Friday 20th January 2017

How South-west APC Arrived at Collegiate Leadership Sordid details of in-fighting amongst gladiators Olawale Olaleye A week after the South-west leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, ostensibly

to review the state of the party in the zone, some of the sordid details of the reportedly heated meeting, which forced the idea of collegiate leadership have begun to emerge, especially

South-south caucus meets tomorrow in Abuja a similar meeting tomorrow evening, at the residence of one of its leaders in Abuja, the nation’s capital, also to review the standing of the party within the collective

the alleged dirty in-fighting that took place amongst some of the gladiators.

This is, however, coming at a time the South-south caucus of the APC has also slated

and shape up ahead of future challenges.

But the Ibadan meeting of the South-west APC, THISDAY gathered, almost went out of control when some of

the leaders started to accuse one another of betrayal and disloyalty to the leadership in the zone.

Continued on page 9

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Trump Assumes Office In a Storm of Controversy Okechukwu Uwaezuoke with agency reports By noon (local time) today, Donald John Trump assumes office as the most unpopular newly-elected American

N E W S A N A LY S I S president in at least four decades. Two polls, released on Tuesday, agree on the fact that the billionaire, who

becomes the 45th American president, holds the lowest approval ratings record in recent memory.

Indeed, both ABC News/ Washington Post and CNN/ ORC polls showed he had dismally poor approval ratings. According to these polls, just 40 per cent of Americans view him

favourably. The former rates his six predecessors as follows: Jimmy Carter (78 per cent), Ronald Reagan (58 per cent), George H.W. Bush (65 per cent), Bill Clinton (68 per cent), George W. Bush (62

per cent) and Obama (79 per cent), while the latter rated Clinton (67 per cent), George W Bush (61 per cent) and Obama (84 per cent).

Continued on page 9

Emefiele: CBN’s Policies in Best Interest of Nigerians At This Time Dogara, Adeosun, Asiodu, Peterside proffer solutions to economic crisis Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Obinna Chima The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, yesterday offered insights into the prevailing economic crisis in the country, explaining that it was caused by the nation’s failure to diversify the base of its economy.

The CBN chief, who spoke in Abuja at the Annual Media Trust Dialogue, with the theme, "Beyond Recession:

Towards a Resilient Economy," also defended the monetary policies of the apex bank, saying they were made in the best interest of majority of Nigerians.

Panelists at the dialogue had come down heavily on the central bank’s monetary policies, arguing that they weighed heavily in favour of the few rich in the country.

They were particularly critical of its forex policy Continued on page 10

Osinbajo In Charge as Buhari PRESIDENT GOES FOR A REST… Muhammadu Buhari (right) with his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Begins Vacation… P a g e 1 1 President International Airport during the president's departure to the United Kingdom for a 10-day vacation… yesterday godwin omoigui

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Global Gas Markets Face Volatility amid Low Investment Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The efforts of Nigeria and other gas producers to monetise their gas resources face fresh threats as the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) has stated that the global gas markets will become more volatile in coming years if the low price environment continues to deter investment in new supply projects.

While investors are yet to sign the Final Investment

Decision (FID) for the Brass LNG as a result of investors’ indecision, the Train 7 of Nigeria LNG Limited is also yet to take off.

Also the Olokola LNG being proposed between the border towns of Ondo and Ogun States has literally been abandoned following the withdrawal of other shareholders from the project.

Reuters reported that Asian spot liquefied natural gas prices fell from a two-year high this week as production restarts of Angolan and Australian plants

boosted supply back into a subdued market, which had been reeling due to outages and high seasonal demand.

The spot price of LNG LNGAS for February delivery to North Asia fell to $9.50 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), 25 cents lower than last week's level, traders said.

"If it (low investment) continues like this then after five years we will be experiencing a very challenging situation in terms of security of supply," Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli, a former advisor

to Iran's minister of petroleum, told Reuters in an interview at the GECF's headquarters in Doha.

"It will make the market volatile and shoot up the demand side and then it would have its impact on the prices," he said.

Global gas prices will remain under pressure "over the medium term as additional production capacity in Australia and the U.S. comes on stream", Adeli said.

The GECF, an intergovernmental organisation

founded in 2001 and headquartered in Doha is made up of 11 of the world's leading natural gas producers including Iran, Qatar and Russia.

The forum, whose members control over 70 percent of the world's natural gas reserves, said in a global gas outlook report released this week that demand for gas would increase by about 50 percent by 2040, a similar growth to that experienced over the past 16 years.

The report forecasts domestic demand for gas among GECF

countries to increase from 1,000 to 1,300 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2040 and said Iran would see the strongest domestic growth, followed

by Russia, Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria.

Critics have derided the GECF for not managing the natural gas market as the OPEC exporting group has done with oil, but Adeli said the GECF had no intention of taking collective action to control prices and would instead continue to provide members analytical support.

He was said to have further asked Tinubu if he had ever called him to speak about where his interest was and he worked against it (referring to the Ondo crisis), a question to which Tinubu was said to have quickly dismissed, saying also that as a democrat he (Tinubu) had no interest in anyone but was only forced to speak up when Dr. Tunji Abayomi accused him of bias.

On this note, Fayemi therefore affirmed his position on the Ondo election, saying since there was no direct order from the top, apart from the manipulations

by Aregbesola and his cohorts, he had a right as an individual to support whoever he wanted the same way Aregbesola opted for a non-APC candidate in an APC battle.

According to another source present at the meeting, Fayemi also made specific mention of an interview believed to have been orchestrated by enemies within to make him look bad by claiming he disparaged the leadership of Tinubu in the zone.

Before denying having anything to do with the interview

which went viral on the social media, Tinubu was said to have quickly intercepted, saying he saw the rebuttal by Fayemi and that he believed his own side of the story. But Fayemi complained that such a move showed the degree of desperation by some elements within to demonise some of them believed to be rebellious to the leadership of Tinubu in the zone.

Amosun, who allegedly had his own altercation with Aregbesola was however said to have added that it was bad enough that the fake Fayemi interview went viral on the social media, that some of such falsehood gained prominence on the front page of a national daily believed to be owned by their leader spoke volume of the bad blood within.

He was said to have also told the gathering to ask if there was anything Tinubu had asked of him and he did not do, yet he gets most of the attacks and criticism from a newspaper believed to be Tinubu’s and by extension, theirs as a political family. He said he nursed no guilt because his conscience was

clear and therefore left everything to God if he ever did anything deliberately to undermine Tinubu.

A few other persons, like another former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, also spoke their mind in the bid to clear all grudges. It was Adebayo, according to sources that plainly situated the collegiate leadership idea before it was accepted by the whole meeting, which sanctioned that each leader should hold their local authority in the politics of their state.

When it was certain that all present had spoken their mind on their grievances, Akande then asked Tinubu to do a general response to all that was said by everyone since they were largely about him, with a view to putting the animosity behind them at once.

Thus, in his response, Tinubu was said to have dismissed allegations of bias amongst his mentees and also refuted the allegation that Aregbesola was snitching on the others, saying he had tried as much as possible to be fair to everyone

Montgomery – could potentially further hurt his relations with the African-American community and even pitch the Democrats against the Republicans.

It is ironic that Lewis’s charge of illegitimacy should be a source of irritation for Trump. Did he not spend years trying to prove the same about his predecessor’s presidency? Besides, Trump’s quirky habit of tweeting his response at a slightest provocation remains a cause for concern among those who think his tweets could unleash unsavoury global consequences.

Lewis based his decision not to attend Trump’s inauguration on the alleged Russian interference in the November election. Hence, the civil rights icon’s allusion to Trump’s illegitimacy.

But even with the controversy swirling around him, Americans have one good reason to look forward to his presidency: job-creation.

The real estate developer’s last November’s win at the presidential polls seemed to have spurred many companies to announce the creation of new factories or jobs in the US. Among them are the air conditioning manufacturer, Carrier, Japan's SoftBank, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Amazon, which famously promised to create 100,000 jobs.

Also, there were cheery announcements by Wal-Mart and General Motors. While the former announced on Tuesday

that it would invest $6.8 billion in the US and create 10,000 jobs, the latter offered $1 billion in new US investments and pledged to create 5,000 new jobs.

For this, Trump took the credit in his Tuesday tweet.

“With all of the jobs I am bringing back into the US (even before taking office), with all of the new auto plants coming back into our country and with the massive cost reductions I have negotiated on military purchases and more, I believe the people are seeing 'big stuff,'” he claimed.

Trump last month also denounced the $4 billion price tag on the next presidential plane, which is currently being developed, with a threat to cancel the order unless the price came down. This led to the visit of the aviation giant Boeing’s CEO Dennis Muilenburg to Trump Tower in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Muilenburg would tell reporters afterwards that he and Trump were “on the same page” about the cost and value of the jet.

On the foreign scene, while his foreign policy proposals had appeared vague and contradictory during his campaign, Russia and Israel had openly rooted for his presidency. Meanwhile, his NATO allies were discomfited by his recent remarks to the effect that the alliance is obsolete. He came short of berating Germany for its open-door policy on refugees.

Meanwhile, preparations for his inauguration had entered the

final stages since Sunday when organisers carried out a rehearsal of the ceremony and parade, with a military officer who is the same height as Trump standing in for the president-elect. Washington DC’s central axis, running from the White House to the Capitol, where Trump will be sworn in, has been cordoned off.

The task of ensuring safety at the event has been entrusted to about 28,000 security forces, some of whom are already on duty in the streets of Washington. Perhaps, a major security challenge is the planned protest march by hundreds of thousands of protesters on Friday and Saturday.

HOW SOUTH-WEST APC ARRIVED AT COLLEGIATE LEADERSHIP The meeting, it was learnt, had started with opening remarks from the host governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, followed by a former chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, who admonished the gathering before a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, further laid the foundation for discussions at the meeting.

Although the leadership of the party had also brought to the meeting, some development professors to address the gathering on development concepts and see what to take away from it to their respective postings, some of the participants had quickly pointed out that the meeting was not called for lectures on development concepts but to resolve the animosity that exists within the caucus in the zone.

Whilst the meeting had allowed all present to speak their mind about whatever ill-feelings they had, the dirty fights did not however start till the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and the former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, reportedly

openly attacked his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is the immediate past governor of Ekiti State.

According to sources, Aregbesola was said to have screamed at the top of his voice, accusing both Amosun and Fayemi of betrayal to the Southwest leadership, insinuating also that they were the very reason the party in the zone is in the state it is.

He was said to have made specific reference to the postOndo governorship election meeting held some weeks ago in Abeokuta, Ogun State, saying Amosun set them up by revealing details of the meeting verbatim, apparently referring to THISDAY’s exclusive report on how the meeting went awry, especially the altercation between both of them.

It was at that point that Fayemi, who allegedly did most of the talking was said to have stood up to state his case in a manner that laid the tone for further discussion.

Starting with the allegation of betrayal and disloyalty, specifically against Tinubu, Fayemi was said to have told the gathering that comparing him to the late Chief Ladoke Akintola of the old western region had gone on for too long and that it was a story sold by Aregbesola and his likes to make him and the others look bad.

He was said to have asked the meeting to determine between the two of them, the person that suits the Akintola description – either him that stood by the party and did that which the party wanted or Aregbesola who revolted against the party and even posted one of his most trusted aides, Mr. Bola Ilori, to campaign for a candidate of a different party.

He was said to have told Tinubu that he was fond of believing every tale brought to him by Aregbesola, without as much as checking with others, adding that except he starts treating all of his mentees equally, he would continue to have the kind of problem he is having with a majority of them in the party.

Continued on page 10

TRUMP ASSUMES OFFICE IN A STORM OF CONTROVERSY Meanwhile, Trump has dismissed the polls as “phony” and “rigged”, arguing in a tweet: “The same people who did the phony election polls, and were so wrong, are now doing approval rating polls. They are rigged just like before.”

Indeed, the same survey had said that 44 per cent of Americans believe that Trump is qualified to serve as president, while a majority (52 per cent) say he is not.

While on the campaign trail last year, Trump had frequently blasted them out on Twitter. This was even when they had good news for him. But he would accuse media organisations of rigging the numbers when they showed him behind his rivals.

On the eve of the general election, Trump narrowly trailed his main rival, the Democratic Party nominee, Hillary Clinton.

The latter hovered anywhere from 2 to 4 percentage points over her Republican rival.

Curiously, Trump captured the Electoral College to win the presidency, while Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million (65,844,954 to 62,979,879) — an advantage of slightly more than 2 per cent.

Add to Trump’s unenviable record-the fact that his cabinet will be the first without a single Latino member since the Ronald Reagan administration. The Washington Post says that every previous administration has had

a secretary or top ambassador of Latino descent. This began with Reagan’s appointment of Lauro Cavazos as education secretary in the waning months of his presidency in 1988. The Post also observed that “Trump’s Cabinet won’t have a Democrat, just three women, one African-American man—and no Latino.”

A feud between the newly elected president and the civil rights' icon and congressman, John Lewis, has led to a rising number of Democratic lawmakers planning to boycott his inauguration. Already, over 50 House Democrats have confirmed that they will not witness Trump’s swearing-in ceremony as the 45th US president.

To Lewis’s assertion last Friday that Trump’s inauguration would be the first one he would miss since being elected to Congress in the 1980s, Trump pointed to Lewis’ absence from George W. Bush’s inauguration in 2001.

“John Lewis said about my inauguration, ‘It will be the first one that I’ve missed.’ WRONG (or lie)!” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. “He boycotted Bush 43 also because he… thought it would be hypocritical to attend Bush’s swearing-in….he doesn’t believe Bush is the true elected president.’ Sound familiar! WP”.

“WP” in Trump’s tweet is an allusion to the Washington Post, which in its January 21, 2001 edition had reported that Lewis was among a group of

Congressional Black Caucus members who had decided to boycott George W. Bush’s first inauguration. Bush’s ascension to office was tarnished by a contentious Supreme Court decision over the Florida recount.

The Washington Post had said that “John Lewis, for instance, spent the day in his Atlanta district. He thought it would be hypocritical to attend Bush’s swearing-in because he doesn’t believe Bush is the true elected president.”

Lewis had courted controversy when during last Friday “Meet the Press” interview he said he does not consider Trump to be a “legitimate president”. Trump’s volley of tweets followed on Saturday morning and continued into that evening.

But Trump’s feud with Lewis at a time when the US is commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. led to the increase of Democratic lawmakers from the initial small group who had planned to boycott the inauguration to over 50, many of whom cited Trump’s tweets about Lewis as their reason.

Perhaps, in a bid to ease tensions, Trump met with Martin Luther King III in New York on Monday to discuss voting rights.

Yet, his ill-advised brawl with Lewis – a man who was clubbed by the police and hospitalised during the 1965’s historic civil rights march from Selma to

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ECOMIG Troops Converge on The Gambia as Barrow is Inaugurated President Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Paul Obi and Alex Enumah in Abuja with agency reports Senegalese troops, leading the Economic Community of West African States Military Intervention in The Gambia (ECOMIG), have entered The Gambia to ensure Mr. Adama Barrow assumes power as the country's new president, a Senegalese army spokesman has said.

According to the BBC, the development came shortly after Barrow took the oath of office at The Gambia's embassy in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

Although Barrow has been recognised internationally, the former president, Mr. Yahya Jammeh, has refused to quit and he is backed by parliament.

West African leaders had threatened to remove Jammeh by force. The UN had also backed their support for Barrow.

The 15-member Security Council stressed yesterday that this should be pursued "by political means first".

Senegalese army spokesman, Col. Abdou Ndiaye was quoted by news agencies as saying the country's troops entered The Gambia yesterday afternoon.

Nigeria said earlier in the day that its "armed reconnaissance air force are over Gambia", AFP reports.

"They have the capacity to strike," Nigerian Air Force spokesman, Ayodele Famuyiwa, told the news agency.

West African military forces have made it clear they are ready to enforce a transfer of power in the country, a popular beach destination

among European holidaymakers.

Mr Barrow took oath at the Gambian embassy in Dakar.

In his inauguration speech, he ordered all members of The Gambia's armed forces to remain in their barracks.

"Those found illegally holding arms will be considered rebels," he warned.

Western ambassadors to Senegal, the UN envoy for West Africa and officials from the regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attended the ceremony, while hundreds of Gambian expatriates gathered outside the compound.

Meanwhile, Jammeh's term in office has been extended for three months by a two-thirds majority in parliament. Some experts say he still has a legitimate claim to

democracy is sustained in The Gambia as well as the region. “The ECOWAS Commission, African Union and United Nations once again commend the independence, professionalism and commitment of members of the Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia and all political parties for exercising the needed restraint that paved way for the peaceful conduct of the 1st December, 2016 presidential election,� they said in the statement.

They commend the leadership and commitment demonstrated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia who is also the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government; Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and former president John Dramani Mahama of Ghana.

While they urged the new president to take all necessary steps to promote the unity and peace of the country, they however appealed to the security forces to observe neutrality and stand for the peace, stability and development of The Gambia.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Dan Ali yesterday gave more details of Nigeria's role in the efforts to resolve the impasse, saying the Nigerian military's involvement was based on the resolution of ECOWAS leaders to maintain democracy in The Gambia.

"Additionally, it will also protect and sustain the democratic norms in the sub-region. This will also forestall the breakdown of law and order in the Gambia and the sub-region in general," the minister stated.

desirability of such a policy with a flash back to when he was in government.

In her presentation, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, noted that lack of infrastructure had held the country down for too long, regretting that an abysmally low investment on infrastructure had been a trend over the years.

Adeosun lamented that the previous administrations missed the opportunity of investing massively on infrastructure, which she described as the bedrock of economic growth and development, when oil prices were very high.

She also debunked views that Nigeria is an oil economy, describing the notion as erroneous.

According to her, with a daily oil production of 2.2 million barrels of oil per day (mbpd) for a population of about 180 million people, compared to Saudi Arabia's 10 mbpd for a 30 million population, Nigeria cannot be described as an oil economy.

The minister stated that poor investment on infrastructure, corruption and inability to foresee the future when oil prices were high led to the current economic recession.

She noted that the present administration was desirous of navigating the country out of past mistakes and launch it into a sustainable economic growth, anchored on massive infrastructure.

Investment in infrastructure, she noted, was the key to the nation's industrialisation.

In his presentation, the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Atedo

Peterside observed that while the present administration was doing some things right, it was equally taking many wrong steps, noting that there was a reluctance on the part of the government to break away from the past.

According to him, the Buhari administration has just this year to make an impact on the economic landscape and the general wellbeing of the nation as politicking would dominate the scene from 2018.

He listed some of the challenges of the administration as the inability to take bold, holistic and audacious approach to harmonise fiscal and monetary policies to attain sound economic outcomes.

Peterside said the government's monetary and economic policies were at best unclear, citing the existence of multiple forex regimes and half-hearted policy on deregulation, among others.

On what he listed as 11 items he considered as the grey areas that government did not do well, he said not resolving the Niger Delta agitation expeditiously was a major undoing, which had dire economic consequences for the country.

That, he said, led to a $6 billion monthly revenue loss, even as he picked hole in the lack of will for the full deregulation of the downstream sector.

He also pooh-poohed the CBN forex policy, particularly its directive to the banks to allocate 60 per cent of their FX resources to the manufacturing sector.

Peterside said it was wrong to allocate 60 per cent FX to a

sector that accounts for about 10 per cent of GDP and leave a mere 40 per cent to all the other sectors, adding that it engendered a huge distortionary trend, created panic in the system and led to the disappearance of forex inflows.

He also stated that shying away from the political restructuring of the nation was a serious mistake on the part of the government adding that irrespective of how unpalatable the concept might sound to some people, it was a necessity.

While calling for an open mind on the issue, Peterside, who punctuated every point with "because I love my country," noted that less than 25 per cent of the nation's 36 states were economically viable.

In his keynote address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said he was optimistic the economy would come out of the recession soon, adding that the National Assembly was collaborating with the executive to turn the economy around.

He regretted that lack of development plans was the nation's bane, adding that wasting resources to plan and not implementing such plans was wrong.

Dogara noted that while the federal government was tackling terrorism, it was disturbing that other security challenges, including armed robbery, kidnapping and other vices were on the prowl.

He regretted that attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) would be difficult in such an atmosphere.

Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his predecessor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; Senator Magnus Abe; Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Peterside Dakuku; former NDDC MD, Mr. Timi Alaibe; new Chairman of the NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba; the new NDDC DG, Mr. Nsima Ekere, other ministers and political appointees from the zone and members of the National Assembly.

The South-south meeting, an inside source said, is designed to review the position of the zone within the federation

as currently constituted, its relevance within the party, how to move the zone forward within the power equation and ultimately, how to take over the zone during the next round of elections.

Although an invitation was said to have been extended to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, his attendance is however dicey as he is said to have consistently told those who cared to listen that he is not a member of the APC. THISDAY source said he had though promised to attend however late since he had other engagements, he did not hide

the fact that he is not an APC member, as such, his attendance is one of mixed feelings. The source said one of the leaders of the party, who asked that the invitation be extended to him likes him a lot and believes he must be accorded all respect in the zone, hence the invitation to attend.

Sources hinted that the zonal caucus meetings of the party might have become imperative and a regular feature in the light of the unfolding developments in party, where each zone and their leaders must hold down their area for the party in preparation for the battle ahead of 2019.

be called the country's president.

Gambian Information Minister, Mr, Sidie Njie, told the BBC yesterday that Jammeh would not leave his office.

Barrow received congratulatory messages yesterday from the ECOWAS Commission, African Union and United Nations.

In a joint statement by the trio, they congratulated the people of The Gambia for their patience, discipline, maturity and resolve to defend their popular will, as expressed in the 1st December, 2016 presidential election and during the post-electoral crisis.

Also not left out in the congratulatory messages are the Electoral umpire, political parties, and the leadership of ECOWAS with its mediatory team whom they noted have all contributed in no small way in ensuring that

EMEFIELE: CBN'S POLICIES IN BEST INTEREST OF NIGERIANS AT THIS TIME which allocates 60 percent of the nation’s forex to the manufacturing sector that they said accounts for only 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

At the parley were other prominent Nigerians, including the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; a former minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Philip Asiodu; and the Chairman, Standard/IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside, who all proffered solutions to the nation’s biting economic hardship.

But Emefiele said the panelists’ perception of the CBN policies was wrong, submitting that the “policies were put in place to help Nigeria pull through the hard time.�

He said the forex policy was meant to stimulate the economy at a time of acute scarcity.

He explained that the country found itself in the present situation due to lack of appropriate commitment to economic diversification, especially when the earnings from oil were as high as $140 per barrel, just as he noted that earnings of the government had risen to as high as $3.2 billion and fell to about $500m per month recently.

According to the governor, there was also a time when the crude oil price stabilised at $105 per barrel over a period of five years. “What did we do with the huge accretion to the reserves then?� he queried yesterday.

Emefiele therefore, counselled critics of the CBN and government

policies that “priority will be given to Nigerian masses by managing the limited resources to provide for industrial raw materials, plants and equipment and agricultural inputs in order to create employment and generate wealth.�

One of the panelists, Mr. Atedo Peterside, had raised concern that the foreign exchange policy of the CBN was hurting business interests to which the CBN Governor responded that policy makers don’t make policies in isolation or are designed to hurt the citizenry but with the objectives to improve the life of all concerned and not just for a few powerful and rich individuals.

Many of the speakers at the dialogue, however, suggested radical and bi-partisan measures to build a vibrant economy.

They recommended that for the nation to overcome the recession and begin a trajectory of sound economic growth, it must, among others, go back to the era of rolling plans, embark on massive infrastructure development, and align fiscal and monetary policies efficiently.

In his opening remarks, Asiodu who was the chairman of the occasion, embarked on a historical journey, tracing the nation's present economic stagnation to the abandonment of development planning.

He recalled that in the early '70s, the Yakubu Gowon administration had a comprehensive development plan, which was jettisoned when former President Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as military head of state in 1976.

He recalled that successive

administrations also abandoned development plans until the late Gen. Sani Abacha enunciated a broad economic plan, encapsulated under Vision 2010.

According to him, by 1998, all the institutions to galvanise efforts towards implementing the 2010 blueprint were already put in place by the Abacha administration.

That blueprint, he regretted, was also jettisoned by the civilian administration under former President Obasanjo in 1999.

Asiodu noted that the President Goodluck Jonathan government was to come up with Vision 2020 and the Transformation Agenda, which were not implemented to the letter.

He lamented that the lack of political will and commitment to pursue and implement development plans by past administrations set the stage for the deterioration of infrastructure, and brought the nation to the current economic quagmire.

Asiodu observed that in the first republic, Nigeria was at par with the Asian Tigers growth-wise because there were workable development plans.

He said it was wrong to look at the economic recession from the standpoint of oil and the precipitous fall in the price of the commodity.

Asiodu, who was also a former Chief Economic Adviser to former President Obasanjo, said the fall in the price of oil was not the cause of the nation's problem, arguing that many African countries without oil were doing well.

He called for a national income policy, and underscored the

HOW SOUTH-WEST APC ARRIVED AT COLLEGIATE LEADERSHIP to the best of his ability and that he had nothing against anyone.

He allegedly tried to justify this by recalling that he recently spoke to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, from overseas, where he was vacating and had jocularly told him that “You are working hard there and I am enjoying here.� The same way he allegedly reached out to Fayemi days back to help attend to some foreign nationals, who needed help.

To that end, he reportedly appealed to everyone to let go of the bickering, adding that the future of the party in the zone was the most important

thing to its leadership.

It was against this backdrop that a reconciliation committee comprising Akande, Osoba, Adebayo and Tinubu was set up to look into all the issues raised and resolve them once and for all.

Soon after the committee was set up, Ajimobi was said to have quickly given an idea on how to start, saying there would not be genuine reconciliation without first reconciling for instance, Fashola and his successor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Fayemi and Aregbesola; Amosun and Aregbesola; as well as himself and the Minister of

Communications, Adebayo Shittu.

On that note, the Ibadan meeting ended, with the younger elements, having their way with the pushed collegiate agenda and the older folks agreeing to their terms in the interest of peace and the development of the region.

However, with the South-west taking a successful crucial caucus initiative, the South-south wing of the party has also followed suit with a meeting slated for tomorrow in Abuja.

Holding at the residence of one of the leaders and minister, the meeting is expected to have in attendance, the National

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NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™Ăœ Davidson Iriekpen Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Osinbajo in Charge as Buhari Begins Vacation Buhari: Nothing wrong with going on vacation deployment of troops to Gambia Tobi Soniyi, Omololu Ogunmade Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË President Mumammadu Buhari has sent a letter to the National Assembly, announcing his intention to proceed on a 10-working day vacation beginning from January 23, 2017.

The president in a letter addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said while he is away, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would act as president.

According to Buhari, his correspondence to National Assembly presiding officers was in accordance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Section 145(1) of the Constitution provides that “whenever the president transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on a vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the function of his office, until he transmits to them in written declaration to the contrary, such functions shall be discharged by Vice President as acting president.�

In the letter, which was read on the floors of the Senate and House of Representatives by Saraki and Dogara, the president

said he was embarking on a short vacation and would be back to his duty post on February 6.

The letter read: “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I wish to inform the Senate that I will be away on a 10-working day short vacation as part of my 2017 annual leave, from January 23 to February 6, 2017 and while I am away, the vice president will perform the functions of my office.�

However, the content of the president’s letter was contradictory to the statement later issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

While Buhari in his letter said he would proceed on the vacation on January 23, Adesina in his statement, stated that Buhari would begin a short vacation to the United Kingdom yesterday.

According to Adesina, the president would during the vacation embark on routine medical check-ups before his return on February 6.

Adesina, in his statement, said: “President Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today (yesterday) on a short vacation.

He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017. During the vacation, the president will also undergo routine check-ups. “In line with Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as

Presidency: Why We Refused to Release El-Zakzaky Tobi Soniyi ËżĂ“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË˿ The Federal government has outlined the obstacles to the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMAN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. In an interview with journalists yesterday in Abuja a Presidency official who did not want to be named said the “major constitutional policy objective of government as stated in section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 constitution as amended was public and not individual security.  “The issue of the release of Zak zaky is not exclusively legal. It has security and public interest as against individual interest undertone. “Public interest and national security implications must be factored into consideration in line with international practices that conventionally place national security and public interest above any other individual claim of right. The fedaral government  is looking into the case with the public and security interest dimensions into consideration,â€? the official said. On the said detention of the religious leader’s wife along side her husband, the official stated

that El-Zakzaky’s wife was not of any security interests and therefore was merely keeping her husband company in the apartment in which he is kept. “She is not under detention. If it is her wish, that of her husband or of the IMAN, she will allowed to go home in a matter of hours,� he asserted.

He explained that El-Zakzaky’s spouse was picked up by the Department of Security Services, DSS beside her husband with bullet wounds following IMAN’s encounter with the army. “They took her along with the husband, treated her wounds and allowed her to care for him. Upon his request on an occasion,  the children joined them during Ramadan. That is what happened.�

Justice Gabriel Kolawole had given judgment in favour of Zakyzak and ordered that be and his wife be released.

He also ordered that they be paid damages for being detained illegally.

The same arguments being raised y the Presidency were raised before the trial Judge but the court found them unsubstantiated and rejected them.

Senate protests illegal

RENDERING ACCOUNT TO THE PEOPLE‌

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); with his Deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule (left); and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I (right), during the 1st Quarter 2017 Town Hall meeting to render account of his stewardship at the Ajelogo Housing Scheme, Akanimodo, Mile 12, Ketu, Lagos‌ yesterday amended), the President of the Senate and Speaker, House of Representatives have been duly communicated. While away, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President.�

Meanwhile, President Buhari has said there is nothing wrong if he goes on vacation just like he did last year.

While responding to a reporter’s question on why he was going on leave this time of the year, the presudent responded: “What’s wrong with going on vacation? Didn’t I go last year at the same time?�

However, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Adesina, has called for prayers even as Buhari embarks on his annual vacation.

Speaking with journalists after the president boarded the plane and left, Adesina said if God who created the whole world could rest after creation on the seventh day, there was nothing wrong if a human being also takes a break.

He said: “The president is going to rest. You know that God did work of creation for six days and on the seventh day he rested. So if God needed to rest how much more human being. So the president is just going to rest and the statement we have released is straight forward. He will go on this leave and during the leave he will do routine medical checkups.�

Asked if Nigerians have any cause to worry about the president’s health, Adesina replied: “Nothing, absolutely nothing. We need to show good will towards our leaders particularly President Buhari who is working to give Nigeria a new footing, a new orientation. Nothing absolutely

to worry about but a lot of good will, a lot prayers are necessary at all time.�

However, it was gathered that before the president left Abuja for the UK, he held a meeting with service chiefs at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonishakin said the president was briefed on the security situation within and outside the country shortly before he left.

The CDS told journalists: �The meeting was to give Mr. President update on our operations within and outside the country especially our involvement with the ECOWAS Standby Force that are being inducted into Senegal which has to do with the issue of the mandate ensuring that the president-elect of The Gambia is sworn in. “The operational mandate in Gambia is in line with the decision of the ECOWAS heads of states and governments that the ECOWAS Standby Force be put in place to ensure that the decision of the people of The Gambia is respected�.

Asked if there were other directives as the president proceeded on leave, Olonishakin replied: “Those were the things we talked about. As the head of the military my work is to ensure that everything is in order and to make sure that the situation is handled appropriately.�

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday protested against last Wednesday’s deployment of armed forces to Banjul, the capital of Gambia, towards the inauguration of Mr. Adama Barrow as the Gambian president without seeking its approval.

The parliament said the move was a gross violation of Section

5(4b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which authorises the president to secure National Assembly’s approval before he could deploy any troop outside Nigeria.

Raising Order 43, entitled: ‘Personal Explanation,’ in the Senate Standing Orders, Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, described the deployment of troops to Banjul for the inauguration of Barow as an affront on the constitution. The troops were deployed following the refusal of Yahya Jameh to step down after losing election to Barrow late last year.

Utazi cited Section Section 5(4a,b) of the Constitution which provides that the president should not declare war against another country except with the consent of the National Assembly neither should he deploy troops outside the country without Senate approval.

In clear terms, the Section 5(4a,b) provides that “the president shall not declare a state of war between the federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both houses of the National Assembly sitting in a joint session; and except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.�

Utazi had said: “I am saying this because the happenings in our friendly country in Gambia - the ECOWAS countries have been discussing this issue on how to ensure that democratic rights of the people of Gambia are protected. But that this country will go on a warfare in another country without a recourse to this constitutional provision is an affront on the

1999 Constitution and it is a breach of the constitution and even when the Senate has been cooperating with the executive.

But let it be on record that if anything of this nature happens in this country, this National Assembly has to be informed properly in writing.�

But Saraki rose in defence of the president, citing a proviso under Section 5 (5) of the constitution which states that the president can deploy troops outside the country on a limited combat if he is convinced that national security is under threat and then seek the consent of the Senate within seven days.

But the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu intervened, pointing out that the proviso read by Saraki was not applicable to the current deployment of troop to Gambia but only applicable in situations where national security is under threat as he noted that the country’s national security is currently not under any threat that would have warranted the deployment of troops to Gambia without seeking Senate approval.

Ekweremadu therefore emphasised that the relevant section which applies to the deployment of troop to Gambia is Section 5(4b) which provides that “except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.�

He therefore warned against a repeat of this alleged constitutional violation which was perceived as either the president’s flagrant disregard to the constitution or his inability to get himself acquainted with provisions of the constitution which he was elected to protect.

Saraki later agreed with Ekweremadu, saying his observations were noted.

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NEWS

Air Force Misfire: Death Toll Rises by Two PDP deplores action Human Rights Watch calls for impartial investigation Air force names six-man investigative committee Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Paul Obi Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Michael Olugbode Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ The death toll in the Air Force misfire on Rann, Borno State, yesterday rose by two as additional casualties were recorded at hospitals in Maiduguri.

Going by the 52 deaths initially recorded by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Doctors Without Borders, the figure has now risen to 54.

In an update in Maiduguri, the Borno State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, said hospitals in the state capital have discharged five hospitalised victims even though two died out of the 80 severely injured victims moved from Rann in Kala-Balge to the town by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services and the Nigerian Air Force.

He disclosed that both provided seven helicopters for the evacuation that ended yesterday.

Mshelia said the state Specialist Hospital currently has 68 of the victims after those initially hospitalised at the military hospital at 7 Division of the Nigerian Army were all moved to the state Specialist Hospital yesterday.

The commissioner noted that five victims are at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, (UMTH) bringing the figure to 73 persons.

He said two of the victims were unfortunately lost, one died at the state Specialist Hospital while the other died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

He said: “Happily, five have been discharged by doctors after they were certified to have fully recovered. We are also hopeful that all the rest will be fine by the grace of God, Nigerians should pray for their speedy recovery.�

Mshelia however said 42 victims with minor injuries still remained in Rann given the fact that medical teams from

the MSF, the ICRC and the State Government and other partners have enough medical supplies and health workers capable of addressing their health needs.

The commissioner lauded the efforts of the MSF, the ICRC and the UN for their extraordinary commitment to meeting the emergency humanitarian needs of the victims.

On the total death toll, Mshelia said it would be announced soon after all stakeholders harmonise their records based on number of bodies buried and those recovered.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the accidental bombing on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp as a display of unprofessionalism on the part of military authorities.

The bombing which led to the death of over 52 people and 120 injured, has been regretted by the federal government and the Nigerian military which took responsibility for the unfortunate act.

However, in a statement yesterday by the PDP spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party said the excuse by the Nigerian military that the camp was mistaken to be a gathering of Boko Haram members is “a show of unprofessionalism and lack of intelligence regarding operations of such magnitude.�

The statement further noted: “We are shocked and totally dismayed at the news of the accidental bombing of Rann IDP camp by the military leading to the death of over 52 and more than 120 injured persons in the camp. “This is totally unacceptable, and we demand a thorough and independent investigation into the matter to unravel the mystery behind the accident. “We are very worried that the military, after several

successes against the sect in recent times, would display such provocative conduct capable of rubbing-off on its past achievements as a professional organisation. “Nigerians will recall our earlier warnings to the military not to allow itself to be used by the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) as a propaganda machine. “We had also warned the military to remain resolute in its duty as a body constituted by law to defend the territorial integrity of the Nigerian state but not an arm of the ruling party. “The military must excuse itself from the ruling party’s propaganda and deceit of scoring cheap political points and concentrate more on the job of really wiping off the insurgency in the North-east and to eliminate threat in all regions of the country. “We are of the opinion that the January 17, 2017 accidental bombing of the IDP camp was a reaction to a false alarm and the military was misled by the informant to cause the killings of those innocent Nigerians. “Consequently, Nigerian military must talk less on its modus operandi and also carry out sufficient intelligence gathering in order to avoid such costly mistakes in the future. “We condole with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor of Borno State, Mr. Kashim Shettima, and the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.�

Also, global watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW) yesterday tasked the Nigerian authorities to “conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the air strikes.

It said it received imagery of the air strikes by the Nigerian military where many innocent civilians were killed and injured. “The government, which has stated that the Nigerian Air Force accidentally carried out the strikes, should compensate those who were injured and the families of those killed as

House Moves to Ensure Compliance with Legislative Summons IG meets with c’ttee after threat of arrest Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË A bill seeking to ensure compliance with legislative summons, and to provide stricter sanctions for those who shun such summons yesterday passed through second reading in the House of Representatives Sponsored by Hon. Sunday Karimi (Kogi PDP), the bill is named “a bill for an act to amend the legislative houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make more stringent the offence of failure to attend investigative hearings of legislative houses and for other related matters.â€?

The amendment prescribes a N1 million fine for offenders

or a three-month jail sentence.

Karimi said it was borne out of the frustration which the lawmakers have to deal with when government officials, and powerful or influential persons deliberately shun investigative hearings, which are part of the constitutional mandates of the National Assembly.

The bill passed second reading as the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, finally appeared before the Police Affairs Committee to explain allegations of misappropriation of about N7billion in the 2016 budget.

He allegedly diverted funds meant for the procurement of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and renovation of police

barracks, to purchase Toyota Hiace vehicles and other uses, without approval from the National Assembly as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The House last week had threatened to order for the arrest of Idris when he failed to appear before the committee after three summons, prompting the House to order him to appear January 19, 2017.

Idris, who met with the committee behind closed doors, refused to speak with journalists when he exited the meeting.

THISDAY gathered that the committee resolved to set up a six-man committee to look into the allegations.

a result of any violation of international humanitarian law or the right to life,� it stated.

It further explained that it has “reviewed satellite imagery in the town of Rann, Kala Balge, , recorded in the morning after the attack and identified two distinct areas of destruction in densely populated areas on the western side of the town that are consistent with the detonation of multiple airdropped munitions. At least 35 structures were destroyed in the attack, including shelters for displaced people.

Senior Nigeria Researcher of HRW, Mausi Segun, said: “The Nigerian military has taken an important and rare step in accepting responsibility for this horrible attack “Now it should go further by explaining how it came to attack a displacement settlement, and by compensating the wounded and relatives of those who lost their lives. “Although there is no clearly delineated displacement camp in Rann, the town includes hundreds of tents for displaced people located among residential buildings at the two sites that were hit. The tents are easily visible from the air, making it difficult to

understand how an accident of this nature could have occurred.�

The presence of what appears to be a large Nigerian military compound on the edge of town, 100 meters from one of the impact sites, raises further questions, as the military would have been expected to know that the area was filled with civilians and to take adequate precautions not to harm them during any operation targeting Boko Haram fighters who might have been in the area. “The investigation should determine the causes of the attack and the military should make the necessary changes, including in its planning of operations to minimise the risk of similar attacks in the future,� it said.

According to the Nigeria A The Nigerian Air Force yesterday named a six-man investigation committee to ascertain the remote causes of the accidental bombing of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Borno State last Tuesday.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said

the mandate of the committee is to thoroughly investigate the accidental bombing and ensure that such unfortunate incident are avoided.

Famuyiwa said: “The Nigerian Air Force has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on 17 January 2017 at Rann, Borno State. “Among its terms of reference, the board is to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the incident. This is with a view to forestall future occurrence.�

He explained that “in addition to a list of 20 witnesses given to it, the board is free to invite other persons to give evidence on oath. The board is to submit its report not later than February 2, 2017. “The six-man board is headed by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF), Air Vice Marshal Salihu Bala-Ribah.

Other members are: Air Vice Marshal Charles Oghomwen, Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, Group Captain Essien Efanga, Wing Commander Solomon Irmiya and Wing Commander Mohammed Muazu.�

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

13

NEWS

NNPC Plans to Bypass PPPRA to Import Petrol Crude oil prices rise from one-week low as IEA predicts tighter market Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ Ejiofor Alike ÓØ ËÑÙÝ áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is making plans to import the first batch of petrol for the first quarter of 2017 into the country without the usual quarterly petrol import allocation from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Commission, THISDAY gathered yesterday night in Abuja.

This is just as the PPPRA debunked reports of an imminent fuel scarcity in the country over unpaid N660 billion debt to marketers, as well as other sundry operational issues affecting the downstream petroleum sector.

According to sources in the NNPC and PPPRA, the corporation’s plans to import petrol would be done through the current naira to dollar exchange rate of N305 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and without the apex bank compromising on the rate.

Usually, the PPPRA’s first quarter importation allocation for 2017 should have been out

by December 2016 to enable marketers place their orders,

but that did not happen.

It was gathered that this prompted the corporation which currently supplies up to 90 per cent of fuel consumed in the country and as such has minimal competition to begin to make plans for import.

While there are no indications of a pump price increase, a source at the NNPC explained that CBN would not give concession rate below N305 to any marketer to import petrol into the country.

He stated that the NNPC would have to defray all its additional costs of importation and still sell within the price band of N145 per litre which the government approved last year in its price modulation exercise.

The source stated that the initial arrangement reached with the CBN to provide foreign exchange to marketers for importation of petrol would still remains, but that the rate at which marketers would source for dollar was still going to be the official rate or inter-bank rate.

It was also learnt that stakeholders in the downstream sector recently met in Abuja with the Minister of State for

Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC management, and officials of PPPRA to find solutions to the challenges.

No statement as to what transpired at the recent meeting was made, even though there were expectations that journalists would be briefed.

The PPPRA in a statement yesterday said there was no truth in the report that the price of petrol is likely going to increase on the back of alleged debts to marketers.

It said: “The attention of PPPRA management has been drawn to the news stories and speculations in the media of an imminent fuel scarcity over marketers’ unpaid N660billion debt and other sundry issues.

“The stories under reference claimed, among others, that ‘fuel queues may return to retail outlets across the country anytime soon, following the federal government’s inability to settle marketers’ N660 billion debt’ and non-availability of foreign exchange (FOREX) to fund fuel imports.

“PPPRA wishes to state unequivocally, that these stories are gross misrepresentation of available facts at our disposal, hence misleading. For the

avoidance of doubts, the National Petroleum Products Stock data and import plan, currently indicate that the country has two months petrol sufficiency, hence we want to assure motorists and commuters alike, that the products supply situation is robust and able to cater for the fuel needs of all Nigerians, pending when ongoing challenges are addressed,” it added.

It also stated that household kerosene remained fully deregulated as against insinuations that it was not.

The PPPRA thus said: “We hereby appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and desist from any form of panic-buying, as we assure of our total commitment to adequate products supply and distribution across the country, in line with our mandate.

“We also appeal to all depot owners to adhere strictly to the subsisting truck-out principle in order to ensure that products get to retail outlets across the country in a seamless manner.

The agency shall not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.”

Meanwhile, Crude oil prices rebounded from a

one-week low yesterday as the International Energy Agency (IEA) said oil markets were tightening even before cuts agreed by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers took effect.

The IEA said while it was “far too soon” to gauge OPEC members’ levels of compliance with promised cuts, commercial oil inventories in the developed world fell for a fourth consecutive month in November, with another decline projected for December.

Reuters further reported that trading was relatively quiet early in the US session as traders awaited weekly inventory data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

American Petroleum Institute (API) data on Wednesday showed US crude stocks fell 5.04 million barrels in the week to January 13, well above the expectations of a 342,000-barrel decline.

The data also showed much larger-than-expected increases in stocks of gasoline and distillates.

Benchmark Brent crude was yesterday up 68 cents, or 1.26 per cent, at $54.60 a barrel, after closing down 2.8 per cent in

the previous session.

US crude was also up 68 cents, or 1.33 per cent, at $51.76 a barrel, having dropped to a one-week low on Wednesday of $50.91.

Oil prices have gyrated this year as the market’s focus has swung from hopes that oversupply may be curbed by output cuts announced by the OPEC and other producers to fears that a rebound in US shale production could swamp any such reductions.

The Head of the IEA, the energy advisor to the industrialised nations, Fatih Birol, said in Davos, Switzerland, that he expected US shale oil output to rebound by as much as 500,000 barrels per day over the course of 2017, which would be a new record.

Crude oil prices had initially slumped after Birol said that output from US shale producers would “definitely react strongly” to recent price gains.

He added that Brazil, Mexico and China would also bring more crude to market, making for “lots more” supply in the second half of this year and early 2018.

14

T H I S D AY FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

COMMENT

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

ROUND PEG IN ROUND HOLE

Umar Danbatta has justified his appointment as helmsman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, writes Ken Ugbechie

W

hile many argue, and it’s true, that some appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari are mere flotsam and jetsam and therefore unfit for their positions, there are still a few who have manifested uncommon managerial elan and light-years-ahead vision in the discharge of their duties.

One of such bright spots in a darkling horizon of political appointees is Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Since his appointment over a year ago, the professor of electrical cum electronics engineering has stepped into the ring with the confidence of a skilled pugilist. And in barely one year, he has not only stamped his feet on the ground with unwavering boldness, he has also held his nerves to guide the telecom sector out of the economic storm that knocked other sectors and in fact the nation down on their knees. Experience has shown that in Nigeria’s public service space, most people come into their offices unprepared, sometimes unschooled and unskilled. But Danbatta came with the carriage and candour of a man fully primed for the job. He reeled out an eight-point agenda, a carefully crafted corpus of plans and ideas that would define his leadership. To date, he has rallied the diverse stakeholders in the sector to buy into his dream for telecom. And the results are there to show for his industry.

America’s Dwight Eisenhower’s style of leadership recognises getting someone to do something you want done because he wants to do it. Just one word: Passion! President Buhari adopted this style by appointing a man who wants and desires to get things done; and he is doing it with evidential totems to show for his stewardship.

One outstanding highlight of the Danbatta days was the fine imposed on MTN Nigeria for the non-registration of SIM cards in its network. It was a challenging moment for the nation’s telecom regulator and indeed for Nigeria. Prior to that moment, public perception of the NCC as an independent regulator has not been pleasant. Many Nigerians, erroneously though, would swear that the regulator has been compromised by the operators; that some of the operators were simply above the law and cannot be cautioned, regulated or exerted upon. The engineering professor put a lie to that misconception by bringing MTN to account and instilling order in the system. That singular gesture shored up international confidence in the nation’s telecom sector. It portrayed Nigeria as a marketplace where order not disorder is the rule of engagement.

But by far, the most remarkable feat is the resilience of the telecom sector in the face of recession. Throughout 2016 when other sectors reeled and roiled under treacherous economic strain, telecom remained largely bullish. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) suggest a steady growth in the sector from 2015, reversing the declining trend in total real GDP from 2010 to 2014. In the heat of the recession, telecom contributed N1.4 trillion to GDP in the third quarter of 2016, or 8.0%. Even this represented a decrease of 1.8% points relative to the previous quarter (Q2), when the sector contributed N1.58 trillion to GDP or 9.8%.

Experts have attributed the insulation of telecom from recession to Danbatta’s non-combative, stakeholders’ participatory approach to regulation.

Globally, the news is that Nigeria is in a recession complete with job cuts, degrading value of the naira and grossly eroded purchasing power of the people but telecom has managed to stay afloat. Investor confidence is growing.

And if there was ever any doubt about this, the recent International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference in Bangkok, Thailand (ITU World 2016) fittingly indexed Nigeria’s growing status in world telecom. The presence of the immediate past ITU Secretary General and the incumbent, Dr. Hamadoun Toure and Mr. Houlin Zhao respectively, the horde of foreign investors who thronged the venue of the Nigerian Investment Forum, an unprecedented number, and

BY FAR THE MOST REMARKABLE FEAT IS THE RESILIENCE OF THE TELECOM SECTOR IN THE FACE OF RECESSION. THROUGHOUT 2016 WHEN OTHER SECTORS REELED AND ROILED UNDER TREACHEROUS ECONOMIC STRAIN, TELECOM REMAINED LARGELY BULLISH. FIGURES FROM THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS SUGGEST A STEADY GROWTH IN THE SECTOR FROM 2015, REVERSING THE DECLINING TREND IN TOTAL REAL GDP FROM 2010 TO 2014

the resonating references across different conference halls to the resilience of the Nigerian telecom market in a moment of national economic recession were evidential attestations to the profile of Nigerian telecom.

As at July 2016, the Nigerian telecom market has maintained an upbeat run, notching up to $68 billion in investment, the highest volume in Africa.

The catalysts for such phenomenal growth are hinged on regulatory excellence and strict adherence to global best practices. In recent years, Nigeria has remained on the cutting edge of world telecoms as one of the markets with the highest returns on investments. The fact that out of this figure, $35b comes from Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) fittingly illustrates the global confidence on the Nigerian market.

Such phenomenal landmarks coming from an African market have not lulled Danbatta to rest, rather he has rolled up his sleeves in a new push to birth a broadband revolution capable of doubling the investment profile in the sector in a few years. Danbatta believes that the Nigerian telecom value chain is so robust that it can accommodate more players, from small telcos to mega telcos, value added services providers to other operators providing diverse genre of services including the almost extinct Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators.

His ceaseless exertion is not lost on the international community. Aside the ITU which has commended his regulatory leadership model that has helped to sustain good corporate governance and nuture a culture of order in the telecom ecosystem, echoes of his regulatory model resonates to far-flung jurisdictions.

For his effort, the NCC was last year severally adjudged the regulator of the year by different organisations. The commission also won the European Award for Best Practices 2016. The award ceremony which held in Brussels, Belgium was hosted by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), an affiliate of the European Union (EU).

No fewer than 63 countries participated in the award ceremony out of which the NCC clinched the European Award for Best Practices. The award is “in recognition of NCC’s outstanding commitment, support and results in quality management strategies” in the Gold category, the organisers said.

The NCC’s management style, its impact on the community that it serves and the professional manner it carries out its regulatory activities in supervising a sector that contributes immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation were some of the considerations for the award.

The organisers referred to investors’ confidence in the Nigerian telecommunications sector as a result of the transparent regulatory activities of the NCC. Throughout 2016, the telecom sector, according to data from the NBS, rode the recession storm, maintaining a resilient gradient even when other sectors faltered and fell.

Those who stood on the same podium with Nigeria’s NCC included selected organisations and companies from Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Australia in recognition of their outstanding commitment and results in quality management strategies.

Many Nigerians have criticised President Buhari for putting round pegs in square holes. Senator Ben Bruce, recently on the floor of the Senate, advised Mr. President to rejig his cabinet by redeploying some appointees and appointing persons who are ready, prepared and willing to do the job. Even in the midst of his anger, Bruce acknowledged that some appointees are up and flying and have become the tools that the nation would need to chisel its way out the crushing economic cul-de-sac. Danbatta belongs to this army of round pegs in round holes. The results speak for themselves.

Ugbechie, Executive Secretary of Africa Telecom Development Initiative (ATDI), writes from Lagos.

TRUE TO FORM Nats Onoja Agbo pays tribute to Ad’obe Obe, veteran international journalist, at age 70,

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d’Obe Obe, veteran of many newsrooms, left Nigeria for Germany in the 1970s, the fifth child of Chief Obe Ofitu, a road overseer, customary court judge and traditional ruler. In less than one decade later, he transformed himself into a child of the world, living, schooling and working in several countries in Europe and Africa. Apart from Germany where he read chemical engineering, and Britain where he read philosophy and worked, he has also lived in Kenya, where he taught Mathematics, Ghana, Tanzania and The Gambia.

Obe, as he is fondly called by his peers, operated in London for more than three decades as a journalist, writer, broadcaster and as an executive officer in the British civil service. He was a major contributor to The Guardian and The Observer newspapers, as well as VOA, BBC and Deutschewelle. He covered the jamboree-like national elections in Nigeria in 1983 for The Guardian of London; he spent more than six months in Nigeria for that assignment. When Newswatch weekly newsmagazine came on board in 1985, Ad’Obe was employed as an Associate Editor but refused to take up the offer because of the chaotic transport situation in Lagos. On the day he collected his appointment letter, Ad’Obe spent six hours on his way from Oregun Road, Ikeja where Newswatch had its offices, to Festac Town where he was staying with a friend, Sam Okomilo, a former editor of the Benin-based Observer newspaper.

It was well that he did not take up the Newswatch job because shortly after that experience, he was appointed as the editor of West Africa, a London-based weekly newsmagazine that circulated widely in Africa and Europe. He was the editor of the newsmagazine when it rolled out the drums to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 1987. He also served as a consultant Editor with the Daily Graphic in Accra, Ghana. While traversing the nooks and crannies of many African countries, Ad’Obe Obe interviewed more African presidents than any journalist in Africa. In 1997, he conceived, designed and coordinated Africa @40?

– International Conference on Independent Africa, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of independent Ghana, which was the first black African country to attain freedom from colonialism. The conference attracted many African heads of state and intellectuals from many parts of the world.

Although he was close to the likes of Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, he kept his distance from politics, preferring instead to concentrate on his profession. Journalism gave him the opportunity to interrogate the world and its leaders for answers to the world’s many incongruities. It was that quest for answers that informed his decision to question the rationale for the Berlin Conference of 1884, which carved out Africa for selected European countries. His robust encounter with the realities of colonial experiences rubbed off on his desire for those ideals that sought to liberate the African and

his continent from continuous mental subjugation to European ideals and concepts.

Indeed, his novel, Yunhouse, which was launched on the internet to mark his 70th birthday is ‘an invigorating perspective on the impact of colonialism as a destiny-altering experience for the continent of Africa. Yunhouse is the story of some students of African origin in London who, in spite of the impact of European education, found the conception, design and execution of the colonial subjugation of the African continent during the Berlin conference of 1884 distasteful’. Their being in London gave students a clearer perspective of the injustice in colonialism.

They started meeting to discuss every issue related to their continent. As members of the group which went by the name of The Berliner Cult met in Lekwat Abaka’s Camden Town flat, a founding member of the group, their uproarious laughter caused the English landlady to issue her tenant quit notice. That was not the end of the Berliners because of a member, Big Mnama, a young African who was adopted from an African colony by ‘Lord Kemp, a poet laureate and an English aristocrat of the full-blooded variety’. Angry that the Camden landlady issued Lekwat Abaka, and by extension the Berliners, quit notice, ‘Lord Kemp … wills his estate in Hampstead to Big Mnama and fellow Berliners as a place where everyone would be free to laugh and cry about Africa, regardless of race or colour’. In line with his cardinal policy of not doing anything that he does not like, Ad’Obe Obe held

out against direct involvement in politics until 1998 when his friend of many years, Olusegun Obasanjo declared interest in the Presidential election. He was a member of the campaign team for the election of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. Even then, he joined the campaign on his own terms: that the purpose of clinching power would be to provide quality leadership and not for self glorification. It was in pursuit of such an ideal that he designed and launched SERVICOM, Nigeria’s popular service delivery programme.

Given the Nigerian situation, one must be wondering why Ad’Obe Obe was not given a ministerial post by his close friend, Olusegun Obasanjo. Well, that again is his peculiarity. He rejected the offer and people around him were astounded when he did so.

He said his experiences in life show that when people look at you, they want to see themselves. “But when people look at me, they can’t see themselves and some of them are shocked.”

At 70, Ad’Obe Obe has lived the life he chose for himself and is satisfied. He said: “I have no regrets about anything because I don’t do things to please others. I do only those things that I want to do”. It is perhaps in that spirit that this veteran of many newsroom battles now divides his time between parenting his toddler son, his Abuja farm and his Brixton Shrine, which has been his London home for more than three decades onojagbo@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY t FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

EDITORIAL THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE Government may do well to enforce the laws against child marriage

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girl who goes to school and stays in school till about 18, according to Prof.

Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), “is a better mother than a girl who has a child at 10.” Osotimehin, a former Health Minister in Nigeria, spoke last week when he took his public enlightenment campaign against child marriage to Kano “so that the age for marriage is shifted at least to 18.” He found a listening ear in Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje.

“We will go for legislation to give it strong backing based on religious injunction,” said Ganduje, “so we can carry our people along.”

Despite Osotimehin’s intervention and that of many others, child marriage is still an overwhelming challenge in Nigeria. Many of our young girls, particularly in the northern parts of the country, are still married off before attaining the age of 18. Recent data revealed that about 17 per cent are married before their 15th birthday. The Northwest has the highest prevalence of 76 per cent, while it is about 10 per cent in the South-east.

The practice persists despite efforts to criminalise it.

The Child Rights Act, CHILD MARRIAGE which was passed in DOES NOT ONLY 2003, sets the age of STEAL THE FUTURE OF marriage at 18. Some THOSE INVOLVED, IT 23 states have bought VIOLATES THEIR RIGHT into the act. Nigeria also signed the African AND INCREASES THEIR Union campaign to REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH end child marriage last RISK November. Besides, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development joined in the efforts to stamp out forced early marriages.

In 2015, it formed a technical working group aimed chiefly at ending child marriage, by “raising awareness and encouraging behavioural change”. Even the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act adopted in 2015 addressed issues of harmful traditional practices such as child marriage, among others.

Letters to the Editor

All the efforts seem to have been in vain. The UN projected that about one million more girls below the age of 15 in sub-Saharan Africa will become mothers by 2030 “ unless urgent action is taken to end child marriage, get more girls into school and ensure their rights are protected.” Not long ago, a poor 14-year-old girl, Wasila Umaru, hit the headlines when she reportedly poisoned her 35-year-old husband and two of his friends. Wasila was a victim of forced marriage.

H T H I S D AY EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEPH USHIGIALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

owever, the practice is not restricted to the poor.

Some high profile men in society encourage the practice, particularly among the states in the North which practice sharia law. A former state governor who is now a senator married a 14-year-old girl from Egypt, justifying the act on religious grounds.

Yet child marriage does not only steal the future of those involved, it violates their right and increases their reproductive health risk. It is therefore no surprise that Nigeria has the highest rate of fistula in the world. The disease affects young women whose pelvises are not mature enough to accommodate the passage of a child, causing uncontrolled urination and defecation.

The social disharmony in many Nigerian homes contributes largely to the problem of child marriage.

Indeed, child marriage and related social crimes like child trafficking, child labour and rape of underage girls and boys, is on the increase across the country mainly because of poverty and related issues. Most of the girls who are married off at tender age are predominantly from poor homes in rural areas, and mostly with no education. Indeed, according to UNFPA, some 82 per cent of women with no education were married before 18, as opposed to 13 percent of women who had at least secondary education.

Thus a more enduring solution to child marriages lies in securing the future of the girls through educational empowerment and skill acquisitions. In addition, enlightenment campaigns as embarked upon by Osotimehin are essential while relevant laws against the practice should be enforced.

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

NARD ANDTHE ONGOING WARNING STRIKE

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ising from the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on January 17, 2017 at the National Trauma Centre, National Hospital Abuja, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a seven- day warning strike starting from January 18, 2017 through Midnight of, January 24, 2017. Sequel to this, NARD urges all centres to participate and to ensure compliance. This strike is due to the federal government’s insensitivity and indifference to the passionate demands made by NARD. As at the last World Health Organisation (WHO) ranking in the later part of 2015, Nigeria was ranked 187 out of 191 countries in the world’s health systems. This means that Nigeria’s health care system is only better than that of three countries - Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and Myanmar. Our neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Togo, Niger, Mali, Chad ranked better than Nigeria. Who knows what our position will be in the next WHO ranking? I may not be wrong if I speculate that it may be at the 191th position out of 191 countries. What a shame for ‘a giant of Africa’.

In view of this, the members of NARD nationwide were instructed to mourn our ‘demised’ health sector and many centres complied. For the avoidance of doubt, I will reproduce the unbiased and passionate NARD demands thereafter and I urge the media and the Nigerian public to rise up to this challenge, aimed at revitalising the moribund state of our health sector. This is because our politicians travel abroad to check their blood pres-

sures among other causes of medical tourism abroad. Common ear infection took Mr President abroad when there are significant number of Nigerian Otorrhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose and Throat specialists) and E.N.T. units in our federal health institutions. That is to say the least, most embarrassing and an affront to not only the Nigerian medical doctors but also to all sensible Nigerians. If Mr President could afford the medical tourism abroad with tax payers’ money, what happens to the common Nigerian who lives below one US dollar per day? How many Nigerians have the wherewithal to embark on such medical tourism abroad in case they have ear infections? If we allow our politicians to always travel abroad when they have health needs, how will they personally ascertain the inadequacy of medical equipment in our federal health institutions? NARD is simply demanding that our hospitals be well equipped and the health workers properly remunerated.

NARD demands include a road map and timeline for the implementation of the National Health Act signed into law in 2014: timeline for the revamping of THI’s facilities and equipments; immediate release and implementation of the white paper on residency programme without any ill-intended alteration of the recommendations of the committee by Federal Ministry of Health; payment of December 2015 salary to doctors in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri who were not on strike but locked out by FMOH; rescind selective application of no work no pay rule and work without pay punishment to only resident doctors and for equity, justice and fairness, pay affected centres before December 31,

2016 (The deadline has lapsed);pay with immediate effect all outstanding salary arrears, percentages or shortfalls to centres especially FMC Yenagoa since April and UCH, Ibadan; ABSUTH, Aba; IMSUTH, Owerri; NOH, Enugu; LAUTECH, Osogbo; LTH, Ogbomoso and DELSUTH, Oghara; release the circular on house officers/medical officers entry level as agreed since 2013 but yet to be released even when very recent agreements with others have been transmitted into circular by NSIWC which is still a major source of crisis in many centres; immediate release of the directive to PENCOMM, BOF and chief executives of THI’s to abide by Pension Reform Act 2004, deduct the pension of residents both the counterpart funding by BOF and employees contribution by respective hospitals and remit same duly to our respective PFA’s; appropriate placement of newly employed doctors/correction of the wrongful placement of previously employed doctors to maintain seniority and annual incremental step within the period JOHESU skipped in line with NICN judgment of 2013 on skipping that rendered CONHESS 10 equivalent of CONMESS 2 nonexistent and the myriad of circulars and letters from government since 2013 that entitled doctors to skipping and lateral skipping; forthwith stop all attempts to remove relativity between the salary of doctors and other health workers as well as stop all moves to revert/reverse skipping for doctors, etc.

This is not a fight for only NARD members but a fight for the health of all Nigerians.

Dr Paul John, Port Harcourt

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FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

17

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Buhari’s Burdens Segun James writes that President Muhammadu Buhari is subtly fighting some political battles and this may have consequences on the 2019 permutations of the ruling All Progressives Congress

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here is no denying that the race towards 2019 presidential election is already on, but what is unclear is whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari has realised this as he continues to wallow in allegations of ethnic favouritism, religious bigotry and political naivety.

Hardly had a day passed without Nigerians waking up to yet another negative headline in the media suggesting that they are facing an existential crisis. If the nation is not fighting terrorists masquerading as Muslim fundamentalists in the North-east, it is engaging economic saboteurs claiming to be liberators in the Niger Delta. At the same time, the Biafra agitators are still pushing their agenda and as all these go on, the dollar-naira exchange rate continues to confound the government.

All these are disheartening to the citizenry who, feeling the pangs of poverty, are blaming it on the Buhari government, either rightly or wrongly.

Like at no other time, Nigeria is now unpredictable, polarised, and volatile and the economy is in both recession and stagnation.

Hence, some say President Buhari got his first baptism of political fire by inheriting a nation with weak economy and incessant agitations from different sections.

While President Buhari must deal with the acrimonious state of affairs in the country, how he handles the growing perception that he remains a dictator even as a civilian president and that he has never hidden his disdain for the political class in the country is surely an assignment for his handlers. He is considered to have used every opportunity to label politicians as corrupt, inept and untrustworthy.

At a point, he openly expressed his low perception of politicians when he told newsmen that ministers are noisemakers.

It took him all of six months to fulfill the constitutional requirement that at least one minister must be appointed from every state of the federation, requirement the president scuffed at.

The politicians are sure to fight back and this is reflective in some first of its kind actions seen lately. The presidency was jolted when the Nigerian Senate in an unprecedented move rejected the request by the executive to obtain about $30 billion loan.

The Senate in rejecting the request insisted that the government did not sufficiently convince them as to what infrastructural projects it will apply the loan to, and that such huge borrowing will only burdened future governments.

This was indeed the first big confrontation between the executive and the legislature since the coming of Buhari as president.

He certainly did not take kindly to the affront of the lawmakers. They have simply told him that democracy is not a military dictatorship. It was indeed the beginning of another baptism of political fire for the president.

Before that, the National Assembly had enacted a law drastically curtailing the powers of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and placed the control of its operation from the executive branch to the legislature. They even went as far as overriding a presidential veto on the new law. The president never batted an eyelid as he knew he would never implement the new law. But then the die is now cast and there is no going back.

If the president had expected that to

Buhari...having his baptism of fire

be the last of such affronts, he was soon surprised again when the Senate rejected his nominee for the chairmanship of the

Perhaps most dangerous for the president is the growing uneasiness from within his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as many leaders who are unhappy with his style are joining forces with the opposition or forming alliances with others to truncate any move for a second coming by the president

economic watchdog, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu. They even went as far as asking him not to re-present the nominee as it will amount to a waste of time.

Although the rejection was hinged upon security report from the Department of Security Services (DSS) implicating him of some crimes and abuse of office in the past, but it was the first of such high profile rejection by the National Assembly in direct opposition to the will of the executive branch.

Although the government tried to wash its hands from the plight of Magu, it was obvious it was a face saving action as both the report and the nominee were directly from the government. This was another baptism of fire for the president.

The debate about who – between the executive, legislature and the judiciary - is responsible for the gradual decline of the country is still ongoing and intensifying.

However, it has generated more heat than light because nobody has been held responsible as the nation inches towards 2019 as politics resumes in earnest. The president, his government and party have

always heaped the blames on the previous government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even as the nation gradual slipped towards the precipice.

So far, the President has refused to focus attention where it should be – the way forward for the nation! Who should bell the cat and who should take the bull by the horn and give direction?

From all indication, the president and his team have failed in critical areas such as the economy, infrastructural development and above all, political management.

Although the president is still popular among the people who endorse his war on corruption, but the situation remains that he is fumbling from crisis to crisis. His standoff with the justices of the Nigerian judiciary and the leadership of the National Assembly has galvanised the political class against his regime.

Each day, doubts are growing about his ability to stir the economy of the state out of the woods it was plunged into by his government barely two years after taking office. Growing militancy in the Niger Delta, the region whose land produces the oil that is the mainstay of the nation’s economy, and how he manages it will have greater adverse effect on the polity.

At no time in the history of the country have investors fled as they are doing now.

Even foreign airlines are fast running out of the country because the economic direction of the government has left them stupefied.

The nation has never had it so bad.

Some people may say that some reforms are already underway both politically and economically, but it might be too late as the recession bites hard and the political class becomes desperate to have a change in the national leadership.

But perhaps most dangerous for the president is the growing uneasiness from within his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as many leaders who are unhappy with his style are now joining forces with the opposition or forming alliances with others to truncate any move for a second coming by the president.

The muttering of discontent are growing louder and louder in the polity. With opposition to the president growing, no wonder that politics has come rather early even as the proverbial 2019 is till over two years in the making.

There has been a coming together of strange bedfellows as it was when the APC was formed in 2013. Unlike then when the reason was to take power from a party which has held it for so long, this time it is to forcible collect power from Buhari at all cost by people both within his party and outside who believe that the president is not only a dictator, but out to rubbish the political class who brought him to power.

The leaders of the much touted mega party that will be used to wrest power from the president and his APC have started coming out of the shadows, an indication that politics has come rather to the country early.

The first person to publicly declare his membership of the party is the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. This may also be an indication that the death knell may have been sounded on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party that has been embroiled in crisis since it lost at the last general election

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

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POLITICS

EVENT&REPORT

A Different Kind of Speaker By every measure, the young and energetic Speaker, Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiok Luke, is exceptional. He is particularly very religious.

Shola Oyeyipo writes

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oing by the political culture in Nigeria, the Speaker, Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Onofiok Luke, is different. He is young, very ordinary, easily accessible, and honest to a fault and above all, extremely rooted in the Christian faith.

These much he exemplified during a constituency thanksgiving service marking his first year anniversary as the number three citizen in the oil rich South-South state held at the Nsit Ubium local government field, Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium recently.

Though going by his pedigree as a former student union leader, one of the foremost youth leaders, and a social equality advocate , the lawyer-turned politician who was the pioneer Speaker of the Nigeria Youth Parliament, a national leadership and mentoring platform, one would expect that he is most suitable to be in the assembly but according him, some powers that be had penciled him as one of the lawmakers that were not to return to the sixth Akwa-Ibom Assembly, but for divine intervention, he returned. This was the reason for the show of gratitude to God. The well attended event attracted many dignitaries including former military and civilian governors, the incumbent governor and his deputy, federal and state lawmakers, Speakers of Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Adamawa, Rivers, Enugu, Ebonyi and Cross River States Houses of Assembly, captains of industries including the executive director, Exxon-Mobil, Mr. Udom Inoyo, expatriates, representative of the late President Umar Yar’ Adua family, Col. Abdulaziz Yar ’Adua, a long list of religious and spiritual leaders and other well wishers.

Speaking on why he opted to have the thanks giving, Onofiok said when all hope were lost - when the government of the day decided to edge him out, it was God that intervened on his behalf before he got the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket and that later, the 26-member assembly decided to elect him Speaker.

“First on my protocol list is God. Without him we cannot be here today. He has been our helper. He has been our deliverer. I was not included in government list as member to return to the House. I am here to thank God because God showed himself as God. “I am not here to complain, I have moved on. Security agencies were mobilised against me during my primaries but God showed that He stays in heaven and rules on the affairs of men. My primary was taken to Mobile Police barrack but God took charge.

It was God showing me humility in another way. If God didn’t take me through that I don’t know what would have happened.

“When I was not in the calculations of men for the position of Speaker , it was God that used my colleagues to make me Speaker. A different Speaker had emerged in the morning. There had been congratulatory messages. It was God that turned it around”, he told the gathering.

The high point of the event was the thanksgiving proper where as the Biblical King David, Luke in company with his wife, Mrs. Uduak Luke and mother, threw caution to the wind, laid and rolled on the floor in appreciation to God. He broke protocol when he got down from the stage and danced round the field among the mammoth crowd and his security aides were unable to prevent him from doing so.

His pastor, Senior Pastor, Full Life Christian Centre, Reverend Ntia I Ntia, who said “I can attest to it that he (Luke) is genuinely born again”, described what the Speaker did as a “celebration to point to God as the source of his blessing”, which he said every man must do because “if

Luke...a really rare type

you don’t do it joyfully, one day you will do it tearfully”.

To crown the thanksgiving, not only did Luke make a donation of N5m for the building of a church auditorium within Nsit Ubiun LGA premises, he also got his friends to contribute towards the project.

It was gathered that till date, Luke is a worker in the Full Life Christian Centre and he still takes time to sweep the church, irrespective of his political status.

He also provided empowerment materials for members of his constituency. Some of the items given out were; 10 mini buses with the support of FEYREP, six salon cars and 10 motorcycles.

In business support scheme, 10 youths and women were provided N100,000 each; N50, 000 worth of trading packs were provided for 10 women; N50, 000 each was provided for 20 women with promising small businesses; N20, 000 each was given 50 women with promising small businesses and N50, 000 was given 20 youths for

It was gathered that till date, Luke is a worker in the Full Life Christian Centre and he still takes time to sweep the church, irrespective of his political status

petty trading.

For skill promotion, 10 sewing machines, 10 vulcanising machines, 10 welding machines, 10 hairdressing equipment with 10 generating sets were given to the people to help boost their businesses and subsequently, their finances.

Aside the above, 100 students were provided with N20, 000 bursary, 10 indigents students got N100, 000 scholarship to run for three years and five Law School students got N100, 000 each. Hundreds of specialised textbooks were provided for five select secondary schools in Nsit Ubium and a set of desktop computers were given to five secondary schools.

Moved by the effort, Governor Udom boosted the empowerment programme when he announced that five persons, including at least two women, in each of the 10 constituent wards in Nsit Ubium LGA would be provided N200, 000 to support their businesses.

Governor Emmanuel Udom who eulogised the good virtues of the Speaker also highlighted the cordial working relationship between the executive and the Luke-led assembly.

He encouraged political office holders to emulate the Speaker’s attitude of remaining close to his constituency, stressing that “Representation is about constituency. All political office holders should identify with your people,” noting that “it would make work easier for the party”.

Talking about the Speaker, Governor Udom Said: “He shares the passion. He is ready to work in the interest of our constituencies. He supports the government in carrying out some projects. For doing good to your people, God will do well

to you”.

He also hinted that he and the lawmakers are working hand-in-hand to ensure that poverty is removed among the people through the creation of gainful employment.

“I would have told you some of the things we are working on, he (Luke) is the one telling me to hold on, but by when we unveil what we have in the pipeline; we would create jobs for our people”, Governor Udom told the gathering.

Onofiok, who holds a Bachelor degree in Law from the University of Uyo, AkwaIbom State is a graduate of the Nigerian Law School. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Executive Education programme. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a 2010 associate fellow of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI). He is passionate about Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), rights advocacy and writing As a two term member of the Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, he has served variously as Chairman of the assembly’s committee on Appropriation and Finance, committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights, and Public Petitions, among others. For three years, he led deliberations on state budget proposals, oversaw the activities of the state’s ministry of finance, probed the fiscal conduct of government, and led the review of the conduct of the State Budget Office.

He spearheaded the introduction of the practice of participatory budgeting in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2012, an effort to ensure a more transparent and people-centred budgeting process in the state.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ Ͱ͎ 2017

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

NIBOR 18.5083% 16.6507%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

17.7268% 20.3556%

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

D E C E M B E R ,

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

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Quick Takes NAHCO Gets New Chairman

NEW INVESTMENT FUNDS

Head, Capital Market, United Capital (Joint Issuing House), Ikechukwu Omeruah; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer(CEO), United Capital Asset Management, Jude Chiemeka; Group CEO, United Capital Plc, Oluwatoyin Sanni; Managing Director, Sewa Capital (Lead Issuing House), Alex Osunde; and Head, Custody Services, First City Monument Bank (Custodian), Bunmi Arowosafe at the signing ceremony for the United Capital Nigerian Eurobond Fund and the United Capital Wealth for Women Fund in Lagos‌recently

LADOL, Global Leaders to Promote $12tn Economic Value Eromosele Abiodun The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL), has joined notable world business promoters in quest of developing a sustainable business outlook that is expected to unlock over $12 trillion in new market value as well as repair the global economic system within the next decade.

Rising from a crucial confab in London, the United Kingdom (UK), the group under the umbrella body of Business and Sustainable Development Commission (BSDC), expressed the optimism that sustainable business models could open economic opportunities of such high value while at the same time creating over 380 million jobs every year by 2030.

The BSDC, which was launched in Davos in Janu-

MARITIME ary 2016, has the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi as a member from Nigeria alongside other 36 leaders drawn from business, finance, civil society, labour, and international organisations across the world.

The commission has a twin objective of mapping the economic prize that could be available to business if the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals are achieved, as well as highlighting how businesses can contribute to delivering such goals.

In a report released by the commission, the body stressed that the next decade would be critical for companies to open sixty key market “hot spots,� tackle social, environmental

challenges, and re-build trust with the society at large.

It further pointed out that putting the Sustainable Development Goals, otherwise called Global Goals, at the heart of the world’s economic strategy could “unleash a step-change in growth and productivity, with an investment boom in sustainable infrastructure as a critical driver.�

It however, noted that, “this will not happen without radical change in the business and investment community. Real leadership is needed for the private sector to become a trusted partner in working with government and civil society to fix the economy.�

Commenting on the goals of the commission, Jadesimi urged members to demonstrate commitment to the ideals of the report, beyond making it

a mere paper work. “We need to show these ideas work not just in a report but on the business frontline,� said added.

In its flagship report tagged ‘Better Business, Better World’, the commission recognises that, “while the last few decades have lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, they have also led to unequal growth, increasing job insecurity, ever more debt and ever greater environmental risks. “This mix has fueled an anti-globalisation reaction in many countries, with business and financial interests seen as central to the problem, and is undermining the long-term economic growth that the world needs.�

The commission said it has Continued on page 20

Airlines Lament Harsh Operating Environment, Seek FG’s Intervention Chinedu Eze Nigerian airlines have said that most of the operators may end schedule flight services this year, unless government takes urgent steps to resolve lingering issues that have hampered their operations.

THISDAY checks at the domestic airside of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday revealed that many aircraft owned by domestic carriers are not in service because those due for maintenance have not been ferried overseas owing to forex challenges, inadequate supply of aviation fuel and

AVIATION poor passenger traffic due to high cost of air fares.

Airline operators that spoke to THISDAY identified six critical factors that government could resolve to restore domestic airline service in Nigeria, which started dwindling in the past three years. They disclosed that the airlines are already losing their pilots due to the difficulty in operating in the country.

The airlines said the high charges paid to the aviation agencies when added to the high cost of aviation and the fact that airlines operate

maximum of 11 hours every day due to absence of landing aids, including airfield lighting makes it inevitable that every airline on domestic service is losing money and may not be able to continue by the middle of this year unless government takes a decision to resolve these issues.

The operators pointed out that international airlines have eroded the domestic market with the multiple entry point given them by the federal government and insecurity at the airports, which has made unruly passengers to beat up airline staff and destroy their equipment when there is infraction that

may not have been caused by the airlines.

Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, confirmed that airlines lost huge resources, running into billions of Naira last December due to the Harmattan haze, which forced them to cancel their flights with zero flights on December 27 and 28, 2016, noting that with modern landing aids aircraft could have landed at low visibility occasioned by the Harmattan.

He noted that aviation fuel has constituted 85 percent of operational cost because of its increasingly rising cost and Continued on page 20

The Board of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance) has appointed Usman Arabi Bello as the new Chairman of the company. Bello eectively takes over from the Vice Chairman, Dennis Hasdenteufel, who had been acting in that position since October last year.In a statement by the company, Bello emerged Chairman of the foremost aviation handling company after a meeting of the board, which held on January 12, 2016.

The statement pointed out that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had been duly notiďŹ ed of the appointment as required by listing rules.Before his appointment, Bello was the Chairman of NAHCO Free Trade Zone (NFZ).A widely-travelled property expert, Bello is also an administrator of repute. The company said his directional managerial responsibilities cover the consultancy consortium Ericon Bello & Associates and its subsidiary, Arabi Bello & Associates, where he is principal partner.He sits on the boards of quite a number of companies including HNB Security and Protection Company Limited as Chairman; Bello Group of Companies and Zycom Surveillance Inc. Bello’s professional career in Architecture and other related ďŹ elds has been purposeful and productive.

Expert Seeks Nigeria Airports’ Upgrade

The Chief Executive OďŹƒcer of Eden & Mcwhit Aviation Security, Dr. Naima Fraser, has advised the federal government to upgrade Nigerian airports in order to be compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s regulations for aviation security.This, according to her, is necessary in view of increasing global terrorism and to achieve a global airport security status.The aviation security expert, in a statement, commended the Minister of State for Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika, and President Muhammudu Buhari, for their prompt attention to the aviation security situation at the airports in the country. She however, maintained that while it was encouraging that Nigeria had initiated policies to attract foreign direct investment in order to boost the economy, it was also important that “we make our airports safer and secure in line with global requirements.â€?

Fraser said: “The federal government and Ministry of Aviation should be innovative in evolving ďŹ nancial solutions to achieve a ďŹ rst-class aviation security status for all international airports in the country without expending scarce resources during this recession. Nigeria should learn to use what we have to get what we need. “Airport concession has its advantages, but aviation security projects all over the world using the latest digital technology are regularly updated and cannot be borne by government funding alone. Therefore, when our airports are concessioned, the aviation security aspect is not included and is worked out on a BMT (Build Manage &Train basis) because aviation security is the responsibility of the government with a technical partner/investor.

China Mobile, Ericsson Open Talk on IoT

China Mobile announced a partnership with Ericsson to combine eorts on the Internet of Things (IoT) as part of the operator’s ambition to serve 200 million connected devices by the end of the year.In a statement, the companies announced they signed a strategic agreement during a China Mobile Global Partner Conference in December covering an “in-depth cooperation to manage connections eďŹƒciently, provide a consistent service to global enterprise customersâ€? and explore new IoT markets.

The make-up of the partnership will see the Chinese operator use Ericsson’s Device Connectivity Platform to improve the process of connecting devices, while also deploying services to help drive new revenue.Ericsson’s IoT platform launched in 2008 and today supports more than 1,500 industry customers through 24 operators.

China Mobile said it would also be able to integrate resources of its roaming partners and oer global enterprise customers connectivity based on its service level agreements. It said it will further beneďŹ t “from a common and uniďŹ ed approach to customer portals and selection of access networks.â€?For Ericsson, the deal marks another step in its push around IoTas it continues to diversify amid a downturn in its core networks business.

“We lost billions of Naira last December to Harmattan haze.

Government has to declare emergency in the industry by removing every form of tax paid by airlines to aviation agencies,�

Chairman, Air Peace

Chief Allen Onyema

20

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BUSINESSWORLD LADOL, GLOBAL LEADERS TO PROMOTE $12TN ECONOMIC VALUE spent the last year exploring how to address the question, “What will it take for business to be central to building a sustainable market economy—one that can help to deliver the Global Goals?�

The body is, however, optimistic that its report tagged, “Better Business, Better World� which is timed with the World Economist Forum in Davos and the U.S. presidential inauguration, would adequately provide the needed answer.

Commenting on the report, Chairman of the BSDC, Malloch Brown noted that “this report is a call to action to business leaders. We are on the edge and business as usual will drive more political opposition and land us with an economy that simply doesn’t work for enough people. We have to switch tracks to a business model that works for a new kind of inclusive growth.

AIRLINES LAMENT HARSH OPERATING ENVIRONMENT, SEEK FG’S INTERVENTION urged government to urgently intervene through local refining to make the product available at affordable prices, adding that whatever money that remained for the airlines after buying fuel they use it to pay for charges to the aviation agencies. “Airlines must be supported for them to continue to operate. The federal government should declare emergency in the industry by removing every form of tax to the airlines for a given period of time. Government can ask the agencies to collect N1000 flat rates. Because of the difficulty in operating in Nigeria, the domestic airlines are losing their pilots even to the airlines operating in neighbouring countries. We are not asking for money from government; we are asking for enabling operating environment. We want to have airfield lighting at the airports so that we can land from 6:00 pm; we have to have aviation fuel at affordable rates. It is only in Nigeria that the product is costly,� Onyema said.

Group Business Editor

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NEWS

NPA Commissions Study on Port Charges, Introduces Stakeholders Parley Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman has said that the NPA will interact more with stakeholders in 2017 so as to know the happenings at the various ports.

This is as the NPA has commissioned a study on port charges in West Africa in a bid to revive activity at the Nigerian ports.

To this end, she has pledged that the NPA will introduce quarterly stakeholders meetings to know what is on ground at the ports and be better informed on the plight of operators.

The MD disclosed this at the national secretariat of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

She said the essence of her visit was to interact directly with critical stakeholders to discuss issues affecting their operations and to seek collaborations on how to solve some of the challenges.

The NPA boss also acknowledged that the need to block revenue leakages make the ports more competitive in the area of appropriate pricing.

According to her, there is the need for government to look at corruption at the ports and how to plug the leakages.

Addressing the ANLCA members, she said: “I am sure

that not all of you are aware that I am a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption. The committee, in 2017 is coming to domicile an office in the NPA on implementing a report that was submitted by the ICPC on the corruption index in ports administration. We shall embark strongly on anti-corruption

measures in 2017.� While on the working visit, which also took her to the secretariat of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the NPA MD said that the authority has embarked on a study of respective tariffs across ports in West and Central Africa as a whole and to compare with

what obtains in Nigeria.

She promised that should it be discovered that Nigerian ports are more expensive, the agency shall recommend to the federal government to reduce port charges to enable more cargoes come into Nigerian ports.

At the headquarters of NAGAFF, she stated that

the NPA was fully prepared to handle the increase in the volume of cargoes that would result from the ban of imported vehicles through land borders.

She said the right facilities had been put in place at the various ports to absorb the anticipated cargo surge, adding that all terminal operators were ready to take up the challenge.

AES EXCELLENCE CLUB CEO’S DINNER

L-R: Representative of the President, Governing Council, AES Excellence Club, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, Dr. Austin Izagbo; his wife, Mrs. Izagbo; Chairman, Membership Committee, AES Excellence Club, Dr. Godwin Omene; Chairman of the Occasion, Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chairman, AES Excellence Club, Dr. Nike Akande; the Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Mrs. Maiden Alex-Ibru and Lagos State PDP’s Gubernatorial Candidate during the 2015 general elections, Chief Jimi Agbaje, unveiling the AES Nigeria 2017 Calendar at the 7th CEOs Dinner and Awards Nite of the Club at FourPoint by Sheraton in Lagos ‌ recently

FOU Customs Records N4.7bn Seizures in One Year Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri has said that it recorded a giant stride in its anti-smuggling activities with the seizure of a total of 307 contrabands worth N4.756 billion in the 2016 financial year.

The Controller of the FOU, Comptroller Mohammed Uba made this known in an annual report for the year 2016.

He said the above figure is a combination of both the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.985 billion and an underpayment recovered as revenue of N770.34 million Uba added that the unit, which has since driven many smugglers out of their illicit

businesses consequent upon its sustained aggressive onslaught against smuggling, arrested a total of 234 suspects while 24 cases are still pending in court in connection with the seizures.

According to him, “breakdown of the prohibited items seized include: 169 motor vehicles with a DPV of N1.013 billion; 2,725 cartons of narcotics (Indian hemp/hard drugs) with a DPV of N366,835,000.00 and 1,759 pairs, 85 cartons and 68 sacks/bales of foot wears with a DPV of N28,234,060.00. “Others are: 7,795 soap/ detergents/toiletries with a DPV of N58,889,181; 107,006 cartons of imported frozen poultry products with a DPV of N1,402,086,836.00; 1,018 pieces and 561 bales of bags/suitcases which had a DPV of N134,964,320.00 in

addition to 5,794 rethread and used pneumatic tyres bearing a DPV of N97,597,620.00. “The rest are: 50 cartons and 147 pieces of beverages/ confectionary/juices with a DPV of N3,248,570.00; 14,006 bags of rice which has a DPV of N447,850,240.00; 2,333 cartons and 1,598 pieces of furniture and parts thereof with a DPV of N173,048,334.00 and 273 cartons of 2 litres of vegetable oil with a DPV of N9,801,000.00.�

The unit, he added, also seized 1,089 pieces of machinery/mechanical appliances/ parts, “which had a DPV of N7,837,498.00 as well as 2,484 electrical/electronics/parts whose DPV stood at N3,886,600 and 951 bales, 470 cartons and 18 sacks of other goods with DPV of N239,441,283.00 as among other

seizures made within the year.�

This, he said, was in contrast to the total seizure made in the preceding year (2015) amounted to N2,839,404,837 comprising a DPV of N2,709,807,437.00 and an underpayment recovered of N129,597,400.00.

The comptroller said that the FOU zone ‘C’ would continue to strategize and re-strategize to bring smugglers, their agents and collaborators to their knees.

He regretted that the federal government had continued to lose huge revenue as a result of the unpatriotic activities of smugglers who are poised to acquire wealth through the short cut, and warned such individuals to desist forthwith in their own interest.

He also advised Nigerians not to use the global economic

down turn as an excuse to ruin themselves and their families as the NCS would not entertain any sacred cow in its determination to make smuggling a thing of the past in the country.

Uba advised the youths to always preoccupy themselves with ideas and visions that could assist them realise their potentials as leaders of tomorrow instead of indulging in acts and conducts capable of impeding their success in life.

He, however, advised Nigerians who are into genuine and legitimate business of buying and selling not to entertain any fear as the NCS would continue to be guided by the cardinal principle of justice, equity and fairness devoid of victimization or oppression in the discharge of her duties.

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

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Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Capital Market Editor

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Senior Correspondent

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First Programme Content Announced as Industry Embraces WAIPEC 2017 The organisers of WAIPEC 2017 have unveiled an overview of its programme ahead of the three day conference and exhibition, taking place on February 21-23 at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.

According a statement, the event will focus on unlocking strategic value - leveraging innovation, best practices and technology to grow West Africa’s energy industry The international exhibition is integrated with a first-class conference programme, which

has been specifically developed to provide real value and insight for all delegates. Through a series of plenary and industry panel sessions and topical presentations, delegates will discuss, debate and explore innovative best practices, technological developments and alternative business and financing models relevant to Nigeria and West Africa’s upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors.

Specifically, discussions will focus on how West Africa’s oil and gas sector can remain

competitive in a tough global market, the role of technology as a transformer in the sector and setting out a realistic road map for valued-added local content and financing models in the region’s energy industry.

Speaking of the programme, Chairman of PETAN, Bank Anthony Okoroafar commented: “Under the lead of our steering committee, which represents a cross section of key stakeholders from the Nigerian oil and gas industry, WAIPEC’s programme has effectively been created by the industry for the industry.�

He added: “Sessions are designed to illustrate solutions successfully implemented in the sector to boost levels of production during an uncertain industry environment and share policy, technical and financial models for achieving national aspirations in better domestic utilisation of oil and gas.�

With 200 participating companies showcasing projects, the latest technologies and expertise; the oil and gas sector has embraced this important event.

Commercial Manager for WAIPEC, Sally Ikladious ex-

plained: ’’There are commercial opportunities throughout Nigeria and West Africa and as the oil price recovers, Nigerian companies and Nigerian expertise will be at the forefront of the industry recovery. Hosting the event in Lagos makes sense as the commercial hub and ease of access for the majority of the industry.’’ Details on the West African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, its content and how to participate can be found www.waipec.com.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͮ Ͱͮͯ͵

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NIMASA to Review Ship Wreck Removal Process Eromosele Abiodun The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said that the agency will revisit the procedure of wreck removal from Nigerian waterways.

The DG, who made this declaration at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the review of the wreck removal process became inevitable, in order to enhance the efficiency of the process.

According to him, “NIMASA is working under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation to review wreck removal process in order to make Nigerian navigable waters

safer for navigation by all. Once we get the consent of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, we will put out Marine notice to that effect.”

Dakuku noted that the Nairobi Convention provides for the process via which a ship can be declared a wreck adding that the agency had been following the law diligently.

While acknowledging that the challenge of wreck on Nigerian waterways was inherited by the current administration at NIMASA, he assured Nigerians that the implementation of the reviewed process will serve as a catalyst to boost wreck removal from Nigerian waterways.

He said: “The Nairobi Convention on wreck removal

of 2007 states that if a ship is declared wreck, the country’s maritime administration should publish information to that effect. The owner of the wreck is expected to remove it within a certain period and if they don’t, it is declared a wreck and the maritime administration can now remove it and the owners can pay surcharge and pick up the wreck.

“Alternatively, the maritime administration can sell the wreck, dispose of the wreck, cover the money spent in getting the wreck out. And if after a certain period nobody claims ownership of the wreck, then it is forfeited to the maritime administration of the country.”

HKSAAN Launches First Series of Engagement Ugo Aliogo The Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN) has launched the first of a series of engagements on the state of governance and public policy in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event organised recently by HKSAAN in Lagos with the theme; ‘The Fierce Urgency of Resetting Economic Policies for Inclusive Growth, the former World Bank Vice-President Africa Division, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, noted that the 1999 Constitution currently has no provision on saving funds rather provides for everything that comes into the federation account to be disbursed.

She said that if the country fails to save the greater proportion of the foreign exchange realised from oil, the country would continue to suffer the shocks that come with the cyclical drop in global oil prices.

In her remarks, the Vice Chairperson of the Association, Olu Verheijen, explained that the HKSAAN Public Lecture series seek to convene senior stakeholders from government, business and civil-society to discuss critical economic, political and social challenges Nigeria currently faces and proffer solutions.

She added that the objective of the lecture is to invite participants to find out what they can do, while examining what the alumni association can do together in order to advance the public interest.

“The alumni association plans to deepen discourse on challenges and opportunities around Nigeria’s development ways that translate to actions and tangible outcomes for our society,” she added.

The Secretary of the Association, Ayisha Osori, stated that the reasons for the discourse can be attributed to two things; the

private depends on the public, and the understanding that the state of governance and politics in Nigeria has a bearing on the lives and aspirations of everyone.

With a market friendly philosophy as foundation, governance structures and policies that signal an enabling environment, the country can achieve broadbased economic growth at a higher and faster rate to ensure the majority of Nigerians reap the benefits of progress.

In 2010, the HKSAAN was instrumental to arranging an Innovation for Economic Development (IFED) Executive Education program for senior officials of Lagos State where Prof. Calestous Juma, of the Harvard Kennedy School conducted a course on the role of innovation, science and technology in achieving development.

NATOP Hosts SA Tourism CEO in Strategic Tourism Partnership The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, (NATOP) at the weekend hosted the South African Tourism delegation at the GET Centre in Lagos on a strategic tourism partnership meeting aimed at promoting mutual beneficial relationship between the two bodies.

Speaking at the meeting in Lagos, the chief executive officer of South Africa Tourism, Ntshona Sisa stated that South African Tourism is looking at a beneficial partnership across Africa that works.

He said South African Tourism has seen positive statistics on growth in Nigeria, which it hopes to reciprocate.

Ntshona said SA Tourism needs to build a strong symbiotic tourism relationship with Nigeria that is not one-sided in favour of South Africa alone, adding that South African Tourism expects a lot from its West African team in Lagos.

According to the SA Tourism CEO, the country has always taken the lead on things that are humanitarian, which informed the insistence of the home affairs on birth certificates of children.

He stated that the Home Affairs has to balance the growth of tourism and other things that bring visitors to South Africa so as to keep the country safe.

Ntshona said the country has to also amplify so as to market less developed areas of South Africa that may not be Johannesburg, Cape town, Durban and others.

He said South Africa Tourism would like to market Nigeria well at home including its readiness to receive Nigerian visitors, adding that it is determined to expose Nigerian tourism attractions to South African local media.

He lamented the visa situation where genuine Nigerian tourists go through difficult times in the

hands of South African High Commission.

The SA Tourism chief executive officer maintained that the body does not have control of the home affairs on issues of visa. He said South Africa has an event (INDABA), which is aimed at marketing the best Africa has to offer to other countries, including the WTM Africa where friction arises sometime between the government and private sector.

Speaking earlier, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market and The Team Leader of Team Africa, Ikechi Uko disclosed that NATOP has articulated events and programmes it want to market to tourists including South African tourists. He listed some of the events to include, Carnival Calabar, Kano Durbar, Osun Osogbo, Akwaaba African Travel Market and destination Lagos and it’s attractions.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Yesterday, Today and Looking Forward

T

his continues the previous writings on the importance of risk management with a mention of some history of the science and its direction. ØÍÓÏØÞ ÞÓ×ÏÝ áÏÜÏ ÐßÖÖ ÙÐ ÌÜÓÖÖÓËØÞ ÝÍÓÏØÞÓÝÞݘ ×ËÞÒÏ×ËÞÓÍÓËØݘ ÓØàÏØÞÙÜݘ ÞÏÍÒØÓÍÓËØݘ ËØÎ ÚÙÖÓÞÓÍËÖ ÚÒÓÖÙÝÙÚÒÏÜÝ˞ ÒßØÎÜÏÎÝ ÙÐ ãÏËÜÝ ÌÏÐÙÜÏ ÒÜÓÝÞ áËÝ ÌÙÜؘ ÞÒÏ ÝÕÓÏÝ ÒËÎ ÌÏÏØ ×ËÚÚÏβ ÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÓÝ ÏàÏØ ÙÖÎÏÜ ÞÒËØ ËØÍÓÏØÞ ÞÓ×Ïݲ Þ ÑÙÏÝ ÌËÍÕ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ʨÑÒÞ ÙÜ ʮÓÑÒÞ ÜÏÝÚÙØÝÏ ÞÒËÞ ÓÝ ÓØÑÜËÓØÏÎ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÙÐ ×ËØ ËØÎ ÓØÎÏÏÎ ËÖÖ ÖÓàÓØÑ ÍÜÏËÞßÜÏݲ Þ ÍÙßÖÎ ÌÏ ËÜÑßÏÎ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏ ʨÑÒÞ ÐÙÜ ÝßÜàÓàËÖ˜ ÚÜÙÍÜÏËÞÓÙØ ËØÎ ÏàÙÖßÞÓÙØ ËÜÏ ËÖÖ ÐÙÜ×Ý ÙÐ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˛ There is evidence of risk management and ÑÙàÏÜØËØÍÏ ËÞ áÙÜÕ ÓØ ÙÖÎ ÙÜßÌË ÐÙÖÕÖÙÜÏ ÐÙÜ ÓØÝÞËØÍÏ˛ ÒÓÝÞÙÜÓÍËÖ ÙÜßÌË ÖÏÑÏØÎ ÒËÝ ÓÞ ÞÒËÞ ˩ÍÏÜÞËÓØ áÙ×ÏØ ÙØÍÏ áÏØÞ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ×ËÖÏàÙÖÏØÞ trickster god Eshu to ask for the power of áÓÞÍÒÍÜËʰ˛ ÝÒß áËÝ áÓÖÖÓØÑ ÞÙ ÑÓàÏ ÓÞ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ× ÌßÞ ÒÏ ÒËÎ ÞÙ ÜÏÐÏÜ ÞÒÏ× ÞÙ ÜßØ×ÓÖ˘ ÞÒÏ ÑÙÎ ÙÐ ËÞÏ˛ ÜßØ×ÓÖË áÙßÖÎ ØÙÞ ËÖÖÙá ÞÒÏ× ÞÙ ÑÙ ÙßÞ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏ áÙÜÖÎ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ÚÙáÏÜ ÙÐ áÓÞÍÒÍÜËʰ ßØÞÓÖ ÞÒÏã ÚÜÙ×ÓÝÏÎ ÞÙ ÒÙØÙßÜ ÍÏÜÞËÓØ ÝÓÑØÝ ËØÎ ×ËÞÏÜÓËÖÝ ÞÙ ÝÏÜàÏ ×ÏØ ËÝ ÚÜÙÞÏÍÞÓÙØÝ ËÑËÓØÝÞ their power (http://www.arthistory.upenn.edu/ summer07/curnow/princewitch.pdf) – the gods ÜÏÍÙÑØÓÝÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÓÝÕ ÞÒËÞ ÝßÍÒ ÚÙáÏÜ áÙßÖÎ ÍÜÏËÞÏ Ë ÞÒÜÏËÞ˜ ÞÒÏ ÜÓÝÕ ËÝÝÏÝÝ×ÏØÞ áËÝ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏ ÞÒÜÏËÞ ÍÙßÖÎ ÌÏ ÑÜÏËÞ˜ ÞÒßÝ ÓÞ áËÝ ÎÏÍÓÎÏÎ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏÜÏ ØÏÏÎÏÎ ÞÙ ÌÏ Ë ÐÙÜ×ËÖÓÝËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÑÙàÏÜØËØÍÏ around this power – risk treatment. ÓÕÏáÓÝÏ ÞÒÏÜÏ ËÜÏ ÝÏàÏÜËÖ ÓØÝÞËØÍÏÝ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÓÌÖϘ ÝßÍÒ ËÝ áÒÏØ ÞÒÏ ÞÒÜÏÏ áÓÝÏ ×ÏØ ÜÏÚÙÜÞÏÎ ÞÙ ÏÜÙÎ ÞÒÏ ÕÓØÑ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã áÏÜÏ ÖÏÎ Ìã Ë ÝÞËÜ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÏËÝÞ ÞÙ ÝÓÑØÓÐã ÞÒÏ ÌÓÜÞÒ ÙÐ Ë ØÏá ÌÙÜØ ÕÓØÑ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ Ïáݲ ÏÜÙÎ ÞÒÏØ ÓØÝÞÜßÍÞÏÎ ÞÒÏ× ÞÙ ÑÙ in search and report what they found. He had ÜÏÍÙÑØÓÝÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÜÓÝÕ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ØÏá ÌÙÜØ ÓØÑ ÌÏÓØÑ Ë ÞÒÜÏËÞ ÞÙ ÒÓÝ Ï×ÚÓÜϘ ËØÎ ÝÙßÑÒÞ ÞÙ ÎÏÝÞÜÙã ÒÓײ Ï ËÝÕÏÎ ÞÒÏ× ÞÙ ÜÏÞßÜØ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏÓÜ ʨØÎÓØÑÝ ÝÙ ÒÏ ÞÙÙ ÍÙßÖÎ ÑÙ ËØÎ ÚËã ÒÙ×ËÑÏ˛ ÒÏ áÓÝÏ ×ÏØ ÎÓÎ ØÙÞ ÜÏÞßÜØ ËÝ ÓØÝÞÜßÍÞÏÎ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÞÒÏã were warned in a dream.

Ø ÞÒÏ ÖËÝÞ ͻ͸͸ ãÏËÜÝ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÒËÝ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ×ÙÜÏ ÙÐ Ë ÍÙØÝÍÓÙßÝ ËØÎ ÙàÏÜÞ ËÍÞÓàÓÞã ËÝ ÜÓÝÕÝ ÒËàÏ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ×ÙÜÏ ÍÙ×ÚÖÏâ ËØÎ ÙÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØÝ have recognised the need to use the techniques of risk management in order to survive.

The 18C was an enormous century for ÎÏàÏÖÙÚÓØÑ ÙßÜ ßØÎÏÜÝÞËØÎÓØÑ ÙÐ ÜÓÝÕ˞ ØÝßÜËØÍÏ áËÝ ÜÏÑßÖËÞÏÎ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ͹΀ ËÖÞÒÙßÑÒ ÓÞ ÒËÎ ÌÏÏØ ÍËÜÜÓÏÎ ÙßÞ˜ ÝÙ×ÏáÒËÞ ÒËÚÒËäËÜÎÖ㘠ÐÙÜ ÎÏÍËÎÏÝ ÌÏÐÙÜÏÒËØβ ÖÖ ÍËÖÍßÖËÞÓÙØÝ ÐÙÜ ÜÓÝÕ ̙áÒÏØ ÙØÏ ÒËÝ ÞÒÏ ÎËÞË̚ ËÜÏ ÌËÝÏÎ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ×ÏÞÒÙÎÙÖÙÑÓÏÝ ÙÐ ÝÍÒÙÖËÜÝ ÝßÍÒ ËÝ ÒÙ×ËÝ ËãÏÝ ̙͹Ϳ͸͹ ̎ ͹Ϳ;͹̚˜ áÒÙ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚÏÎ ÞÒÏ ËãÏÝ ÞÒÏÙÜÏײ ÏÜØÙßÖÖÓ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚÏÎ ÒÏ Ëá ÙÐ ÓÑ ß×ÌÏÜÝ ËØÎ ÝÞËÞÓÝÞÓÍËÖ ÝË×ÚÖÓØÑ ËØÎ ÌÜËÒË× ÎÏ ÙÓàÜÏ ÎÏ×ÙØÝÞÜËÞÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÍÙØÍÏÚÞ ÙÐ ˩ØÙÜ×ËÖ ÎÓÝÞÜÓÌßÞÓÙØ˪ ÍÙ××ÙØÖã ÍËÖÖÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÌÏÖÖ ÍßÜàϘ ÖÏËÎÓØÑ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÍÙØÍÏÚÞ ÙÐ ÝÞËØÎËÜÎ ÎÏàÓËÞÓÙØ˛ Thus we moved towards the understanding of ÞÒÏ Ëá ÙÐ àÏÜËÑÏݲ ËÜÜã ËÜÕÙáÓÞä ÓØ ͹΁ͽͺ˜ ÎÏ×ÙØÝÞÜËÞÏÎ ×ËÞÒÏ×ËÞÓÍËÖÖã áÒã ÚßʵÓØÑ ËÖÖ ÏÑÑÝ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÝË×Ï ÌËÝÕÏÞ ÒËÝ ËØ ßØËÍÍÏÚÞËÌÖÏ ËØÎ ÜÓÝÕã ÝÞÜËÞÏÑã ËØÎ ÞÒËÞ ÎÓàÏÜÝÓʨÍËÞÓÙØ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÌÏÝÞ ËÖÞÏÜØËÞÓàÏ˛

Ø ÞÒÏ ÖËÝÞ ÙØÏ ÒßØÎÜÏÎ ãÏËÜݘ ÞÒÏ ÚÏÞÜÙÍÒÏ×ÓÍËÖ˜ ÒÏËÖÞÒ˜ ËàÓËÞÓÙؘ ÝÚËÍÏ ËØÎ ÎÏÐÏØÍÏ ÓØÎßÝÞÜÓÏÝ ËÖÖ ÌÏÑËØ ÞÙ ÐÙÜ×ËÖÓÝÏ ÞÒÏ áËã ÓØ áÒÓÍÒ ÞÒÏã ÙÚÏÜËÞÏÎ ÝËÐÏÖã ̙ËØÎ ÖÏËÜØÏÎ ÐÜÙ× ÞÒÏÓÜ ×ÓÝÞËÕÏÝ̚˛ ÖÖ these forms of risk management were around ÙÚÏÜËÞÓÙØËÖ ÜÓÝÕ˛ Ø ÞÒÏ ÚËÝÞ˜ ÞÜËÎÓÞÓÙØËÖ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÞÏØÎÏÎ ÞÙ ÌÏ ÜÏÖÏÑËÞÏÎ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÖÙáÏÜ ÏÍÒÏÖÙØÝ ÙÐ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˛ ßÞ ÞÒÓØÑÝ áÏØÞ wrong – sometimes very wrong – such as with ÞÒÏ ÒÏÜØÙÌãÖ˜ ÒÜÏÏ ÓÖÏ ÝÖËØΘ ÒÙÚËÖ ËØÎ ÒËÖÖÏØÑÏÜ ÎÓÝËÝÞÏÜݲ Þ ÞÒÏØ ÌÏÍË×Ï ÓØÍÜÏËÝÓØÑÖã

ÍÖÏËÜ ÞÒËÞ ËØ ÙÚÏÜËÞÓÙØËÖ ÜÓÝÕ ÍÙßÖÎ ÖÏËÎ ÞÙ Ë ÒßÑÏ Ó×ÚËÍÞ ÙØ ÜÏÚßÞËÞÓÙؘ ÞÒÏÜÏÐÙÜÏ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ØÏÏÎÏÎ ÞÙ ÌÏ ÏÖÏàËÞÏÎ ÞÙ Ë ÒÓÑÒÏÜ ÖÏàÏÖ˜ ÏàÏØ ÜÏÛßÓÜÓØÑ ÙËÜÎ ÓØàÙÖàÏ×ÏØÞ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ áÒã ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÖËÝÞ ͻ͸ ãÏËÜÝ ÞÒÏÜÏ ÒËÝ ÌÏÏØ Ë ÑÜÏËÞ ÎÏËÖ ×ÙÜÏ ËÍÞÓàÓÞã áÓÞÒ ÜÏÝÚÏÍÞ ÞÙ ÙÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØ áÓÎÏ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˜ ÙÞÒÏÜáÓÝÏ ÍËÖÖÏÎ ØÞÏÜÚÜÓÝÏ ÓÝÕ ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˛

Ø ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ÞÒÏÜÏ ÒËÝ ËÖÝÙ ÌÏÏØ Ë ×ÙàÏ ÞÙáËÜÎÝ Ï×ÌÏÎÎÓØÑ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÓØÞÙ ÍÙÜÚÙÜËÞÏ ÑÙàÏÜØËØÍÏ ÜÏÑßÖËÞÓÙØÝ ÝßÍÒ ÞÒËÞ ×ËØã ÚßÌÖÓÍ ËØÎ ÚÜÓàËÞÏ ÙÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØÝ ËÜÏ ÞÙ ÍÙ×ÚÖã áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ÜÏÛßÓÜÏ×ÏØÞ ÞÙ ÒËàÏ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ Ï×ÌÏÎÎÏÎ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÑÙàÏÜØËØÍÏ ËÜÜËØÑÏ×ÏØÞݲ ÒÏ ˜ ßØÎÏÜ ÞÒÏ ËÝÏÖ ÍÍÙÜÎÝ ÒËÝ ×ËÎÏ ÓÞ ×ËØÎËÞÙÜã ÐÙÜ ÏàÏÜã ÌËØÕ ÞÙ ÒËàÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÍÖËÝÝ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ arrangements and activities. Same goes for the

ØÝßÜËØÍÏ ØÎßÝÞÜã ßØÎÏÜ ÙÖàÏØÍã

˛ ÙÖÖÙáÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÚßÌÖÓÍËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÝÏàÏÜËÖ ÞËØÎËÜÎݘ

ͻ͹͸͸͸ ÌÏÍË×Ï ÞÒÏ ÜÏÍÙÑØÓÝÏÎ ÞËØÎËÜÎ ÎßÏ ÞÙ ÓÞÝ ÍÙØÍÏØÞÜËÞÓÙØ ÙØ ÐÜË×ÏáÙÜÕ˜ ÝÞÜßÍÞßÜÏ and governance of risk management. The COSO ÝÞËØÎËÜÎÝ áËÝ ËÖÝÙ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚÏÎ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÐÙÜ ÚßÌÖÓÍÖã ÖÓÝÞÏÎ ÍÙÜÚÙÜËÞÓÙØݲ ßÞ ÒËÝ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ×ËÎÏ ÙßÜ áÙÜÖÎ Ë ÝËÐÏÜ ÚÖËÍÏˣ ÜÙ× ÞÒÏ ÖÙÌËÖ ÓÝÕÝ ÏÚÙÜÞ ͺ͸͹;˜ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ ÍÙØÙ×ÓÍ ÐÙÜß× áÏ ÍËØ ÝÏÏ ÒÙá ÑÖÙÌËÖ ÜÓÝÕÝ ËÜÏ ÓØÍÜÏËÝÓØÑ ËØÎ ÌÏÍÙ×ÓØÑ ×ÙÜÏ ÞÒÜÏËÞÏØÓØÑ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ àÏÜã ÝßÜàÓàËÖ ÙÐ Òß×ËØ ÕÓØβ ÙáÏàÏÜ ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ ÏËÖÞÒ ÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØ ÎËÞË ÓØÎÓÍËÞÏÝ ÚÜÙÑÜÏÝÝ ÞÙáËÜÎÝ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ ÑÙËÖݘ ×ÙÜÞËÖÓÞã ËØÎ ÒÏËÖÞÒ ÏÝÞÓ×ËÞÏÝ ËÜÏ ËÖÖ ÑÙÓØÑ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÜÓÑÒÞ ÎÓÜÏÍÞÓÙØ˞ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ËÜÏ ÖÓàÓØÑ ÖÙØÑÏÜ ËØÎ ÒÏËÖÞÒÓÏÜ ÖÓàÏݲ ÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÓØ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚÏÎ ÍÙßØÞÜÓÏݘ ÌÙÜØ ÓØ ÞÒÓÝ ÎÏÍËÎϘ ËÜÏ ÖÓÕÏÖã ÞÙ ÝÏÏ ͹͸ ÎÏÍËÎÏݘ ËØÎ ÞÒËÞ ÓÝ ËÖÖ ÎÙáØ ÞÙ ÌÏʵÏÜ ßØÎÏÜÝÞËØÎÓØÑ ÙÐ risk and use of risk management in medicine ËØÎ ÓØ ÒÏËÖÞÒã ÖÓÐÏ ÚÜËÍÞÓÍÏݲ

Ø ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ÓÝÕ ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÏâÚÏÜÞÓÝÏ ÓÝ ØÏÏÎÏÎ ÞÙ ÎÜÓàÏ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ ÓÐ áÏ ËÜÏ ÞÙ ÝßÍÍÏÏÎ and compete with more advanced nations. The ÍßÜÜÏØÞ ÝÓÞßËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÐËÓÖÏÎ ÚÜÙÔÏÍÞÝ ÏÝÚÏÍÓËÖÖã ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÚßÌÖÓÍ ÝÏÍÞÙÜ áÓÖÖ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï Ë ÞÒÓØÑ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÚËÝÞ áÒÏØ ÓØÓÝÞÜÓÏݘ ÏÚËÜÞ×ÏØÞÝ ËØÎ ÑÏØÍÓÏÝ ËÜÏ ÝÞËʥÏÎ áÓÞÒ ÞÜËÓØÏÎ ËØÎ ÕØÙáÖÏÎÑÏËÌÖÏ ÜÓÝÕ ËáËÜÏ ÚÜÙÔÏÍÞ ÙʩÍÏÜÝ ̙ÜÓÝÕ ÍÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ̚˛ ÒÏ ØËÞÓÙØ ÓÝ ÐËÍÓØÑ ÍÒËÖÖÏØÑÏÝ ÜÓÑÒÞ ØÙᲠÒÏ ÏÍÙØÙ×ã ÓÝ ÓØ ÜÏÍÏÝÝÓÙؘ ÙÓÖ ÚÜÓÍÏÝ ÍÙØÞÓØßÏ ÞÙ áÙÜÕ ËÑËÓØÝÞ ÑÜÙáÞÒ ËØÎ ÙÓÖ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞÓÙØ ÓÝ ÎÙáØ Ìã ËÖ×ÙÝÞ ͼ͸ ÙÜ ͽ͸ ÚÏÜ ÍÏØÞ˛ ÏÝÚÓÞÏ ÞÒÏ ËÌßØÎËØÞ ÜÏÝÙßÜÍÏÝ áÏ ËÜÏ ÌÖÏÝÝÏÎ áÓÞÒ˜ ÍÙÜÜßÚÞÓÙؘ ÚÙÙÜ ÑÙàÏÜØËØÍÏ ËØÎ ÖËÍÕ ÙÐ ÏÞÒÓÍÝ ÝÞÓÖÖ ×ÏËØ ÞÒËÞ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝÏÝ ÐËÓÖ ÞÙ ÑÜÙá ËØÎ ÞÒÜÓàÏ˛ ßÌÖÓÍ ÝÏÍÞÙÜ ÙÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØÝ ÝßʥÏÜ ÝÞËÑØËÞÓÙØ ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ ÖËÍÕ ÙÐ ÎÏÍÓÝÓÙØ̋×ËÕÓØÑ ËØÎ ÚÙÙÜ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÝÕÓÖÖݘ ËØÎ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÎÙ ØÙÞ ÞËÕÏ ÜÏÝÚÙØÝÓÌÓÖÓÞã ÐÙÜ ÎÏÍÓÝÓÙØÝ ÓØ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÙáØ ÎÏÚËÜÞ×ÏØÞݲ Þ ÒËÝ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï Ó×ÚÏÜËÞÓàÏ ÞÙ Ï×ÚÖÙã ÜÓÝÕ ÏâÚÏÜÞÝ ÓØ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ËØÎ ÌÙËÜÎݲ

Ø ÙÜÎÏÜ ÞÙ ÌßÓÖÎ ËØ ÙÚÏØ ËØÎ ËÍÍÙßØÞËÌÖÏ ÍßÖÞßÜϘ áÒÓÍÒ áÓÖÖ ÏØÝßÜÏ ÙÌÔÏÍÞÓàÏÝ ËÜÏ ×ÏÞ˜ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˜ ÍÙ×ÚÖÓËØÍÏ ËØÎ ÍÙØÞÜÙÖ ×ßÝÞ ÌÏ Ó×ÚÜÙàÏΘ ÓØ ËÖÖ ÙÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØÝ ËÍÜÙÝÝ ËÖÖ ÝÏÍÞÙÜݲ Ï ÜÏÍÙÑØÓÝÏ ÞÒÏ ÏʥÙÜÞÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÏËÜÖã ÝÍÒÙÖËÜÝ ËØÎ ÚÒÓÖÙÝÙÚÒÏÜÝ ÙÐ ËØÍÓÏØÞ ÞÓ×Ïݘ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ mathematicians of the 18-century for the ÕØÙáÖÏÎÑÏ ÙÐ ÜÓÝÕ ËØÎ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˜ ÌßÞ áÏ ËÖÝÙ ØÏÏÎ ÞÙ ÒÙØÏ ÙßÜ ÜÓÝÕ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÝÕÓÖÖÝ ËÝ áÏ ÖÙÙÕ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÐßÞßÜÏ ÞÙ ÏØÝßÜÏ ÞÒÏ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝ ÙÐ ÙßÜ ÍÙÖÖÏÍÞÓàÏ ÏØÎÏËàÙßÜݲ ˾ ÌÙØߘ ˜ ̙ ̚˜ ˜ Ý ̙ ÞÏÜØ̚˜ ÝÞßÎÓÏÎ ØÑÓØÏÏÜÓØј ÓÝ ËØ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍÏÎ ËØÕÏÜ ËØÎ ØÞÏÜÚÜÓÝÏ ÓÝÕ ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÚÜÙÐÏÝÝÓÙØËÖ˛ ËÜØÏÎ Ë ÚÙÝÞ ÑÜËÎßËÞÏ ÎÏÑÜÏÏ ÓØ ÓÝÕ ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÐÜÙ× Ïá ÙÜÕ ØÓàÏÜÝÓÞã ÞÏÜØ ÍÒÙÙÖ ÙÐ ßÝÓØÏÝݘ ËØÎ ÓÝ Ë ×Ï×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ØÝÞÓÞßÞÏ ÙÐ ÓÝÕ ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ̋ ˛ ËØ ÌÏ ÜÏËÍÒÏÎ ÙØ ͸΁͸΁ͺ͸΁ͺ͸ͼ; ̙ ØÖã̚˞ Ï×ËÓÖ˝ Ü×ͼÜÓÝÕ×ÑÞ̶Ñ×ËÓÖ˛ÍÙ×

22

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍŽ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

‘Politicising Safety Issues will Destroy Aviation Industry’ Chinedu Eze A former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Sule Ozenua has warned that subjecting critical safety issues to political debate would finally kill the beleaguered aviation industry and make Nigeria lose international ratings it has gained over the years.

Ozenua has therefore advised the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Ministry of Transport and House and Senate committees on aviation to allow the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to handle critical safety issues in the industry because it is recognised worldwide as the regulator of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Ozenua, who spoke exclusively to THISDAY in Lagos, was reacting to the debate on the planned closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for the repair of its runway. It was subjected to before a decision taken for safety reason was upheld by the Senate and said such trend was dangerous and retrogressive for the industry.

He said that the funda-

mental principle of air travel is “safety and expeditious movement of passengers and goods� and this should take priority over economic and convenience considerations, adding that what the Senate did in trying to obstruct the decision to close the airport could diminish the rating of Nigeria at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which would consequently affect the insurance of aircraft operated in Nigeria, as it would be noted that they operate in a very dangerous terrain without proper regulations. “What one would have expected is that the scenario should have been defined by security consideration and that is where the industry regulator, NCAA comes in. NCAA knows the nature of safety at the airports. The regulatory body should be allowed to do its job. With NCAA there is a lot of international involvement.

International aviation agencies recognise NCAA. Aircraft insurers recognise NCAA, as they carry out their certification and regulatory responsibilities.

But unfortunately what they did was to subject critical issue to political debate and this is embarrassing to Nigeria,�

Ozenua said.

He said that the Director General of ICAO, Dr Bernard Aliu, who is a Nigerian, would be embarrassed by what happened in the Senate, adding that another Nigerian and the Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma is the President of Airport Council International (ACI), Africa and this goes to show the stature of Nigeria in global aviation. “It is unfortunate that they went outside safety, which is the main reason why the airport is to be closed. It is necessary to follow the protocol. This is not the first time we have had airport closed for work to be done on the runway.

It has been done severally,�

Ozenua said.

He also noted that it was high time a second runway was built at the Abuja airport because no international airport as busy as that of Abuja can operate with only one runway, disclosing that the master plan of the airport has two runways and it was expected that few years after the airport was put into operation the construction of the second runway would be done, but the airport has operated for over 30 years with only one runway.

Akinkuotu Seeks Support of NAMA Personnel The newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu has called for the support and cooperation of the staff and promised to improve the agency.

Akinkuotu also charged the workers to put the interest of NAMA first in all their dealings if the agency is to attain its vision of being one of the leading air navigation service providers (ANSPs) in the world.

The former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) made these remarks in his first official interface with management staff

of the agency on Monday at the agency headquarters in Lagos.

He said like ANSPs all over the world, NAMA under his watch would strive to keep pace with dynamics of the industry by aggressively improving technology and building a robust staff capacity that would effectively man the sophisticated infrastructure of the agency.

According to Akinkuotu, “NAMA has come a long way ensuring safety and security of air travel in the country but there is room for improvement.

And this calls for the concerted effort of all staff if we must move the agency to the next

level to ensure its global competitiveness.�

The NAMA boss also enjoined staff to imbibe the virtues of equity and fairness in their interpersonal relationships as these would ensure peaceful co-existence even as he advised them to refrain from negative ambition and other untoward practices that could undermine the growth of the agency.

While pledging commitment towards staff welfare, Akinkuotu promised to run an open-door administration that would cater to the yearnings, aspirations and interests of all categories of staff.

Ethiopian to Link Chengdu with Africa Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, has announced that it has concluded preparations to start new flight to Chengdu, China three times weekly as of June 3, 2017. Chengdu is the capital of China’s Sichuan province and is the 7th-largest city in China. Chengdu is the country’s western center of logistics, commerce, science and technology, as well as a hub of transportation, manufacturing and communication. Chengdu is also a major hub for Air China, Ethiopian Airlines’ Star Alliance partner. With this new flight, passengers from Ethiopian vast and growing network in Africa will be able to quickly connect to dozens of cities in China partnership with Air China, including Shenzhen, Kunming, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Wuhan, Changsha, and Urumqi.

Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said: “We are glad to launch

services to Chengdu, our fifth gateway to The Republic of China. Since our first flight 43 years ago, China has been a key market and it is now the largest per country market in our system. Using the geocentric location advantage of our hub in Addis Ababa we are connecting China, the world’s second largest economy and Africa’s biggest trade and investment partner, with 52 cities in the continent of Africa. With the addition of Chengdu, we shall offer the best and fastest connectivity options with a total of 34 weekly flights to China, operated with the latest and most comfortable B787 and B777 aircraft. Our Chinese customers will also enjoy seamless connection on Ethiopian vast intra African network and farther to São Paulo in Brazil.�

Ethiopian is investing to make Addis Ababa a Chinese friendly hub airport for the continent.

We now have Mandarin translators and signage available at

the airport transit area and in the Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge. Chinese New Year is also marked every year at Addis Abba Airport. Ethiopian was the first African carrier and the fourth in the world to fly to China back in 1973. In addition to the three weekly flights to Chengdu to be launched in June, Ethiopian currently operates daily nonstop flights to Beijing, 10 weekly nonstop to Guangzhou, and 6 weekly nonstop to Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines, is delighted to announce that it will launch seven new destinations within five months during the 2017 calendar year.

This is one of the greatest expansions in Ethiopian’s long and illustrious history. From February to June, Ethiopian will launch new service to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Antananarivo (Madagascar), Conakry (Guinea), Oslo (Norway), Chengdu (China), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Singapore (Singapore).

AIR WATCH Great Expectations from NAMA

W

hen the announcement came last week about the removal and replacement of some heads of Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞËÞËÖĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ stakeholders seemed relieved because most people were expectant that such changes should have taken place earlier. Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍžËœ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă&#x;ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? then leadership of the Nigerian Airspace Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ and the Managing Director was removed and later Emma Anasi was appointed on acting Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã Ă‹Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁË› Ă&#x;Ăž Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ëœ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÙÖË Ë› Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă&#x;ÙÞĂ&#x; Ă‹Ă?

Managing Director of NAMA. He replaced the Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă˜Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ë› Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă&#x;ÙÞĂ&#x; Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă™ĂžËœ ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę° Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Regulator. He was once the Director-General Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă Ă“Ă– Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ě™ Ěš and before his appointment the CEO of Aero Contractors.

The government also appointed Professor Ă‹Ă˜Ă“ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“ Ă‹Ă? Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĚ‹ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁËœ ĂœĂ?ÚÖËĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœË› Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă™Ă˜ĂŁ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ™Ă—Ë› Ă‹ĂšĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ă— ÙÒË××Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ÙÖÖĂ?Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËœ Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ÚÖËĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂšĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– Caulcrick.

Also Akinola Olateru was appointed the Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă&#x; ÞÙ ĂœĂ?ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă?ÖÓâ ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă“Ë›

Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?ÚÖËĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? because people expected to see some actions taking place after a new government was sworn Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŁ ͺ͸͚ͽ˛ Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă˜Ă™ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? and impatient. Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?ĂœËœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?ÚÓÞĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?×Ùà Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ÒËÚÚã ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă?Ę° ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽËœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?ÚÓÞĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž that their positions are tenured.

Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ˍÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÒËÚÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË›ËŹ Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ͚΀ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË› But there are also views that the appointment Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂŁ ÞÒËÞ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÞËÕĂ? ÚÖËĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? the federal government begins to unfold and Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Managing Director of NAMA must have to tackle to restore conďŹ dence among pilots ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ in the airspace and inadequate and obsolete

Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ĘĽĂ?Ă?Ăž ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž operations. ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĘľĂ‹Ă˜ ÒËäĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœËœ Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ suspend ight operations pending when the government would modernise landing aids that ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĘŽĂŁ åÓÞÒ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă&#x;Ă— Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă? Ă™ĂŒĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ăž African nations. Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă™ĂœĂŁ Íş Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă™ĂœĂŁ Íť Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ‹Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ? pilots said have broken down at some of ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ÞÙ land at these airports. Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ‹ĘŠĂ? Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ? Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?

Akinkiotu

ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ controller-pilot communication and were asking ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă— åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę° started falling from the skies. Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Nigeria’s airspace has remained an intractable ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă— Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?ʨĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ to solve. Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ù××ÓʾĂ?Ă? on Aviation visited the Murtala Muhammed

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ù××ÓʾĂ?Ă?ËŞĂ? Ă Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ ĂŒĂ˜ ËŞĂ‹Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ă’ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă‹ pilot. Ibn N’allah excoriated NAMA for poor and obsolete navigational equipment and other landing Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă™Ă?Ă ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę° to arrive at his destination and the experience of other pilots who go through similar challenges ĘŽĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÖã ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÚÓÖÙÞ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĘŠĂ? control. In some parts of the airspace there is no communication and these areas are known Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÚÙÞĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÚÓÖÙÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĘŠĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă– Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂšĂ™Ă™ĂœËœ Ă™ĂŒĂ?ÙÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ™ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞËÕĂ? Ùʼ Ă™Ă? ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă–Ă– these impede smooth ight operation in Nigeria’s Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã Ă™Ă? ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă™ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÞËĂ?Ă•Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ on taking over the mantle of leadership Akinkuotu Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž been under substantive leadership for almost Ă‹ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ ÞÙ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ÞËĂ?Ă•Ă–Ă?ĂŽË› Ă Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă? projects including the Performance Based NavigaĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–

Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž the critical navaids need rehabilitation and as Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă˜ ÚÓÖÙÞ̋Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă‘Ă‹ĂšĂ? Ă™Ăœ blind spots in the communication process makes ĘŽĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ë› ÙÚĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ are conďŹ dent that Akinkuotu in a better position ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă‹Ă—Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁË›

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Why Closure of Abuja Airport is Imperative Chinedu Eze argues that closing the Abuja airport would not have been subjected to debate if the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority was allowed to carry out its responsibility without interferences This is the first time a critical safety decision on airport infrastructure is being subjected to political debate. Although the Senate, which opposed the closure of Abuja airport for repair of the runway, backed down on Tuesday, it is never the responsibility of the Minister or Ministry of Transport to decide whether airport should be closed for safety reasons. In the past, it was the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) that took such decision and nobody questioned it.

The reason why the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for three weeks from March 8, 2017 for the repair of the runway eliciting so much reactions is because of the effect of such closure on the economy and politics of Nigeria.

Abuja is the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Over the years, it has become the second busiest airport in Nigeria, taking over from Kano. As the airport in the seat of power, closing it would cause a lot of inconveniences to the political leadership of Nigeria as well as the administrative and economic levers of the country. That explained why the closure was being opposed. But by opposing the closure, the National Assembly, which anchored the opposition to the closure, has started an aberration.

Above all, it may be an exposure to a possible tragic accident, and according to industry experts that is where the international air transport organisations in the world would come in.

CertiďŹ cation of Airports One of the reasons why the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has not certified any of the Nigerian airports through NCAA is because these airports in terms of facility, security and safety have not met international standards. So while Nigerian has about 67 percent overall ICAO rating, none of the nation’s airports is certified.

Industry experts argue that one of the reasons why these airports have not been certified is the inability of NCAA to take decisive to close some airports until certain safety conditions are met before they are opened. While the country lacks the political will, NCAA that is supposed to be autonomous ought to step in and take a decision, which should be final.

They noted that subjecting the closure of Abuja airport for safety critical work on the runway to debate, indicates that the NCAA is not yet autonomous and the airports are well nigh from meeting international ICAO standard for certification.

Member of Aviation Round Table (ART), a think-thank body in the industry and aviation security expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd), while referring to the debate at the Senate over whether the airport would be closed or not, said: “The Abuja airport runway is over 30 years old without any maintenance programmes.

Elsewhere, runways are built and managed regularly or periodically with a maintenance programmes based on numbers of landings.

Not so in Nigeria. Every runway that has been repaired in the past in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, etc., the airports were all done in the same manner as it is now planned for Abuja; the runways were closed to traffic. Not so however in other climes like the examples given about Gatwick and Accra because these airports have periodic maintenance based on their maintenance programmes. Our lawmakers need some education on how airport operations and their managements work for safety purposes and not necessarily for commercial and political purposes.�

Second Runway In 2009 and 2010, there was massive debate on the plan to build a second runway at the Nanamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Then the contention over the planned second runway was the cost and it was the House of Representatives that finally scuttled the

Sirika

project. In retrospect, if that second runway was built then, there would not have been need to close the airport now for the repair of the only existing runway. Work is going on at the Heathrow Airport runway, one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport has two runways and it has secured approval for a third runway. So it is not facing the kind of problem the Abuja airport is facing.

Many industry observers said that the House of Representatives did not serve the country well by scuttling the second runway project.

Informed source involved in the project then told THISDAY that the cost of the runway was put at N63.5 billion, which many Nigerians believed was outrageous. THISDAY learnt that the House leadership then allegedly wanted to up the cost by five percent, which was N3 billion that would bring the total cost to N66.5 billion but the executive refused and the House ensured that the project was not executed on the excuse that the cost was too high. Industry observers, however, said that the House could have reviewed the cost of the project downwards, “but instead of doing that they were more interested in choosing the contractors and they wanted to add N3 billion to the cost of the project for themselves,� the reliable source told THISDAY. While the cost of the project was agreed to be outrageously high, it was a bigger project as it was designed to land heavier aircraft like Airbus A380 with expanded taxiways and other facilities.

The former Minister of Aviation who presided over the planned second runway, Babatunde Omotoba, told THISDAY in an interview about two years ago, “The issue of that runway has become very clear to the whole country that a second runway is needed in Abuja because of what happened. We have two in Kano and Lagos and of course Abuja being the FCT and

with our efforts at developing it as operational hub for West Africa, it sure needed a second runway. “The second runaway was conceived and designed to handle Airbus A380-800F with Category three Airfield Lighting (AFL). The length of the planned runway was 4.5 kilometers with a width span of 75 meters and its strip, which should be free from any obstacle on both side should be 150 meters on the two sides. The basic length of the runway is about 3.4 kilometers and because of the altitude of Abuja, about 1000 feet above Lagos; that will add about 267 meters to the runway and because of the temperature too we used 35.6 degree centigrade to design the runway, when you have high temperature it takes aircraft longer distance to stop, that added about 753 meters to the runway.

That was how the designers arrived at 4.5 kilometers. The current runway that we have was built in 1982 and that is 31 years old now (as at 2014). It was designed to last for 20 years, it has exceeded its useful life and so we saw the need for a second runway. The second and the old one will have about 1.5 kilometer distance between them, for the 1.5 km, 1.5 by 1.4 km.�

Safety concern Many industry operators said there would not have been any debate about the closure of the Abuja airport if it were realised that this was a safety issue and NCAA, using its autonomy had spearheaded the closure and repair plan. This is because it is the responsibility of NCAA to certify airports, airlines and technical personnel so its decisions are not questioned.

A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), currently the Deputy Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi, speaking in similar vein

said that the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja is a threat to air safety, stressing that Nigeria should count itself lucky that in the past two years major accident had not taken place at the airport.

Sanusi who is also a seasoned pilot, who has landed at the airport for several years, said the runway has been in deplorable situation and if it was not closed for major repairs, Nigerians should wait for air crash to happen, which would put an end to the present debate.

He noted, however, that instead of NCAA to declare the airport unsafe and therefore close it for repairs, the Ministry of Transport is deciding the closure, which unfortunately has made the decision a political issue.

Sanusi said all the airport closures due to safety concerns in the past were decided by NCAA, which has the prerogative to do that, noting that although the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika is an aviator, but he is seen by members of the National Assembly as a politician and that is why there is on-going argument over the airport closure. “There is a fundamental flaw over who decided that the airport should be closed. That is the responsibility of NCAA as the regulator of the aviation industry, which decides the safety standard of an airport, the airworthiness of an aircraft, the qualification of a pilot or cabin crew and it is NCAA that should decide whether the airport should be closed or not and from our experience, the continued use of that runway is a tragedy waiting to happen,�

Sanusi said.

He recalled many years ago when Air France flight landed on cattle at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa and noted that NCAA closed the airport for safety reasons against the wishes of both the state government, airlines and even the then Ministry of Aviation. “No one should question the decision of NCAA because it has been given the right by law to take such decision and if NCAA has taken the decision to close the Abuja airport there is no way it would have attracted the on-going debate. We shall be going to a dangerous area if we politicise what borders on safety in the aviation industry,� he said.

Economic Consideration Also speaking on the need to ensure safe flight operations at the Abuja airport, a cargo airline operator, the Managing Director of Allied Air, Captain Val Tango has said that the decision of the federal government to close the airport to repair the runway was the best option to enhance flight safety into the airport and condemned the stance of some industry stakeholders on the issue, pointing out that the current debate on the perceived inconveniences that come with such closure should not overshadow the safety consideration, adding that continued flights into the Abuja airport is hazardous.

He wondered what the debate is all about, whether it is about safety or disaster, stressing, “aviation is all about safety, safety and safety before commercial consideration or inconvenience�.

Capt. Val was of the opinion that persistent flights into the poor state of the runway has a lot of implications for instance, if there is an incident or accident, it would attract high insurance premium.

He further noted that the nation and indeed airline operators would be better off at the completion of the rehabilitation exercise if “we could endure and cooperate with the government in proffering a lasting solution�.

The federal government and the Ministry of Transport should take the responsibility of closing the airport to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. This is a body recognised by ICAO and the international aviation community of being in charge of air transport in Nigeria.

Many are of the view that this debate erupted because the responsibility of NCAA was usurped and put on the rostrum of political debate.

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Aligbe: Those Opposed to Airport Concessions are Enemies of Nigeria Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe has said the National Assembly is contributing to the retardation of the aviation industry and called for the transparent concession of airport facilities. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: Before the Senate backed down on Tuesday, the members opposed the planned closure of the Abuja airport for comprehensive work on the runway. Do you thing the Senators were not well informed?

The legislators should blame themselves. It is about two or three years ago they talked about starting a second runway they vehemently opposed it on the grounds that the cost was too high for such a project. I remembered that Senator Dino Malaye, as member of House of Representatives then, was one of those who shouted highest.

He was one of those who shouted about it and talked and they started making comparisons with Akwa Ibom airport runway. But it is good to raise questions but you don’t stop at raising questions, how do you address the questions you have raised? They threw away the baby with the bath water. They did not think about it after they have done that, made all the noise and pandered to public opinion. They gave the impression that people want to collect money and put in their pockets, that is what happened.

But they did not say let us have a proper costing of what has to be done because it is very, very necessary that we have a second run way at the Abuja airport. The legislators went to sleep, everybody went to sleep after that shouting and nobody wanted to go back to take a look at the cost, or say this is the cost, this is what it is going to be. So that is where we are and today they are still shouting.

I see Prince presenting a paper that they can be operating while they do it in parts the way they do in other places. Has he ever seen it done in other places? Does he know what is put in to do that? It is a lesson we should learn, it should teach us.

Now when we see issues, when we look at those things what we should do is that after raising questions, we should not stop at raising questions, we take the appropriate decision that is what they missed. That is what is dawning on all of us here; nobody can continue to operate in that airport without an accident coming. The airport unfortunately should be closed and then proper maintenance done. And immediately after that what they should be looking at in the next year budget is that there should be the issue of a second runway in Abuja should come in place. That is the truth.

Don’t you think they should have prepared Minna as alternate airport to Abuja, considering its proximity?

You see proximity, yes, and then more importantly Minna was built as an alternate to Abuja but since Minna was built as an alternate to Abuja what has been happening in Minna airport? How many flights have been going into Minna, even domestic operation? They have not been going into Minna, there is no traffic or there is effort to encourage traffic, unfortunately the last governor of Niger State made so much noise, spoke so much English about airport city and all those things but he did next to nothing; he left the place and didn’t do anything despite all the noise he made, unfortunately. It pains because that man is highly educated, he went to some of the excellent schools and if you heard him you know he is somebody who was looking ahead, that is what all us of thought.

And when he was talking about turning Minna into an airport city and something formidable, we believed that he could, but after saying that he didn’t do it. Today nothing is going on at Minna airport.

Other airports are by far better; Yola airport takes more traffic, Kaduna is sitting at a point where it will attract more traffic, it has flights daily, Minna airport has no flight. So putting Minna in place as alternative to Abuja will be a lot of job from the scratch. But the critical question is, after that what will happen to that

Aligbe

airport? So there are so many things that come into consideration, yes Minna was built as an alternate but nothing has happened in that airport. Neither the state government nor the federal government did anything to make sure that that airport is functional. And that is why people will talk about it. People will say look leave Minna where it is. It is interesting and disheartening that they are closing this airport and we are looking at where flights will go to.

That is what I talked about when Port Harcourt airport was closed. Owerri airport was used as alternative but nobody thought about expanding Owerri, developing it to handle that traffic. What is being done about Kaduna airport is the right thing to do, make no mistakes about that. They have to put it in place; they have to expand the facilities because flights have to go there. But after that you will see that Kaduna will blow up in terms of traffic because the facilities will become very good. You could have 24 hours flight; it will no longer be day light flights.

But there is no alternative to closing Abuja runway. I have always blamed the legislators in many things because the legislator can push this country to the point where it should be by being proactive. The legislator by now, with all the committees and also the Senate committee on aviation and House committee on aviation should have consultants in various areas. Maybe you don’t engage one consultant, you have the ones who you can call to do a study in various areas and they create a situation where proactive. It becomes a push factor in the entire system that you push the executive to do what it should do. That is the major function of oversight. It is not just lay blames but being proactive. The next budget they are the same people who will cut off everything you need to improve the airports.

Government and aviation agencies don’t seem to realise the critical need to have airďŹ eld lighting at airports; yet, everyday lack of such facilities lead to ight cancellations

and disruptions?

If the Senate committee or the various National Assembly committees have consultants on airports, during the budget presentation they call the consultants to find out areas that need improvement. And then they have information, when budgets are submitted, during budget defense; you ask the Minister, the CEOs about the critical things they ought to have at the airports? They may request that at least the four major airports should be on 24 hours operation.

After that the next four will follow, and so on.

The legislators will say, go and give us what it takes and let us have it in the budget. And they go, you send them back and they go and prepare it. You bring your consultant; he will look at the costing and tell you the right thing to do. The consultant will give you a list; will direct you in terms of costing and everything and he will give you the technical knowledge that you require. This is what is lacking but they want to sit down there and carry on oversight or budget function without any fundamental knowledge of what they are addressing.

The legislators should be able to say sorry, this is of a priority for our country. You can borrow money to fund critical airport infrastructure.

African Development Bank (ADB) funds airport development, ADB doesn’t fund airlines, it doesn’t give loans it has no facilities for airlines. But it has for infrastructure, airport infrastructure, technical operation and all those things. FAAN cannot on its own access the loan, the federal government and the Ministry if Finance has to come in. The Ministry of Aviation along with Federal Ministry of Finance can facilitate such loans.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said the workforce is over blotted in the agencies and that much more money is spent on overhead, but without such expenses, do you think the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) can fund the provision of airďŹ eld lighting at airports?

Let me tell you, government wants to eat its cake and still have the cake. It is very difficult, for the simple fact that, they are pushing these agencies including FAAN to increase the Internally generated Revenue (IGR) base, they are pushing them to contribute more to the national coffers.

So FAAN is doing all sorts of things to do that, so the more they get the money it goes into national coffers. They are not thinking of FAAN getting this money and deploying it for the development of the airports. So FAAN does what it does and whatever it gets it has to pay salaries, it is not get subvention and whatever remains goes to government coffers.

That is why some of the things FAAN is doing today are making our airports the most unfriendly airports. That is why they charge exorbitant rates for car park tolls. You make it unfriendly through high charges but you lose money because if FAAN was to automate that system based on the length of stay, that is what is done globally, FAAN will make more money than it is making now. When you automate those who park their cars for a longer time pay more. I know people who park their cars there for almost 18 hours a day and pay the same fixed toll.

So there must be a paradigm shift, there must be a mind shift. So what government is doing, is that they are pushing FAAN too hard to increase its contribution to the distributable pull while it is expecting FAAN also to continue running the airports the way it should be run.

That cannot happen. I am advancing for the immediate, medium and long-term solution to the problems of airport infrastructure. That solution is that all the airports should be concessioned. There should not be any more delays in concessioning the airports. To delay concessioning the airports is to bring this country down. The legislators have started again, they say we are opposed to concessioning, you are opposed to concessioning, you don’t look at the budget that you are approving every year.

Where will the money come from if you want to have a modern airport? It cannot come from anywhere, it is the concessionaire that will bring money, develop the airports and provide modern facilities at these airports.

There are people who are opposed to concession because of the way the Minister is allegedly going about it. Many people believe that he is trying to circumvent the procedures and that if he does that after the agreement has been signed another problem will come up as witnessed in the past?

Those who oppose concession are enemies of the country. Anybody who believes, who thinks that the airport should not be concessioned, that it should be left in the hands of FAAN to run it as a government agency, that person is an enemy of Nigeria. I say this with utmost sense of patriotism, because you know you cannot get any efficient airport, you cannot get any global standard airport if it is left to be run the way it is being run. Some people in FAAN will say, yes leave it for us to run, many of them are my friends but I have said to them man to man, their IQ is high but the fact of the matter is that they have not been exposed to modern airport management, they have not seen it, they have not been trained, they don’t know what they will gain when the airport is working on well, they are working with residual and decadence knowledge that cannot bring the airport to modernity, that is the truth of it.

We need to call those who know, there is shame in saying I don’t know this and because I don’t know this let me look for those who know. So I think that people are just running Continued on page 25

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ALIGBE: THOSE OPPOSED TO AIRPORT CONCESSIONS ARE ENEMIES OF NIGERIA away from reality, the reality is that this country will never ever have a modern standard airport if airports are left to be run the way they are being run today. So those who are opposed to concessioning are enemies of the country. I will say this any day and I will defend it. I know the challenge FAAN workers are facing, that challenge is what happened in the past. Even at the Senate somebody was taking about the challenges with the past concession efforts. Why did that happen? They were not sitting on any legal framework, there were no laws, it was done at the whims and caprices of those who had ulterior motives, who had their personal motives. That was what happened. The first thing to do is to say no airport should be allowed to be concessioned without legislative Act. People say we now have infrastructure concession Act, look, that is not targeted at aviation, it is a general Act, but there must specific Acts for concession of the airports.

Concession airports is different from concessioning roads or the refineries. So sector specific Act must be put in place to be able to achieve what we want to achieve. Well, people thinking that the minister is trying to circumvent this one, I don’t know about that because that James’ wife yesterday lost her pregnancy, you say Audu’s wife if she gets pregnant tomorrow she is likely going to experience abortion, it doesn’t follow. Maybe James’ wife did not do proper medical treatment and she experienced stillbirth or abortion. All that you need to do is to make sure that Audu’s wife will go through pre-natal, antenatal and post natal and see that she gets to the point of safe delivery. What we need to do is to put laws in place immediately. The National Assembly has a major responsibility to say; yes the airports have to be concession. Then after the arguments let us put the appropriate laws in place. Because the person who is coming to take the concession, the first thing he will ask for is the framework.

He must look at the framework, sit down and analyse it. It is the framework that will protect his investment. It is the framework that will guarantee return on his investment. And with what happened with Bi-Courtney concession of the Lagos Airport domestic terminal (MMA2), it reverberates throughout the whole world.

They said if you treated your people like this how would you treat us? It happens sometimes.

Ethiopian Airlines wanted to set up airline in Nigeria but Ethiopian airline stopped because they are worried with what happened to Virgin Nigeria. But none of them knows the actual thing that happened, that Virgin Nigeria was setup without frameworks they were sitting in framework voids. And so the first thing to do is to make sure that there are no framework voids, appropriate frameworks should be put in place and then it is the framework that will determine precisely how you will go on the concession.

Do you think that government will look at the ability of the proposed concessionaire to know whether he could effectively deliver beyond bringing the highest bidding?

You see the fact of the matter is that we have no experience in concessioning particularly airports. If you look at the concessioning that was done in the seaports, they were not properly done. There was no framework when that was done, the concessionaires have gone into a cartel, they determine the price and they are bigger than NPA in terms of their influence.

NPA can’t bring them under control, there not yet a strong economic regulator, but they push government, use Customs to go and push them and say prohibit this import, vehicle should not come from land borders and whatever. That in that way they are taking business away from the ports. But the charges are outrageous; the cost of clearing an item in Lagos is four times the cost of clearing that item in Cotonue. And it is the same duty whether you go through the road or you go through the port, it is the same Customs duty. So it is the ports and the terminals that are losing money and eventually the policy will fail.

Although the legislators are saying Customs should suspend it. But the fact of the matter is that Customs should intensify collecting duties but they should not prohibit importation. Instead government should increase the charges for illegal items through the border. Some Customs would make good person al deals from the policy. Government will still lose; the country

Aligbe

will still lose when they engage in such things.

But I tell you; the truth is that the policy will not last long. We are discussing ECOWAS common market, ECOWAS common currency and common market means there are no borders. The truth is that it will impede any further discussion on the common market because Nigeria will benefit more from ECOWAS common market.

But when that comes into place it will now force the terminal operators to review their charges and bring it in tandem with the charges of the West Coast because there are no rules and there are no restrictions, it will become open skies.

So that is what will happen.

What will be the role of government in a concession of airport?

There are rules particularly because airports are monopolies. If you concession Abuja airport to company A that becomes a monopoly. There are no other airports in Abuja and flights must come in there. This is why you need to put a very strong economic regulator. I heard there are plans to merge economic regulator department and consumer protection department together into a single unit in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This is a wrong decision.

The challenge of economic regulation, the challenge of consumer protection will triple once we concession the airports. This is because you need to bring them into check, as they are now monopolies. So they need to strengthen those departments and opening them to courses on how to regulate airports in terms of economic regulation. I am not talking about operational regulation, NCAA is the technical side but where it affects the consumers, where it affects businesses the airport must come under control.

Those are the thing you don’t border controlling like cost of advertising at the airports, the one you border controlling is the ones that affect operation charges to passengers. Because whatever you charge the airlines they will push it to the passengers and when you are a monopoly the airlines have no choice but to come in there.

GAT has provided succour to many airlines; that is why airline will not easily go into MMA2 because the charges are something else. You price yourself out of the market, it is a clear example of what will happen when there is total monopoly and there is nobody controlling the cost. Normally what happens is that you will put in place apart from the consumer protection directorate of NCAA or anywhere or whether you are creating a new regulator, but the economic regulator and the consumer protection directorate must now become adept in doing what they should do.

Their knowledge should become high profile knowledge and they should become ultra active and sensitive in their job where there is concessioning. In fact today, if FAAN were not a government organization, NCAA should not allow FAAN set the prices for car park at what they have set it. They should stop them because

it has made the airport very unfriendly. FAAN needs to make the money but it is not through that way. And they can make more money by doing it on the length of time you stay rather than on the size of the vehicle.

If we continue to have fuel scarcity in 2017 and the difďŹ culty in accessing foreign exchange what do you think will happen to the airlines?

The airlines will do either of two things: One, they could pass the cost to the passengers or the consumer but it is a double-edged sword.

This is because the higher the airfare the lower the number of patronage. And you never get to win as an airline because you have lost patronage. The fare is high and you are probably not making as much when the fare was lower. They either do that, although some of them will find it very extremely difficult to operate and they will begin to close shop. So government needs to sit down to discuss all the issues as they impact on the airlines. Let me tell you, airlines in other countries operate flights for 18 hours, some even almost 20 hours but at least 18 hours. Airlines can fly from 6 am to 12 midnight, domestic operation; I am not talking about foreign airlines. There are security challenges but there are many places where there are no security perils. Abuja today is fairly okay in terms of security, even if you want to strengthen the security in order to make sure that people travel without fear of anything, you just have to do that. The more an aircraft is in the air the more money it makes.

Aircraft are not meant to stay on the ground.

But many of them fly fewer hours because of the nature of our airports; they are only day light operation. They don’t operate more than 6 pm; some of them now don’t even start going there by 6 am. So the airlines are suffering and losing money, as they are not allowed to operate fully because of the facilities.

Secondly, on aviation fuel, there is no reason why we cannot have aviation fuel in this country.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should be asked how many oil marketers are allowed to import aviation fuel? I think it is only the major oil marketers. So why is it not possible to have other independent marketers to import aviation fuel? These are the things to be asked, these are the issues to be discussed.

And like I have said to you the airlines have so many problems, leave the internal problems of the airlines, some of the internal problems even arise from these external problems. Conveyor belt is not working well, people come and they are waiting for long before their luggage comes out. Even going to load baggage to the aircraft is all manual process. So it takes a long time, instead of an aircraft being on the ground for one hour it now spends extra 30 minutes or additional one hour. The lateness begins to increase; once it happens once it continues. So things are not going the way they should go in

terms of infrastructure, in terms of helping the airlines. The airlines have their own challenges but let us address the external challenges that are killing the airlines.

People are talking about too many staff, yes I saw that in Nigeria Airways, they took that as an index and they started reducing staff from 12,000 to 8,000, from 8,000 to 6,000 and from 6,000 to 4,000. They acted only on that factor the other factor about the number of aircraft; the age of aircraft they did not address them. That is what is happening today. So after reducing the staff those left were not in commensurate with other factors of production like the number of aircraft. So the airline still collapsed. In the question to reduce the workforce they lost many experienced staff, the airline lost captains and pilots who were very experienced, they went to other established airlines. So the fact of the matter is that when you pick up one index out of so many indices it affects financial health of an organisation you will still get to the point of diminishing financial ill health.

Until you take a global perspective of everything, a total overview of what is happening and say what is the optimum of this size, what is the optimum at this point in time? So, our one dimensional analysis in a complex business like airline, airport and aviation will not help.

Aviation whether at the airport level or at the airline level is multi dimensional and if you want to do anything in terms of trying to resolve situations, your approach to resolving issues must be multi dimensional, you must look at all the dimensions. But this idea of we must reduce staff is a one line approach.

Is there nothing that could be done to stop Harmattan haze from impeding ight operations during December and January?

What do you expect the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to do this time?

What I expect NAMA to do is to bring up a budget proposal to make at least two or three airports zero visibility landing. Let them take the international airports and say, these international airports within this year and next year there will be zero visibility landing. And put the budget before the National Assembly from the executive to the national assembly and say this is what we need, it is for our country to get to the point where we want to get, for is not to have the challenge of the Harmattan so that our flights can land. Even if they say it is only 100 meters visibility but now that you put the visibility at 800 meters it doesn’t make any meaning. We can go down to 100, we should decide that our international airport no matter what happens all of them should have zero visibility landing.

It is something that the legislators should ask them because it is a budgetary matter. If you don’t provide funds for it you cannot have it done. They could say in 2017 or 2018 we want Abuja and Lagos to be zero visibility landing.

By 2018 Kano and Port Harcourt and Enugu we want zero visibility landing. This should not be taken all at a go; it should be taken little by little. If in four years we make two airports zero visibility landing in four years we will have eight airports. And it will cover round the whole country so that if you cannot land here you go to the airport that is quite proximate to your landing. And if the roads are better and there are train services you know you can move to your destination by train or by road.

This is what a forward looking and dynamic legislature should be looking at, they should be proactive, they should not be reactive.

And that is what oversight should be after going; around and then you now decide if they have a consultant to advice them.

We are not saying employ consultants all around, no, have a directory of consultants with specific knowledge in certain areas, if it is airport or aerodromes, if it is runway, terminal operation, consumer protection or economic regulation, Bilateral Air Service Agreement have them. When you have issues on any area you call up that consultant.

And say look give us your idea even if it is at the beginning of the year, you ask each and every one of them to give you a template for the year and they give you a template for the year. So you have something that you will confront the executive arm with and ask that certain things be done in the country. That is what should be done.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Factors Hindering Exports Eromosele Abiodun highlights the factors hampering exports from Nigerian ports and some of the remedies provided by industry stakeholders Some of the very important roles export plays in an economy include increasing productivity, providing employment, improving trade balance and expanding the growth of a nation’s economy.

At this time of economic recession, the diversification of the economy from oil to non-oil export is imperative. This is currently the focus of the federal government. The government wants the development of non-oil export process that is expected to play significant role in revamping the ailing economy. But to make exports to be one of the main stay of the Nigerian economy, the ports will play a vital role.

The sea is the major medium through which goods originating from and destined for different parts of the world are transported. Seaports in relation to trade are major gateways to the economy of Nigeria hence, play an important role in the development of the country. Freight types are mainly containerised cargoes, general cargoes, roll-on-roll-off cargoes and petroleum products. General cargo was handled mostly by Tin Can Island port, dry cargo by Apapa port and liquid cargo by Okrika port. Apapa port accounts for 30 per cent of cargo throughput in the Nigerian seaports. This form of port specialisation has implications for the provision of facilities at the ports.

Between 1990 and 2005, there was an increase in the cargo throughput, container traffic, net registered and gross registered tonnage of vessels at the ports and crude oil terminals.

Major problems affecting freight traffic include inadequate cargo handling plants and equipment, long turnaround time, cargo pilferage and excessive charges.

Another very important factor is transportation. Transportation is a precondition for spatial interaction and a central dimension of the national and global production systems that are reshaping the world. Transport industries through nodal development provide for the movement of people and goods and provision of services. Global economic integration relies upon efficient maritime transport due to its unparallel physical capacity and ability to carry freight over long distances and at low costs.

Overtime, the maritime industry has substantially changed from an industry that was always international in its character to a truly global entity with routes that spans across hemispheres, transporting raw materials, parts and finished goods. Maritime transportation plays a major role in the national and international trade and economic growth. The seaborne trade represents 90 per cent of the international trade in the world. A seaport is defined as a terminal and an area within which ships are loaded and/or unloaded with cargo and includes the usual places where ships wait for their turn or are ordered or obliged to wait for their turn no matter the distance from that area.

Seaports in relation to trade are major gateways to the economy of a country. They represent a complex structure in a country’s transportation system providing ship harbour interface services such as pilotage, dredging, provision of berths, maintenance of navigational channels, among others, ship-port interface in terms of loading and unloading cargoes and port-land interface in delivering cargo to and from the hinterland.

In general seaports have five principal roles.

They include: cargoes and passengers handling, providing services for ships such as bunkering and repair, shelter for ships in case of heavy sea and storm conditions, bases for industrial development and terminals forming part of a transport chain. Seaports, expert believe, are complex dynamic systems consisting of numerous interacting elements, influenced by random factors.

Obstacles to export However, export process from Nigerian ports is plague with factors in cross border trade, which greatly affects Nigeria’s product competiveness that result to rejects in the international trading environment In a letter to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of

Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero named factors to include: lengthy and cumbersome documentation process on export, multiplicity of regulatory/security agencies, high and duplicated terminal/ shipping company charges and process and lack of export infrastructures as the bane of export.

The inspection of containers, he stated, is conducted by the following agencies on product quality: The appointed pre-shipment inspection of export agents, the Federal Department of Forestry, the Federal Produces Inspection Service and the Plant Quarantine Service.

According to him, “The Pre-Shipment of Export Company who issues Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) is expected to carry out in pursuant to Pre-Shipment Inspection of Export Act of 1996 section 4-(c) clearly states, the inspection agents is provided with necessary facilities to enable the inspection agents to carry out quality and quantity inspections, price comparison and other process as may be required in the circumstance. “The pre-shipment inspection of export agents appointed by the federal government is responsible for three major functions: rice comparison (value), quantity and quality (product standard). The contract covers the international requirements with regards to the quality of the product, which is the standard of the product that should have eliminated other agency involved in terms of process and cost, so as to reduce the level of international product reject that is rampant, and in effect enhance our export capacity.�

He added: “The following federal government agencies duplicates the process of quality inspection with that of the appointed federal government Pre-shipment Inspection on Export: The Federal Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Environment is involved in Quality of Product, with documentation, operational process and Cost. “The Federal Produce Inspection Service is involved in quality of product inspection, with documentation, operation and cost. Plant Quarantine Service, is involved in quality product inspection, documentation, operation and cost.�

Duplication of product quality Amiwero added that the duplication of product quality (standard) inspection by the four agencies constitute serious bottleneck due to lengthy and cumbersome process, procedure and cost.

This, he stated, resulted to associated delays and high cost that necessitated the movement of our product to our neighbouring West African ports.

He pointed out that another major factor affecting export is shipping companies’ duplicated charges and charges not tied to service on export.

He said: “The Nigerian Shipping companies in line with the contract of carriage, handles import container that are loaded back to the country of origin as empty container without any charge due to the level of Export activities that is still very low in the country. The shipping lines Terminal Delivery Charges (TDC) is a charge that is not tied to service, as such charge is duplicated in the charges of terminal operators.� “The excessive terminal charge coupled with various other charges are not tied to services

in line with WTO Articles VIII –(1)-(a), which stipulates, that all fees and charges of whatever character imposed by contracting parties in connection with importation and exportation shall be limited in amount to the approximate cost of service renders. “The terminal charges are charges component that are not tied to service and it’s duplicated by the shipping company who do not perform any service in the terminal. The operational procedure of terminal/shipping activities contributes to the associated delay due to short shipment of consignment that result to late Loading and reloading of exported containers.�

On the provision of weighing and application of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) by exporters, he said: “The verification of gross mass shall be verified by shipper either by weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment as contained in the provision of Solas Chapter VI Part A Section 4 paragraph 1&2, which clearly states, the shipper of a container shall ensure the verified gross mass is stated in the shipping document and shall be signed by the shipper. “The responsibility of verified gross mass is clearly the responsibility of the exporter and not that of the terminal operator, who exploit the system to Charge as much as N20, 000 (Twenty Thousand Naira) per container even when the container has already being weighed by the exporter in compliance to the VGM convention. Terminal operators go ahead to enforce unconventional operational practice in contravention of the SOLAS Chapter VI convention by charging N20, 000 per container with other operational complexities.�

As a way out he said, “We as organisation that has served in close to 167 Federal government Committee some attached, which includes, presidential committees on Destination Inspection, Port problem, 48 hour Clearance of cargo, Customs Reform etc,, request that trade procedure committee (TPC) be set up with expert, to address the obstacle and the shortfalls inherent in our system as it relate to Export and Import Trade. This would in turn, proper position Nigeria for the desired change in other to focus on export drive that will rescue the country from the dependant oil.�

WEEKLY PULLOUT

WEEKEND TR

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

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FILE

‘MY DISABILITY IS NOT A SETBACK TO MY DREAMS’ ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

20.01.2017

‘My Disability is Not a Setback to My Dreams’ Yinka Shonibare, a physically challenged British-Nigerian painter, photographer and installation artist, whose art is influenced by both the cultures of Nigeria, where he grew up, and Britain, where he was born, studied and now lives. He spoke with Mary Ekah about his recent exhibition in Nigeria, his life as a physically challenged artist, future plans and more the fact that I do have a physical disability but I was determined from the onset that the scope of my creativity should not be restricted purely by my disability. And Because of my disability, which confines me to a wheelchair, I am physically incapable of carrying out the making of the work myself, and so I rely upon a team of assistants to realise my artistic vision. I became a conceptual artist who delegates much of the production of my labour-intensive projects to a network of other artists. I believe that as long as the right things are in place for you to do what you want to do, you should be able to express your talents regardless of your situation. And so I am happy that I have been able to have that kind of support that has now given me an international art career.

And now I’m able to show my works all over the world and I am so happy to be in Nigeria doing the same thing. I have been showing my works internationally since I started, so it is very exciting having to come back to my roots to showcase my works for the first time.

How long did it take you to come up with this wonderful piece?

That piece called the ‘Wind Sculpture’ took me about two years in developing the idea and finding the best way to do it so that the work can stand out very well and resist the weather, especially when it rains. So there is a bit of research behind it, apart from the actual design.

Could you describe the work?

The work, ‘Wind Sculpture’, is a sculpture of Ankara fabric hauling in the air but on a completely different scale. It is beautiful and it is a kind of work that would make a powerful statement and history. So all I’m trying to do is to make a statement with my artworks. It’s six metres tall and looks very beautiful. The installation titled, ‘Wind Sculpture’, forms part of a series of important large-scale works that marked a new departure for me by working with fibreglass and steel. Using these materials, I investigate the shifting movement of wind passing through fabric. With Wind Sculptures, I have captured a moment in time where wind passes through my signature Dutch wax batik fabrics on a dramatically grand scale. These six metres high sculptures appear to be an ephemeral billowing form but are actually rendered in steel and fibreglass. The organic concaved and convexed shapes formed by nature are mirrored in the patterns, which replicate 'African' fabrics. There is a different pattern and palette for each sculpture in the series that are hand painted onto the surface with bright colours. All of these elements together lend the work a magical and poetic quality that deliberately plays on initial perceptions and frames of reference. And I think it should make any building or any park very fantastic.

What informed the idea behind such work?

It is really about our connection as Africans with the rest of the world. The Ankara originally came from Indonesia, Dutch wax is also manufacture there and then they sell them in Africa. Most modern Africans are connected and not isolated. So this is celebration of the African renaissance and modernisation of African culture. I was born in London but I moved to Lagos as a child where I grew up and then I went back again to continue with my artwork. So I am modern African myself and so I am celebrating the modern traditional African art. My installations playfully mix up cultural and historical signifiers to blur boundaries between class and ethnicity, high and low art.

So why have you chose to focus on African culture?

Well, I think a lot of people are interested in African culture. You know a lot of artists talk about their own history, background, lifestyle and all that, and all these has got a lot to do with culture and an as an artist, I want to express that too.

Tell us where you draw your inspiration and also what is the driving force behind your art works?

My childhood dreams have been the driving force. I was a fan of art right from childhood.

I look at other people’s works and also when I was young, I kept dreaming of actually being able to make beautiful things and I have managed to achieve my dreams. And this is a work I have really enjoyed, so when you enjoy your work, you simply continue doing it without getting tired nor get discouraged by any challenge and that what has been with me because this is a job that I enjoy.

Shonibare with guests during his recent exhibition in Lagos

Shonibare with his Wind Sculpture at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Lagos

I draw my inspiration from my history and my background. I grew up in Nigeria from the age of three till the age of 17 when I went to England to study Fine Art, first at Byam School of Art (now Central Saint Martins College) and then at Goldsmiths College, where I received my MFA. My upbringing was very elite; I was opened to a lot of influences, I used to go to the museum in Lagos when I was a child.

So my arts actually developed from my own culture and upbringing. And then I went to England where I was actually able to learn about international arts and also I was able to learn the history of arts and that has also helped me to kind of direct my work in the right way. So my work explores issues of race and class through the media of painting, sculpture, photography and film.

What has been the major challenge in trying to achieve your dreams?

It has been very difficult since I was a teenager, and you know in Nigeria, we don’t really want our children to study Arts. So at first, my family wanted me to study Law or

Engineering but after few years of trying to persuade me, they realised that Arts was really what I wanted to do and then they supported me to do that and I had a lot of support in England too. But when I was 19, I became very ill, which led to my being confined to a wheel chair now. But if you are determined, no matter what obstacles you have on your way when you focus on hard work and also have people to encourage you along the line, you can achieve whatever you want in life.

What gives you the zeal to push beyond your physical challenge in life?

I am a very determined person. It happened that when I was 19 years old, and, had returned to Britain to do my A-levels at Redrice School, I become very ill. I actually contracted transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord, which resulted in a long-term physical disability where one side of my body is paralysed but I was very determined to develop my career. I have always wanted to be an artist and I didn’t want my disability to be a setback to my dreams. I acknowledge

Would you say that Arts has been financially rewarding in Nigeria?

You do have to work very hard and like every other thing else, not all artists are going to be financially successful but Arts is a great profession with very high rewards. It is very risky; it is a bit like music and acting, it is not everyone that sings that has really made it. There are people who can actually sing so well but yet they never become successful in that field. Art is the same, you have to be determined and continue to do your best and by the quality of your wok, people will begin to buy your works, show your works and support you.

What are your plans for the future, especially for the Arts?

Right now I have bought some land in Lagos and I am going to build a school there and then an international residence for artists. I want to bring artists from the entire world to come and meet with Nigerian artists and then have a conversation and exchange ideas. We hope to start building the place this year. So in future, you are likely to see more from me. It took me a very long time to acquire the land but now I have it and I’m hoping that this is the beginning of something bigger. And again, it will really be nice to have our own museum for contemporary art and design in Lagos.

What is your advice to young visual artists in Nigeria?

My main advice is for them to stay focus on whatever they are trying to do. You must also look at the works of a lot of other artists so that you can be better at what you are doing. And we should also be able to read about the history of art and our culture and by knowing what a lot of other people did before; so you can improve on what you are doing. So if you are hard working and you are also prepared to look at the works of other people, then you can be successful that way.

Do you have any advice for the government?

I think all governments should realise that artists could actually bring wealth to society.

And if we encourage our artists, we can build the market and also we can improve tourism and people will want to come to Lagos, and else where in Nigeria to see more arts and hotels will also make lots of money. So everybody will win, when the government starts supporting arts.

29/XTRA

20.01.2017

Eleme Royal Father Endorses Tradition In Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers State, when a child is born and the parents decide to name him or her after someone they so admire, tradition demands that certain rites be performed on the child by the person the child is named after to show acceptance for and appreciation of the child for taking up his/her name. The paramount ruler of Okori Eleme in Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Appolus Chu performed such rites on several children that have been named after him. Mary Ekah writes

Some parents name their children after people who perhaps have been good to individuals or community at large to serve as role models and mentors to them. When such happens, the child at all times strives to live a good life and to impact the community positively. Some parents also name their children after persons who have done the family a favour as a way of immortalising that person they admire so much as well as cement their friendship with the person.

When such happens a traditional rite must be carried out on the name-bearer during the lifetime of the person he/she is named after. If the person who the child is named after dies without performing this traditional rite to those persons named after him or her, his or her family must perform the rite before they can lower his/her body into the grave. This means that it is a necessity that once a child is named after you, you must perform the traditional rite before you die. This rite is performed few months after the birth of a child, as part of his or her naming ceremony.

It was in line with this that the paramount ruler of Okori Eleme in Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Appolus Chu and in promotion of ancient Eleme traditional rites, recently performed this old traditional rite on the children named after him. He also performed the rite for some kids named after his wife, Rev. Grace Appolus Chu, even though the rite came so late in the lives of the namesakes as they had all grown beyond infancy. His Royal Highness was quick to apologise to the families of these children for doing the needful so late.

“In Eleme, it is a tradition that when a man is generous and good to others in the society, people voluntarily show honour and respect to such a man by naming their child after him. It is considered one of the highest honours and sign of respect an Eleme man can display to the one honoured. In fact, one’s value in a traditional Eleme society can be measured by the number of namesakes

(Edee or Ngoo) one has,” he said Amazingly, Emere Appolus Chu has got several. Emere Appolus Chu who was recently conferred with the traditional title of Emere Nkukuma Eleme (The Great Philanthropist of Eleme) by the King of Eleme Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Sir S.O. Ejire expressed joy and satisfaction for the opportunity to meet with his namesakes and blessed them one after the other. He expressed hope that his namesakes will all grow to be greater and also have people named after them, spreading the name far and wide across many generations.

Appolus Chu, the Egbere Emere Okori I of Eleme donated one of his properties as a seed sown to God on behalf of his namesakes.

The property, an estate was donated to a nearby church that share common boundary with it. Announcing the donation, he said the purpose was to attract God’s favour upon his namesakes and apologised for the delay in performing the traditional rites of Okere Ekpii Edee (Acceptance and appreciation of namesakes). He said the houses on the estate should be removed and the land used to build a structure for the children section of the church. He also gave a token sum of One hundred thousand naira to each of his namesakes who were six in number and three others who were named after his wife, Rev. (Mrs.) Grace Appolus Chu, the Queen of Okori Eleme.

Those named after the Emere Appolus Chu and his wife include: Master Appolus Simeon Olaka, Appolus Samuel Nwolu, Appolus David, Appolus Ngei Chu, Appolus Obo Ebie and Appolus Obo Nwolu. Others are: Miss Grace Owa Emere Sunny Ogbu, Miss Grace Owa Emere Yeye Mbaka Nwafor, and Miss Grace Owa Emere Saturday. While two of the namesakes are of Kogi and Edo origin respectively, the others are of Eleme.

While receiving and appreciating the children named after him, the Paramount Ruler explained that traditional rulers are the sole spiritual heads in communities. He

said: “As an intermediary between God and the people, the main role of the traditional ruler should be making pronouncements and blessing the people. God will not hold the Bishop responsible but the king of the land because the king is next to God. “The King is the sole spiritual head of his community. As the traditional ruler, blessing his people is one of his paramount duties to his subjects. He is the mediator between God and his people. Before the coming of Christianity and Western civilisation, the kings were the spiritual heads of their communities. They led the people in prayers. They offered and poured libations to bless the people and the land. Such role still exits till date and will continue to be there from generation to generation. As nature has placed children under the care of their parents as their direct responsibility, so it has placed the people in the community under the King as his direct responsibility.

He is accountable to God over his subjects, even when there are bishops and pastors in that community. God will not question the bishop and pastors but the king over any calamity that befalls the land or any misrule of his subjects. People come to him for blessings and prayers when he is seated on the throne because they understand that the throne is the citadel of blessings and that the king has been vested with the authority and power to bless and utter positive words upon them. So, it is my duty to pray, bless and intercede for my community both in my private chamber and in public. As it is in the interest of the father to bless his children in order to see them prosper in good health and long life, so also is it the in the interest of the king to bless his subjects in order to see them prosper in good health and long life,” the royal father noted.

Speaking further, he said, “When I make pronouncement upon my subjects that God should bless them, it runs into the future and manifests in their prosperity and well-being.

The act is to secure the future of my people,

I am pronouncing blessing upon them on behalf of God.” He said therefore that the hand of the king must always be clean so that when he goes before God to intercede on behalf of the people, God will hear him, adding, “But when the king is not clean, his prayers attract God’s wrath. In the ancient days the traditional rulers do libation and they were committed but with the advent of civilisation, kings now pray and approach God in a modernised way. So, the king should pray for the land otherwise there would be disaster and calamity because if you don’t pray and bless your subjects today, you should not expect prosperity amongst them tomorrow.”

He said therefore that the king should be involved in chains of prayers and endless pronouncement of blessing, adding, “When the king is not at peace with God and the gods of the land, there will be calamity, but when the king is at peace with God, there will be peace and prosperity. So, the king is key, he is a counselor, an educator, a consultant and a judge of the people, one that promotes and maintains the culture and tradition of the people.”

Emere Appolus Chu who performed the Okere Ekpii Edee traditional rite in his palace at Eleme also used the occasion to bless several of his subjects and other individuals and groups who visited him in his palace to pay homage. Amongst those who received his royal blessings were members of Eleme women, members of the Eleme youth council, members of National Association of Eleme Students (NAES), and beneficiaries of the HRH Appolus Chu Foundation and many others.

Parents of the namesakes of Emere Appolus Chu, the Abachun Emere I of Eleme who were visibly elated thanked him for the royal blessing given to the namesakes and pledged to contribute their part by bringing up the children in the fear of God to ensure that they represent the name, guide and protect it jealously.

30/ NEWS

20.01.2017

93 Days: The Movie that Brought Nigeria International Respect Mary Ekah Except you live in the cave, you would have heard of 93 Days movie. If you haven't, you must have heard of the events that led to the movie - Ebola in Nigeria. 93 Days is the movie that has brought Nigeria great respect amongst committee of nations especially due to the way the Ebola virus was contained. The movie is a reflection of the sacrifices and the sheer will of certain people to ensure that the disease is contained and wiped out of the country. Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh was one of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life. The story of 93 Days centres on the sacrifices made by men and women who risked their lives to make sure the Ebola virus was contained, before it becomes an epidemic, when it was imported into Nigeria by a Liberian American diplomat. 93 Days is also dedicated to Ameyo Adadevoh, a Nigerian physician who played a key role in the containment of Ebola in Nigeria.

The movie was directed by Steve Gukas and was shot in several parts of Nigeria.”

In a country where history and heroic feats are not well documented, 93 Days saves the day with proper and accurate representation of the sad event in Nigeria.

93 Days has been able to document a segment in the history of this nation for future reference so accurately. Shot at multiple locations in Nigeria, the movie has gone on to become one of the highest grossing movies in Nigerian cinema. The movie has premiered in both African and international

Rebecca Ejifoma

A scene from the movie, '93 Days'

countries with loads of positive reviews from the audience.

Notable festivals amongst others where 93 Days was shown and sold out include Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Chicago International Film Festival where it was the only Nigerian film to show there, Johannesburg Film Festival and LA Film Festivals. This movie deserves all the accolades that it's currently getting.

One of such is the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards where it topped the list with 13 nominations. The movie is expected to cart away most of the categories it's been nominated for. Even though most of the categories are voting categories, the producers are counting on the goodwill they got from most Nigerians at the cinemas

to work in their favour again this time.

They enjoin lovers of the movie to vote en mass for them.

A movie directed and co-produced by Steve Gukas, with a production of three giant entertainment companies: Native FilmWorks, Michel Angelo Production and Bolanle Austen-Peters Production.

It stars Bimbo Akintola, Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Danny Glover, Gideon Okeke, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Somkhele Idhalama, Tim Reid, Sola Oyebade, Charles Etubiebi, and Seun Kentebe. Beyond the accolades from both the media and the cinema audience who have seen the movie, the image of Nigeria as a slow respondent to epidemic disease outbreak has been re-branded.

Mikaifer Lux, Luxury Lingerie Brand Berths in Nigeria Mary Ekah Mikaifer Lux is not just luxury lingerie brand but it is also unique and very sexy and it is a must have clothing item for every lady with great taste. The lady behind the brand, Chief Executive Officer, Mikaifer Lux, Ms. Charmane Mikaifer, a Ugandan, has concluded plans to flood the Nigeria lingerie’s market with her brand, starting from Lagos where it would be seen all over very soon.

The Brand Flagship office would be situated in Lagos being the seventh largest economy in Africa and remains the economic capital of Nigeria with a population of over 20 million people.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos where she revealed her plans to take over Africa starting from Nigeria, she said, “Mikaifer is my surname and it is unique. I think we are the only Mikaifer in the whole world. So the name stays with me.”

Speaking further on why she has come to establish in Nigeria as her first port of call, she noted, “Mikaifer Lux is a luxury sexy lingerie brand. They are underwear for women but we are going to branch out soon for men, so hopefully very soon you would be seeing us all over Lagos where we would be concentrating on first.

“I’m from Uganda, I left for Sweden when I was five years old and that was where I grew up and I have been living in Sweden for like 26 year. It has been

The ongoing annual mentoring programme of the Harvesters International Christian Centre, ‘Winepress’, which kicked off on Tuesday, January 18, with inspiring talk by Rev. Sam Adeyemi, will be rounded off tomorrow, Saturday January 22. This year’s theme, ‘Redefining Possibilities for 2017’, as in previous years, revolves around building the spiritual, physical and economic status of the people.

Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, to announce the commencement of the annual programme, the senior pastor, Harvesters International Christian Centre, with Headquarters at Gbagada, Lagos, Bolaji Idowu, said the church’s core purpose

To break the financial barrier facing the girl-child’s education in Nigeria, Always, a leading feminine care brand from Procter and Gamble Nigeria, has awarded 100 Nigerian students from across the country 100,000 naira each after emerging winners of its Always #MyFutureStartsToday Essay Competition in Lagos.

The Always #MyFutureStartsToday initiative started in August 2016 with a viral video that showcased the story of some girls and the challenges they faced.

Girls between ages 11 and 16 were invited to send in their essays, talking about their dream careers and the challenges they face as girls. Out of the over 2,000 entries received, 100 winners emerged and the winners were rewarded with a scholarship grant worth 100,000 naira each.

Speaking on the initiative, Brand Marketing Director, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Tolu Adedeji said, “When the video was launched, we were overwhelmed with the response and support that we received from everyone. It affirmed that starting up a conversation like the Always #MyFutureStartsToday could help build a girl’s confidence.”Adedeji added that there are so many challenges facing the girl-child in Nigeria, as such, it is evident that girl education and mentorship will not only benefit the girls, it will also impact the whole society. “The education of girls is important for us. In fact, Always advocates the empowerment of girls and women. In our bid to continue to contribute to Nigeria and Nigerian girls and women, we have launched this platform to reach more girls and help them to achieve their potential,” he said.

The Senior Brand Manager, P & G, Mokutima Ajileye, said, "The brand purpose for us is beyond just selling.

It is to empower and advocate for girls and women.”

He said further that Always in Nigeria wants to focus on education, adding that once a girl-child is educated, other things will follow. “We know the struggles most girl-child faces before being educated, like cultural barriers, which applies to the boys anyways. Hence, we decided to tackle financial barriers. We called for essays contest entries among female students in secondary schools across the country for it to be based on merit.”

Ebuka Named Host for Big Brother Naija Reality TV

Ms Mikaifer with Mikaifer Lux Brand Strategist and Principal Consultant of ADSTRAT, Mr. Charles O’Tudor at a press briefing in Lagos

a long time that I have not been back to Uganda but I have been to Lagos for three times and I see an opportunity for me to start a business in Nigeria, where I regard as the capital of Africa. Mikaifer is starting from Lagos first and then would branch off to other parts of Nigeria and then Africa as a whole and I am starting out in one country at a time.”

Mikaifer has the mission to create an extraordinary customer experience that nurtures, refreshes, and transcends each customer from within, out. The brand is built around being functional and available to everyone. Her brand prides itself as being a brand that is transforming the perception of lingerie as a functional article

of clothing into a fashionable piece that expresses the bodily empowerment of men and women.

“Mikaifer Lux is lingerie for women and we are looking at coming up with the brand for men soon. We just want the African women to be sexy, empowered, comfortable and confident in herself. And again we don’t want women to travel abroad to buy this kind of lingerie. We just want to be able to make them available to the Nigerian woman. It is a quality brand but there would be something for everybody in any class,” she said, adding, “Our items would be available for purchase in stores, through the Mikaifer Lux catalogue, and online at MikaiferLux.com.

Harvesters’ Winepress 2017 Ends Tomorrow Mary Ekah

Always Grants Female Students Scholarship

is focused on changing lives and raising pacesetters.

“We strongly believe that the greatest change that can happen to any human being is in the spirit and can then affect all other aspects of life. Our world is full of darkness, hopelessness, despair and deceits, so we believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ can raise man out of his state of despondency and bring him into the state of total victory,” Idowu noted.

Speaking further he said, “We have membership that exceeds 10,000 people and our church is into two major things: One is helping people know God through our Lord Jesus Christ and secondly, to also provide support for them on earth to become all that God has destined them

to be.”

These two focal points, the cleric said, were summed in annual Winepress, which revolved around the theme changing lives, adding, “So it will not be uncommon to see our church involved in several humanitarian activities, it will not be uncommon for our church to be involve in social justice activities and also to address in a pragmatic way, the daily issues of the Nigerian people because we are actually passionate about how people live their lives on earth and at the same time, focusing on God, so that they would live their lives perfectly on earth.” He said therefore that the church has several programmes it runs to achieve these, amongst which is the annual Winepress.

MultiChoice Nigeria has announced media p e r s o n a l i t y, Ebuka ObiUchendu, as host for Big Brother Naija reality TV show. The former housemate in Big Brother Nigeria show back in 2006 will make a re-appearance at the reality show’s revival but this time as the host.

Big Brother Nigeria host, Ebuka Sponsored

by PayPorte, an online retail store, Big Brother Naija reality show starts Sunday, 22 January at 7pm and will run for 11 weeks on all DStv packages on channel 198 and GOtv Plus on channel 29.

The lawyer-turned media personality with his infectious laugh and charismatic persona will usher the housemates into the Big Brother Naija house and will take up the task of announcing the evictees week after week.

“We are particularly excited to have Ebuka as host of Big Brother Naija. This was the platform that unearthed his potentials and propelled him to stardom,” said John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria. “He has over the years grown to become a prominent face on the Nigerian pop culture and entertainment scene while also lending his voice to youth empowerment initiatives. We believe his cool and debonair personality combined with his healthy dose of wit will spice up the show. Our viewers are in for a great entertainment experience,” Ugbe added.

In just less than a decade, Ebuka has risen to become one of the most loved and admired personalities in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

31/LIVING

20.01.2017

Keeping Hope Alive: The Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation Story Mary Ekah For aspiring parents who are having trouble conceiving and are hoping to go for some form of fertility treatment, it is often not good news to them considering the high cost of things especially in this recession era. Being able to afford fertility treatments would have fast become a distant dream, making their hopes of one day holding their baby in their arms, taking her to school or dropping him off with grandparents become a fading dream. For example, the cost of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Lagos starts from one million Naira. This is exclusive of drugs and tests, and depends on how complicated the case is or if surgery is needed. Sometimes, in order to have a successful pregnancy, couples undergoing IVF often need multiple cycles, racking up the costs.

Worldwide, infertility is generally quoted as occurring in 8-12 per cent of couples. In Nigeria,

Ighodalo

the prevalence of infertility is very high ranging from 20-46 per cent. With the recent economic recession in Nigeria, IVF and other certified treatment methods have become much more expensive for couples to afford.

The Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation appeared

as a ray of hope for such couples just in the nick of time. In 2016, the foundation partnered with several medical institutions to provide fertility grants to couples dealing with the financial strain of fertility treatments. In addition to the financial help, the foundation also offered emotional support and counseling for the applicants. The worth of this grant in the current economic climate cannot be quantified, especially because paying for these treatments out-of-pocket, with the requisite drugs and tests needed could be astronomically expensive.

After reviewing the scores of applications that came within the year, a total of 28 couples were selected and given fertility grants. They are all currently in different stages of treatment in several of the partner institutions enjoying not just treatment but also the care that they require and deserve in such trying times. The Foundation has clinical partners that have been carefully selected and are highly skilled

professionals that are amongst the best in the country. They deliver world-class services that can almost rival the ones offered overseas and so, recipients of the grants are in safe hands.

It is the Foundation’s commitment to the joy and fulfillment of the parenthood dreams of couples that sets it apart. The driving force is not the number of the people who they are able to help or the statistics of pregnancy return rate, but the smiles, joy and blessing that pregnancy, childbirth and being responsible for another life brings to the couple. As long as they can help one couple achieve this dream, they consider what they do worth doing and will continue to do so with all vigour and excitement.

They are looking to have this joy reach many more people in 2017 and would be happy to have you partner with them in doing so. You can log on to www.ibidunniighodalofoundation. org to find out ways you can help someone share in this joy.

Ekhomu Installed as High Chief in Irrua Kingdom Chiemelie Ezeobi For his contribution to Esan land in particular and Nigeria at large, renowned security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, was recently installed as the High Chief Ogbeni of Irrua Kingdom by the Ogirrua and Okaijesan of Esanland, HRH (Zaiki) Alhaji W. Okoeguale Momodu II JP. Speaking during the installation ceremony, the Ogirrua praised Ekhomu for his contribution to Esan land in particular and Nigeria at large. He described him as someone who has consistently and relentlessly promoted security awareness and consciousness among Nigerian citizens. He explained that although Ekhomu had held the traditional chieftaincy title of Ogbeni of Irrua for over 20 years now, he however decided to upgrade Ekhomu to High Chief in order to reward his contributions in the security sector both nationally and internationally. The Ogirrua said Ekhomu has made significant contributions in giving advice to government on tackling the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking during the reception after his installation, Ekhomu pledged to redouble his

efforts at promoting the culture of security and safety awareness consciousness and action among Nigerians. He also pledged to use his international stature to attract foreign investments into Nigerian in order to “create employment for our citizens”.

In the same vein, he decried the killings in Southern Kaduna and called on the Federal Government to meet its part of the social contract - by keeping citizens safe. He also urged the government – federal, state and local to employ advanced risk mapping tools in order to obtain foreknowledge of risks and be able to mitigate them before they become loss events. He said, “The security situation in Southern Kaduna State and the constant shedding of blood there denotes weak governance at all levels. This calls for a redesign of the security architecture of rural communities.” During the installation, Momodu decorated the security chief with a red cap and handed him a traditional sword – Ada. With this investiture, Ekhomu becomes a member of a small group of red cap chiefs who serve as the closest advisers to the King of Irrua.

During the reception, the Commandant of the

Ogirrua Momodu (middle) flanked by Ekhomu and wife during the installation

Nigerian Legion in Edo Central Senatorial Zone, Col. (Chief) Oziengbe Iyoriobhe also decorated

Dr. Ekhomu and his wife Victoria as Patrons of the Nigerian Legion.

Budding Artiste, Ajiboye, Brings ‘Assurance’ to Nigerians Mary Ekah Up-and-coming but highly gifted gospel artiste, Ayodele Ajiboye, recently launched his third album titled, ‘Assurance’, which he said was particularly inspired by God to encourage Christians and Nigerians as whole at this particular point in time. During a press briefing attended by artiste’s father, Remi Ajiboye and a few leaders of the Yaba Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos which included, Deacon Abiodun Ajiboye; the Church Secretary, Deacon Sola Ibikunle and Idowu Sanya, a visual artist, the artiste revealed that ‘Assurance’ is his third album.

“I have done several albums, the first album I did is titled, ‘In His Presence’, it was done five yeas ago while my second album produced two years ago is titled, ‘Thanksgiving’, Thanksgiving was borne out of the fact that I felt I should thank God more and also give

Budding Artiste, Ajiboye

Him the glory back for His goodness in my life and my household.” And now the third album, ‘Assurance’, is a confirmation that God is stand sure no matter the situation we may find ourselves presently in the nation and the world over,” he said.

Explaining what informed the title, ‘Assurance’, he said, “I noticed that because of the recession in the nation, people are panicking and running helter-shelter and not really knowing what to do and are not even sure of what is going to happen to them in the next moment, and so God gave me the word, ‘Assurance’, suggesting that all will be well and that what brought about the album and its title.

The album, which comes with six tracks, is basically meant to give assurance to the people especially at this particular time in the life of the nation, that all will be well no matter what happens presently.

The tracks therefore are carefully titled to suit the overall theme for the album, and these include: ‘Assurance’, ‘A Mo Pe Wa’, ‘I know He Rescue My Soul’, ‘Ire Lo Ju Mi Ma Ri’, ‘E Tobi’.

Ajiboye, who claimed to have started music right from his childhood, has been in the field professionally for over 15 years. Brought

up in Christian home with a father who is also a known musician and a member of the renowned gospel music group in Nigeria called, Christian Brothers Band, Ajiboye who apparently must have been inspired by his father to go into music said, “Growing up was rough. My background was rough with a lot of challenges but God saw me through.” Ajiboye who has got the full backing of the Yaba Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos on his musical career, was born into the church and has been very instrumental in the church since he became of age. He is described as someone that has been very selfless in serving the church and serving God. Having grown up in the choir, he has become a very formidable member of the church’s choir. He leads the praise worship team and also plays a number of the musical instrument at the church. In fact, Ajiboye is a strong pillar in music ministry of the church.

Ojukokoro Brings Fresh Excitement to Movie Lovers A new gripping crime-thriller, Ojukokoro directed by Dare Olaitan starring a star-studded cast is set to raise the game and bring fresh excitement to movie lovers across Nigeria.

Ojukokoro is produced by Singularity Media in collaboration with House Gabriel and BCI Studios. It features award-winning cast including Wale Ojo, Ali Nuhu, Tope Tedela, Somkele Idalama, Linda Ejiofor, Zainab Balogun, Hafiz Oyetoro, and Seun Ajayi. Others acts in the movie include Zainab Balogun, Hafiz Oyetoro, Emmanuel Ikubese, Kayode Olaiya, Gbolahan Olatunde. Kunle Remi, Seun Ajayi, Sammi Eddi, Lord Frank and Shawn Faqua.

After its successful screening at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in October,

Ojukokoro cast

the movie, which was produced by Olufemi Ogunsanwo, has been tipped to become a

box office hit in the cinemas.

Ojukokoro, a Yoruba word translated as greed in English language, unwraps an intriguing tale about a money-strapped manager of a shady Petrol Station who decides to rob his employers but along the line finds out in a sudden twist that he is not alone in his ambition and that a good reason isn’t always a right one.

According to the talented young producer, the movie will be premiered at different locations very soon before it proceeds on a long cinema run across over 30 theatres in Nigeria. The Director, Olaitan trained in Film Directing/Screen Writing Degree at the Colorado Film School and aspires

to make a big impression with this first effort. Speaking on the movie, the director said, “Ojukokoro was inspired by the state of events in Nigeria during 2014 elections with the general state of greed in the nation due to the upcoming elections. It is an ensemble cast movie that deals primarily with a heist, which is an avenue that is rarely explored in Nollywood. “From the conception to execution, the movie that took me three years to produce. I wrote the script when I was fresh from film school with little knowledge of how the Nigerian Film industry operates. It’s nice to finally have an end product after many years of dreaming and scheming,” he added.

32 / PERSPECTIVE

20.01.2017

Daddy G.O. Resignation, FRCN and Sundry Reform Matters Tunji Olaopa The relationship between the church and the state has always been a very complex affair. One example suffices of this complex relationship—the turbulence that marked the charged affairs between Henry VIII and the Papacy in the 16th century as well as the entire chain of events that led Henry VIII to break with the Catholic Church and establish the Church of England. This was a major historical occurrence that clearly outlined the kind of conflict the religious could have in relationship with the state. When, during the Enlightenment in the 18th century, secularity made its appearance with the seemingly final separation between the church and the state, it was almost certain that the tension had been dealt with by a masterstroke of modern sensibility. Not quite. The rational architects of the church-state separation failed to take into consideration all the possible modes of actions and interactions that will inevitably always instigate conflict wherever the church dabbles into political issues or whenever the state attempts to regulate spiritual matters.

It is no longer news that the Financial Regulatory Council of Nigeria (FRCN), through its executive secretary, unilaterally implemented a certain clause in the Corporate Governance Code, especially for Not-For-Profit-Organisations (NFPO), which necessitated fixing the tenure of the general overseers of religious organisations in Nigeria. One of the major consequences of that decision was the resignation of Pastor E. A. Adeboye as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Nigeria. The justification of the FRCN executive secretary was that he was upholding the relevant parts of the corporate governance code. If that were the case, then it would be within the legal purview of the organisation to do so.

And this has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that the executive secretary, now relieved of his duty, was a former pastor at RCCG. But, as with most things legal, social and religious in Nigeria, the reality is much more complex than what we are presented. The outcry that has trailed the FRCN’s move and the reactions from several quarters, especially on the resignation of Pastor Adeboye, not only points at a complex situation, but also calls for a cautious but critical attention to some key issues concerning corporate governance, religious matters and the democratic functionality of institutions in Nigeria.

Permit a caveat that should address all hints of prejudice. This is critical because I am aware of the enormous anxiety and anger that attend the perceived misadventure of religion in Nigeria. I am a Christian with strong conviction that the church is one and will best achieve its earthly mission if it remains one in spite of inescapable denominational imperative. Consequently, whereas I am a Baptist by birth and orientation, I was largely groomed into spiritual maturity by the RCCG as a full-fledged member.

I, indeed like millions of others, holds Pastor E. A. Adeboye in the highest esteem for the tremendous grace upon his ministry of which I am direct beneficiary in a classical sense and for the achievements that the RCCG has garnered since he became the general overseer many years ago. RCCG’s greatness as an organisation has many dimensions.

Apart from its centrality as a leading religious organisation, RCCG has also in several ways insinuated itself into the development and social challenges that confronts Nigerians. We can see the church as a development partner with several Nigerian governments over the years. And this comes also in terms of the general overseer serving as religious adviser in one form or the other. An empirical statistics will reveal the immense impacts that the RCCG, and any other well-meaning religious organisation, has had in the lives of Nigerians.

Pastor Adeboye

But the issues at stake in this matter transcend my RCCG connection. It's especially critical given the extent to which the legion of charlatans in the cloak of Levitical priesthood have infiltrated Christendom with diabolic and commercial mission and are daily denigrating the faith because they are provided umbrage by the absence of corporate governance codes and their enforcement. These are issues of democratic surveillance, organisational integrity, institutional capacity and reform. In this regard, the FRCN constitutes a significant dimension of the ensemble of democratic institutions in Nigeria. And this is more so with regard to the monitoring of corporate governance matters. On its website, the FRCN outlines its mission as simply as possible: “To bring utmost confidence to investors, reputation to oversight and ensure quality in accounting, auditing, actuarial, valuation and corporate governance standards and non-financial reporting issues.” This is seriously commendable because corporate governance is a very significant aspect of democratic governance in Nigeria. Ensuring good corporate governance practices is a sine qua non for laying the foundation of an accountability principle in the national economy that will eventually devolve on the well-being of Nigerians. The Not-For-Profit-Organisations (NFPO) are equally part of this corporate governance accountability concern because they equally impact on the financial profile of the nation and of individuals and organisations.

If all these are correct, what then went wrong? There are two immediate wrong steps I see. First, understandably Daddy G.O. is above reproach in that he would prefer to give to Caesar and to God what belongs to God as a man who understands the covenant essence of Exodus 14v14, it was precipitate for the RCCG and Pastor Adeboye to capitulate to the NFPO Code of Corporate Governance without at least exploring the option of challenging its stipulations for rightness, legality and legitimacy. Of course, religious organisations should be at the forefront as one of the most law-abiding entities anywhere, but that should not encroach on RCCG’s constitutional duty to challenge any legislation that encroaches on their fundamental rights, or has any whiff of irregularity or obscurity. While wishing Pastor Joseph Obayemi, the new general overseer for Nigeria, well in this new and most serious spiritual endeavour, it seems that the RCCG jumped the gun and capitulated without exploring available avenues, including the courts, that would have allowed a rethinking of the said legislation. The second issue is even more perplexing, and this is how porous our institutional dynamics have

become to the extent that individuals are allowed to initiate impetuous actions that throw the society into tension. Let us assume, just hypothetically, that the former executive secretary of FRCN has some kind of hidden ax to grind with the RCCG, it should not have been possible for him to use the institution he supervised as the instrument for personal vendetta. No institution should ever be so permissible of anything personal. And this possibility, as I see it, constitutes the core of the institutional deficit afflicting Nigeria. Institutions in Nigeria demonstrate a glaring incapacity to be proactive in the face of challenges, governance, political, economic, and administrative.

They also lack the mechanism to prevent internal incongruities.

First thing first, every institution must react to its context and environment.

With regard to the idea of corporate governance, the FRCN ought to have known that it was walking a very tight rope in its attempt to monitor a corporate atmosphere charged with complex practices. Religion is a crucial issue in Nigeria. And its mismanagement has led to critical losses for the Nigerian state.

The Boko Haram insurgency that has cost many lives could be traced, in a significant sense, to some badly managed military and administrative policies.

Stakeholders’ ownership is very critical in policy implementation success, and that translates into a due and meticulous diligence in ensuring that each policy issue makes the round of relevant stakeholders. The implication of this is simple: any policy arising from corporate governance issue ought to have gone through the entire stretch of policy assessment and even more. Of course, no policy is impeccable. But then the ripples and revelations trailing the corporate governance code, especially for NFPO, seem to demonstrate a sloppiness bordering on lack of professionalism and institutional hastiness. Suspending a policy in itself speaks volume about the appropriateness of such a policy for its intended purpose.

Thus, as a commentator rightly notes, not properly deducing the intricate nature of this issue of applying corporate governance code to, say, churches amount to an overkill, an institutional excessiveness that poses the danger of heating up the society unnecessarily.

But then, there is another side to the issue. And this involves the churches and other religious organisations themselves.

While the FRCN is undergoing reconstitution, and the corporate governance code, hopefully, will be re-evaluated and reviewed, there is also a need for churches to look inward in the face of weak gate keeping that is undermining the Christian brand as the salt and the light of the world through the activities

of charlatans in the guise of prophets-entrepreneurs riding on prosperity theology popular tendencies and vulnerabilities of a poverty-ridden and superstitious society and pervasive miracle mentality.

The Federal Government has the right to instigate any policy that affects its citizens, and religion plays a huge role in this regard because whatever happens in the religious realms have extensive impact on the way people relate with themselves in the public spaces. Beyond this, the FRCN is right about the critical nature of corporate governance and why not even churches and mosques can be excused. Religious organisations owe the government an adequate compliance with regulations that probes accountability. This is even more so in a state that is attempting to increase its profile of democratic governance. A church or mosque may be theocratic but that does not preclude its legal response to certain democratic imperatives concerning structures and rules.

On the other hand, the religious organisations owe their members a firm adherence to strict codes of accountability and other institutional structures that ensure not only spiritual adequacy but also financial openness. It would not be a sin if the financial transactions of a religious organisation are open within the bounds of regulation and best practices.

Since the church or mosque is a custodian of morality, this institutional reform of its structures should not a big deal. Fortunately, the RCCG is not a mean church that would be caught unaware by such institutional inadequacies. But this is not to say that the RCCG is a perfect church.

I am a member, and I should know that neither the RCCG nor any other church for that matter is immune from certain internal shortcomings that should necessitate a continual rehabilitation of its structures and institutions. Religious organisations are agents of development, especially within the environment of institutional incapacitation in Nigeria.

From the Catholic Church to the RCCG and even several Islamic organisations, religious organisations play a dominant role in bringing the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of members and other people alike.

And development in this context of underdevelopment becomes a moral imperative which would not permit the organisations to champion a good cause while they are in themselves an emblem of institutional incoherence. A strong case can be made for the autonomy of religious organisations given that, for instance, some of their founding constitution sits incongruously with the legal requirements of the federal constitution of Nigeria. However, just as religious institutions have modified the way we think and rethink secularity in Nigeria, they must equally be modified by the imperatives of secularity and democracy. It will therefore be an act of good faith for religious organisations to firm up their institutional deficits in ways that will add to their credibility, spiritually and administratively. In many quarters, churches and mosques do not enjoy good public reputation. In fact, the reason why many lash out at them is the attempt to hide corruption behind the cloak of godliness to deceive the innocent.

On the other side, and this is even more critical, it is high time Nigeria (and religious leaders would do posterity great service if they provide a lead in this rethinking and reform) commenced a deep institutional and administrative reassessment of religion and its corporate dynamics in a manner that will put to rest the debate around whether religious organisations ought to answer to corporate regulations. The review of the corporate governance code that jumpstarted the problem in the first place could be a wonderful opportunity to resolve it finally. .Olaopa is the Executive Vice-Chairman Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy Email: tolaopa2003@gmail.com

33/ TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

20.01.2017

South African Tourism CEO Visits Nigeria Meets with NATOP pledges partnership The Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, Sisa Ntshona, as part of his official visit to SAT’s West African office in Nigeria, met with the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators.

During the courtesy visit, Ntshona revealed SAT’s desire to work harmoniously with NATOP for mutual benefit, especially in the areas of training, and helping the development and marketing of Nigeria’s tourism.

Ntshona, who was accompanied by SAT’s regional manager for West Africa, Hloni Pitso, and regional director for Africa, Evelyn Mahlaba, revealed SAT’s desire to help Nigerian tour operators access local South African media during their visits and in the process give exposure to Nigeria’s tourism offerings. He stressed SAT’s vision, which is to put Africa first, before South Africa. According to him, many people outside the continent see Africa as one. Using the example of the Ebola virus, he said South Africa was not insulated from the negative perception that impacted on tourism arrivals, despite trying to stress that it was

The South African tourism team with officials of NATOP during the former's visit to Nigeria

six hours away by air from the epicentre of the crisis.

To this end, the annual INDABA travel exhibition hosted in Durban will have a

more pan-African focus, by marketing the best Africa has to offer to the world. Ntshona also revealed SAT’s plan to market other areas of South Africa outside famous cities like

Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and others, in a bid to bring the benefits of tourism closer to the people and help reduce rural-urban migration. He touched on the strident visa policy of South Africa, explaining that SAT would rather an easier visa regime but stating the High Commission’s responsibility to keep the country safe. “We don’t have control over them but we can influence them,” he said as he promised to discuss the issue with the relevant authority.

Speaking on behalf of NATOP’s President Nkewerem Onung, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko, explained that if a country like Morocco which is a developed tourism industry still tries to emulate South Africa and learn from them, there is nothing wrong in Nigeria taking advantage of the offer of help from SAT. Uko then revealed that NATOP would – in the coming days – be presenting to SAT and the world at large, tourism products they would want to be sold to South Africans.

NATOP to Sustain Tourism Advocacy at 2017 AGM in Nigeria Nigeria Association of Tour Operators is gearing to focus this year’s AGM towards sustaining its advocacy and agenda setting for the Nigerian tourism sector and the development of tourism in general. This is coming on the heels of the huge success that the association recorded in the last one year following its last AGM which held on Calabar, Cross River State in February 2016.

The National President of NATOP, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, revealed this during the association’s meeting and parley with journalists which culminated with a courtesy visit from the CEO of South Africa Tourism (SAT), Mr. Sisa Ntshona who was on a working visit to SAT West Africa office in Nigeria, and deemed the visit necessary to further strengthen the already existing partnership between SAT and NATOP. Mr. Ntshona seized the opportunity to reveal that South Africa is interested in seeking further opportunities to deepen its relationship with Nigeria towards mutual tourism growth.

NATOP President explained that the association is very likely to tow a path towards sustaining it advocacy for the tourism sector, as traced that since the last AGM which held on Calabar, the whole agenda that was contained the communiqué which was released after the AGM has been the focal points of discussion in the industry and among experts and stakeholders.

Mr. Nkereuwem was represented by Mr. Ikechi

Uko, organizer, African Travel Market.

NATOP used the opportunity to reveal that the association has concluded plans to ensure that it hosts its AGM as an annual event, explaining that, ‘Plans are already in motion for the 2017 Annual General Meeting, AGM slated for the first quarter of the year in a yet to be determined venue. “When the arrangements for the event are fine-tuned, NATOP will release the details which will include the time, venue for the AGM and other plans. But it will take place in the first quarter of the year, he said”.

Recall that during last year’s NATOP AGM, several issues bedeviling the tourism sector were raised which translated into major talking points which stakeholders and experts focused on. NATOP challenged the scrapping of the ministry of tourism by the current administration and termed it ‘a reflection that the ministry has lost its impact and meaningful contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria’, as it maintained that, ‘it seems that tourism is not a priority on the agenda of the present administration’.

NATOP also advocated the need for creative regulation and rebranding of the country’s cultural institutions to have appeal to attract tourists from all over the world, saying, ‘We also believe that our cultural institutions and events can be regulated and rebranded to make

them attractive for local and int’l consumption.

At the end of the AGM last year, NATOP released a communiqué and among the issues contained in it are the visa regime that would encourages tourist/visitors to Nigeria; need for a national carrier that is partially privatized and fully commercialized with a mandate for National development; need to develop the country’s tourist sites in collaboration with the state or local community; Accurate and reliable statistics for planning and development, and the need to know the contribution of tourism to GDP (TSA).

The need to strengthen the country’s institutions and redefine their mandate (Supreme Court judgement July 19, 2013 where states can regulate their tourism activities independent of national government as it insisted that this renders the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC impotent without any clear mandate.

Regulating and re-branding the country’s cultural institutions and events to make them attractive for local and international consumption.

The need to approach Nigerian tourism from a perspective of a family expecting an August visitor or a village expecting their prominent ruler and in this case, such family will think about transportation, where his visitor will sleep, particularly what he will eat and most importantly, he should have memorable experiences. That the

country has done well as a business destination, but will do better promoting leisure.

Commended Cross River and Lagos states for doing so much to promote tourism in Nigeria and to encourage other states to follow suit. The belief that the conference will generate meaningful discussion that will galvanise tourism institution and government to rethink their approach and drive tourism as an alternative to the faltering and failing oil price, thereby arresting the downward trend of the economy. Almost all the issues contained in that communiqué have in one form or the other received the attention and reaction from the Ministry for information and Culture over the last year.

It therefore based on the above that the association is raising the stakes to further its advocacy responsibility during this year’s AGM towards driving growth in the tourism sector.

During his speech, CEO of South Africa Tourism (SAT), Mr. Sisa Ntshona expressed the interest of the South Africa as a Country in helping the development and marketing of Nigeria’s tourism. This he revealed during a courtesy visit to NATOP’s office in Lagos as part of his official visit to SAT’s west African office in Nigeria. He was led Mr. Hloni Pitso and Evelyn Mahlaba. He said that SAT continues to seek ways to further deepen the relationship between South Africa and Nigeria.

Ethiopian to Link Chengdu with Africa Madagascar to Join Ethiopian’s Vast Intra-African Network Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, has concluded preparations to start new flight to Chengdu, China three times weekly as of June 3, 2017. Chengdu is the capital of China’s Sichuan province and is the 7th-largest city in China. Chengdu is the country's western centre of logistics, commerce, science and technology, as well as a hub of transportation, manufacturing and communication. Chengdu is also a major hub for Air China, Ethiopian Airlines’ Star Alliance partner. With this new flight, passengers from Ethiopian vast and growing network in Africa will be able to quickly connect to dozens of cities in China partnership with Air China, including Shenzhen, Kunming, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Wuhan, Changsha, and Urumqi.

Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said: “We are glad to launch services to Chengdu, our fifth gateway to The Republic of China. Since our first flight 43 years ago, China has been a key market and it is now the largest per country market in our system. Using the geocentric location advantage of our hub in Addis Ababa we are connecting China, the world's second largest economy and Africa’s biggest trade and investment partner, with 52 cities in the continent of Africa. With the addition of Chengdu, we shall offer the best and fastest connectivity options with a total of 34 weekly flights to China, operated with the latest and most comfortable B787 and B777 aircraft. Our Chinese customers will also enjoy seamless connection on Ethiopian vast intra African

network and farther to São Paulo in Brazil.”

Ethiopian is investing to make Addis Ababa a Chinese friendly hub airport for the continent.

They now have Mandarin translators and signage available at the airport transit area and in the Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge. Chinese New Year is also marked every year at Addis Abba Airport. Ethiopian was the first African carrier and the fourth in the world to fly to China back in 1973. In addition to the three weekly flights to Chengdu to be launched in June, Ethiopian currently operates daily nonstop flights to Beijing, 10 weekly nonstop to Guangzhou, and 6 weekly nonstop to Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines, is delighted to announce that it will launch seven new destinations within five months during the 2017 calendar year. This is one of the greatest expansions in Ethiopian’s long and illustrious

history. From February to June, Ethiopian will launch new service to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Antananarivo (Madagascar), Conakry (Guinea), Oslo (Norway), Chengdu (China), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Singapore (Singapore). With the addition of these stations, Ethiopian will have service from Addis Ababa to 98 different international cities located across the world.

GebreMariam, said: “Africa’s share of the Global Aviation is the smallest which is only around 3%. As the largest airline group in the continent, we are highly concerned on the low base of air connectivity in the continent and we are setting record expansion to enable Africans enjoy safe, reliable and economical air connectivity both within the continent and between the continent and the rest of the world. Looking beyond the current economic slowdown especially in the oil export dependent economies of Africa, we firmly believe that the continent will become the magnet for foreign direct investment, trade and tourism, which are the engines of air travel growth and in turn efficient air connectivity also drives socio economic development and we are happy to contribute our share in the 21st Century African Transformation.”

In the just ended calendar year alone, new flights to Moroni (Comoros), WindHoek (Namibia) and Newark (United States) were launched, as well as three cities in Ethiopia: Hawassa, Kebridahar and Dembidolo. Ethiopian is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, and we are expanding our wings every year.

Ethiopian envisages to reach 120 international destinations worldwide by the year 2025. 98 down, 22 to go!

Similarly, Ethiopian Airlines, has announced that it will add Antananarivo, Madagascar to its network as of 28 March 2017. Madagascar will join the ever expanding Ethiopian network of 95 worldwide destinations. Antananarivo is the capital and the largest city of Madagascar.

The island nation is known as a “biodiversity hot-spot” as over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar is home to lush rainforests and is famous for its curious lemurs.

Ethiopian’s new nonstop flight will operate three times weekly to and from Ethiopian’s hub at Addis Ababa, where passengers can connect to and from cities throughout the world, including Washington, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Beirut, Jeddah, Cairo, Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, GebreMariam, said: “Ethiopian, as a flagship carrier of Africa, is pleased to add Madagascar to its wide route network. Having started serving Africa seven decades ago with our motto “Bringing Africa Closer”, we are now continually enhancing our services and working to “Connect Africa to the World”. As air connectivity is an essential cause and driver of a nation’s socio-economic integration, our new service will certainly contribute for a growing business and bilateral cooperation with other sisterly African cities.

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34/XTRA

20.01.2017

Media Entrepreneur Omojuwa Kicks off Online Philanthropic Campaign Chiemelie Ezeobi What started as a personal gesture by acclaimed public speaker and media entrepreneur, Japheth Omojuwa, to share a sum of N500,000 as support grant to about 10 businesses has scaled up to be the most successful social media inspired crowd-funding venture for small businesses in Nigeria.

The decision to support 10 businesses with the N500,000 grant was announced by Omojuwa via his personal Twitter account on December 31, 2016. However, his clout and credibility, and the transparent selection process designed for the scheme inspired other donors to contribute to the fund. A total of N2.7 million was raised

Omojuwa

within 48 hours, all on social media.

Aptly named the Small Businesses Support

Fund, 36 businesses selected based on the merits of their applications will benefit from the first batch of N2.7 million fund. Each of these businesses, with the exception of one, received cash grants of between N50,000 and N100,000, being either the sum requested for or the amount arrived at based on evaluation. It is worthy of note that 25 out of the 36 businesses selected for the support fund are owned by women.

Widely acknowledged as one of Africa’s most influential social media personalities, Omojuwa while announcing the winners stated that in addition to the varying amounts of cash won, each of the businesses selected will benefit from online promotion for one month, courtesy of his media agency, The

Alpha Reach. He further stated that the fund will not be a one-off thing as the goal is to support at least 100 businesses this year.

Access to credit is one out of the myriad of problems facing business owners in Nigeria with loans from commercial banks attracting interest as high as 20 per cent. Last year the World Bank ranked Nigeria in 169th position in its Ease of Doing Business index.

Observers on social media have called the Small Business Support Fund an innovative financial model which has potentials to revolutionise credit access for small businesses in Nigeria. The second batch of the fund is scheduled for mid-2017 with at least N5 million as target.

Rite Foods Beef Sausage Hits the Market Peter Uzoho One of the leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in the country, Rite Foods Limited, has introduced its beef sausage (Rite Beef) into the market; a move it said was to give its consumers what has never existed before, and to assert its leadership position in the industry.

Speaking to a group of journalists on the

sideline of a tour round the company’s factory in Ososa, Ogun State, recently, Managing Director, Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, stated that introducing the product was to show its responsiveness in meeting with consumers’ demand. He noted that with over 22 years of existence, the company has always had products in the market that even its competitors do not have.

“We have a pride in the market. We have

products in the market that nobody has. Take a look at beverage; we have the tropical which is not in the market. If you want that taste you have to buy an imported product to have that taste, and we’re giving you that imported taste at 10 per cent the price you buy an imported taste.

“So the Rite Beef we’re bringing to our consumers is to give them a fantastically refreshing sausage with unique flavor

without a change in price. We’re not really looking at the price, we are concerned about satisfying our teeming reliable customers and we cannot stop doing that,” Adegunwa said.

He also said, “In terms of what is unique about us, it’s the fact that we’re not followers in the market, we are leaders. We always have something in the market that the competitors don’t even have.”

Rotary Club Gives Back to Society Peter Uzoho In accordance with its philosophy of catering to the needs of humanity, Rotary Club International, Ogudu, GRA Ikeja, last weekend, donated a new water project to Binu Konu Market, Ojota, and relief materials to Little Saints Orphanage, Ogudu, all in Lagos State.

Speaking at the official inauguration and handover ceremony of the water project, President, Rotary Club, Ogudu GRA, said the Club discovered after its needs assessment survey that water had been a major challenge of the people of the market, noting that there had not been water in the market for about two years. He recalled that the market was burnt down some time ago due to absence of water.

“So we decided that we have to cater to that need to meet the philosophy of Rotary, and in doing that, we realised that we have what we call month of sanitation and water and we took advantage of that programme to give them this water,” Umaru said.

Umaru disclosed that the Club has spent closed to half a million naira on the water

sediment, no iron and it’s drinkable right from the tap. So it cost us that much because we wanted to give them the best so that they will not need to go and be buying sachet water again.”

Also speaking on the relief materials to the orphanage which he said was their own Christmas gifts to them, Umaru noted “We have to extend hand of fellowship and show these children that they are wanted; give them a sense of belonging; give them that societal value; give them that sense of want, which is exactly what those things are meant for.

What we donated to them were food items of all kind and things that will make them happy; make them grow up well like any other kid.”

In appreciation for the water project, Secretary of Binu Konu Market, Mr. Gbenga Fayemi, said “To our greatest surprise you gave us life in this market because water is life which Chairman,District Service Cimmittee,Rotary International,District 9100,Rotn Niyi Adesanya_(2nd right),All Star is the major thing we need. So now that we have water, we are grateful to you. God President,Rotary Club,Ogudu GRA,Rotn Aliyu Umaru (3rd left) _and Chairperson,Binu Konu Market,Alhaja Ra will bless you and enrich you. And we are also promising to give you stickers so that project, stressing “because you know that the borehole equipment to dig the water, and anytime you are coming to this market you market is big and you need very sophisticated as you can see, the water is pure, clean, no come freely without paying for ticket.”

‘Trump Up America’ Song by Nigerian-born Composer for Use at U.S. Presidential Inauguration A Nigerian-born musician, Charles Okereke is offering his original composition, titled ‘Trump Up America’, for use at President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration as an inspirational anthem that “trumpets” the traditions and freedoms of the United States.

Okereke, a Milwaukee resident, recorded ‘Trump Up America’ in April 2016. The song, subtitled ‘America Solidarity Anthem’, echoes classic American patriotic music. At just over two minutes, the composition features soaring trumpets, lilting soprano vocals, and lyrics that call upon citizens to “raise your heads with dignity.”

The song’s video opens and finishes with fireworks. Patriotic symbols fill the middle: the American flag, an eagle, the Statue of Liberty, U.S. Capitol and the White House.

“I am American, centre of democracy / Land of freedom equity / Trump up America, trump up!” its lyrics begin.

Okereke, 60, publishes two news-oriented web sites (Nigeria Masterweb and Africa Masterweb) for Nigerians, Africans and other followers of international events. The genesis of ‘Trump Up America’ was hundreds of calls he received from around the world following a fake video reporting that Trump,

Okereke

if elected, would deport Nigerians.

“I was getting over 10 calls a day lasting an average of 20 minutes each. It was very stressful,” Okereke said. “One morning I woke up with the song on my lips. I rehearsed it and headed to the studio not long afterward.”

Following its recording, Okereke offered the song to the Trump campaign to play royalty-free at its rallies. Trump himself tweeted a link to the song August 12. Still, Okereke insists the song is not a political statement.

“The song is inspirational,” Okereke said.

“Its emphasis is that America should be cheered and sung, or trumpeted, for what it is: A nation where no man or woman, irrespective of their status, can take unilateral illegal or oppressive actions. My goal was to prepare Americans for any outcome of the election – hence its subtitle, ‘America Solidarity Anthem.'”

‘Trump Up America’ is available for purchase and download on Amazon Music and iTunes. Buyers can select the song as MP3 or audio CD with three different tracks, or a DVD of the video.

Okereke has been composing music since age six. He gained international recognition for his original compositions ‘God Bless Africa’, which won the African Union Symbols Competition, and ‘All Hail Biafra (Cry of a Biafran Child),’ which he wrote at the end of the Nigerian civil war.

“Hearing ‘Trump Up America’ at the President-Elect’s inauguration would be a tremendous honour,” Okereke said. “I love this great country. Hopefully the song will help others feel the pride that I experience every day.”

35/XTRA

20.01.2017

Lecturer Saving Lives with Natural Drugs The HOD, Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, may be seen as a philosopher and lecturer but aside that, Prof. Bonachristus Umeogu, has another unique gift from God. He has over 100 lines of natural drugs, which he has used to heal many dangerous ailments, writes Anayo Okolie

Umeogu

Rev. Prof. Bonachristus Umeogu is not just a priest of God and lecturer of knowledge; he is also a life saver. Umeogu drugs have been proven to be efficacious and confessions from users are encouraging.

His gift of nature medicine has healed many of varying ailments unannounced. He does not advertise his God’s given talent and prowess. He attends to hundreds of people daily at his communion ground behind Old English Hotel at Awka.

At his recent crusade, many were healed of their sicknesses. In fact, a woman who had brain tumor was instantly healed, and also an HIV positive man was healed. One of the beneficiaries, Nnaemeka Ani said Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Bonachristus Umeogu has been a blessing to the people of Anambra State.

According to him, “His ministry has become one of the best to receive healing unconditionally in the sub-region.”

Umeogu, during his Christmas sermons, called on all the Christians in Nigeria to submit themselves in fervent prayers before God or cry to God concerning the situation facing our nation.

He expressed a sad feeling when he addressed his congregation over worst days that might still come ahead unless Christians return back to God. The cleric, however, said that President Buhari needs a divine message from God for things to turn around in the country, even as he pronounced blessings for all who will labour in prayers and build up their hearts for the prayers the country needs.

According to him, “We must respect our nation Nigeria, and the only way to respect our nation to come out from this phase of our difficult times is to submit ourselves in fervent prayers before God. I warn you that worst days are ahead of us and we need to turn back to God.” After his deliverance service, Umeogu had a woman delivered triplets after 11 years

of barrenness. Mrs. Chioma Okoye, who admitted to have visited numerous hospitals seeking for medical help from physicians who kept promising her of a better hope to come, said she lost hope for years, but decided to run back to her God by visiting –Communio Sanctorum Catholic Prayer ministry, where she has been attending their prayer meetings, even before she got married to her husband.

The likes of Umeogu was seen in Babylonian Empire under Hammurabi the king hence his success in erecting the Hanging Garden, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; Umeogu is a man of power and an exceptional gift from God. Umeogu, who is a Catholic priest, has joined the league of alternative medicine practitioners. All Umeogu drugs are prepared by him with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The kind of natural drugs in vogue in United Kingdom, United States, China and India among other climes.

They still have the orthodox for matter of choices. Longevity of Queen Elizabeth II is not far from nature's medicinal gifts, the type Umeogu administers. His drugs are given to the sick for free of charge and others, who buy at little or no cost, said their offering for the drugs is insignificant to the succour and healing they received.

One of the users of two of his drugs, Nnaemeka Dominic confessed on the efficacy of the Living communion drugs. He said, ''I have used the black oil for dissolving poison, garlic salt and earthly salt for destroying charms and their efficacy are unmatchable.''

Umeogu has more than 40 lines of drugs with proved efficacy but he does not advertised himself or make noise about that. Umeogu is a mystic and “I am beneficiary of his drugs and prayers,” Dominic added. ''I didn’t hear about him from the radio or television but people who were lucky to encounter him. I went to his communion

ground and confessed he is doing the will of God, which is saving lives spiritually and physically,'' Dominic stated.

Umeogu, who was born in Unubi, Anambra State, attended St. Paul’s Seminary, Onitsha; Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1991-1993).

He bagged Diploma in Latin in 1983, Bachelor in Philosophy in 1989, M.A Western Metaphysics in 1993 with first class honours and Ph.D African Metaphysics in 1999.

Prior to his call and ordination, he made his B.A in Theology in Rome at the Pontifical University of Holy Cross (Santa Croce) Rome in 2010. He also has numerous certificates and diplomas in various languages such as Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Italian, German, French, and in various sacred and international disciplines.

Umeogu started very early to show his ontological rooting in metaphysical issues.

With time this special promise bloomed.

His teaching career started at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Umeogu, who was Lecturer I between 1999 and 2002; Lecturer II between 2002 and 2005, and Senior Lecturer from 2005 till date; and was later appointed a Professor of Philosophy in the university in 2002, presently heads the Department of Philosophy in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Without any iota of doubt, Umeogu has made significant contributions in the development of education in Nigeria and beyond.

He has however, authored 11 books and they: Systematic Philosophy, Systematic Universe, Principia Logical, Summa Metaphysica, The People of Unubi, Per Christum Dominium Nostrum, AZ Simplified English Language, Afo Philosophy, Oji, Igbo Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Igbo Philosophy of Education and Mass Communication.

Umeogu, who also has 45 monographs and 22 Journal Articles to his credit, is the founding Editor of OGIRISI: A New Journal

of African Studies. He has bagged many awards including: A Vocational Service Award from the Rotract Club of Onitsha East (2001); Leadership Par Excellence Award from the Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (2006); Merit Award from Deanery Laity Council (2003) and more.

He is also a philanthropist. Umeogu has given numerous scholarship and financial assistance to the needy from nursery to primary, secondary and tertiary institution as well as employment under his Communio Santorum Prayer Ministry where he is the director and founder.

Many see him as a liberator, mediator and champion of justice. Umeogu in his Christmas message advocated for an unconditional love from Christians among themselves in the society rather than the pretence a conditional love existing now.

Umeogu said there would be nothing like Christianity if there is no Jesus Christ because that was the essence of Christianity. Christmas is all about peace, love and genuine repentance for the service of God and humanity. He encouraged Christians to have the spirit of forgiveness even as he asked leaders in all spheres to lead by example.

Umeogu praised God for intervening in so many families with ailments and challenges in the outgoing year wishing Roman Catholics and Nigerians a very blissful Christmas.

He, however asked the wealthy and influential to remember the less-privileged in the society, adding that there is joy and blessing in giving rather than receiving. He urged givers to be cheerful in giving and shun giving grudgingly.

Umeogu, who is a philosopher and lecturer of repute crusades, attracts over 50,000 people. The Communio Sanctorum ministry is located after Anambra State Government House in Awka capital, very close to old English Suites.

36/COLLAGE

The Director of Administration; Ibru Organisation, Sir Henry Muogho,and his wife, Lady Jacklyn flanked by his sons, Orhoro, (left) and Brume , during Sir Henry's birthday in Lagos... recently

20.01.2017

L-R: Alhaja Kuburat Okoya; Celebrant, chairman Eleganza Group, Chief Razaq Okoya; Chief (Dr.) Mrs Shade Okoya and Former Justice of the Supreme Court, Lagos State, Justice Olusola Oguntade at the celebration of Chief Razaq Okoya’s 77th Birthday in Lagos… recently.

L-R; Chairman of the Occasion/former Commissioner for Information Western State,Dr.Areoye Oyebola;Convener,,Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland,Oloye Lekan Alabi;and his Wife Adetokunbo at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Civil Human Rights Activism of Oloye Lekan Alabi in Ibadan...recently Felix Ademola

L-R; Segun Ogunsanya, Segun Awolowo, Bimbo Ashiru, Yomi and Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya. at the wedding anniversary of Bimbo and Kemi Ashiru in Lagos...recently

Deaconess Comfort Olubunmi Ajayi,being supportted by her husband, Kolade to cut her 5oth birthday cake at Baoku Hall, Orimerunmu, Ogun State...recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

The Campus choir of The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry rendering praises during the church's 2017 annual international convention held in Mgbidi, Imo State.... recently

PHOTO; ETOP UKUTT

37/THISLIFE

20.01.2017

Cherie Blair and participating Nigerian female entepreneurs in the Foundation's programmes. Credit- Cherie Blair Foundation

Gender is Open for Business Ayodeji Rotinwa Nokia has lost an asset to shoe racks and wardrobes across Nigeria. In 2014, after working the customary hours of 9am – 5pm at the multinational communications and IT company, Idongesit Harrison would resume at another duty post - this one, hers – a footwear production space where she created by hand and machine: shoes, slippers, accessories for men, women and children.

The side career in shoe manufacturing had been a long time in coming, started in 2005 by an inclination to recreate a pair of slippers her mother had bought. She then trained with a cobbler for a few weeks, thereafter deciding that she could make higher quality and more original goods from what she had learnt. She did. In 2014, she quit her job with Nokia. In the same year, she won a business ideas competition and was awarded a N2 illion Naira grant and free training at Nigeria’s best executive business education facility – Pan Atlantic University. In two years, with all her hours now hers to put into her shoe production company, Idong Harrie Limited, she grew her business to the point where it was ready to expand.

She had always however had a confidence deficit when it came to accessing loans, seeking and trusting investment, capital. Her books were also not out of the reddespite her high inflow of revenue. She turned to the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women’s Road to Women’s Business Growth initiative, ‘designed to empower women entrepreneurs grow their enterprises through financial and business skills training.’

Founded in 2008 by Cherie Blair, a British barrister, lecturer and wife of the former

Prime Minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is a charity that seeks to help women like Harrison in emerging markets all over the world strengthen their capability, confidence and access to capital where they lack equal opportunities. Its work has been cut out in Nigeria since it started operations four years ago. According to the 2015 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report, which covers amongst others, economic participation and opportunity, Nigeria ranks 125th out of 145 major and emerging economies measured.

According to Cherie Blair and Sevi Simavi, C.E.O. of the Foundation, with regard to financial inclusion for women, Nigeria has one of the biggest gender gapsin Sub-Saharan Africa with women earning 23% less than their male counterparts and only 34% of women having access to bank accounts compared to 54% of men.

The Foundation’s attempts to contribute to close this gap in Nigeria started out modestly, albeit employing an increasingly familiar tool to solve global problems – technology.

The Foundation launched an SMS-based learning resource titled ‘Business Women’ that delivered key business tips and hints to about 70,000 women owners of small and micro businesses. It was during this project the Foundation came to realise that there were bigger problems to be addressed. “Wefound that women with medium to large businesses also needed support - accessing capital and building more hardcore business skills to drive growth in the economy; women who are job creators in the market – they are not just benefitting themselves but giving opportunities to others in the community,” Simavi explains.

And so - with funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation- the Road to Women’s Business Growthinitiative was born. Before kick-starting, the Foundation with its partners carried out research to assess the needs of women owners of SMEs in Nigeria. The research found that the women need a greater understanding of a range of finance aspects to help manage and grow their businesses which includes improved skills in issues such as managing cash flow, undertaking market analysis, determining financial needs, choosing financial products and understanding loan processes and requirements. The Foundation banks on technology and training to meet these needs and has since partnered with three different organizations to provide these two solutions: Diamond Bank, to provide specialist advice on financial services, and fill knowledge gaps to access to capital, loans, insurance, credit; Emerging360[EH1] , a American capacity-building consultancy firm to provide a bespoke online learning tool and the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University to provide in-class training on business skills and financial literacy.

The programme which has a rigorous selection criteria including: having a business in a high-growth area, annual turnover of N3 – N20 million and evidence of turning profit for more than two years;has so far trained 500 women across Lagos, Uyo and Abuja - selected from 3,000 applications and a high-performing 100 of them will be selected for tailored business training and mentoring for six months. Their training was delivered through an innovative blended approach which allowed “the training to

fit into the women’s lives, rather than the women fitting into the training,” Simavi says. The women were trained for six weeks, two weeks out of which were in class and the four via the online product created by Emerging360 with multimedia features which allowed women to learn through videos, case studies, peer-to-peer networking, and at their own pace, on their own time.

The training is already delivering returns.

Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, a participant and Psychiatrist-in-Chief of Pinnacle Medical Services, a health and wellness business through new lessons learnt in financial projections and targets which she has passed on to her 20-staff strong team is thinking out of the box to find new clients, increase admission numbers. For monthly counselling and therapy patients she has seen the number increase from 3 in 2015, to 26 since she partook in the project. Udoka Ahubelem-Nwosu, C.E.O. of Eudoka Multisolution Limited, a beauty products and services company has been able to build an accountability system in her business which was previously nonexistent. She has been able to increase her profit turnover by remitting every amount earned into the company’s account which she didn’t do before. She leans on the network of women who attended the classes with her as an informal advisory board / consulting for day-to-day operational problems that arise in her business. She projects that she will expand across the country by 2021. Idong Harrison has shored up her confidence deficit and will apply for bank loans, seek investment. In the meantime her quarterly profit has increased by 20% and she plans to hire more staff, upgrade facilities from a small production space to a manufacturing

38/OPINION

20.01.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Farewell Obama, It’s a New World Order in Washington

Trump, Putin and Obama

I

t is a mixed feeling in Washington.

America’s first black President, Barack Obama, who came to power eight years ago will exit the stage today leaving America in care of the new President, Donald Trump, and the Republican Party.

Naturally, it is thumb up for Obama, who ran through the tape with no scandal and an approval rating higher than any other American president in decades.

In that thumb however, there is a pain.

The post-racial America promise that came with his election in 2008, on the back of the cultural significance of a black man in the White House did not end the work of civil rights movement on racism afterwards.

“After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America,” Obama said. “And such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.”

Outside that, Obama’s entry to the White House exactly eight years ago became an era of restoration for America and dialogue diplomacy.

The significance is not lost on Americans whose auto industry was saved from extinction by Obama. Those who recovered from the tremor of stock market and those who got their job and houses back in eight years will be grateful they had Obama in the White House.

In broad strokes, the contentious Patient

Protection and Affordable Care Act often called Obamacare will remain a reference point for a lifetime, though the stones being hauled at it by the Republicans at Capitol Hill.

With the Act, Obama reformed the health insurance for ordinary Americans, brought change to health care and gave hope to many who have resigned to fate in the face of medical challenges.

Gray and grizzled, Obama is gutsy and nowhere could we see that other than in his crossover to Havana for a handshake with the Castros. It marked a turning point in America’s relationship with Cuba. The dialogue initiated with Cuba by Obama as first American president to visit the country in nearly a century was observed as changes in American politics by those with clear knowledge of international relations.

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry’s words when he addressed diplomats in Cuba were pointers “We are separated by 90 miles of water, but are brought together through shared relationships and the desire to promote a democratic, prosperous, and stable Cuba. President Obama is taking action to cut loose the anchor of failed policies of the past, and to chart a new course in U.S. relations with Cuba,” Kerry said.

But the White House that Obama leaves behind today will be different going forward.

The new world order has started the moment Donald Trump walked the alleys of

Pennsylvania Avenue—as common with new U.S. presidents—to officially announce his arrival in the White House.

Already, the world is no longer at ease.

From Germany to China; European Union to African Union and NATO to UN, the only country and president with some steadiness appears to be Russia and Vladimir Putin.

The unpredictability nature of Trump is making the diplomatic circle nervous and business leaders fret.

In a let “shake the rust off America’s foreign policy,” speech he made in April 2016, well before he picked the ticket to run on the platform of the Republican Party, Trump left no one in confusion as to the direction of his foreign policy—America first. He has repeated it time and again, but it is what Obama subtly described as “fascism and tyranny.”

“My foreign policy will always put the interests of the American people and American security above all else. It has to be first. Has to be. That will be the foundation of every single decision that I will make,” Trump has said.

Trump’s anger against NATO will definitely make Russia flex military muscle in Europe.

Russia’s aggressive rhetoric and action that go well beyond Ukriane will be expanded the moment Trump carries out its threat against NATO. He already called the 28-bloc alliance “obsolete.”

But Vice President Joe Biden’s parting

words for Trump and Putin places the new world order firmly in its place. It is a world where fear and military might will have much presence than dialogue and compromise.

For that, Biden told world leaders who gathered in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum this week to save “democratic world order” from “destructive force.”

“Simply put, Putin has a different vision of the future," the America’s vice president warned.

Understandably, the time of uncertainty will definitely have its impact on economic outlook of nations and China has responded to Trump as well.

China’s leader, Xi Jinping’s impassioned speech laced with Chinese proverbs is a signal to how Chinese will react. “No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war,” Xi Jinping said to the world leaders at Davos.

“Pursuing protectionism is just like locking one's self in a dark room: wind and rain might be kept outside but so are light and air.

“We should not develop a habit of retreating to the harbour whenever we encounter a storm, for this will never get us to the other side of the ocean.

"Any attempts to cut off flows … and channel the waters of the ocean back into lakes and creeks is simply not possible and runs against historical trends."

I hope President Trump listens.

Follow me on Twitter: @adeolaakinremi1

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39

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Imperatives of Backward Integration Eromosele Abiodun posits that the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government show that the government sees backward integration as the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential While speaking at a workshop organised by the Non-Oil Monitoring Committee (NOMC) in Abuja recently, the Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari said the N1.5 trillion yearly food import bill is unacceptable and unfortunate.

According to him, “By some estimate, Nigeria spends over N1.5 trillion annually on food importation, which puts heavy pressure on our foreign exchange. We therefore, need to take full advantage of our agriculture potentials in order to preserve our dwindling resources, while enriching our local farmers,� said Bwari.

However, he that Nigeria is set to adopt a labour intensive agriculture strategy to boost local production of rice, cocoa and other crops.

Recent reports that the country’s importing bill was declining lays credence to the fact that the federal government is serious about this plan.

Experts believe the current government’s near-messianic approach to changing the attitude of Nigerians towards imports, both at the individual and corporate levels, appears to have a clear plan and focus, after all. Although it has been very difficult for many people and organisations to change their consumption patterns in the last one year, from an almost all-import dependent to local substitutes, the drastic fall in Nigeria’s food import bill in 2016 is, perhaps, a positive commentary on the efforts of government to grow the economy from within.

The 2017 tariff outlook recently unveiled by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, further strengthened this policy as the import tariff of several items has been raised by about 20 to 60 per cent. Imported rice, sugarcane, cassava products, tobacco and salt, among several others, will see their prices go up as a result of the hike while their local substitutes will gain comparative advantage, which is expected to be the catalyst needed for more investment in the production of these items here in Nigeria.

The tariff hike complements the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s foreign exchange prohibition list. The CBN had earlier excluded about 41 items from accessing dollars from the official foreign exchange market. The policy was regarded by many Nigerians as too harsh, that the exclusion could result in lower demand for the products affected, factory closures and job losses. They may be right as the economy faced headwinds for three straight quarters in 2016, which pushed it into recession. It is, however, debatable whether it was the CBN’s policy on dollar sales or the poor returns on crude oil sales, which the government almost entirely depends on to fund its activities, and the central bank entirely depends on to service imports, that pushed Nigeria’s economy into recession.

Looking inward for raw materials The good news is that the policy has forced many producers to look inward for their raw materials and other goods. One of such firms benefiting from local sourcing is Tempo Paper Pulp and Packing Limited in Ota, Ogun state, whose deputy managing director, Nassos Sidirofagis, recently enthused about the policy and how the company has greatly benefited.

Specifically he said: “The recent CBN policy is helping us tremendously. It is something we have been waiting for, not only us, but other manufacturers, because customers are now buying Nigerian products instead of importing.�

The rapid uptake of the company’s products has led the management to set its sight on expanding the operation of the firm, to 420 tonnes per day. “We can smile a little bit. These CBN policies help us to realise that there is a big possibility to start expanding. I hope the policies stay, because it is very significant for us,� he said.

Experts also believe now that the federal government has announced fiscal measures to complement the monetary policy of the CBN, import substitution is expected to accelerate

even much more. In its 2017 outlook, The Economist magazine referenced the import substitution policy of the government as holding the key to Nigeria’s economic growth and possible escape from the “resource curse�. The government seems to be learning the ropes and getting better with policies aimed at stimulating the economy.

However, this twin policy, as laudable as it appears, had an inauspicious start. Certain items such as cigarettes and other tobacco products were still allowed to access forex from the CBN in spite of the fact that they are not necessities and Nigeria has more than enough production capacity to meet local demand in addition to capacity to export and generate forex, which is much needed in the country. The stand out item that was not on the list, which ought to be the first, was tobacco and its by-products. The non-exclusion of cigarettes from accessing forex while essentials like cement and rice were banned raised quite a few brows of analysts and policy watchers. Like cement and to an extent, rice, Nigeria has achieved significant capacity in the tobacco industry.

There currently exists a legal industry in Nigeria for tobacco manufacturing and the players in this industry have been operating in Nigeria for well over a decade. This industry not only manufactures to international standards and best practices, and in carrying out its business operations, it is also deeply integrated into the entire value chain of tobacco production, from farmers to processors and production to meeting local need and also export. Their extensive operations, which empower Nigerians across the entire length of the value chain in tobacco production and more importantly reduces the need to import cigarettes into the country, lend itself as a template that could be adopted for other goods that Nigerians consume.

Some of the key players in the industry partner tobacco farmers to train them on how to improve their farming practices. Asides from guaranteed purchase of tobacco produce, the farmers have reportedly gone into cultivating other crops beside tobacco, thereby transferring the skills that they have garnered over the years working with the tobacco producers into commercial farming.

Domesticating production in Nigeria British America Tobacco is clearly the leader in this regard, closely followed by Japan Tobacco

International. The other major tobacco producer, Phillip Morris International, whose business is model is centred around importing cigarettes from its factory in Senegal, recently mooted the idea of locating a manufacturing base in Nigeria.

The combined efforts at domesticating production in Nigeria will have far-reaching benefits for job creation, economic diversification and long term growth and prosperity of the country. “There is, however, the ongoing debate over whether Nigeria should strive to, or even think of, earning benefits from cigarette consumption, and whether the country should simply outlaw smoking and ban tobacco production. “One of the biggest benefits is that localising production ensures that you can effectively monitor and enforce rigorous standards. You can also make the producers to be more responsible for how their products are dispensed. Without the local producers, you simply can’t hold anybody responsible for selling cigarettes to people who are under the legal age. Localising production also creates thousands of jobs along the entire value chain. Without these tobacco companies, the pressure on scarce forex would have been greater,� said Ayodele Thompson, Director of Initiative for Public Policy Analysis, in a recent interview with THISDAY. A major stakeholder in the manufacturing sector who does not want his name in print told THISDAY that the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government showed that the government sees backward integration as the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential. “Farmers cultivating large expanse of land and feeding factories with the raw materials needed to produce goods for Nigerians will create millions of jobs along the value chain.

The pressure on government to provide forex for the importation of raw materials will be greatly reduced just as the government will benefit from the higher rate of economic activities as its revenue from income tax will grow. “The road the twin policies are guiding Nigeria to go is however a long and arduous route. Many countries that chose to go this route spend many years in the doldrums of economic activity. Nigeria is fortunate as there are already signs that the policies are achieving their objectives,� he said.

Analysing NBS Data Economic data released by the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) showed that in the third quarter (Q3) of 2016 the agricultural sector grew by 7.37 per cent: crop production, livestock, forestry and fishery contributed 24.09 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic products (GDP) for the three months of July, August and September 2016. This is a huge improvement over the previous quarters and years, and the economic recession would have been more severe if the government had not implemented the policies to domesticate production and conserve forex.

The agriculture sector appears to be set to record steep growth as major producers; Guinness Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc have been searching the landscape for sorghum and maize to feed their breweries.

Unilever is also reportedly exploring ways to source its vital raw materials locally. There have also been reports of factories refitting their machines to accept materials sourced locally since these machines were not originally designed for local raw materials.

Analysts told THISDAY that if the government does not cave in to the pressure being brought to bear on it to change course especially now that oil price is rebounding, then Nigeria’s economic growth and future prosperity is assured. “With an enviable population and natural resources, not many countries have the advantages that Nigeria offers to manufacturers.

Companies, however, did not need to be forced to adopt backward integration before seeing the business case.

Corporations that long ago embarked on backward integration are reaping the benefits.

Dangote, with massive investment in sugarcane plantation, is following suit. When the investments come on stream, Nigeria will be weaned off importation of raw sugar. “Imagine Nigeria having 50 or so large manufacturers all sourcing their raw materials locally, the multiplier effect such activities would have on the economy and general household income across the country. This should be the goal of policy makers and stakeholders concerned about Nigeria’s growth and prosperity, Founding Partner at Huntingfield Capital, Oye Nwuka said.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

40

CITYSTRINGS

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

Jobs for the Boys Driven by his desire to add value to his people’s lives through economic empowerment, one of Abia’s illustrious sons, Mr. Onwukanjo Iroanusi, has established a state-of-the-art block making industry in Agbama, Umuahia, which has created employment for many youths in the area, reports Peter Uzoho

Workers at work at the Neek Concrete Works, Agbama, Umuahia

H

ome is home is always a saying among people who understand the real essence of where they are coming from- their place of origin. Such people, no matter where they are residing and the bliss therein, would never be tempted to forget their beloved root. They would do everything humanly possible to let their presence felt in their land by adding value and making meaningful impact on the lives of their people.

Such people are proud of their roots, ever ready to defend it anywhere, anytime, and at all cost. They are concerned about the well-being of their people and the progress or otherwise of their collective community.

They always think home and contribute to the developmental projects despite their tight schedules and limited resources in the cities. They make sure that whatever good thing that exists in big cities is replicated at home.

The people of Okpuala Umukabia in Umuahia in particular and Abia State in general, are fortunate to be blessed with such a personality in the person of Mr. Onwukanjo Iroanusi. Iroanusi, a trained industrial chemist and Director of Cheqan Nigeria Limited, a company involved in

surface coating, has made remarkable impact on the lives of his people. Driven

Iroanusi, a trained industrial chemist and Director of Cheqan Nigeria Limited, a company involved in surface coating, has made remarkable impact on the lives of his people.

Driven by the desire to empower the youths of his community, he has helped to give many Umukabia youths the opportunity to gain education both in secondary and university levels, especially those whose parents are unable to fund their education

by the desire to empower the youths of his community, he has helped to give many Umukabia youths the opportunity to gain education both in secondary and university levels, especially those whose parents are unable to fund their education. As the present Chairman of Umukabia Development Union in Lagos, he makes sure that the fund set aside by the union for this project is used to achieve the set goal as he believes that education is the “first and foremost thing you need to give them”.

Aside education empowerment, Iroanusi has established a block molding outfit in Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia, an undertaking he wants to use to empower the youths economically, and by extension, help to boost the economic base of Abia State. The industry with the name Neek Concrete Works, is sited behind Gradiel International School, off Olokoro Road, Agbama, Umuahia North.

“I believe there is the need for me to show my presence in my own state,” Iroanusi said, adding “at the moment we operate from Lagos. The industry will involve the production of blocks, paving stones, electric concrete poles and related items with the use of sand, granite dust and cement.”

He argued that so many opportunities abound in local areas contrary to the belief

of many that opportunities can only be found in big cities like Lagos and Abuja, saying that “it’s a question of one having his eyes on the ground and seeing all the opportunities that abound.”

Iroanusi stated that “our economy in Umuahia is run by outsiders-people from Imo, Anambra and others, and our people have not shown enough interest. So we should begin to do a reversal, come back home and add some value, and help fight against idleness by employing one or two people.”

Speaking further on the importance of the industry to Abia State, he said “If you look at the name, Neek Concrete Works, it was deliberate. Because if it’s a limited liability company, much of the taxes will go to the federal government, but we feel that we should assist the state, because Abia State is lagging several years behind. States like Lagos and Anambra are very functional in terms of internally generated revenue.

So by setting up this industry here and by employing people who will pay their personal income tax, I guess all these will go to the coffers of the state. I believe that if we can be doing things like this here, the government will have enough funds to run the state.”

He pointed out that what drove him into

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

41

CITYSTRINGS

Workers loading blocks for customers

establishing the block industry was when he visited his village around October, 2016 and discovered that most of the blocks were still manually made; there was limitation to the number of blocks that can be churned out; the quality of the products was below standard, and he felt the answer was by adding value.“So we had to introduce semiautomatic machines that would churn out a minimum of 3,000 blocks in a day, with the right mix of sand, granite dust and cement,” he explained.

“As at today, Neek is the only outfit that employs the use of granite dust and the results are there for everybody to see.

What we’re guaranteeing our prospective customers is that if you buy 100 blocks, you get 100 blocks. In the past, it used to be that if you buy 100 blocks, at the most, you get useable blocks of about 70 or 80.

It is cheaper to buy from us than going to do it yourself. There are so many variables to grapple with-the personnel, theft, water, and so many things you cannot monetise, but if you can put all these together you discover that it is cheaper to buy ready-made blocks which have so many benefits.

“You can do a very accurate inventory of your purchases. If you have bought 100 blocks, you should be able to account for 100 blocks in your site. For people who don’t have the time, they can walkr in there, order for 10,000 blocks, within a few days you get the 10,000 blocks in your site. So we have the capacity to deliver that unlike what you get from the road side. Though, it’s going to take some time to be properly appreciated by the people, but with time I know they will reckon that we are adding value and that we are removing so many headaches off builders by making sure that at the shortest possible time all your building blocks are on site.”

Stressing on how the outfit will help to reduce the incidence of building collapse in the country, he said, “the truth of the matter is that we should begin to value human lives, and one of the ways we can do that is to guard against cases of collapsed buildings by using the right building blocks which Neek Concrete Works provides.”

Also giving insight into the operation of the industry and its importance to the customers, the Manager of the company, Mr. Emetuobi Nwamuo, said “We are using sophisticated machines which perform mixing and molding operations simultaneously, and increases daily output. Here, we produce 6 and 9 inch hollow blocks with the use of sand, granite dust and cement. We also produce interlocking blocks both the one for road construction and the one for houses.

We have quality control mechanism here.”

He said to ensure quality, a recorder is on standby to record the amount of sand and granite used for one bag of cement as well as the number of blocks to be churned out, saying that the essence is to maintain quality

Some of the youths arranging the blocks

The truth of the matter is that we should begin to value human lives, and one of the ways we can do that is to guard against cases of collapsed buildings by using the right building blocks which Neek Concrete Works provides

Iroanusi...empowering Abia youths

while helping to avoid building collapse occasioned by substandard blocks. According to Nwamuo “workers are accommodated, they are provided with food items, they have steady water and power supply, just to make them comfortable so that they will give their best when working. The place is well secured so customers have no cause to entertain fear.”

One of the customers, Mr. James Godwin,

confirming the quality of the blocks said “Their blocks are quite different from other blocks. Ever since I started using their blocks, I have never complained because there is no cause for that. You can’t compare the blocks they sell outside to what I’m seeing here. Right from the quality of the blocks to the services, I think they are far ahead of others. Even when you have damage they will not argue with you, rather they will

replace them for you immediately. The price of the block is also good. They sell 9 inch block at the rate of N195 not minding the high quality of the block. So I encourage people from within and outside Umuahia to use Neek blocks for their building projects.”

On his part, an employee of the company, Mr. Ibe David, said “They pay us promptly.

We feed very well here. From time to time they provide us with food items. The MD is really doing his best to ensure that we are comfortable, so on our part, we will work hard to make him happy. He is someone that thinks about his people and that’s why he has come home to establish this company here. At least we are feeding through it.

That is the kind of person we need. I really thank him a lot. I wish we have more people who will have the same mindset as his,” David added.

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ Ͱ͎˜ 2017

42

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NIBSS Backs Ban on Bitcoins, Virtual Currencies Obinna Chima Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Ade Shonubi has backed the recent decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ban the use of Bitcoins and other virtual currencies in the country.

Speaking yesterday in an interview on the sidelines of the launch of Ficannews.com, an online news website published

by Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), the NIBSS boss pointed out that there was yet to be a framework for transacting in virtual currencies in the country. “Most of the problems with virtual currencies recently, that we have seen, like the MMM, was for fraud. And that is the warning from the CBN. Nigerians must not get carried away. So, generally I am with them (CBN). I am not aware that there is anybody that has been licenced or registered with the central bank to either issue or trade with digital currency in Nigeria. “I am not aware that the CBN has come out with a framework. The reason why they came out clear was when MMM was offering high rate or people who would go digital, through virtual currencies. It was a means to take money

out and many people were gullible,� Shonubi explained.

Speaking earlier, he reiterated the rising significance of digital or online media in financial news reporting, saying it is where the future lies. According to him, FICAN had responded to the new trend in news reporting, and that he expects the website to provide timely, comprehensive and financial intelligence report on businesses and economy.

Shonubi, who unveiled the website, said it was also expected to be the focal point of financial news publication locally and internationally.

He said the new generation of readers rely so much on online publications, and will find ficannews.com, a reliable ally in meeting their daily news needs. “Any organisation that refuses to go online will die like dinosaur. The online is the future of journalism and I am glad that FICAN understands that fact. Building the website is key but keeping it running is equally important. We will keep the website running for the next one year. It is important that the website sustains its attractiveness and educative qualities to its audience,�

Shonubi said.

FICAN Chairman, Babajide Komolafe, said the website launch was a celebration of

relationship with the association’s critical stakeholders. “We are confident that the financial industry and other critical stakeholders in the business world will take advantage that the website presents and promote their brands,� he said.

The acting Director, Corporate Communications, at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, praised FICAN for the website launch, adding that it presents great opportunity for the financial industry.

Okorafor, who was represented by Manager, Corporate Communications, CBN Lagos Office, Uchenna Ogbonna, said he was confident the website will live up to expectations.

Head Corporate Communications, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Jude Nwauzor, said the corporation has a long-standing partnership with FICAN which will continue.

He said the partnership will continue to thrive.

Head of Media at United Bank for African, Nasir Ramon, said the website will be a reference point in financial news reporting in the years ahead because of the quality of work put to it.

Likewise, Union Bank’s Head of Media, Olufemi Adekola, said website will become a pace setter and improve the level and quality of financial news reporting in the industry.

Ecobank Inaugurates Agency Banking Outlet Ecobank Nigeria has unveiled an agency banking outlet at Mowe Ofada, Ogun state.

This, the bank explained was in line with its determination to convert Airtel franchise locations to agent banking locations.

Members of the public can now carry out their financial transactions such as Cash-in; Cash-out; transfers to Ecobank and other banks, bill payments and rapid transfer for inflow cash-out and domestic transfers in the outlet, the bank stated. “Ecobank Agency Banking service is aimed at offering

affordable access to financial services to promote and deepen financial inclusion in the Nigeria economy,� it added in a statement.

According to Head, Consumer Distribution, Ecobank Nigeria, Tunde Kuponiyi, agency banking was a part of the bank’s distribution strategy to take banking service to the door-step of the customer, adding that, it offers greater convenience and accessible financial services in a cost effective and secure manner “Banking services provided by the agents banking locations

include opening Ecobank Quick Account, cash withdrawal and deposit into Ecobank accounts; funds transfers into any bank account in Nigeria, bills payment (utilities, cable subscription, etc), mobile phone airtime top up amongst other services. “Some of Ecobank agent partners already offering this service in Lagos as Buymore Supermarket chain (in AgungiLekki, Kilo Surulere, Ikeja GRA), Kenzo Retail Supermarket chain (in Lekki, Festac and Apapa) and Save-a-Lot Supermarket in Egbeda, among others,� the bank stated.

Shonubi

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Broad Money (M2)

22,275,512.54

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,023,616.69

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,521,797.77

---- Demand Deposits

8,501,818.92

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

2,893,190.01

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,069,635.07

--Other Assets Net

-12,120,415.62

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,580,594.55

--Currency in Circulation

1,825,664.51

--Banks Reserves

4,415,126.62 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

FirstBank Strengthens Money Transfer Services First Bank of Nigeria Limited said it had been on a journey of strength and dynamism committed to providing the best financial solutions to promote convenience and support the lifestyles of its customers.

To this end, the bank said through the years, it had demonstrated an understanding of its customers’ modern lives, wants, and needs as part of its drive to become the trusted partner providing bespoke and accessible banking offerings to its teeming customers.

It explained in a statement: “One of many of such banking offerings by FirstBank is the money transfer services available nationwide, which provide for customers an alternative transaction channel that is safe, convenient and a

flexible means of funds transfer all year round. These services are also available at weekends as well as on public holidays from some dedicated branches. “With Western Union, customers can conveniently receive money from abroad and send money from Nigeria to over 200 countries and territories Worldwide and recipients can receive funds straight to their accounts. With the outbound Western Union Service, Customers can now send funds directly to bank accounts outside Nigeria with the new Account Payment Network (APN) recently added to the Western Union Service. “Another money transfer service provided by FirstBank for its customers is MoneyGram.

With this service, users can now

receive money from loved ones abroad or send to them from Nigeria. FirstBank is the leading agent bank for MoneyGram in Nigeria and has been recognised for its increased transaction volume among other agent locations. “The bank also offers the RIA money transfer service with which customers can receive money from loved ones abroad directly into their accounts in Naira.

RIA money transfer service also offers the option of cash pick up at over 750 FirstBank branches nationwide. With TransFast, users can initiate money transfer online which can be received directly into FirstBank accounts here in Nigeria. Now isn’t this just convenient?�

(MILLION NAIRA)

OCTOBER 2016

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % )

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯͲϹ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY 18, JANUARY 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $52.22 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $52.60 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

18-Jan-17

17-Jan-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

168.00

168.00

0.00%

2,862,805,244,040.00

9.20

18.25

5.04

4.76%

3.83

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

142.60

141.20

0.99%

1,130,689,786,628.80

4.03

35.34

3.75

2.52%

6.90

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

23.91

23.90

0.04%

703,699,495,245.84

4.90

4.88

1.75

7.40%

1.43

755.00

761.00

-0.79%

598,455,470,260.00

8.81

85.68

3.46

3.84%

18.96

15.80

15.83

-0.19%

496,064,601,818.80

3.91

4.04

1.04

11.39%

0.71

370.00

370.00

0.00%

204,724,815,810.00 -44.58

-8.30

2.64

4.30%

0.52

07 Access Bank Plc

7.02

7.01

0.14%

203,074,360,849.62

2.59

2.71

0.57

7.83%

0.46

08 United Bank for Africa Plc

5.10

5.09

0.20%

185,025,584,242.20

1.75

2.92

0.55

11.76%

0.43

40.00

40.00

0.00%

182,196,072,400.00

-9.39

-4.26

0.85

7.50%

0.90

9.69

9.72

-0.31%

177,807,151,273.35

0.68

14.32

0.30

6.40%

0.28

11 Presco Plc

43.95

43.95

0.00%

174,502,466,127.75

0.03

1,503.09

2.45

2.96%

4.17

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

15.82

15.82

0.00%

158,200,000,000.00

2.04

7.77

1.13

0.63%

1.34

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc 05 Zenith Bank Plc 06 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

09 Lafarge Africa Plc 10 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

13 FBN Holdings Plc

3.63

3.65

-0.55%

130,299,912,834.96

0.21

17.49

0.24

4.13%

0.21

33.50

35.00

-4.29%

126,740,424,375.00

0.69

48.40

1.91

0.15%

13.51

15 Total Nigeria Plc

285.45

285.45

0.00%

96,916,508,371.65

38.02

7.51

0.36

4.90%

4.25

16 Guinness Nig Plc

63.65

67.00

-5.00%

95,849,783,166.20

-3.06

-20.81

0.93

5.03%

2.43

17 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

260.50

262.00

-0.57%

93,935,065,751.00

19.32

13.48

1.03

2.76%

5.07

69.00

70.30

-1.85%

89,871,196,107.00

3.31

20.87

0.58

5.00%

2.08

6.08

6.07

0.16%

72,960,000,000.00

1.03

5.92

0.51

8.22%

1.17

101.65

101.65

0.00%

65,116,010,398.95

-0.05 -2,225.50

0.70

2.16%

2.93

17.98

17.98

0.00%

59,230,602,054.40

0.02

797.98

2.22

1.39%

5.40

4.69

4.72

-0.64%

56,442,362,612.86

-3.15

-1.49

0.22

15.99%

0.35

23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

18.20

18.20

0.00%

47,761,116,803.40

-1.19

-15.25

0.11

10.99%

0.48

24 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

34.83

34.83

0.00%

45,975,600,000.00

-2.95

-11.82

0.39

4.31%

2.42

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

44.00

44.27

-0.61%

41,972,040,000.00

4.82

9.12

6.38

0.23%

2.60

0.87

0.90

-3.33%

33,687,267,759.75

-0.47

-1.87

0.64

0.00%

0.46

16.30

16.30

0.00%

31,310,089,508.10

3.37

4.83

0.41

6.13%

0.41

28 Diamond Bank Plc

1.19

1.25

-4.80%

27,560,862,871.92

-0.29

-4.05

0.13

0.00%

0.12

29 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.93

0.94

-1.06%

26,935,204,693.56

0.39

2.40

0.18

17.20%

0.15

30 FCMB Group Plc

1.34

1.32

1.52%

26,535,632,446.54

0.61

2.19

0.16

7.46%

0.15

31 Sterling Bank Plc

0.80

0.80

0.00%

23,032,334,500.80

0.29

2.78

0.21

11.25%

0.28

32 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.82

3.82

0.00%

22,468,721,224.90

0.76

5.01

0.61

3.66%

0.78

32.00

32.00

0.00%

22,400,000,000.00

2.28

14.01

3.36

3.59%

13.09

34 Wema Bank Plc

0.54

0.53

1.89%

20,830,211,683.74

0.06

9.06

0.41

0.00%

0.44

35 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

7.51

7.51

0.00%

19,897,282,218.78

0.85

8.84

1.06

7.32%

2.69

15.75

15.75

0.00%

18,835,054,686.00

-2.98

-5.28

0.67

1.90%

2.14

37 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

9.00

9.13

-1.42%

16,903,818,360.00

0.50

18.02

0.60

14.44%

1.65

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.60

1.60

0.00%

16,800,000,000.00

0.28

5.74

0.84

3.13%

0.80

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

14.25

14.25

0.00%

14,250,000,000.00

5.69

2.51

0.99

0.70%

0.38

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.12

1.10

1.82%

11,617,473,629.44

0.42

2.67

0.52

10.71%

0.62

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.20

1.20

0.00%

9,516,237,189.60

-0.40

-2.97

0.20

13.33%

0.29

42 Unity Bank Plc

0.62

0.62

0.00%

7,247,389,524.04

-0.10

-6.05

0.11

0.00%

0.09

43 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.52

0.53

-1.89%

6,959,023,891.04

0.18

2.89

0.89

5.77%

0.42

44 Skye Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,940,150,705.00

-2.93

-0.17

0.04

60.00%

0.07

45 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

46 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

4.35

4.35

0.00%

5,466,548,282.10

0.22

19.87

0.49

2.30%

0.51

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.80

2.80

0.00%

4,547,812,500.00

0.15

18.53

0.56

7.14%

0.76

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.62

2.62

0.00%

4,503,124,986.90

0.30

8.76

1.07

26.72%

0.13

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.60

0.60

0.00%

4,158,122,688.00

0.22

2.69

0.14

8.33%

0.41

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.15

1.15

0.00%

1,725,000,000.00

0.24

4.89

0.26

4.35%

0.27

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

18 Forte Oil Plc. 19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 20 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc 21 International Breweries Plc 22 Oando Plc

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 27 U A C N Plc

33 Cap Plc

36 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

TOTAL

8,490,107,900,723.99

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,030,401,936,033.58

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

94.02%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 17-Jan-17

Close 18-Jan-17

Change %

26,278.20 9.04

26,245.34 9.03

-0.13 -0.13

109.18 8.50

109.04 8.49

-0.12 -0.12

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 17-Jan-17 18-Jan-17 %

Wema Bank Plc Continental Reinsurance Plc FCMB Group Plc Nigerian Breweries Plc United Bank for Africa Plc

0.53 1.10 1.32 141.20 5.09

0.54 1.12 1.34 142.60 5.10

1.89 1.82 1.52 0.99 0.20

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 17-Jan-17 18-Jan-17 %

Guinness Nig Plc Diamond Bank Plc Unilever Nigeria Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Wapic Insurance Plc

67.00 1.25 35.00 0.90

63.65 1.19 33.50 0.87

-5.00 -4.80 -4.29 -3.33

0.53

0.52

-1.89

Market dips further by 0.13% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Tuesday, January 18th, 2017, ended again bearish as market closed red due to the prevalent economic uncertainty leading to waning of investors’ risk appetite. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Subsectors: Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas (Save Banking and Insurance). Trading activities increased in volume as 394.82m shares worth of N1.38 billion in 3,015 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 371.87m shares worth of N1.71 billion in 3,522 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Continental Reinsurance Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and United Capital Plc, while Zenith Bank Plc and Continental Reinsurance Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

Brent crude oil price further settles above US$55 per barrel per barrel.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with 0.13% (-32.86) decrease to close at 26,245.34 from 26,278.20 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.03 trillion from N9.04 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an decrease of 0.12% to close at 109.04 from 109.18 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.49 trillion from N8.50 trillion of the previous trading day.

Market breath closed positive as 12 stocks gained on the bourse today while 20 stocks declined, leaving 67 stocks unchanged. Wema Bank Plc emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 1.89% to close at N0.54 per share. It was followed by Continental Reinsurance Plc with a gain of 1.82% to close at N1.12 per share. Others on the gainers list include: FCMB Group Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Guinness Nig Plc led with a loss of 5.00% to close at N63.65 per share. It was followed by Diamond Bank Plc with a loss of 4.48% to close at N1.19 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Unilever Nigeria Plc, Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc and Wapic Insurance Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

44

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

MARKET NEWS

Portland Paints Gets NSE’s Approval for N1.02bn Rights Issue Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has approved the application of Portland Paints and Products Nigeria (PPPN) Plc to raise additional capital from existing shareholders via a right issue.

The company had last September applied to the NSE that it would issue 600 million ordinary

shares of 50 kobo each at N3.30 per share on the basis of three new shares for every two shares already held to shareholders.

However, the NSE has approved the application at an issuing price of N1.70 instead of the N3.30 initially proposed by the company. With the new price, PPPN will be raising about N1.020 billion from the right issue.

The Chairman of PPPN, Mr.

T H E

Larry Ettah last year gave indication of the right issue when he told the shareholders at the company’s s annual general meeting that it would raise additional capital in pursuit of its plan to improve returns and address the high leverage position of the company and other business expansion plans. “We will apply the planned rights proceeds to minimise the debt exposure risks of

N I G E R I A N

our business as well as carry out targeted expansion in our operations. The business will focus on its growth brands as well as make the necessary investment in marketing to improve its brands’ awareness and visibility,� Ettah said.

According to him, the company commenced a process of restructuring the business focusing on internal efficiencies and reviewing our route to market

STO C K

model in a bid to ensure that we build a sustainable future for the business.�

He had assured that despite the challenges and risks posed by the business environment, the company, whose flagship brand is Sandtex, would continue to consolidate on the restructuring and seek growth opportunities to deliver returns to the shareholders.

He disclosed that the company

E XC H A N G E

would focus on innovation and seek opportunities to introduce new products into its array of brands as it pursues increased profitability.

PPPN recorded 159 percent growth profit after tax in 2014 to N148 million, from N57.3 million in 2013. However, the company did not pay dividend because it was conserving funds to finance its expansion and business re-engineering process.

45

˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Wema Bank Appoints Adebise Deputy Managing Director Goddy Egene

of Adebise was disclosed by the board at a retreat held recently In an attempt to establish a stable in Lagos.

According to the bank, the succession plan, the Board of Directors of Wema Bank Plc Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed Mr. Ademola has approved the appointment.

“As DMD, Adebise will oversee Adebise as the Deputy Managing Director(DMD) of the bank. Prior Wema Bank’s Corporate and to this appointment, Adebise was Business Directorate covering the bank’s executive director in corporate banking, treasury & charge of corporate and South financial institution, south business group (South-South and South-East) Directorate.

In a notification to the Nigerian and business support division,” Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, the bank explained.

Adebise has over 28 years’ Wema Bank said the appointment 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

experience in the banking industry (inclusive of four years in management consulting), and has worked in various capacities in information technology, financial control & strategic planning, treasury, corporate banking, risk management and performance management.

Before joining Wema Bank, Adebise was Head, Finance & Performance Management Practice at Accenture (Lagos Office) where he led various projects for banks in business process re-engineering,

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 18-Jan-2017, unless otherwise stated.

information technology and risk management.

He is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program(AMP) of the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree holder in Computer Science from the University of Lagos. He obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos Business School.

Adebise is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is also an Associate of the Chartered

Institute of Taxation and Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria). He is an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB)and a member of the Institute of Directors.

He also serves on the board of AIICO insurance Plc, AIICO Pensions Management Limited and FITC. Market analysts said with the appointment of a DMD, it is clear who will succeed the managing director, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi whenever he is due for retirement.

“This is a good development for the bank and in line with sound corporate governance tenets. It will brought to the bank a stable succession plan that is capable of boosting investors’ confidence in the financial institution,” a stockbroker Ayo Oguntayo said.

Despite the challenging operating environment, Wema Bank Plc posted profit before tax of N1.494 billion and profit after tax N1.269 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

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 130.18 Nigeria International Debt Fund 217.73 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 131.33 2.75% 217.78 1.00% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.70 -1.58% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

17.55%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.54 290.66 22.39

Offer Price 12.92 299.43 23.07

Yield / T-Rtn 1.59% 1.21% 0.22%

1.00

1.00

17.22%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 106.83

Offer Price 107.58

Yield / T-Rtn 1.65%

1.00 1.00 16.29% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.15 9.42

Offer Price 2.20 9.66

Yield / T-Rtn -1.14% 0.63%

84.66

86.83

0.08%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,092.15 110.94 100.00 $104.18 $103.46 114.28

Offer Price 1,093.37 111.71 100.00 $104.38 $103.66

Yield / T-Rtn 0.17% -0.57% 16.04% -0.11% -0.12%

115.83

1.45%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.94 2.59

Bid Price 2,186.65

Coral Income Fund 2,123.63 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 Vantage Balanced Fund 1.69 Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.96 1.06% 2.59 0.69% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Offer Price 2,212.10

Yield / T-Rtn -1.02%

2,123.63 0.92% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price 1.00 1.71 1.00

Yield / T-Rtn 16.59% 0.40% 15.62%

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 1.01 1.02 0.72% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,014.48 1,014.48 0.29% 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 9.84 9.92 1.83% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.58% 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 1.06 1.07 0.36% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.38 10.55 0.42% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.04% 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 109.36 110.27 1.06% 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 0.52% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 1,826.99 1,837.04 -0.23% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 153.97 153.97 0.01% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.76 0.77 -0.65% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 188.66 188.66 0.95% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 129.95 131.68 0.11% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.35% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,518.80 7,617.88 -0.77% 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 1.14 9.86% United Capital Bond Fund 1.22 1.22 16.53% United Capital Equity Fund 0.67 0.68 1.12% 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 9.84 10.01 2.16% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.14 11.25 2.09% Zenith Income Fund 16.82 16.82 1.85%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 124.10

1.01% 0.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.29 74.37

8.39 75.76

-5.55% -1.86%

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

2.81 6.67 11.78 15.39 126.98

2.85 6.75 11.88 15.59 128.98

2.14% -5.09% -1.80% -3.49% -2.22%

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.

FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

46

WORLD OF ISLAM INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

The Amazing Quran – 3 Continued from last week

Gary Miller/IslamiCity

Geology One of Professor Moore’s colleagues, Marshall Johnson, deals extensively with geology at the University of Toronto. He became very interested in the fact that the Quran’s statements about embryology are accurate, and so he asked Muslims to collect everything contained in the Quran which deals with his specialty. Again people were very surprised at the findings. Since there are a vast number subjects discussed in the Quran, it would certainly require a large amount of time to exhaust each subject. It suffices for the purpose of this discussion to state that the Quran makes very clear and concise statements about various subjects while simultaneously advising the reader to verify the authenticity of these statements with research by scholars in those subjects. And as illustrated by the previous examples of embryology and geology, the Quran has clearly emerged authentic.

You Did Not Know This Before!

Undoubtedly, there is an attitude in the Quran which is not found anywhere else. It is interesting how when the Quran provides information, it often tells the reader, “You did not know this before.” Indeed, there is no scripture that exists which makes that claim. All of the other ancient writings and scriptures that people have do give a lot of information, but they always state where the information came from.

For example, when the Bible discusses ancient history, it states that this king lived here, this one fought in a certain battle, another one had so many sons, etc. Yet it always stipulates that if you want more information, then you should read the book of so and so because that is where the information came from.

In contrast to this concept, the Quran provides the reader with information and states that this information is something new. Of course, there always exists the advice to research the information provided and verify its authenticity. It is interesting that such a concept was never challenged by non-Muslims fourteen centuries ago. Indeed, the Makkans who hated the Muslims, and time and time again they heard such revelations claiming to bring new information; yet, they never spoke up and said, “This is not new. We know where Muhammad got this information. We learned this at school.” They could never challenge its authenticity because it really was new!

Proof of Authenticity: An Approach It must be stressed here that the Quran is accurate about many, many things, but accuracy does not necessarily mean that a book is a divine revelation.

In fact, accuracy is only one of the criteria for divine revelations. For instance, the telephone book is accurate, but that does not mean that it is divinely revealed. The real problem lies in that one must establish some proof of the source the Quran’s information. The emphasis is in the other direction, in that the burden of proof is on the reader. One cannot simply deny the Quran’s authenticity without sufficient proof. If, indeed, one finds a mistake, then he has the right to disqualify it.

This is exactly what the Quran encourages.

Once a man came up to me after a lecture I delivered in South Africa. He was very angry about what I had said, and so he claimed, “I am going to go home tonight and find a mistake in the Quran.” Of course, I said, “Congratulations. That is the most intelligent thing that you have said.” Certainly, this is the approach Muslims need to take with those who doubt the Quran’s authenticity, because the Quran itself offers the same challenge. And inevitably, after accepting its challenge and discovering that it is true, these people will come to believe it because they could not disqualify it. In essence, the Quran earns their respect because they themselves have had to verify its authenticity.

An essential fact that cannot be reiterated enough concerning the authenticity of the Quran is that one’s inability to explain a phenomenon himself does not require his acceptance of the phenomenon’s existence or another person’s explanation of it. Specifically, just because one cannot explain something does not mean that one has to accept someone else’s explanation. However, the person’s refusal of other explanations reverts the burden of proof back on himself to find a feasible answer. This general theory applies to numerous concepts in life, but fits most wonderfully with the Quranic challenge, for it creates a difficulty for one who says, “I do not

believe it.” At the onset of refusal one immediately has an obligation to find an explanation himself if he feels others’ answers are inadequate.

In fact, in one particular Quranic verse which I have always seen mistranslated into English, Allah mentions a man who heard the truth explained to him. It states that he was derelict in his duty because after he heard the information, he left without checking the verity of what he had heard. In other words, one is guilty if he hears something and does not research it and check to see whether it is true. One is supposed to process all information and decide what is garbage to be thrown out and what is worthwhile information to be kept and benefited from immediately or even at a later date.

One cannot just let it rattle around in his head. It must be put in the proper categories and approached from that point of view. For example, if the information is still speculatory, then one must discern whether it’s closer to being true or false. But if all the facts have been presented, then one must decide absolutely between these two options. And even if one is not positive about the authenticity of the information, he is still required to process all the information and make the admission that he just does not know for sure. Although this last point appears to be futile, in actuality, it is beneficial to the arrival at a positive conclusion at a later time in that it forces the person to at least recognize research and review the facts.

This familiarity with the information will give the person “the edge” when future discoveries are made and additional information is presented. The important thing is that one deals with the facts and does not simply discard them out of empathy and disinterest.

Exhausting the Alternatives The real certainty about the truthfulness of the Quran is evident in the confidence which is prevalent throughout it; and this confidence comes from a different approach – “Exhausting the alternatives.” In essence, the Quran states, “This book is a divine revelation; if you do not believe that, then what is it?” In other words, the reader is challenged to come up with some other explanation.

Here is a book made of paper and ink. Where did it come from? It says it is a divine revelation; if it is not, then what is its source? The interesting fact is that no one has yet come up with an explanation that works.

In fact, all alternatives have been exhausted. As has been well established by non-Muslims, these alternatives basically are reduced to two mutually exclusive schools of thought, insisting on one or the other.

On one hand, there exists a large group of people who have researched the Quran for hundreds of years and who claim, “One thing we know for sure – that man, Muhammad (sas), thought he was a prophet. He was crazy!” They are convinced that Muhammad was fooled somehow. Then on the other hand, there is a group which alleges, “Because of this evidence, one thing we know for sure is that that man, Muhammad (sas) was a liar!” Ironically, these two groups never seem to get together without contradicting.

In fact, many references to Islam usually claim both theories. They start out by stating that Muhammad was crazy and then end by saying he was a liar. They never seem to realize that he could not have been both!

For example, if one is deluded and really thinks that he is a prophet, then he does not sit up late at night planning, “How will I fool the people tomorrow so that they think I am a prophet?” He truly believes that he is a prophet, and he trusts that the answer will be given to him by revelation.

The Critic’s Trail As a matter of fact, a great deal of the Quran came in answer to questions. Someone would ask Muhammad a question, and the revelation would come with the answer to it. Certainly, if one is crazy and believes that an angel put words in his ear, then when someone asks him a question, he thinks that the angel will give him the answer. Because he is crazy, he really thinks that. He does not tell someone to wait a short while and then run to his friends and ask them, “Does anyone know the answer?” This type of behavior is characteristic of one who does not believe that he is a prophet. What the non-Muslims refuse to accept is that you cannot have it both ways. One can be deluded, or he can be a liar. He can be either one or neither one, but he certainly cannot be both! The emphasis is on the fact that they are unquestionably mutually exclusive personality traits.

To Be Continued

Syria: Islamic State Group ‘Kills 12’ in Palmyra So-called Islamic State militants have beheaded four people and shot eight dead in the Syrian city of Palmyra, a monitoring group says.

Some of the killings took place in a museum yard near the city’s Unesco-listed ancient ruins, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Four teachers and state employees, four government soldiers and four captured rebels were killed, it added.

IS retook the site and nearby city last month, after being pushed out in March.

A report from a local activist group, the Palmyra Monitor, said some of the killings were carried out in the site’s Roman am-

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phitheatre.

The group has previously carried out killings in front of crowds in the ancient stone auditorium, including 25 Syrian government soldiers who were shown being shot dead in a video released in 2015.

In August the same year, the jihadists also beheaded the 81-year-old archaeologist, Khaled al-Asaad, who had looked after the Palmyra ruins for 40 years.

IS had seized control of the archaeological site and nearby city, known locally as Tadmur, three months earlier.

They destroyed a number of monuments and, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, killed an estimated 280 people in the 10 months before Russianbacked government forces recaptured the area.

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UNIVERSITY, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria and the general public

should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ŶŽƟĨLJ ƚŚĞ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ƉƵďůŝĐ that KPARA KENNETH OBINNA and OGUZIE VICTOR OBINNA is one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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A Russian conductor led a classical concert in the amphitheatre in May 2016.

But while forces allied to President Bashar al-Assad were focused on battling for the city of Aleppo in December, the militants returned and regained control.

US-backed Iraqi forces have pushed the Islamic State group out of large swathes of northern Syria and Iraq in the past year and have been battling to retake the city of Mosul in northern Iraq since October.

CHANGE OF NAME

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017

47

48

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Fayose: Buhari’s Exclusion from Trump’s Inauguration Sign of Nigeria’s Diminishing Clout US did not snub president, says presidency PDP urges president-elect to check dictatorship in Africa Tobi Soniyi, Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ Victor Ogunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has described the non-extension of invitation to President Muhammadu Buhari to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States as a clear signal that the country under him (Buhari) does not enjoy international relevance any more.

In a swift reaction, the presidency refuted claims that Trump snubbed Buhari.

The governor said the signal was ominous that Buhari’s government might not enjoy tangible support from the new US government.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Lere Olayinka, yesterday said there was no doubt that Buhari is not in the good books of the incoming US government, arguing that Buhari’s frequent visit to US during President Barack Obama’s administration and the romance was due to the tacit support given to Buhari

by Obama to win the 2015 election with deception.

“With Obama’s role in the emergence of President Buhari, it can be said that he (Obama) is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Diaspora. In an important event like this in US, our president will be missing in action,” Fayse noted.

The governor wondered why the same Buhari, who was a regular visitor to the US under

Obama, is today not part of the historic inauguration of a new administration.

“Obviously, Buhari’s junketing to US that gulped $1 million per trip, has come to an inglorious end,” he said.

The governor who congratulated Trump for winning against all odds, like he (Fayose) won his own election in Ekiti State in 2014, appealed to the new American president to do everything humanly possible to save Nigeria from the wanton killings and horrid human rights abuses of the Buhari administration.

He enjoined Trump to use his good offices to look into the daily killings in Nigeria particularly in Southern Kaduna where over 1,000 people were slaughtered like goats and buried in mass graves.

Fayose reiterated: “The Southern Kaduna killings are a clear case of genocide that must be thoroughly investigated and unraveled.

“To make matters worse was the bombing of the (IDPs) Internally Displaced Persons camp by the military in desperation to cover up the corruption and mismanagement of affairs in the camp.

“We appeal to Trump to ensure that the voice of the opposition is not silenced in this country.”

Describing the emergence of Trump as the will of God despite human gang up, Fayose said the opposition in Nigeria will work with the new American government.

Fayose also cited the reckless disobedience to court orders; the deliberate efforts to kill

Blackout at APC National Secretariat as Power Minister Meets Oyegun Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was for a moment struck by power outage yesterday when the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Ouegun and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola were engaged in a closed-door meeting.

In what seemed like a coincidence, electricity to the APC building went off just as both men were engaged in discussions.

Fashola, who arrived the APC headquarters a few minutes to 2p.m., did not enjoy power for the 30 minutes duration of his stay at the party’s secretariat.

Not even the stand-by power generator could help out as the it failed to come on until the minister left the place highly embarrassed.

Although the purpose of the meeting was not immediately known, Oyegun had in one of

his interactions with journalists spoken of the desire of the ruling party to begin to work seriously this year towards delivering on the key promises made to the Nigerian people.

One of the cardinal promises of the APC during the last general election was the provision of stable electricity supply as a catalyst for economic development.

However, after one and a half years into the administration, the party-led administration is yet to increase the megawatt capacity of electricity available at the national grid.

The meeting with the power minister was seen as an opportunity for the party’s leadership to seek to understand the plan being made to salvage the sector.

The power sector currently boasts of less than 4, 000MW of electricity supply capacity with the supply noose-diving to less than 2000MW in the last one week due to what the ministry described as “systems collapse.”

opposition and turn Nigeria into a one-party state; the intolerance of this administration which he said “is second to none, victimisation and hacking of opposition leaders telephone conversations under the guise of anti-corruption war; the bastardisation of institutions of state such as the armed forces, INEC, police, Department of State Services (DSS), compromising of a section of the judiciary, and turning them all into jellies doing the bidding of the ruling party at the snap of fingers are other possible reasons why Buhari was not invited to Trump’s inauguration.”

But the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity,

Mallam Garba Shehu, refuted reports that Trump snubbed Buhari and invited former President Goodluck Jonathan to his inauguration.

Reacting to the report through his twitter handle, he said the US does not invite world leaders to the inauguration of its presidents hence Nigeria’s president could not have been snubbed.

He wrote: “Gentlemen, I think we should respond to refute this falsehood. The US does not invite Heads of State or President to the inauguration of its Presidents. Our President could therefore not have been snubbed.”

Meanwhile, ahead of Trumps inauguration today,

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called him to help rescue Africa from the hands of dictatorial leaders.

In a congratulatory message sent by PDP National Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, on behalf of the party to Trump, the party described him as a great leader.

The party also urged him to show enormous interest in the development of democracy in Nigeria and Africa.

According to the statement issued by the PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, the opposition party said Trump ‘s victory at the election and subsequent inauguration as the President of America has demonstrated that courage, dedication and doggedness

pay in the end. We salute the American people for making the right choice; and believe that he will take America to greater heights given his success in business.

“We, the PDP family admires President Trump as a great leader and hope he will show enormous interest in the development of democracy in Nigeria and Africa in general as well as Nigeria’s economic development.

“The PDP nurtured democracy in Nigeria from 1999-2015, the longest in the democratic dispensation since her Independence in 1960. However, the current situation in Nigeria is a complete reversal of all the achievements of the PDP.

MEETING WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

L-R: Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari; Co-Chair , Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates; and Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during the learning visit of Melinda Gates at the Presidential Villa Abuja....yesterday.

FG Dashes Operators’ Hopes, Rules out Fiscal Subsidy for Power Sector Qualifies CBN’s N213bn market support fund as enough subsidy Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government has again stated that it would not provide any monetary support to the country’s power sector in the form of subsidy, thus ending hopes of a probable financial bailout from it which some of the industry’s operators have nursed.

Speaking on Wednesday night at the January 2017 edition of the monthly Nextier power dialogue in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola explained that the government considers the N213 billion Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilisation Fund (NEMSF) provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as enough subsidy for the sector.

He stated that the CBN

NEMSF was a low-interest loan which operators who are comfortable with its terms have accessed and used to upgrade their assets and services.

He thus said he was unsure about the repeated request by some operators in the market for government subsidy.

“Subsidy appears in different forms. When I resumed in this sector, I was made to understand there is an existing CBN fund for the market. The CBN fund comes at a low interest rate, if that does not qualify as subsidy, then I don’t know what else qualifies,” said Fashola.

He said the government was more interested in addressing the governance issues of the market which he noted were man-made challenges that can be fixed.

The minister also stated that the government would be willing to listen to and help operators who have partners that could support their operations, with their contractual agreements and negotiations but not giving out monies to them.

While the CBN in collaboration with the government initiated the NEMSF in 2014 to help the sector attain a contract based market following operators’ signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and vesting contracts with the Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trader (NEBT), some operators mostly the electricity distribution companies (Discos) have frequently called out to the government to provide the market financial subsidy as reportedly agreed by parties during the privatisation exercise.

As at 2016, the CBN fund has however been disbursed to 24 industry participants which include three Discos, 14 generation companies (Gencos) including the National Independent Power Plant (NIPP), one service provider, and six gas companies to address their financial challenges.

Fashola also spoke on other issues affecting the sector. He reiterated the government’s firm position on keeping with the privatisation of the sector, saying it was not considering the repeated calls for its cancellation.

On retail electricity tariff, he explained that Nigerians would have to come to terms with the realities of the country operating a privatised electricity market which regular tariff reviews was one of its features.

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Another PDP Senator Defects to APC

PDP senators vow to retrieve mandate APC senators call for Ekweremadu’s defection

Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ Abuja Another Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, Nelson

Effiong (Akwa Ibom South), yesterday defected to All Progressives Congress (APC), citing division in the party which he said had led to

Libel: Premium Times Publisher, Reporter Arrested, Released by Police Adedayo Akinwale ÓØ ÌßÔË˿

by a Wuse 2 Magistrate Court yesterday evening as to enable Following allegations of the police carry out a thorough defamation of character and investigation into the matter. libelous story published against The court order for the the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), arrest was issued at the FCT Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse the Publisher of an online Zone 2, Abuja earlier yesterday newspaper, Premium Times, Mr. afternoon.

Dapo Olorunyomi, as well as In the petition, Buratai’s the judiciary correspondent of attorney had complained that the medium, Evelyn Okakwu, the Premium Times informed were yesterday arrested by the the public that his client, Lt-Gen police.

Buratai, was being investigated He was however, later by the Code of Conduct Bureau released following pressure (CCB). from above.

According to him, this story The arrest was coming on received wide publication and the heels of a petition written by readership, adding that it created Osuagwu Ugochukwu, lawyer bad image for his client and to Buratai, to the Federal capital caused military men on the Territory (FCT) Commissioner field to get worried about of Police, decrying a “false and their boss even when the malicious story” written by the said story was false and news medium against his client fabricated. and its refusal to retract the story The Nigerian Army had The police, it was gathered, also written to Premium acted on a warrant of arrest Times, urging the newspaper issued against the newspaper to withdraw the report.

the party’s disintegration.

He said in view of the “disintegration of the party,” every right thinking politician would seek a new direction for his political career.

But the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, described Effiong’s comments as an insult.

According to him, Effiong should have announced his defection and await the consequences of his action instead of proceeding to pass insults on other members of the PDP as he insisted that there was no division in PDP. The Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said upon getting wind of Effiong’s defection plan, the senator was engaged in a discussion and warned of the consequences of

defecting to another party.

He disclosed that having dared the consequences, Akwa Ibom State chapter of PDP was currently on its way to court to retrieve PDP seat from him.

According to Akpabio, the Supreme Court had long established that it is not individuals who contest elections in Nigeria but political parties. He added that while the party was not bothered by Effiong’s defection, it would not condone his exit with PDP mandate.

Section 68 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution provides that a senator or a member of the House of Representatives who defects from the party which sponsored his election to a legislative house to another party shall vacate his seat unless his defection

was predicated on a division in the party.

The defection of Effiong yesterday marked the second time a PDP senator would dump the opposition party for the ruling APC within two months. Senator Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South) had on November 30, 2016, defected from PDP to APC, a move which resulted in PDP senators calling on Saraki to declare his seat vacant and in protest of Saraki’s refusal to accede to their request, the senators staged a walk-out from the day’s plenary.

Meanwhile, some APC senators yesterday at the plenary, called for the defection of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to APC. Moving a motion for the adoption of votes and

proceedings of January 10, Senator Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) said the time was ripe for Ekweremadu’s defection to the ruling party.

Supporting the motion, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), also emphasised the need for Ekweremadu to defect to APC. But in a swift reaction, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South), described the calls as an expensive joke that was uncalled for, adding that Ekweremadu was yet valuable for PDP. In his ruling, Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary, only called for votes on adoption of proceedings and told those calling for his defection to ensure that their defection calls “be duly removed.”

Southern PDP Leaders Regroup to Map out Strategies for 2019 OnyebuchiEzigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË As the jostle for political space ahead of the 2019 general election heat up, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Southern region, have started strategising to fortify the region for the coming challenges.

The strong belief among the party leaders who gathered at the residence of the former Minister of Information, Chief Tom Ikimi in Abuja was that they need to emulate their northern folk who in 2015 were united across party lines in voting in a particular direction.

The regional leaders under the auspices of the PDP Southern Leaders Consultative Forum, met from Wednesday night to the wee hours of yesterday.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Ikimi, who convened the meeting, said the forum constituted a seven-man committee to be chaired by former Governor of Cross River State Liyel Imoke to propose its structure.

While speaking during the opening session, Ikimi, noted that while the PDP constitution recognised the North and South in order to establish equality, stability and fairness in power sharing, forum’s aim to rebuild and re-launch the party.

He said: “We have come to a point where this party has to be born again. Those of us who come from the South must see ourselves as one. If we do not unite and come together all our ambition will be an illusion. This is time for unity and brotherhood. It’s time that we put our house in order.

“This is not a time for power

sharing. This is a meeting to inaugurate a new face and direction for the PDP. We should see ourselves as southern Nigeria, that if presidency is coming to the South it is coming to all of us in Southern Nigeria. And if there is any structure that should come to southern Nigeria we should work together for it.

“Those people who fought to divide us, did so in their personal interest and that is why I hope that today we will start a movement that will be different, that our people will work together and we will be able to fight together.

“As we speak, the Northern leaders of the PDP are also meeting regularly to put their house in order.

It is not by mistake that they found themselves in 2015 voting in a particular direction. They took the decision as a people, whether they were in APC or PDP, they took the decision and they worked together.

But our people were picked one by one and scattered. If we had worked together, we wouldn’t have failed in 2015 general elections,” he said.

Ikimi said governors from the South would be pleased by this movement, adding that they are going to work together.

“It is not a matter of dividing the party but putting together our forces because whatever decisions we take on a democratic basis, that is long lasting because everybody will be part of the decision. It is unfortunate if decisions are taken by a handful of people in a room and they hand down that decision to us. It will not be in our best interest. I hope this will be a beginning of that movement. We should be able to sit together and structure how this forum will work.”

BETTER SHELTER FOR NIGERIANS…

L-R: President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime; Acting Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Richard Esin; and the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique, Mr. James Mugerwa, during the signing of $2B MoU between REDAN, FMBN and Shelter Afrique in Abuja … yesterday

Babalakin is Qualified to Chair FG Renegotiation Team, Say NASU, SSANU, NAAT Non-academic unions of Nigerian universities have congratulated the Chairman of the Bi-Courtney Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), on his appointment as head of the federal government team to renegotiate the 2009 agreement with labour unions in tertiary institutions.

The congratulatory message and commendation were conveyed in a letter dated January 12, 2017 and addressed to Babalakin from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of three unions, namely: the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

Jointly signed by Alhaji Sani Suleiman (President, NAAT), Comrade Peters Adeyemi (General Secretary, NASU) and

Comrade Samson C. Ugwoke (President, SSANU), the letter read: “We write to commend and congratulate you on your recent appointment as the Chairman of the Federal Team for Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreements signed between the federal government and labour unions in tertiary institutions.

“Sir, the JAC unions of NAAT, NASU and SSANU at the JAC meeting held on January 12, 2017 took cognisance of your commendable experience with the university system.

We also noted the good working relationship we had with you while you served as Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) of the 2009 FGN/University-based Unions Agreements, and agree that you are eminently qualified

to head the new Government Team as appointed.”

The letter further averred that Babalakin’s appointment was well-deserved, further assuring that the unions are looking forward to working amicably with the Bi-Courtney chairman and his renegotiation team.

The federal government had, in a statement issued

by Education Minister Mallam Adamu Adamu on January 6, 2017, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of Dr. Babalakin as Chairman of the federal government team to renegotiate the 2009 agreement signed with unions in federal universities, federal polytechnics and federal colleges of education.

Babalakin had been adjudged the best prochancellor during the 2009

negotiations, when he also served as Chairman of the Agreement Implementation Monitoring Committee.

The new 16-member panel also includes: Prof. M.M. Jibril, Prof. Nimi Briggs, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Arc. Lawrence Ngbale, Prince Alex Mbata and Prof. Olufemi Bamiro.

President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof.

Biodun Ogunyemi, had earlier passed a vote of confidence on the Babalakin Committee.

He indicated ASUU’s readiness to participate in the renegotiation process, while commending the federal government for convening the renegotiation team, which, he noted, was “made up of men and women of integrity and proven track record.”

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Nnamdi Kanu: Ohanaeze Leader, Nwodo Asks Buhari to Adopt Political Solution Vows to work with IPOB, MASSOB Christopher Isiguzo ÓØ ØßÑß The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, yesterday in Enugu asked President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt a political solution in resolving the issues that led to the long incarceration of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), warning that judicial struggle would last for so long and eventually give birth to political dimension that might not be handled by the government.

Nwodo who addressed journalists shortly after the inaugural meeting of the national executive committee of the apex Igbo socio-cultural

organisation, reaffirmed his initial call for the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu and other detained pro-Biafra agitators across the country, noting that the president should assume the role of father who would not destroy his own children.

“The president should be a father who would not descend mightily on his son by releasing Kanu. A political solution is what is best suited for this issue because judicial process will linger and precipitate to political dimensions that may be too difficult to handle,” he said.

He declared his readiness to work with pro-Biafra groups like IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign

State of Biafra (MASSOB) so as to effectively engage relevant authorities in addressing the issues that fuel such agitations.

He also pledged to work with groups to engage relevant authorities in addressing reasons for their agitations.

“I intend to extend my warm hand of paternity to IPOB and MASSOB. They are my children. I shall never abandon them. Their struggle is my struggle even if we do not completely agree with their methods. In warfare there are two types of approaches: coercion and diplomacy. I completely favour diplomacy,” he said.

The former minister also disclosed of his intention to take advantage of the hands

of fellowship extended to his leadership by President Buhari by seeking for an audience with him with the sole intention of presenting the problems facing the people of the South-east to him.

“The hand of fellowship which Mr. President has extended to Ohanaeze gives me immense confidence that we can tame rising tempers.

No one is listening to the other. I intend to engage the president, I respect him and his office so much and I believe that the problem of the Igbos should be on the discussion table,” he said.

The Ohanaeze leader who used the forum to lament the pitiable position of the Igbo people in the country,

specifically bemoaned the lopsidedness in federal appointments under the present federal government.

“Under the current government, Igbo representation is abysmal and fall extremely short of the constitutional provisions for the reflection of federal character in the appointment into important government positions. No arm of government, executive.

Legislature and the judiciary is headed by the Igno, no section of the armed forces or paramilitary is headed by an Igbo. Neither the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or the Federal High Court is headed by an Igbo,” he lamented.

Apart from appointments, he noted that the Igbo were equally

shortchanged in other critical areas of national live especially infrastructure, stressing: “We bemoan the patently discriminatory treatment of Ndigbo in appointments into political positions, addressing of capital projects is perhaps more pathetic.”

He said Ohanaeze leadership under him would remain committed to restructuring Nigeria to free the potential of component parts of the country and engender equity and justice Nwodo also pledged the readiness of his executives to remain passionate about the affairs of the Igbo, declaring his preparedness to put his life on the line if it becomes necessary.

House to Probe Disbursement, Utilisation of N100bn for Ranches Begins budget debate next week Condemns non-release of funds to judiciary Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË

journalists yesterday, promised that the budgetary exercise The House of Representatives would be a hitch-free.

Also, the House condemned yesterday resolved to investigate the disbursement and utilisation the non-release of the total N70 of the N100 billion released by billion 2016 budgetary allocation the Central Bank of Nigeria to the judiciary, describing it (CBN) for the construction of as a contravention of Section mini ranches across the country. 81 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

The House said the nonThis followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Sunday release of funds to the judiciary Karimi (Kogi PDP) who noted constitutes a threat to its proper that a federal government functioning, and to national Committee on Grazing Reserves, peace and security.

The development has led to had in 2014, recommended the release of the N100 billion, as the non-payment of salaries seed funding to all states of of judges and other judicial federation for the construction workers.

Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari of the ranches.

He added that the National (Sokoto APC) at plenary Economic Council approved yesterday, said the National the release of the money to Judicial Council (NJC), the various states, for the which is responsible for construction of the ranches, the disbursement of funds in a bid to boost agricultural approved for judiciary, had yields and put an end to the not received any allocations conflicts arising from the for November and December traditional method of grazing. 2016.

“Contrary to the clear “The approval for the release of the money is a intendment of the drafters of contravention of Section 80 our constitution, the federal (4) of the constitution, which executive picks and selects provides that no monies when to, and how much to shall be withdrawn from the release to the NJC, “ he said.

Shagari, who is Chairman, Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the House Committee on Federal federation, except in a manner Judiciary, added that the N70 prescribed by the National billion allocation, is charged on the Consolidated Revenue Assembly,” Karimi said.

The lawmaker said despite Fund of the federation, and the release of the money without should be given priority, parliamentary approval, no over and above any public ranch has been constructed expenditures.

“Judges by nature of anywhere in the country, which has not reduced the their job cannot speak for conflict between farmers and themselves, so we have to herdsmen across the country. speak for them,” he said.

Following a voice vote In another development, the House would commence presided over by Deputy the debate of the general Speaker, Yussuff Sulaimon principles of the N7.3 trillion Lasun, the House urged Muhammadu 2017 budget proposal, following President the passage of the 2017-2019 Buhari to direct the relevant Medium Term Expenditure government agencies to release all outstanding funds approved Framework (MTEF).

House spokesperson, Hon. for the judiciary in the 2016 Abdulrazak Namdas briefing Appropriation Act.

FOR PEACE IN KADUNA L-R: Primate of the Methodist Church, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche; Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; and the Methodist Bishop of Kaduna, Samuel Ogar Idoko, after a meeting with the governor at the Government House, Kaduna...yesterday

Dutch Embassy, OXFAM Launch NGO to Help Low Income Nigerians Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole The Dutch Embassy in Nigeria in partnership with two nongovernmental organizations, OXFAM and HIVOS, have launched ‘’VOICE Nigeria’’ with a grant of 35 million pounds to assist low income earners in Nigeria.

The Country Director of OXFAM, Mr. Jan Rogge, in his opening speech said the project, promoted by the policy of the Netherlands government, is to help a class of people in the society such as the disabled, low/ middle income earners, ethnic minorities, women facing discrimination and vulnerable people (young and old).

He said the policy is being implemented through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Rogge added that the project is intended to help these categories of individuals to exert influence in accessing productive and social services and enhance their political participation.

According to him, “Voice Nigeria forms an integral pillar of the ministry’s overall dialogue and dissent policy framework, which aims to strengthen the capacity for lobby and advocacy of civil society organisations in low and lower-middleincome countries to enable the participation of the most marginalized and discriminated groups in mainstream development processes. ‘’OXFAM, as part of our mission to promote a world devoid of injustice and poverty is committed to this global call to leave no

one behind and is actively raising the quality of life for every person.”

He said OXFAM, in conjunction with another Dutch NGO, HIVOS, are the executors of Voice Nigeria project following a successful tender.

The acting Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Otti Ovrawah, promised to assist Voice Nigeria.

Also in attendance was the Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, Dr. Samuel Ankeli, a physically challenged person.

Ankeli praised President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the physically challenged a voice in his government.

He assured his audience that his office will cooperate with Voice Nigeria to “give

a voice to the voiceless at all times”.

Mrs. Ijeoma Okwor, the Nigerian representative of Voice Nigeria, said officials of the organization had visited at least one state in all the six geo-political zones of the country and had seen the extremely poor and deprived in the society, explaining that those were the people Voice Nigeria was established to assist.

The Voice Nigeria project was officially launched by the Dutch Ambassador, His Excellency John Grofen, who said it was the wish of the Netherlands through its Foreign Affairs Office to help fight injustice, poverty, and discrimination and bring back into society those whom society had rejected such as women who are living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017

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Ëœ Í°ÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ëž T H I S D AY

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

I Paid N50 to Watch Aguero, Says Manchester City’s Iheanacho Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho yesterday gave an insight on how he rose from obscurity of been among adent follower of the English Premiership at viewing center to one of the main actor in the most prominent league in the world today.

The former Golden forward disclosed disclosed to goal.com that he had to save up N50 to watch Sergio Aguero scored the title winning goal for Manchester City in the 2012/13 Premier League season.

The 20-year-old forward, who joined the Citizens two seasons ago, said that was the club’s first match he would watch, adding that he never knew he would play alongside the same set of players he watched on the television. “There was one place in town that everybody called the ‘game center,’ and it had a satellite dish, but you had to pay money to go inside,� Iheanacho told Theplayerstribune. “It was 50 naira [about 15p] for a Premier League match, and I did not have that kind of money. So I would wait outside playing football with my mates until somebody came out and told us what had happened in the match. “In 2012, when I was 15, I saved some money and went to the game center on the last day of the Premier League season. It was a very big deal, because the title race was so close. “I sat there and watched Sergio Aguero score the last-minute goal that won Man City the title

-- and that took it away from Man United. On the TV, Sergio took his shirt off and whipped it around, and everybody in the game center was going crazy.� “That was maybe the first Man City game I ever watched. I had never been to England before. I had no idea that in a few years, I would be playing on the same team as Sergio,� he continued. “Because I was only 19, I did not expect to be in the starting XI,� he added. “When the manager told me that I was going to start, I tried to tell myself, ‘it’s just a game of football,’ but if I am telling the truth, it is not a normal game. “The atmosphere and intensity gives you a very different feeling as soon as you step on the pitch. It’s war for 90 minutes in the Manchester Derby. You cannot give anything less than 100 percent concentration. So I just tried to focus completely on the match. “I was so happy, but then in the 36th minute, something really amazing happened. I was standing in front of the United goal when Kevin [De Bruyne’s] shot struck the post. The ball came right to my feet. I kicked it into the back of the net without thinking. I looked over to the linesman, not believing that I had really scored. The flag was down. I was onside. “My teammates ran over to me, and I felt what I can only describe as the ‘Manchester Derby feeling.’ No one can know how I felt unless they’ve scored in the derby. I did not even celebrate.

The feeling was too much.�

Iheanacho (left) and Aguero at Manchester City, Coach Pep Guardiola watches with interest

FIFA Appoints Pinnick into Organising Committee for Competitions World football-governing body, FIFA, has named the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, into one of its most important committees – the Organising Committee for Competitions.

Hitherto, the world body had different committees for organisation of its several competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA U20 World Cup, FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA U17 World Cup, FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Pinnick was a member of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U20 World Cup. However, at its 66th Congress in Mexico City on 12th – 13th May 2016, and in accordance with the revised FIFA Statutes that came into force on 27th April 2016, the model of the standing committees was reviewed, cutting the number from 26 to 9.

The new model has only the following committees: Governance, Finance, Development, Member Associations, Referees, Players’ Status, Football Stakeholders, Medical, Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions.

Pinnick’s letter of appointment, dated 18th January 2017 and signed by Fatma Samoura, the Secretary General, read inter alia: “We are very pleased to inform you that you have been appointed member of the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions. We wish you our sincere congratulations on this appointment. “The FIFA administration is at your disposal through the following Administration Officer, who will be in contact with you regarding the upcoming meetings and any further aspects relating to your office as member of this committee: Colin

Smith, Chief Competitions Officer. “We wish you great success and enjoyment in this role at FIFA and look forward to welcoming you soon to Zurich.�

The Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions is headed by Aleksander Ceferin, President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The tenure of members is for 2017-2021.

In line with the new FIFA reforms, each proposed member of any of the committees was made to go through a comprehensive integrity check conducted by several organisations of global relevance and stature.

Over 120 Players Qualify for Finals of DOAMF Charity Golf Okpekpe Race Granted AIMS Membership More than 120 players have booked places in the final round of the 7th edition of the Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial (DOAM) Foundation following the qualifiers that took place last Saturday at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos.

The players will now be joined by guest players to make the full field when the finals tees-off on Saturday February 4th, 2017, at the same venue.

Coordinator of the event, Pat Bassey, said the keen interest shown in the Qualifiers has been overwhelming and illustrates the increasing popularity of the tournament and trust in what it represents – changing lives through golf. “We are pleased with the caliber of golfers and individuals that have shown interest in reaching the under-privileged through DOAM Foundation.

Despite not being able to accommodate all the golfers who desire to enjoy the tournament’s unique experience, we do appreciate. the strong interest by an overwhelming number of golfers, which is clearly a

reflection of their confidence in the accountability and integrity of this project.� He said.

More than 66,000 lives have been impacted from donations received through the Foundation.

The DOAMF Charity Golf funds have been channeled to support social causes in the specific areas of education, health and medical intervention within needy families and communities. “In the last six years, projects supported include Scholarship Awards, Renovation/ Rehabilitation of health centres in rural communities (Mowe in Ogun State and Amaimo in Imo State), building and equipping an Accident and Trauma centre at Mowe in Obafemi Owode LGA, Ogun State, Sickbay, Lavatory and library projects (in various schools across the country), skills acquisition for mothers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children ( OVC) students, scholarship awards to deserving students, and free medical screening and treatment to the less privileged in rural communities, amongst others.�

Mr. Bassey added.

Becomes first road race in Nigeria to be recognised by the prestigious body The Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has been granted full membership of Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

A statement from AIMS and signed by its President, Paco Baroa, congratulated promoter of the Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor, for meeting all its requirements to become the latest member of the elite association. “I am pleased to inform you that your application for Okpekpe International 10km Road Race to become an AIMS Full member has been accepted,

effective in 2017. I wish you and your team a great success for your race and hope that our Association will be an important contributor,� observed the statement from AIMS. Spokesman for the Okpekpe international 10km road race, Dare Esan, said the organisers of the first and only International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) label race in Nigeria and one of only two in the African continent last year after the Cape Town Marathon are thrilled by this latest honour. “We are delighted to be a full member of AIMS, an association

of over 400 road races in over 100 countries and recognised by the IAAF,� said Esan in a statement. “Okpekpe international 10km road race is now the only road race in Nigeria to be measured by a certified AIMS/IAAF course measurer. One of the conditions that must be fulfilled before a race can retain its IAAF label status is that the race course must be measured to AIMS standard. This we have complied with among other stringent conditions,� further said Esan who revealed that the Okpekpe race will now benefit fully from the objectives of AIMS

one of which is to exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the association.

Esan revealed that any record or world best set at the Okpekpe road race from this year will be accepted by the IAAF and AIMS because the race course was measured by an accredited AIMS/IAAF course measurer.

The fifth edition of the race will hold on Saturday, May 13 in Okpekpe, a town in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It is located about 25 kilometres northeast of Auchi.

Former Nigerian Sports Legend, Chris Enahoro, is Dead A former captain of the Nigerian Cricket team, Chris Enahoro, is dead. The all-round Nigerian sports hero died in the early hour of yesterday in Lagos. He was 80 years old.

The death of Enahoro who for several years was Nigeria’s record holder in the high jump, was confirmed by his Personal

Assistant, Razak Adedigba.

According to Adedigba, Pa Enahoro who has been battling with health challenges saw his doctor the previous day and was asked to take a rest from work. “When the doctor came on Wednesday, he attended to him and told him to rest. He later woke up in the evening to have

his dinner and told me he was getting better. But early today (Thursday), he woke up at 5am to visit the toilet on his own but he told me to lay him on the floor and I had to put on the fan for him where he laid until he breathed his last breath around 6:30am,� stressed Adedigba who has been with Enahoro in the

last decade as his PA. Enahoro was for several years captain of the Nigerian and West African cricket team. He was also involved in athletics, holding the national record in the high jump as well as champion in several other field events. Enahoro is a past president of the Nigerian Cricket Association.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

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FRIDAYSPORTS AU ST R A L I A O P E N

Istomin Upsets Djokovic Defending champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat by world number 117 Denis Istomin in the second round of the Australian Open.

The six-time winner struggled for rhythm and lost 7-6 (10-8) 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in four hours and 48 minutes.

It is the first time Djokovic, 29, has lost in the second round of a Grand Slam since 2008 at Wimbledon.

The result leaves world number one Andy Murray as favourite to win his first Australian Open title in Melbourne.

Briton Murray, who has already reached round three, has lost five finals in the past seven years in Melbourne, four of them to Djokovic.

It is only the second time in seven years that Djokovic has

lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 - his defeat by Juan Martin del Potro, ranked 145th, at the Rio Olympics in 2016 being the other occasion.

“He deserved to win. No doubt, he was a better player in the clutch moments,” said Djokovic.

“Many things came together for him today and he’s a welldeserved winner. There’s not much I could do.”

Djokovic could not find his rhythm, eventually winning his first service game after 15 minutes but going on to lose the first set in one hour and 25 minutes.

He won four consecutive games in the third set as his opponent faltered but Istomin came back in the fourth set to take it to a tie-break.

Both players served

aggressively as they received vocal support from the crowd, with Istomin taking the match to a deciding set with a brutal ace.

Istomin, who broke in game five, remained strong on his own serve and wrapped things up when Djokovic, lunging on the backhand, could only block another crunching delivery long on match point.

Uzbek Istomin will next face Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, who beat Britain’s Kyle Edmund yesterday.

Denis Istomin has now reached the third round of the Australian Open three times in 11 appearances “It is the biggest win of my career and means so much, now I feel I can play with these guys and be with them on the same level,” said Istomin.

“From the third set I had cramp

in my leg, I don’t know how I held it. I was playing so good.

I surprised myself.”

Istomin had two years out of the game after breaking his leg in a car accident and spending three months in hospital in 2001.

Coached by his mother Klaudiya, he dropped out of the top 100 in 2016 and was given a wildcard to play in the Australian Open.

Prior to his win over Djokovic, Istomin had won just one of 33 matches against a player ranked in the world’s top 10.

His best Grand Slam result is reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon in 2012 and the US Open in 2013, where he lost to Murray.

Gavhar Azimova, from the Tennis Federation of Republic of Uzbekistan, said Istomin is a “star” in his home country.

Djokovic

Man Utd Tops Clubs Rich List Manchester United have regained top spot in the Deloitte Money League for the first time in more than a decade.

The Red Devils, benefiting from a return to the Champions League, posted a record revenue of £515.3million over the course of the 2015-16.

That was enough to knock

Real Madrid off the top spot after 11 years at the summit.

The Spaniards slipped to third, despite returning their own record of £463.8m - an increase of almost £45m. Barcelona move into second.

Figures were up at Old Trafford across the board, with improved revenues showing in

the matchday, broadcast and commercial sectors.

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: ‘In recent years, (United’s) ability to secure commercial partnerships with value in excess of that achievable by their peers has been the crucial factor in enabling the club to regain their place at the

top of the Money League.

‘They’ll face strong competition from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to retain the top spot in next year’s edition, due to the lack of Champions League football, the weakening of the Pound against the Euro and, over the longer term, as other clubs enter the commercial market

demanding similar deals, using United as the precedent.’

Over the course of the Money League’s 20-year existence, United are the only side other than Real to have held top spot, and the huge wealth of English clubs was evident again in 2015-16, as eight teams made the top 20.

Manchester City moved into

the top five for the first time, their revenues up £40m to just under £400m, while Leicester made their debut appearance in the list.

The £128.7m generated by the Foxes during their surprise title-winning season is almost five times more than the club recorded during the 2013-14 campaign.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017

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Friday, January 20, 2017

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& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Shettima to UNICEF, Others

“The ICRC is doing a very good job. We also appreciate the efforts of the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Danish Refugee council and the International Organisation for Migration. The UNHCR is also doing a good job. But we don’t know what other UN agencies are doing. We only see them in some flashy bullet proof jeeps; apart from that, we hardly see their impacts” – Borno State Governor Shettima, accusing UN agencies of exploiting Boko Haram victims.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

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0811 266 1654

Lessons from America F

or the past two weeks, I have stayed glued to the television watching with fascination tinged with envy, the American Senate confirmation hearings for cabinet nominees. The quality of what I have seen and listened to has reinforced my belief that our politicians are not ready for the challenge of nation building and more depressingly, our own “Congress”, the National Assembly, is a joke. Our senators are a bunch of amateurs, totally out of depth.

I am sure if they’ve been watching the ongoing confirmation hearings, they would realise what a joke they have been! But if they think they are just nearly half as good, they should go back and watch the confirmation hearings they conducted for President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees. And if after watching their own hearings, they are still convinced they are not jokers then, I will tell them once again that many Nigerians including my humble self are ashamed of them. Their conduct leaves a lot to be desired - a sour taste in the mouths of Nigerians.

Now compare the Senate hearings to confirm Buhari’s nominees and the ongoing United States Senate hearings to confirm Donald Trump’s cabinet picks and tell me whether the standard of the Nigerian Senate is anything to be proud of. Many of them hardly know the functions of the Senate beyond their oversight function through which they extort financial benefits from ministries, parastatals and departments.

During debates, many of them have been caught on camera sleeping and snoring in open parliament.

When not in parliament, they are frolicking with women of easy virtue in Rolls Royces, multi-million naira SUVs, and other exotic state-of-the-art cars. They drive these expensive cars to their dusty constituencies without the most basic infrastructure or amenities - no electricity, no roads, no pipe borne water, and no healthcare facilities.

It is one of the contradictions one finds difficult to explain about our country and its leaders.

As if this isn’t bad enough, the National Assembly members are known more for fighting for increased constituency projects’ funding where they double as contractors for projects that are used to steal money outright. They are more interested in personal allowances, office maintenance allowances and all other mundane personal beneficial accruals. They lack the capacity for empathy for their people and openly flaunt their ill-gotten wealth to intimidate ordinary Nigerians.

Watching Trump’s nominee for the position of Attorney General of the United States of America, Senator Jeff Sessions grilled by the Senate who until just a few weeks ago was a member of the same Senate and more importantly, a member of the same Senate Judiciary Committee charged with the responsibility of conducting the hearing was particularly interesting. In striking contrast to the Nigerian Senate, he was not asked to take a bow and go as one of their “own”, as our senators do here in that feeling ofcamaraderie and cooperation, nor

Trump

was he spared by his erstwhile colleagues in their questioning. He was subjected to all the processes, as he faced a barrage of tough questions about his record on several issues.

In fact, he was grilled for nearly two whole days. Every senator on the Judiciary Committee took turns to put him on the spot without mercy. Sessions was questioned repeatedly for hours at a stretch about allegations of racial, religious and gender bias, his voting record in the Senate, and every issue – against him. He was challenged several times by his own colleagues on his stand on issues and made to provide clarifications. His answers were further questioned. Members of the public who opposed him and those who supported him were given five minutes each to state their case. It was so interesting to watch.

The Secretary of State nominee, Rex Tillerson was grilled about his close business ties with Russia, particularly his relationship with Vladimir Putin in the light of the alleged meddling by Russian in the U.S. election to help Trump. He was also questioned about the new government’s plan to defeat ISIS which is a top security issue in the U.S. His stance on the Syrian crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, the principle of the two-state solution in the Middle East, sanctions on Russia, climate change, human rights, China, NATO, and a host of other crisis spots around the world that affect America’s standing and security provided revealing insights into the incoming government’s intentions.

His tenure as the Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil also came under scrutiny. No aspect of his career was left untouched during the hearing.

The pick for the Secretary of Defence, James Mattis took his turn on the hot seat and was subjected to rigorous questioning.

Asked to provide clarifications about his position that seems to imply his opposition to allowing female soldiers in sensitive combat front-line roles and participation in special operations, Mattis walked back his comments, emphasising that he was open to allowing women play any role in the military and was more interested in the quality of manpower rather than sexuality.

Trump’s pick for the CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, was grilled about Russia hacking, and cyber security threat, torture and other threats around the world. He like other nominees broke with Trump on key campaign rhetoric, like enhanced interrogation tactics, NATO, sanctions against Russia, etc.

All the other nominees faced different Senate committees that were baying for blood given the acrimonious presidential campaigns with an outcome that stunned the world. Before the open hearings, all the nominees had engaged the different senators in their offices to press the case of their confirmation. There has not been any reported incident that a nominee took stacks of dollar bills along as bribe to facilitate the process. They engaged them on their ideas on how to make America a better and an all-inclusive society for every race and religion, especially the protection of rights and freedoms. It was all about serving America’s national interests and promoting America’s leadership around the world.

It is seen as a privilege and honour to serve their country. Is there any course nobler than that to the American or to many Western politicians? I dare say no!

In our case, senators either ask for bribes directly or the nominees themselves “know what to do” - a euphemism for offering bribes to smoothen the path to their confirmation whether they are qualified or not. Their past records of poor performance in public offices are never queried once money has changed hands. What a pity! Touts, certificate forgers and incompetent people are cleared as ministers by the Senate that is equally peopled by men and women of shady characters who make laws for the generality of Nigerians.

Any further doubt why the country is failing on all fronts? The next time the president sends nominees to the Senate without attaching portfolios to them, the Senate will be doing itself and the country a world of good to reject them and MUST insist portfolios should be attached before it even considers them.

There is another lesson from America to shame our public office holders. It is this remarkable story of Joe Biden, the outgoing vice-president of the U.S. He served in the Senate from 1973 to 2009, a whopping 35 years before he was nominated by Barack Obama to be his running mate. He is just rounding up his eight years as the vicepresident, bringing it to a total of 43 years in public service. But his long stint in public service is not the lesson here.

For nearly all his years in the Senate, Biden commuted by Amtrak train from Delaware to attend to his Senate duties in Washington and back home again to Delaware to be with his family. Now, how many of our senators travel by public transport? Come to think of it, why should they - when they buy and maintain exotic cars for themselves as official cars at great public expense.

For all of Biden’s public service, he doesn’t have much to his name in terms of material acquisition. But he has an unblemished reputation and an enviable record of service which are priceless.

When his son, Beau - who by the way, was the Attorney General of his State of Delaware - was down with cancer of the brain and couldn’t afford the expensive treatment, Biden contemplated selling his house as he revealed last year in a CNN interview but was stopped by President Barack Obama.

“He (Obama) got up and he said, ‘Don’t sell that house. Promise me you won’t sell the house’,” Biden said.

“He said, ‘I’ll give you the money.

Whatever you need, I’ll give you the money.

Don’t, Joe – promise me. Promise me.’ I said, ‘I don’t think we’re going to have to anyway.’ He said, ‘Promise me’,” Biden said.

Obama took from his PERSONAL money to support the medical bills of Biden’s son.

He didn’t order the Health or Treasury Secretary to release government money to pay the bills. He took from his personal money to support his vice-president.

Now, this is a man who has served in public office for 43 years and yet did not have the money to pay for cancer treatment for his son who had himself spent all his small savings and didn’t have anything left. I am sure many Nigerians will find this strange. Well, that is the story of public service. That is the story of America, with all its contradictions, remains ennoblement to all.

Now compare Joe Biden’s conduct to that of our senators, representatives, governors, local government chairmen, councillors, and all public office holders appointed or elected. Then ask yourself, if Joe Biden were a Nigerian public office holder, would he not have had the money for the treatment of his son no matter how expensive it might have been? I can bet an arm and a leg that he would have had the money but the Nigerian state would still have borne the cost. It would charter an air ambulance, fly him round the world in search of a hospital to get treatment. As you read, there is not a single hospital in the country that our leaders trust to take care of their health needs. At the slightest headache or ear infection, they fly abroad for treatment.

We adore great leaders or change agents of other climes as role models and admire them for their heroism and contributions to their societies, but we have none to give the world to admire except corrupt politicians and public office holders to despise. Public office is seen here as a God-given opportunity to line one’s pockets and bully the populace. Public office holders organise thanksgiving services to thank God for their appointments and in no time after they resume, personal mansions begin to sprout everywhere, big obscene parties are thrown to mark birthdays while lavish weddings are organised for their children.

On his part, Joe Biden served the people of Delaware for 35 years and the American people as the vice-president for another eight years - a total of 43 years and yet was unable to pay for his son’s cancer treatment. This should give concerned Nigerians lots of food for thought about the average Nigerian politician and public office holder. Need one say more?

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