just some textbook workaholic.

And to prove so, he recently took a break from his hectic schedule to spend time with his loved ones on a Christmas vacation. The Chairman of Heirs Holdings shared beautiful photos from his vacation with his family and captioned it “All work and no play makes TOE a dull boy. Now reinvigorated.” No doubt, Tony loves to have fun. Not too long ago, his wife, Awele, gave birth to a set of twin-boys, after five beautiful daughters. It was indeed a remarkable achievement for the family. It would be recalled that through fortunate seasons and her most trying spell, Tony stood unflinchingly by Awele, urging her to seek solace in God’s ceaseless mercies.

Lest you begin to think that Awele must have been fraught with disaster, she wasn’t. The wife of UBA’s most powerful man simply rued her inability to bear him a son. Having borne him five girls, it was her heartfelt wish to bear one of Africa’s most powerful banking moguls a son. Not that the Elumelus considered their girls lesser humans, it simply felt inappropriate for their lineage to be without a male scion, if you ask Awele.

OVER THEIR DEAD BODIES! KOGI APC LEADERS OBJECT TO TINUBU’S ALLEGED NOMINATION OF JAMES FALEKE AS LATE JAMES OCHOLI’S REPLACEMENT •TROUBLE BREWS AS PARTY LEADERS WRITE BUHARI, THREATEN TO THWART TINUBU’S PLOT TO IMPOSE FALEKE IN PRESIDENTIAL CABINET

Kogi state is in crisis. Like a boiling cauldron, it suffers that action and counteraction which, in the political world, incites the reciprocal struggle of discordant powers gunning for expansive pieces of the power bloc. As you read, trouble brews in the state and allegation is rife that James Faleke, ex-APC gubernatorial aspirant in the state, is riding on the influence of mentor and powerful politician, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to become the replacement for late minister, Ocholi. The move believed to be hinged on compensating the House of Representatives member for losing out in his calculated bid to become Kogi governor is currently creating a huge rumpus in the state. According to information monitored on a

Exclusive pics of Tony Elumelu on vacation with his family

news platform, APC leaders in the state, especially Kogi West, have gone as far as writing to President Muhammed Buhari to oppose Faleke’s nomination.

They also threatened to employ all legal and political means to stop his political advancement in the state.

SAD EXIT…LIFE AND DEATH OF PRINCE ONIRU Death scorns royalty like it does commonplace natives of the boondocks. The grim reaper, without doubt, shows deference to no one irrespective of class or social clout of its victims; little wonder it stole into the home of Prince Alaba Oniru, the immediate younger brother of Oba Idowu Oniru, just as it would, the home of average folk, to wrest his life off him. The dirge of life resonates again, this time in the household of Alaba. Death, the dreaded dialogue between the spirit and the dust has finally manifested like a dark pall, shielding the late millionaire’s mortal soul from the beams of life. Alaba is dead; the millionaire philanthropist has gone to sleep

where earthly crusts weigh upon the eyelids, keeping it closed six-feet underground. The Lagos prince, who was born on the 17th February 1941, died in December in the United Kingdom at the age of 75. In his lifetime, Prince Alaba Oniru was Managing Director of the Oniru Royal Family Property Company Limited.

He was founding promoter of British International School; Chairman, Jajire and Ventures Limited and a Director of Global Trust Savings and Loans Limited; among others. With his departs the hopes of a world that had turned his life into part of its own projected unforgettable history and experiences. Alaba captivated and intrigued the world like few privileged humans has. His grace and charm substantiates his irrepressible image as the ordinary boy who became an extraordinary icon for generations of Nigerians, irrespective of class, gender and ethnicity. He managed to enthrall us with his ingenious philanthropy and humane politics. Sadly he had to depart our mortal world at the age of 75.

DEAR GOD, SHAME MY HUSBAND’S ENEMIES! AYO FAYOSE’S WIFE BLOWS HOT

•WIFE OF EKITI GOVERNOR PUBLICLY SEEKS GOD’S WRATH ON HUSBAND’S DETRACTORS

She is the rampart that stabilizes his floundering ship amid a sea of storms. According to very close friends, political associates and family, Feyisetan, wife of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, is the only reason God showers his infinite mercies on the controversial governor and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

And in true consonance with their claims, the wife of Ekiti governor recently lent her voice in support of her embattled husband; on Tuesday, she threw caution to the wind and prayed publicly to God, asking Him to shame all the people working against her husband’s government. “Every enemy pretending as friends, close to the government of Ayo Fayose and working against the government, the Lord will expose them with shame this year. Enough is enough!” she

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HIGHLIFE

Unbreakable! Why Willy and Nkiru Anumudu’s Marriage Remains Intact after 30 Years

•Globe Motors boss and socialite wife celebrate three decades of marital bliss

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here is no gainsaying Willy and Nkiru Anumudu cut a wonderful contradiction to high society marital norm. Like two rousing lovebirds, united in a bond of eternal romance and rewarding wedlock, the couple painstakingly reinforce the foundations of their marriage with limitless doses of love, trust and respect for each other. Thus while several celebrity marriages crash and burn, the Anumudus’ marriage remains intact. On Tuesday, the two lovebirds marked their 30th wedding anniversary.

It was a day of joy and thanksgiving in the home of the Anumudus. When you talk about Nigeria’s power couples, the names of Willy and Nkiru Anumudu easily come to the fore. Willy, Globe Motors boss, and his formidable socialite wife, Nkiru, tied the nuptial knot on December 27, 1986 and have walked the troughs of life together ever since.

The couple’s union has produced four grown up children, all of who have acquired their Master’s degrees.

Reliable sources say they will celebrate their 30th year together by travelling around the world.

said. Feyisetan Fayose spoke during this year’s edition of interreligious thanksgiving service organised by the office of Senior Special Adviser to Governor Fayose on Religious Matters, Pastor Seyi Olusola, in Ado Ekiti.

Urging Ekiti people to dismiss any negative prediction against the state and its government. Mrs. Fayose said God had assured her not to entertain any fear for her husband’s government in 2017. Years ago, Fayose’s deeply religious wife, Feyisetan dreamt that he would return to the Ekiti State Government House, many sneered and sniggered wondering what theatric the rambunctious politician was up to again.

However, the dream became reality. Otherwise very religious and unobtrusive, the First Lady who had been less visible on the political scene despite Fayose’s knack for controversy, has shed her garb of taciturnity and diffidence for a more active participation in the government.

DAHIRU MANGAL, BILLIONAIRE MAGNATE AND EX-POWER BROKER STEPS OUT OF SELFIMPOSED ‘EXILE’ FOR SON’S WEDDING Like a squirrel breaking into the grasslands long after it scurried into the safety of its hutch, Dahiru Mangal, expolitical powerbroker and businessman, has re-emerged on the sociopolitical turf. Although he scurried into safety, from the rampage of perceived predators, soon after his bosom friend and confidant, late former President, Umar Yar’Adua, passed away in controversial circumstances, the billionaire magnate’s name tolls once again and very loudly, like an alarum bell. Years after his withdrawal from the social scene, the highly connected brain behind Max Airlines is in the news again. His son,

Dahiru Mangal

Muhammmad Dahiru Dikko Mangal, recently got married to Aisha, daughter of Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal. The wedding ceremony took place some days ago. Prominent faces at the ceremony included Senate President Bukola Saraki, Zamfara State Governor Abdula’aziz Yari, among others. The wedding was unarguably one of the most colourful ceremonies of 2016.

THE MEN OF GOD WHOSE PROPHECIES NEVER CAME TO PASS

•HOW NIGERIA’S FOREMOST CLERICS SHOT BLANKS WITH THEIR 2016 PREDICTIONS

If you leave it to Nigeria’s prophets, the human race may well become extinct before the end of every year. Like fatal men, forever doomed to inspire hopelessness and terror in the affairs of men, self-styled men of God issue doomsday prophecies like they are going out of fashion, every year. In 2016 for instance,

Nkiru and Willy Anumudu

several interesting characters made daring predictions. Famous Catholic priest, Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka, raised the alarm over what he called a plot to assassinate President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016. The controversial cleric and spiritual leader of Adoration Ministry, said there will be a plot to assassinate Buhari in 2016. “Many people are planning, as it is revealed, to kill Buhari. There are many plans on how to eliminate his life so that corruption, embezzlement will continue. By the end of this year, Buhari will expose the names of the people who looted money meant for our roads,” he said. Also Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, said that a new STD will emerge in 2016, as part of his prophecies. Temitope Joshua, the general overseer of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations, also predicted that the United States Democratic Party candidate, Hillary Clinton, would win the US presidential election but alas, Republican candidate, Donald Trump, won the election.

Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministry declared that Governor El-Rufai will die if he does not revoke the controversial preaching bill he came up with. Likewise, Prophet Joshua Iginla, the general overseer of Abuja-based Champions Royal Assembly, predicted that the Queen of England may die. Regardless of their doomsday prophecies, the subjects of their dark predictions live on the sunny side of life, even as you read. But despite the failures of their 2016 prophecies, the self-styled men of God have issued their prophecies for current year. Highlife will keep you posted on their interesting predictions for 2017.

HOW OBASANJO RECONCILED RASAQ OKOYA AND HIS ESTRANGED DAUGHTER, BIOLA Biola Okoya used to be the life and soul of the party, the woman who will never go home while there is one man, woman or glass of anything not yet drunk. But today, Biola Okoya has taken a radical turn.

She is no longer the ‘ultimate rocker’ she used to be. Back when she used to cruise at full throttle on Nigeria’s fast lanes, no party hosted in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria’s entertainment capitals is complete without the presence of Biola. She rocked every party like it was her last.

Then she disappeared from the scene prompting rumours about her whereabouts. Speculations are rife that the diehard party animal has been forced to beat a retreat from the fast lane due to a perceived fight between her and her father, Alhaji Rasaq Okoya,

Rasaq Okoya

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HIGHLIFE

Obasanjo vs Awujale...Lessons Learnt

•One monarch, one ex-President, two giant egos and one billionaire •The facts are in the details as two foremost Yoruba elders engage in public spat over incendiary publication and Globacom boss

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s the conflict degenerates and drumbeats of war resound across the nooks and crannies of the Yoruba nation, like the stirrings of medieval blood-fests between warring ethnic giants, Adenuga has painstakingly scorned the limelight like one who understands the silliness and futility of seeking profit from the disagreement.

This is no doubt remarkable and worthy of applause, according to pundits.

Several men would yield to conceit if they were Dr. Mike Ishola Adenuga right now. Like the proverbial buffoon who sullied his name for a speck of gold dust, they would trudge arrogantly on earth and keep their heads in the clouds.

Besides his intimidating wealth and status, two of Nigeria’s most powerful men and elders of the Yoruba nation are currently at loggerheads. As you read, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, are embroiled in a war of words over issues revolving around the Globacom boss. But rather than cash in on the situation like several other billionaires and publicity-huggers would do, Adenuga has cleverly distanced himself from the ongoing fiasco.

Indeed, when you are as rich as Adenuga, it is hard to be humble. When you are as influential as he is, there is the tendency to overestimate the extent of your goodwill and social capital.

But Adenuga is remarkably different.

He won’t set up a situation room or propaganda team to issue statements in his name in respect of Obasanjo and Awujale’s tiff. Findings revealed that he warned his underlings, friends, associates and family members against making any statement in respect of the incident.

This has been attributed to his desire to be uninvolved in the ugly war of words between the two elders whose mentorship and superior wisdom remain prime sources of wisdom and inspiration to him. Rather than join in the imbroglio, Adenuga is fervently praying that it comes to an abrupt end soon.

the chairman of Eleganza. What actually caused the fight between father and daughter could not be ascertained. No tangible answer was found even by the closest friends and confidants. It was a bitter quarrel that polarized members of their family. In spite of interventions from different quarters, Alhaji Okoya refused to listen to anybody. For many years, Okoya and his daughter were not on talking terms until Biola decided to visit Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President, to talk to her father. According to Obasanjo, Biola came to him seeking his intervention in a disagreement with her father.

Okoya and his daughter have since resolved their differences and are reportedly on very good terms.

BACK FROM THE BRINK...

BRITTANIA-U BOSS, UJU IFEJIKA, ENJOYS SECOND CHANCE WITH NEW CRUDE OIL DEAL The truth dawned on Uju Ifejika like a twilight of eternal damnation. The boss of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, an oil firm, practically lost her wits and drowned in a whirlpool of grief as the Supreme Court ruled against her firm, Brittainia U, which requested earlier

Whatever the heartfelt wishes of the Globacom boss, the ongoing tiff between Obasanjo and the Awujale may continue to fester. But unlike the carnages of old that shaped and malformed the histories of great icons and civilisations, it may incite no bloodbath.

Notwithstanding, the former Nigerian President and incumbent monarch of Ijebuland respectively, present an interesting portrait of ego, statesmanship and tolerance as they slug it out against each other in printed words.

No thanks to SaharaReporters, the online medium that removed the pin from the grenade of Oba Adetona’s explosive autobiography, ‘Awujale,’ the 17-chapters of lucid introspection has incited an ugly disagreement between two of Yoruba nation’s most prominent and influential figures.

There is no gainsaying anyone who had read the book would agree that it was a bomb waiting to explode.

In 275 pages, Adetona shares insights of his odyssey to the throne at age 26.

In a number of instances, the details were unsparing and controversial. The monarch incites Obasanjo’s angst by giving the impression that the former Head of State, maliciously disliked his cousin and chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga; that he has interest in Obajana Cement Factory, and that he sometimes interfered with – or even misused – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on his watch.

More significantly, Oba Adetona opines that his cousin, Adenuga, incited the ire of Obasanjo because he refused to be used as a pawn in the power play between Obasanjo and his former deputy, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In Obasanjo’s bid to tame Atiku, he allegedly tried to use Adenuga to cage him. And the opportunity reportedly manifested when Adenuga sought to obtain license to operate his telecoms company, Globacom.

Obasanjo allegedly urged Adenuga to implicate Atiku as a corrupt public officer deserving prosecution; Obasanjo, stated

Oba Adetona, tried to force Adenuga to consent to a grand plot to implicate and cage his deputy.

But to his chagrin, the Globacom boss refused to play ball. Adenuga refused to be coopted as a pawn in the former president’s plot to destroy his deputy’s political ambitions. This allegedly infuriated the former president and he subsequently sought to punish Adenuga for his defiance.

On page 174 of the book, Adetona also described Obasanjo as “a Judas” among the Yoruba, a name he called him twice in the book.

But rather than address the issues raised by the paramount monarch, Obasanjo in his four-page reply to the Awujale, resorted to name-calling.

According to him, Oba Adetona’s claim

that the apex court granted an interlocutory injunction requesting Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to stay action on the transfer of assets OML 52, 53 and 55 to Amni, Seplat and Belema oil respectively. While Uju battled Chevron in court over the sale of the OMLs, it crushed her to acknowledge and live with the

hard, cold fact that her friend and confidant, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke, who was then oil minister, actually granted consent to the bid process and divestment of the disputed oil blocks in favour of Seplat. Prior to the sale of the OMLs to Seplat Plc, Uju had instituted litigation against Chevron, praying the court to

Oba Sikiru Adetona

Olusegun Obasanjo

Uju Ifejika

“in the publication was a tissue of lies and untruths.” Obasanjo responds: “Kabiyesi, the type of hate propaganda you have tried to project in that section of your book against my person is grossly unbecoming of an Oba let alone an Oba of your status and stature. However, I still accord you the respect which I believe an Oba should be accorded and one for that matter who I presume to be a friend.

In spite of your unfortunate projection, my position remains the same – respect for you as an Oba and a friend. Kabiyesi, I believe that I should set the record straight for posterity and to caution you from engaging in unedifying rumourmongering and untruth. Accept the assurances of my highest consideration.”

No doubt all is not well between the two prominent elders of the Yoruba nation.

stop the company from selling the OMLs to Seplat Plc. Uju had been battling with Chevron and Seplat Plc for almost two years yet Chevron sold the three oil blocks despite pending litigations arising from the disputes in the bid process.

Uju’s company, the Brittania-U, reportedly won the bid after due process but Chevron suddenly changed its mind and refused to sell the assets to it and instead sold it to Seplat and two others.

The situation wasn’t helped by the fact that Diezani, Uju’s close friend, who was expected to influence the process in her favour, nurtures a soft spot for Seplat Plc; it would be recalled that the then petroleum minister shared a close relationship with Dr. ABC Orjiakor, the boss of Seplat Plc. However, second chance is a treat for the man who had experienced fortune and rank only to lose it. Uju has finally reencountered bliss in trying hours, like the sojourner who discovers a babbling brook in the middle of the Sahara. She has a reason to smile again as her company has been awarded the mouth-watering crude oil contracts by NNPC. Uju is wearing a wide grin anywhere you see her.

Sunday January 8, 2017

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE #BBOG to FG “On Sunday, January 8, 2017, it will be 1,000 days since 276 schoolgirls were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State, by terrorists on the night of April 14, 2014. Mr President, no more excuses! Mr President, no more delays!! Mr President, decide now!!! Mr President, act now! We want more results!

– Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) calling on the federal government to ensure the release of the remaining abducted Chibok girls

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Buhari’s Battle with Poetry and Prose

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ario Matthew Cuomo, former three-time governor of the American state of New York, was known for his poetic use of language in the political space. For instance, speaking on his supposed presidential plans in 1986, he quipped: “I have no plans, and no plans to plan.” He eventually did not run — despite being top tip for the Democratic ticket in 1988 and 1992. What about this? “I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.” Cuomo, whose son Andrew is currently the governor of New York, died at 82 in 2015, but we will never forget his thought-stimulating, witty gift to the world.

The Cuomo quote that comes to mind today as we discuss President Muhammadu Buhari’s midterm blues is: “You campaign in poetry.

You govern in prose.” Political campaigns are flavoured with musical catchphrases, but delivering the goods is not a tea party.

It is not as if poetry is easy. No. I used to address myself as a “budding poet” — having been inspired by Niyi Osundare’s column in Sunday Tribune in the 1980s. But after piling up a wreckage of unfinished lines and wretched verses, I decided to respect myself. Prose, though, is a much longer journey. It is full of narratives and plots, even poems, twists and turns that have to come together at some point.

On the soapbox, you can easily promise, poetically: “One meal per day for every kid/ We’ll do what Jonathan never did.” The crowd will scream and roar — as if you are a rap star. On the hot seat, though, when reality batters you silly, you resort to prose: “Jonathan, in a sickening stretch of misrule, had pulled down the barn and ferried away the meal, making it impossible for us to feed the kids. Now we have to till the land, plant the seed, irrigate the farm, harvest the crop and process the produce before we can feed the kids and straighten their wizened faces.” Evidently, APC over-marketed itself and has become a victim of its own exaggerated competence.

With electioneering poetry long done and dusted, prose has set in. All the signs that this government could fail are there: team co-ordination is a shambles; economic strategy is an unacknowledged recycling of what the PDP did or tried to do; and the political front — by which I refer to national cohesion, rule of law and credible elections — is in a downward spiral. Things have to change. Buhari CANNOT afford to fail. His name will be ruined forever. It is not too late for him to retrace his steps and refocus. As an ardent admirer of Buhari, therefore, I have chosen to offer him advice on how he should proceed in his mission to repair Nigeria. The Hausa call my unsolicited effort “karambani”.

Get a sense of urgency. Buhari seems to think he has 30 years to do this job. He spent all the time in the world to pick a cabinet, and we still ended up with most of the people we knew he was going to appoint.

It has taken forever to pick chief executives of some critical agencies. Up till now, the board of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has not been inaugurated in a country direly in need of private capital to revive failing public companies. The minister from Kogi state, Mr. James Ocholi, died nearly a year ago and he is yet to be replaced. I just don’t get it. Buhari has only two years

Buhari left to make his mark; at most six if he gets another term. Speed.

Re-jig the cabinet. The first cabinet is usually a repayment of political IOUs. That done, it is now time for Buhari to say “thank you and goodbye — it was nice knowing you” to the liabilities and noisemakers in his team. Now is the time to change gear.

Time is far spent. You must work while it is yet day. It is clear that some people in his team are not helping his cause or may be too constrained to offer any value. Buhari is going nowhere if he doesn’t have a competent team around him. Not just a competent team but a team that can deliver the prose with precision. Some are still talking poetry as if the 2015 election is yet to hold. Overhaul.

Design an economic recovery blueprint.

I have listened patiently to senior officials of this administration on the economic crisis.

All I can hear is “in the long run”. There is no discernible plan on how Nigerians will survive the short run. As John Maynard Keynes would say, “In the long run we are all dead.” Economy is the biggest issue now and there is no sign yet that the government has a grip on it. We are all affected by the economic crisis, but the worst hit is Buhari’s primary constituency: the poor. In the next 12 months, how will the jobs come back?

How will inflation be contained? We needed an emergency plan as far back as 2015, but here we are. Limbo.

Develop a winning anti-graft strategy.

The first cabinet is usually a repayment of political IOUs. That done, it is now time for Buhari to say ‘thank you and goodbye — it was nice knowing you’ to the liabilities and noisemakers in his team

Impunity has reduced (at federal level, I would say) and we now know there is something called “budget padding” that went undetected for years. This is good news. But we are also getting mixed messages on “invasive plant species” and grass-cutting buccaneers.

More so, while naming and shaming may excite the lynch mob, an anti-graft war built solely on this approach will not work. A winning strategy must go beyond public lynching — it must address systemic failures, administrative lapses, entrenched mindsets and other endemic pathologies. Buhari must deal with more than the symptoms.

Comprehensive.

Broaden security. That Boko Haram no longer holds a chunk of territory is great news. To be honest, I don’t envy Buhari. He inherited a myriad of security problems. Herdsmen had been terrorising communities for decades without media coverage. Ethno-religious conflicts were a national staple. The Niger Delta was always going to explode. Kidnapping became a huge industry 10 years ago. While Buhari’s eyes were on Boko Haram, the latent conflicts across the country erupted. And, sadly, the murderous herders appear to be getting only a slap on the wrist. Buhari must step up his watch. He must first stop the infighting in his security team. Alarming.

Some flexibility, please. When a policy is killing the economy, you must review it. The idea of TSA was first implemented

by President Obasanjo in 2004. He moved public funds to CBN to checkmate “lazy bankers”. As a meltdown threatened, he swiftly reversed it. (I remember writing an article then, “For the fear of death, we committed suicide”). Obasanjo was flexible.

Buhari’s TSA has starved the economy of “working capital”. You move all funds into one account at CBN “to fight corruption” and start borrowing to pay salaries and do projects. What’s that? With ICT, you can track public funds wherever they may be in banks without TSA. Fact.

Focus on the future. Asked in the 1993 televised presidential debate if he would probe the military, Chief MKO Abiola replied: “You cannot be running forward and looking backward.” It would appear the core strategy of this government is to keep blaming former President Jonathan from 2015 till 2019 or 2023. There is certainly nothing wrong with reminding us that Nigeria would have been better off if Jonathan had done the right thing in the time of plenty, but, come on, Jonathan left power since May 29, 2015! He lost an election because the majority of voters thought he was not doing a good job, and they don’t need to be reminded about that everyday of their lives. Focus.

Change style. Personally, I respect and like Buhari a lot (my worst-kept secret).

However, I really expected more action from him. It is very frustrating. He is too distant from the public and governance.

He needs to engage more. He needs to communicate more, and better. He needs to put his party, APC, in order. The party exists only on paper. More importantly, he needs to foster political stability, peace and progress. He needs to consciously re-build Nigeria. Every part of Nigeria must have a sense of belonging. No part should feel ostracised. He must respect the rule of law.

This government is full of lawyers but hardly obeys court orders. This is wrong. Change.

And Four Other Things...

CHIBOK GIRLS Am I the only one slightly worried that after the military said it had cleared Sambisa forest of Boko Haram insurgents, the remaining 195 of the abducted Chibok girls are yet to be found? The impression all along is that the girls were in the forest.

All I want to think now is that they have been moved to another location or they are still somewhere in the forest. Sambisa, by the way, is a massive territory. It is one of Africa’s biggest forests. The area is twice the size of Lagos state. It, in fact, covers 60,000 square kilometres across six states. That is like travelling from Lagos to Ibadan 500 times — or going to and fro 250 times. Vast.

KADUNA KILLINGS Nothing saddens me, nothing scares me more than ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. The interpretations and the repercussions often expand our fault lines. Without bothering to know the facts, we often jump into the fray and make conclusions. It worsens matters when one group is predominantly Christian and the other is Muslim. Christians line up behind Christians, Muslims queue up behind Muslims — even if the conflict has nothing to do with religion. The killings in Southern Kaduna as a result of the nefarious activities of herdsmen and bandits have revved up political tension. It hardly helps when it takes Aso Rock ages to take action.

We are playing with fire. Explosive.

BACK TO AMNESTY It’s so painful that the militants needed to cripple the economy before the federal government resumed the amnesty programme. I have been arguing with some hardliners who think we should damn them and face the consequences, but my position has always been that you first chase the fox away before rebuking the hen. We all know it is quite humiliating to give in to the militants, but what do you do when they are paralysing oil export and power supply — and we clearly cannot afford another open war? Until we are able to fund our budget and earn forex from other sources, oil revenue will continue to be critical to our economy. Pragmatism.

ROAD NOT TAKEN There is controversy over the impending diversion of Abuja-bound flights to Kaduna because of planned works on the runway.

International airline operators are worried over security and bad roads between Kaduna and Abuja. One thing that strikes me in all of this is that if only we had built an efficient multi-modal transport system, this would be a piece a cake. A fast, modern train running direct service from Kaduna to Abuja would make the journey in approximately 30 minutes — which is just about the distance between Abuja airport and the city by car.

For now, travellers must make do with what is on ground. Literally.

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