Friday 3rd February 2017

Lufthansa Won’t Fly to Kaduna During Abuja Airport Closure Sirika inaugurates security c'ttee

Dele Ogbodo with agency report German carrier Lufthansa will not fly to the Kaduna airport during the closure

of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, a company spokesman said yesterday.

Lufthansa’s statement was the fallout of federal

government’s decision to divert flights to the Kaduna airport, located about 100 miles north of Abuja, while the main airport is undergoing repairs, scheduled to take six

weeks from March 8.

“We won’t fly from Kaduna during the closure of Abuja airport for six weeks,” the Lufthansa spokesman said by phone to Reuters.

He did not give a reason.

The runway at the main airport had deteriorated to such an extent that some major international carriers refused to fly there, and some

aircraft reported damage to their undercarriage.

While it is closed, Abujabound passengers will have Continued on page 9

Osinbajo: Nigerian Troops to Remain in The Gambia for a While… Page 12 Friday 3 February, 2017 Vol 22. No 7960. Price: N250

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Nigeria Kicks off Road Show for First Eurobond Since 2013… Page 42

Onnoghen Appeals to Nigerians Not to Pressure Buhari over Appointment of CJN Acting CJN distances self from those giving ultimatums Col. Dangiwa asks NJC not to submit any other nominee to president

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Ejiofor Alike in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari’s procrastination over the submission of the name of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to the Senate as

the substantive nominee to the post of CJN, has forced Justice Onnoghen to appeal to Nigerians to allow the president a free hand on his choice of nominee for the post.

Continued on page 9

Jonathan: Confab Resolutions Can End Southern Kaduna, Other Ethno-Religious Crises 17 suspects involved in Kafanchan killings arrested

Sylvester Idowu in Warri Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that implementation of the resolutions contained in 2014 National Conference report could prevent ethnic

and religious tensions in the country such as the recent Southern Kaduna ethnoreligious crisis that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of persons in the area.

Continued on page 9

PDP, APC Reject Police Ban on Tuface's Anti-Government Protest… Page 12

OBAIGBONA BOWS OUT…

L-R: Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Joseph Nnanna; former Director, Branch Operations, CBN, Mr. Emmanuel Obaigbona; and his wife, Mmayen, during the pullout ceremony for Mr. Obaigbona at the CBN headquarters in Abuja… yesterday (See story on page 50) enock reuben

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NNPC Introduces Additional Criteria for Selection of Firms for Crude Swaps 128 firms submit bids as corporation reports $500m savings Chineme Okafor in Abuja Oil companies bidding for 2017 oil-for-products deals, otherwise known as crude oil swaps or Direct-Sales-Direct-Purchases (DSDP), would have to meet additional criteria, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanthi Baru has said.

Baru said yesterday in Abuja during the technical bid opening session for the 2017 crude oil swaps that alongside stringent financial and legal requirements, the corporation would demand from successful bidders a guaranteed commitment to deliver products within the agreed Laydays Cancelling (LayCan) dates.

LayCan dates are periods during which a ship-owner must

tender notice of readiness to the charterer that the ship has arrived at the port of loading and ready to load, in this case, petroleum products.

Baru disclosed that based on the corporation’s past experience with its contractors on the LayCan dates, which often upset its product distribution plans, the NNPC decided to make this aspect of the crude swaps more stringent.

He also stated that preferred bidders would be required to have product depots or retail outlets at the minimum as evidence of their physical presence in Nigeria, or engaged in oil exploration and production.

Baru said a maximum of 800,000 barrels of crude oil would be committed to the scheme by the NNPC and that 128 firms,

including MRS Oil and Gas, Aiteo, Sahara Energy, Coco Resources, and BBLS Tilo Energies, had submitted their technical bids for evaluation.

“The major drive here is to ensure that Nigerians are not left out. We will do this by ensuring that those that emerge – whether it is a consortium or single company – must have a physical presence in Nigeria.

“That means they must have depots or retail outlets as a minimum or they must be involved in exploration and production of crude oil, and so we will ensure that most of them are domiciled here in Nigeria,” said Baru.

He further explained that this year’s programme for the swaps was about 800,000 barrels at the most.

“Some of the experience we had in the past had to do with scheduling in the sense that when you ask for the product to be delivered, they would say that they would not meet the LayCan date, so we want to make sure that whoever emerges must be able to meet our LayCan dates because that would have created some dislocation in distribution,” he explained.

Speaking on the benefits the corporation had derived from the revised swap programme introduced by his predecessor, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Baru said: “The DSDP is a major component in our products supply chain and has since inception created relief in our products supply to the nation.

“It has also recorded significant cost savings of over

half a million dollars through a major reduction in the amount we pay for demurrage and the products.”

He noted that through the scheme, the NNPC has equally maintained sufficiency of products availability of over 30 days, enabling it to meet its obligations as the supplier of last resort in the country.

Also, the Group General Manager Crude Oil Marketing Department (COMD) of NNPC, Mr. Melee Kyari said in his explanation of the processes adopted for the 2017 scheme, that the technical evaluation would be followed by commercial negotiations and eventual engagement.

He said: “These are essentially technical bids and not commercial. The purpose is

to select those that are technically competent and that means you have processes, access to finance, capacity for logistics that can support this, and that you are in compliance with the local content law.

“Once we are able to establish this, we will issue out term sheets to all the selected compliant bidders and get their feedback to close the negotiations. And, so the commercial term sheet translates into the contract.”

In a related development, the NNPC also received bids from 29 companies for the installation of two generators for its corporate headquarters.

It said the existing generator serving its headquarter was old and uneconomical to operate, hence the decision to procure new ones.

the Abuja airport.

Inaugurating the committee headed by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. Alkali Baba at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the minister said the committee must be proactive to deal with any security challenges that may arise during the six weeks period.

Other members of committee include representatives of the Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Department of State Service (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Commission (NSCDC).

Others are the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Customs Service

(NCS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The minister, while charging the members to provide all round security at the Kaduna Airport, said: “There is so much hype in the media about the perceived fear and threat surrounding the use of the Kaduna Airport.

“Government is setting up this high end committee to ensure watertight security for all passengers and stakeholders during the six-week closure of the Abuja Airport.”

According to him, government is determined to ensure holistic security through air surveillance, as well as rail and road monitoring for the

safety of passengers and cargo movement.

He stressed that an adequate security template, which cannot be made available to the public, was in top gear to ensure hitch-free movement of passengers.

The chairman of the committee said the team would commence the reinforcement of security personnel on the Kaduna bye-pass, the airport and railway terminals at Idu and Kaduna.

Baba said: “The police and other security personnel are already on the ground, we shall map out immediate and remote challenges on the movement of passengers and hopefully, Nigerians and foreigners will not be disappointed.”

LUFTHANSA WON'T FLY TO KADUNA DURING ABUJA AIRPORT CLOSURE to fly to Kaduna and travel by bus to the capital, guarded by security, on a road where kidnappings have taken place in the past few years.

The plans for Kaduna to handle Abjua flights have been met with scepticism.

The airport handled just 12 flights in December 2015, the last month for which Nigeria’s airports authority has figures, compared with 812 that used Abuja.

A new terminal is being built but when Reuters visited it last month it was still under construction with cables hanging from ceilings.

Contingency plans are in place for the existing terminal to be used.

The temporary closure of Abuja's airport has been

criticised by aviation labour unions, business leaders and diplomats.

British Airways, Air France, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines also fly to Abuja.

In October, Dubai-based Emirates stopped flying to Abuja, blaming the state of the runway and low load factor, among other reasons, according to the Ministry of Aviation.

Despite the reservations over the choice of Kaduna as an alternative aviation hub, the Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, yesterday inaugurated a committee that would supervise the security arrangements for passengers at the Kaduna Airport, its environs and the

Abuja-Kaduna expressway during the six weeks closure of the Abuja airport.

According to him, the committee which is made up of high level security personnel, will proactively adopt measures to checkmate any security threats to passengers and visitors during the rehabilitation of the Abuja runway.

While allaying perceived fears over Kaduna and its environs, he said the primary objective of governance is to secure and safe guard the citizenry and foreigners at all times, adding that the government under President President Muhammadu Buhari cannot do less, especially during the six weeks temporary closure of

JONATHAN: CONFAB RESOLUTIONS CAN END SOUTHERN KADUNA, OTHER ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CRISES Jonathan made the remark during a presentation to the House Sub-Committee on Africa of the U.S. Congress, when he met with the committee on the challenges faced by Christians in Nigeria and the Niger Delta Issue.

This is just as the Nigeria Police Force stated yesterday that it has arrested 17 suspects involved in the recent killings

in Kafanchan in Kaduna State.

The former president, who was invited by the congressional sub-committee and spoke in his capacity as Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, said implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference was the panacea for ethnic and religious tensions that have

led to crises such as the recent Southern Kaduna killings.

He also identified impunity as a factor that contributes to the recurrence of such violence, noting that if those behind previous crises are not prosecuted then like-minded individuals and groups would be emboldened to repeat the same acts.

Jonathan talked about

his efforts to end impunity, specifically citing the case of Kabiru Sokoto, the mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, who was arrested, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned by his administration and was the first successful prosecution of a terrorist

attack on a place of worship in Nigeria’s history.

He said: “That promise was fulfilled on the 20th of December 2013 when Kabiru Umar, aka Kabiru Sokoto, was sentenced to life imprisonment after my administration investigated that crime, identified him as the mastermind, arrested him, and diligently prosecuted him

and some of his associates.”

The former president also noted that his administration’s prosecution of the perpetrators of the deadly bombing of an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also in Madalla on April 8, 2011 was the first successful

administrator noted that without providing any cogent and plausible or believable reason for its failure to forward the name of Justice Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation, the presidency has left Nigerians guessing and speculating about the reasons.

“Already, many analysts view this action as a ploy to deny a southerner his right to succession based on his seniority in keeping with the appointment protocol observed by the NJC in making the appointment.

“In the event of this occurrence, the NJC must not forward any other name nor should the Senate confirm any other nominee.

“This will serve to check the excesses of this administration and reinforce the unity of the nation which has already been pushed to the precipice by the recruitment and appointment policies of a government, which

tends to favour the north in violation of the federal character provision of the constitution,” he added.

Continued on page 10

ONNOGHEN APPEALS TO NIGERIANS NOT TO PRESSURE BUHARI OVER APPOINTMENT OF CJN Onnoghen, whose position as acting CJN will expire on February 10, was reacting to the pressure mounted in recent days, especially by the Cross River State Caucus of the National Assembly, the Afenifere socio-cultural group and a lawsuit instituted by civil rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, demanding that Justice Onnoghen be made substantive CJN. The clamour for his appointment gathered steam yesterday, when a former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd.), called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) not to forward any other name to the president in place of Justice Onnoghen.

He also asked the Senate not to confirm any other nominee sent to it by Buhari.

But in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Awassam

Bassey, the acting CJN said there was no need to give the president ultimatums over his appointment as the substantive CJN. The statement read: “The Honourable acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, the Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, wishes to appeal to Nigerians to allow Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, a free hand to perform his constitutional duties concerning the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“Justice Onnoghen believes the president does not need any threat or ultimatum to perform his constitutional duties and therefore dissociates himself from those individuals and groups making such demands on the president.

“However, the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Nigerian judiciary sincerely

appreciate the interest of Nigerians towards the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria to oversee the affairs of the judiciary as the third arm of government, but believes that issuing an ultimatum to Mr. President appears to be going too far and smacks of disrespect for the exalted office of the president.

“The acting Chief Justice therefore appeals for caution on the issue of the appointment of a Chief Justice of Nigeria, as Mr. President goes about his constitutional duties, especially considering the fact that the given time for him to act as Chief Justice of Nigeria has not expired.

“In conclusion, the acting Chief Justice wishes to thank all Nigerians for their support and continued prayers while calling on them to back the

federal government in the fight to make the country a better place for all.”

Despite Justice Onnoghen’s plea, a former governor of Kaduna State joined the clamour yesterday when he reminded Nigerians that in a few days Onnoghen’s tenure as acting CJN would expired, rendering him disqualified for the position as the substantive CJN, except the NJC resubmits his nomination to Buhari.

In a statement he personally signed, Col. Umar said: “In a few days, the tenure of acting appointment of Justice Onnoghen will expire.

“Going by our extant constitution, the acting CJN will be disqualified from appointment as the substantive CJN unless the NJC resubmits his nomination to the president.”

The former military

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FRIDAY, february 3, 2017 • T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN

Why Does Nigeria Import So Much Rice?

A long line of customers queue along a glass divide separating them from a rice food station at an eatery in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. Diners can choose between white rice, fried rice and jollof at this popular local restaurant known as “The White House”.

A steady flow of customers is served in the main hall, and in two packed adjoining rooms diners are enjoying Nigerian dishes.

Rice is the basis of the popular national dish jollof and a staple across the country.

The problem is not a lack of land, or that there are not enough people to grow it in Africa’s most populous country.

During the grain market crisis eight years ago, Nigeria experienced shortages in rice that made the country rethink its food security and ability to supply the local market.

As a result, President Muhammadu Buhari has made rice farming a priority.

Nigerians’ appetite for rice means that the country imported nearly 17 million tonnes of it over the past five years. Duties for imported rice are currently 60 per cent and consumers have seen the price of a bag of rice doubled in the past 12 months.

Many domestic players have been entering the market. Olam, a multi-national agribusiness, set up a rice farm in 2012 in response to government's calls for local players to help feed the 170 million Nigerians.

It is a bumpy journey to Olam’s farm in Rukubi village close to the Benue River in Nasarawa State. The lush green fields of the farm are an oasis among miles and miles of dusty red road and bushes.

Olam rice farm in Nasarawa… One of the few mechanised rice farms in Nigeria

Large metal silos carrying 228,000 tonnes of rice rise up from the ground, gleaming in the scorching afternoon sun.

Manager Anil Nair, drives us around 4,500 hectares of the farm and mill.

Most of the farm hands have finished work for the day. They usually work in the rice paddies from 7 am, before the sun gets too hot.

Only a few women remain, standing ankle deep in the paddies, planting rice seedlings.

This is one of the largest rice farms in Nigeria and although it grows 50,000 tonnes each year, that is still just a small fraction of the country’s demand.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture

Organisation (FAO), the country imported 2.3 million tonnes in 2016, about half of the country’s estimated requirements.

Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh says that the culture of importation has to stop.

“We can't afford $5m a day for rice shipments in this country. It’s gone on for 40 years. And I assure you that it’s our reckless policy of importation that’s brought Nigeria down to where she is now.

“Those who keep talking of imports either don’t mean Nigeria well or simply refuse to recognise the fact that we can’t afford the imports.”

However, most farmers in Nigeria are small scale and struggle to get the financing

they need to improve farming methods and boost their yield.

Members of the Rice Farming Association of Nigeria say they can only access highinterest loans from commercial banks.

Joseph Jatau Kudu has been farming near the town of Doma in Nasarawa State since 1982. He says the banks charge as much as 30 per cent to lend money.

“It’s too high. We end up earning nothing,” he says.

Without the capital to mechanise, workers must do everything on his 15-hectare farm by hand.

“Sometimes the tractors are not available. So now I’m using manual labour. It’s not as effective as in the case of

using a tractor and it’s one of the reasons I can’t expand.”

‘Pipe Dream’ The agriculture minister claims that Nigeria will become self-sufficient in rice production by the end of the year.

However, critics of government policy not only point to a lack of spending on agriculture, but also to an under-investment in the entire value-chain for rice, from field to cooking pot.

Ninety two billion naira ($302m; £240m) was assigned to the sector in the 2017 budget - only 1.26 per cent of the entire budget for the year.

AgroNigeria’s Managing Director Richard Mbaram says

that achieving self-sufficiency in the next couple of years is merely a “pipe dream”.

“Rice production isn’t willed into existence. It is cultivated and systematically sown.

“There is research, there is mechanisation, there is warehousing and storage.

There is market opening and market access.

“You cannot drive industrialisation or agroindustrialisation without connecting the farm gate where the production is happening. Do we have that?

We’re very far back in terms of achieving that.”

In the meantime, Nigerians’ appetite for rice shows no sign of slowing down.

• Culled from the BBC

JONATHAN: CONFAB RESOLUTIONS WILL END SOUTHERN KADUNA, OTHER ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CRISES prosecution of terrorists in Nigeria.

While supporting the National Conference’s recommendation for an independent Religious Equity Commission to be set up to apprehend and arrest perpetrators of ethnic and religious violence, Jonathan maintained that ending impunity would also ease tensions.

On the Niger Delta, the former president said he fully aligned with the views of the 2014 National Conference, which called for true and fiscal federalism as the way out of agitations in the region and in other parts of Nigeria.

He also said that interventionist agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) tend not to be effective due to over-politicisation.

Jonathan was of the view that the rapid development of a state like Akwa Ibom has shown that what the region needs is resource control not interventionist agencies.

The meeting was attended

by Chairman of the U.S. House Sub-Committee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organisations, Congressman Christopher H Smith and other influential staff of the committee.

Kafanchan Suspects Arrested Meanwhile, the police yesterday said it has arrested 17 suspects linked to the killings in Kafanchan and neighbouring communities in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

A statement by the police spokesman, Mr. Jimoh Moshood said the arrest was the fallout of the Joint Tactical Operation Squad (Operation Harmony) set up by the Inspector General of Police.

The squad comprised the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special AntiRobbery Squad, Intelligence Response Team, SIB, EOD, the IGP Monitoring Unit, Police K9 (Sniffer Dog Section), Police Air wing and Police Medical Team with headquarters in Kafanchan.

He said: “The operation recorded remarkable achievements in tackling the crisis and preventing further disturbance of the peace across Southern Kaduna.

“Seventeen suspects were arrested in the act and caches of fire arms and ammunition were recovered from them.”

He gave the names of the suspects as Nelson Paul ‘M’ 36 years, native of Kaninkon Jamma’a LGA Kaduna State;

Bulus Jatau ‘M’ 32 years, from Jamma’a LGA of Kaduna State; Magaji Shaibu ‘M’ age 30 years from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; Danlami Yakubu ‘M’ age 28 years from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; Idris Bello ‘M’, from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; and Danjuma Barde ‘M’ 39 years from Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

Also arrested are: Goma Adamu ‘M’ age 28 years from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; Samuel Joshua ‘M’ age 29 years from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; Abudulkareem Abdul ‘M’ age 20 years from Rigasa LGA of Kaduna State; Haruna Iliyasu ‘M’ age 20 years Kiru LGA of Kaduna State; Hassan Idris ‘M’ age 25 years from Tsafe of Kaduna State; Adamu Haruna ‘M’ 28 years from Chinkun of Kaduna State; Adamu Umar ‘M’ age 27 years Chinkin LGA of Kaduna State; Sulieman Saleh ‘M’ age 30 years from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; Abubakar Mohammadu ‘M’ age 20 years from Chinkun LGA of Kaduna State; and Muhammadu Jori ‘M’ age 33 years from Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

The police said 29 assorted firearms and ammunition were also recovered from the suspects.

“All the suspects will be charged to court on completion

of investigation for inciting public disturbance, disturbance of public peace, causing mischief by fire, culpable homicide, theft and unlawful possession of prohibited fire arms,” the police added.

Christians to Protect Themselves The arrests made by the police, notwithstanding, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southsouth chapter, rose from an emergency meeting in Warri yesterday and resolved to protect Christians against attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

The Christian body made its position known at the end of the meeting with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFN) held at the headquarters of Flock of Christ Mission, Warri.

CAN said President Muhammadu Buhari’s silence on the killings of Christians in the northern part of Delta State was worrisome.

Both CAN and PFN said they will no longer fold their arms and watch herdsmen continue to maim and kill their people in the South-south, adding that henceforth they were going to protect themselves from any herdsman that attacks them.

Both bodies threw their weight behind Apostle Johnson Suleman whom they said spoke the minds of Christians when he asked them to defend themselves from attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

They also called on all Christians in the country to protect themselves against any herdsman that come to their community to destroy their farmlands or rape their women.

They said since the government can no longer protect the ordinary citizen in the region, every Christian should organise his own security to defend himself.

Speaking to newsmen after the closed-door meeting, the Bishop of Flock of Christ Mission Incorporated, Bishop Simeon Okah, said: “The number one issue is these Fulani herdsmen who are in our bush killing and raping our wives.

“We are no longer going to fold our hands and watch while they kill our people.

“We are going to protect ourselves unless they go back to where they came from.

Some governors are saying that they are not from the north and I see that claim as an insult to us.

“Today our children are now being deported from

America and here we have people who come from outside our country, killing our people and raping our daughters, mother and wives and our farmers no longer have farmlands to farm.

“I think it’s high time we started defending ourselves if the government cannot help us.”

Bishop Okah also warned the federal government to stop intimidating Christian clerics who have asked people to defend themselves against attacks by any groups of persons.

He said Christians would no longer tolerate a situation whereby clergymen are arrested and invited by the Department of State Service (DSS) for making statements that do not incite, or deemed inflammatory.

The Chairman, Bayelsa CAN, Archbishop Jacob Akpiri who also spoke, said: “We will never allow herdsmen to kill our people anymore. This should be the last time any herdsman will kill or kidnap any Christian in this region.

“If the government makes the mistake of arresting any clergyman in this country, this nation will know no peace.

We in the South-south are no longer going to fold our arms while they arrest any of us.”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017• T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

SGF, Senate Rift Worsens as Lawal Fails to Appear for Budget Defence NCS c’ttee queries CG over refusal to wear customs uniform FCT claims contract for VP’s gate house will cost N250m

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The stand-off between the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Babachir Lawal, resurfaced yesterday as the SGF failed to appear before the Committee on Federal Character to defend the 2017 budget proposal from his office.

At a time, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) make it a priority to appear before relevant committees to defend the budgets of their agencies, Lawal opted to send the Permanent Secretary, General Services in the Office of the SGF, Mohammed Bukar, to do the defence on behalf of the office.

But irked by the development, the committee chaired by Senator Tijjani Kaura disallowed the permanent secretary from making any submission before it, insisting that Lawal must appear before it to do the defence or forget it.

It was however, learnt yesterday that some minutes before 10a.m. when the defence was scheduled to take off, the permanent secretary on behalf of the the SGF informed the committee that he (SGF) would not be available for the exercise.

Bukar was said to have told the committee that the SGF was away, attending the funeral of a relative outside Abuja.

While turning away the permanent secretary from representing the SGF, the committee asked the SGF to communicate a new date when he will personally appear before for the defence. The committee later briefed the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, about the development.

One of the senators who chose to be anonymous, expressed the displeasure of the committee over the SGF’s action.

“Much as we try to protect him as a brother, there are limits to what he should do.

What he ought to do is seek the understanding of the committee to reschedule which is a normal thing. As far as the committee is concerned, courtesy demands from him to call the chairman. He didn’t appear; he didn’t show concern. Since he’s not here and not ready, he should make contact with the committee to reschedule.

“Why he’s not here is not cogent. He said he went to condole with relatives over the loss of a loved one, but here, we have a colleague, a senator for that matter, who is also supposed to attend the funeral of a loved one,

but stayed back to attend the budget defence. As far as we are concerned, the excuse he gave - going to bury a loved one is not a good one at all,” he said.

However, it was learnt that following the action of the committee, the SGF wrote a letter to the committee late yesterday that he would appear before it on Monday.

The Senate had on December 14, 2016, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack and prosecute Lawal over alleged mismanagement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) funds following the presentation of an interim report of its Ad hoc Committee on North-East Humanitarian Crisis which indicted him. But

Buhari in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a forth night ago, faulted the report, saying it was hasty because it was interim.

Also yesterday, ComptrollerGeneral of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), came under intense rebuke by the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise over his perpetual refusal to wear customs uniform since his appointment in 2015.

While throwing his weight behind the committee, Mr. Mohammed Bello, a former Comptroller-General of Customs during the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), said

Ali ought to be addressed as Sole Administrator of NCS, if he felt too big to wear uniform which he said was a reflection of his rank as head of the agency.

Ali was put on the spot at a session between the committee, NCS management, Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on an amendment to NCS bill that is currently before the committee.

But in his defence, Ali said as a former military officer, it is against norms to wear uniform the second time.

But the committee dismissed his claim, reminding him about a retired General Halidu Hananiya who wore Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) uniform when he was appointed

as Corp Marshall of the agency in the past.

But, Ali was swift to tell the committee that by wearing the second uniform, Hananiya erred.

Angered by the development, a member of the committee, Senator Obinna Ogba, walked out of the session, saying “this is how you people keep deceiving Nigerians on wrong action and still defending it.”

The committee also queried Ali over his refusal to constitute the board of NCS since 2015 when it was dissolved.

According to the committee Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the decision of Ali’s leadership to unilaterally promote and sack customs officers which ought to be done by the board was illegal.

SAY NO TO HATE CAMPAIGN

President, Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Chairman, THISDAY Group/ARISE TV, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena (fifth from right); leader of delegation, Dr. Tom Adaba (sixth from left), renowned actress, Mrs. Joke Silva (third from left), Mr. Oseluka Obaze (second from left), when members the Council of Democracy, Stability and Media Accountability Project (DESMAP) of the Savannah Centre paid an interactive visit to NPAN in Lagos…yesterday

Osinbajo Expresses Support for State Police Says efforts to reform criminal justice system ongoing Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday in Abuja said the federal government was making efforts to reform the Criminal Justice System, even as he expressed support for state police.

This, he said, would help in repositioning the courts and the entire judiciary.

He spoke while answering questions from participants of Course 25 of the National Defence College, NDC, Abuja after he delivered a lecture titled: ‘Economic Dimension of the National Security: The Nigerian Experience.’

He said the reforms would also take into consideration the methods of appointing judges,

their salaries and other welfare packages.

Osinbajo also called for the introduction of state police.

He said the new justice system would ensure stiffer penalties for corruption.

He said: “The criminal justice system as you know is policing, it is prosecution. It touches on our jails and so on. One of the most important things that we have always talked about in criminal justice system is community policing. State police is very important because there is no federation of our size that does not have state police. You need community policing to be able to be more effective just in detection.

“If you look at the countries of the world it is important

for there to be a police force in the local community that is homegrown and understands the language, whereas the army can be a national army because the army hardly engages itself in internal issues except in extreme situations. The police cannot afford to be a federal force, there must be a community force. That is one aspect.

“The other aspect of it is the prosecution and detection. Of course there are so many issues around detection which we cannot go into now. Let’s just talk about prosecution.

“The prosecution of cases usually is a state affair and you find that if you have an effective investigation system, prosecutors will usually have good materials to work with

Expresses support for state police

but you also need the court system, the court system that is efficient. When a court system is inefficient, it is either for two reasons. One is structural and the other is an administrative issue.

“So, we need to build a system that is based on consequence for misdeeds and rewards for good conduct. Once that is put in place, most people are rational, there is nowhere in the world where people will run around doing what they like and the reason why they don’t is because there is a system in place. But once there is no system or the system doesn’t work they do what they like.

“So, one of the critical things that we need to do is to ensure that people know that there is

consequence for corruption especially within our system of justice. Once that is clearly outlined it becomes easier to find judges or persons who will do their jobs diligently and who will not compromise.

“In the reform of the criminal justice system, we are in conversation with the relevant stakeholders, the Attorney- General and others, looking at what to do, how to do it, looking at the remuneration package, the appointment of judges, discipline and all that.

“Also there are issues around the appellate system, trying to stop frivolous abuse of trials, and the appellate courts must refuse any attempts to frustrate progress of trials in the lower courts. It is a whole

comprehensive set of reforms that will be required.”

The vice-president also admitted that there were divisions amongst the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, saying that a new orientation was underway to tackle the issue.

“I think the point you’ve made is very important, The Ministry of Information, the local education offices, the NOA, will have to do a lot more in terms of national orientation. There is clearly the need to mobilise our people around values. The NOA have said that they have a plan which they are going to launch.

Clearly and I agree that most people are working towards advancing a particular interest and most of it is advanced by the elite,” he said.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017• T H I S D AY

NEWS

PDP, APC Reject Police Ban on Tuface’s Anti-Government Protest Opposition party asks protesters to defy police order

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have criticised the move to stop a nationwide peaceful protest spearheaded by a pop musician, Tuface Idibia, billed to take place this weekend.

The protest rally which is being planned to take place simultaneously in some major cities across the country, including Lagos State, Abuja and Asaba, is seen as an avenue provided by the organisers to enable Nigerians voice out their worries over hardship in the land.

However, against the background of reports yesterday stating that police authorities in Lagos had warned that it might not allow the protest to hold, both the APC and PDP were in agreement on opposing the police move, saying it would amount to a breach of the constitution to carry out such an order.

Speaking in a telephone interview with THISDAY, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, said there was nothing wrong in people holding peaceful protest under a democracy.

He said the party was not opposed to any form of expression of opposing view point by anyone so far it is done in a peaceful and non-violent manner and did not constitute disruption of public peace.

“For us, it is about the constitution of Nigeria, Tuface or any other citizen of the country has the right to stage a peaceful protest, that is the position of our constitution. We as a party will not be part of anything

that will abridge or take away the right of citizens to protest, especially in a democracy.

The APC spokesman justified the party’s position by saying it would be wrong to stifle peaceful protest since APC benefitted from such citizen’s right to expression of dissent during its days as opposition party.

“We have as a party benefited greatly from citizen’s right to express their democratic rights and our being in government is not going to change that orientation to promote the liberties and right of citizen hold dessenting views,” he said.

On what the party would be advising the security forces and the organisers of the protest to do under the circumstances, the party spokesman said: “Well I don’t know exactly what the police are saying about banning the protest.

I think what the police will probably be saying is that they are concerned about the issue of safety and threat to lives and property in the course of the protest.

“There are always fears that hoodlums might hijack a peaceful protest and use the opportunity to perpetrate violence on innocent citizens.

I suspect this might be the consideration of the police.

But this should not be good enough reason to deny citizens the full enjoyment of their constitutional rights however they wish to express them.”

Speaking on the motive of such protests and whether it would impact negatively on the image of the federal government controlled by his party, Abdullahi said: “ We believe that protests are a form of feedback, although we may not agree with the

grievances but at same time, it may be an opportunity for us to communicate more about what we are doing that the citizens may have had sufficient information on. It may an opportunity for us to give better clarification on what our government is doing. But fundamentally, it will be a form of feedback for us to do more in citizen’s engagement and enlightenment and to focus more on our commitment to the promises we made to our people. I do not see it as anything that is antithetical to our democracy.

But on its part, the PDP described the reported ban of the protest as an undemocratic act which should be resisted.

The PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, who spoke with

THISDAY on the matter, urged the protesters to defy any such order by the police, adding that stopping people for engaging in peacefully assembly is not only undemocratic but against the spirit and letters of the country’s constitution.

“It is illegal and very undemocratic, the people have the right to protest, the freedom of assembly and freedom to protest are two strong ingredients of a democracy.

In America, people have been protesting everywhere and nobody has made any effort to curtail it or to ban them or prevent them from holding.

“People have the rights to peaceful assembly and people had the right to protest under the previous regimes of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan,

Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Olusegun Obasanjo, how could these people now want to stop peaceful protest. These were the same people organising protests in those days against PDP governments.

“This shows clearly that we are now under a dictatorial regime. It is an illegal ban and I will urge the organisers of the protest to go ahead with it and defy the police ban because it is wrong.

In an effort to shore up, the federal government yesterday approved a new tax regime, just as it announced its intention to raise taxes on luxury goods.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved the pursuit of an initiative to force down the prices of food in the country.

But the PDP spokesman

reacted to the move to force down food prices as attempt to bring back an archaic economic policy that didn’t work many years ago.

“This is part of the archaic economic policies of President Muhammadu Buhari that he implemented during his first time in power as a military man.

We are back to that again. It never worked and can never work.

“We are not in a communist country, prices of goods should be determined by demand and supply, market forces simple.

You cannot force it, there is no way to force it. So the Minister of Finance should be better educated, it will not work and the policy is dead on arrival. You cannot force me to sell at prices below my cost price,” he said.

MOVING NTEL FORWARD

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Ntel, Kamar Abass; Director, Kashim Shettima; Chairman, General TY Danjuma (rtd); and Vice Chairman, Tunde Ayeni, after the company’s first board meeting of the year in Lagos....Tuesday

Osinbajo: Nigerian Troops to Remain in The Gambia for a While Meets National Assembly leadership for third time 97 return to the country, say Jammeh was ready for war

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday told the leadership of the National Assembly that some members of the Nigerian troops to The Gambia where they had gone to pressurise the former President, Yahya Jammeh, to hand over would remain in the tiny West African country to maintain peace.

Osinbajo, who for the third time in the week met with the leadership of the National Assembly, announced the decision to keep some of the troops in The Gambia during the meeting.

All the meetings, sources said, were aimed at resolving knotty issues on the 2017 budget.

Last Monday, Osinbajo met separately with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan.

On Tuesday, he met with Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Dogara where they discussed Nigeria’s planned roadshow to revive the economy.

Yesterday, he also met with both Saraki and Dogara for discussion on Nigeria’s mission at The Gambia.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting which lasted about an hour, Saraki said the vice president briefed them on Nigeria’s troop to The Gambia.

According to him, while the navy and the air force would be coming back very soon, some of the troops will be left behind in the West African country to help maintain peace.

Saraki said: “The vice president is briefing us on our trip to The Gambia and what the situation is. And that the navy and the air force will be

coming back and that is likely some troops will be left behind.”

Nigerian troops were deployed to The Gambia at the height of the political crisis after Jammeh had reneged on conceding defeat in the December 1, 2016 presidential elections.

Jammeh was forced to relinquish power on January 19, 2017, after losing election to Adama Barrow.

The regional body, Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), had deployed troops in the country to enforce an ECOWAS mandate to chase him out.

The ECOWAS mandate was led by President Muhammadu Buhari and former President of Ghana, John Mahama.

He finally bowed out after several diplomatic shuttles and a show of military might by ECOWAS standby force and

fled into exile in Guinea, paving the way for President Barrow to assume office as the new Gambia President.

Save for the massive manpower, both air and at sea and the show of force, deployed by the federal government and the security forces of other nations, the ousted former President of the Republic of Gambia, Jammeh, was ready for war, THISDAY gathered yesterday.

This disclosure was made by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) after 97 of its 200 contingent sent to restore peace in The Gambia, arrived at the NAF Air Lift Group in Ikeja, Lagos.

While receiving the contingent led by Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the air force would have applied commensurate force if Jammeh

had not opted to back down.

It was gathered that although the ousted president was battle ready, as he had availed himself with the best of the country’s military weapons, the show of mightier force by the airpower of NAF influenced his decision to stand down.

According to the contingent, which arrived in a NAF 918 C-130 aircraft and two alpha jets, they had first shown off their military strength by continually flying over Jammeh’s residence from their base in Senegal.

With the different NAF air lifts and aircraft flying over, as well as that of other countries, the Gambian military were said to have downed their weapons for fear of retribution, given the small strength of their military power.

Having opted not to fight, they allowed the ground and air forces of ECOWAS forces to

access the state house, as well as Jammeh’s personal residence.

Thus, when they finally accessed the state house and his personal residence, they saw that he was really prepared for war in a bid not to leave office.

While addressing the troops, the CAS who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum, said the remaining personnel were left behind to ensure stability and reintegration of the Gambian military forces.

He said, “Prior to your departure, the CAS addressed and emplored you to represent Nigeria well.

“Thus, the discipline and professional conduct you all maintained was highly commendable and worthy of mention.

“Also, your cooperation with sister services and other military forces of other ECOWAS countries is also commendable.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2017

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

COMMENT

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

AMBODE’S QUIET REVOLUTION (1) The Lagos State Government is delivering on its promise, writes Taiwo Ogundipe

P

oliticians are generally known to make hyperbolic promises while on the campaign trail. And while in office and are not meeting the expectations of the electorate, they explain their failures away in effusions of platitude. Some state governors have been known to react with impunity to the protestations of their workers in the civil service or in government agencies who are owed many months of salaries. That remarkably has not been the lot of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. The consensus has been that he is largely delivering on all he promised during the electioneering campaign.

He set that tone right from the day of his inauguration as governor.

The governor, after inspecting the parade of guard mounted by members of the Nigeria Police Force, said, “As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognise our strength in diversity. A common national identity where everybody counts. I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind.

No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you”, adding: “I want to assure all of us that I will make your taxes work for you. You will surely get a transparent and incorruptible government that will give you good value for your taxes paid. We shall embark on continuous reforms in the public service. I am determined to demonstrate that the government belongs to the citizens. You have put us here as servants to serve you and not you serving us. Today we are committed to that creed. Moving forward, the civil service will be strengthened and made to respond to the needs of all citizens in the same manner, quality services are rendered in the private sector.”

The highpoint of the inaugural speech which reportedly attracted ovation from the crowd was the announcement of the creation of a new ministry and two offices. According to Ambode, “I want to assure the business community and corporate Lagos that the ease of doing business in Lagos will be improved upon earnestly. Lagos is open for greater business. To this end, a new Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (LAGOS GLOBAL) shall be created under the Governor’s Office.

“We want you to fly into Lagos, start your business, find your way, live, work and enjoy in Lagos. As part of our reforms, a new Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment shall be established. This will specifically address the promise I made during the campaign on employment trust fund, labour exchange and entrepreneurship. This goal, we shall pursue vigorously.” Living up to the fulfilment of this promise, the governor created the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment vide an executive order dated June 17, 2015 as part of the creation, abolition and re-alignment of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the state government. The vision statement of the new ministry reads: “To be an enabling institution that creates sustainable wealth for Lagos citizens.”

The mission statement declares: “To promote and sustain entrepreneurship and employment through effective use of wealth creation strategies and resources by collaborating with all stakeholders.” The core values fashioned for the ministry includes integrity, responsiveness, accountability, strong leadership, and innovation.

During his inaugural address, Governor Ambode had also said that he would fulfil his campaign promise of establishing an Employment Trust

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FUND WILL NOT BE MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES BUT BY THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES CREATED, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED AND THE OVERALL MULTIPLIER EFFECTS ON THE STATE ECONOMY WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME

Fund. On Tuesday, January 5, 2016, he assented to the Employment Trust Fund Law. Thereafter, in line with the provisions of the law, the chairman and the executive secretary were duly cleared by the State House of Assembly.

During the ceremony of assenting to the law, the governor said, “This Fund is a turning point in the responsiveness of government to the yearnings of our youth and unemployed people. Beyond the fact that this was a campaign promise, it is a paradigm shift in engaging our youths. We must realise that the era of white collar jobs is gone forever.” He added: “The Employment Trust Fund is an instrument to galvanise the creative and innovative energies of all Lagosians. For clarity, the Employment Trust Fund will only be available to Lagosians and residents of Lagos State. I urge all Lagosians especially our young entrepreneurs and artisans to embrace this opportunity. The process of accessing the fund must be transparent, and beneficiaries will be chosen only on the strength and quality of their applications. The management of this fund will be guided by global best practices and strict adherence to the rules and procedures spelt out in the law.”

The governor then disclosed that his government would commit N6.25 billion every year within the four years of this administration to a total of N25 billion. He said, “Realising that the first year of this administration is just three months away, precisely on May 29, 2016, the Commissioner for Finance is hereby directed to transfer the sum of N6.25 billion to the Employment Trust Fund immediately, today.”

Governor Ambode, however, noted, “The effectiveness of this initiative will not be measured by the number of beneficiaries but by the number of successful businesses created, the number of employment opportunities offered and the overall multiplier effects on the state economy within a reasonable period of time. Lagos deserves nothing short of this.”

He concluded, “I charge the chairman and members of the Employment Trust Fund to hit the ground running and ensure that Lagosians feel their presence immediately. Every senatorial zone of the state must feel the positive impact of the fund. The board must ensure that the distribution of the fund is evenly spread across the state. I urge individuals, corporate organisations and multi-lateral agencies to join our efforts in turning around the fortunes of our youths and thereby energise the state economy and by our actions, the Nigerian economy as a whole.” The governor gave assurance that the fund will be distributed through a credible and transparent process. Ambode, who stressed that the ETF Board had credible and experienced Nigerians, gave the assurance that the entire process of accessing the fund had been designed to be “credible, transparent, accountable and not discriminate on account of gender, religion, physical ability or disability, political affiliation and socio-economic background.” The Chairperson of the ETF Board, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru, said the country must create about 1.5 million jobs quarterly to keep the number of unemployed people flat. To achieve the goal, she said there was the need for effective collaboration between government and the private sector to come up with solutions.

Okaru, who lamented that many Nigerians were spending time to acquire certificates of no value, said people must be encouraged to come up with innovative solutions to problems.

Ogundipe wrote from Lagos

SELF-CENSORSHIP AND SECURITY REPORTS

S

The security agencies and the media need one another to ensure peace and stability, contends Yushau A. Shuaib

elf-censorship by the media is a moral act of repressing, limiting, holding back or classifying information from public disclosure through mutual understanding. In most cases, editors exercise control over what to investigate and report despite the news value and commercial benefits.

Imbibing the practice of self-censorship also protects journalists and media organisations from prosecution or persecution in the event of negative consequences of their disclosure. For instance, in the evening of April 23, 2015, a credible piece of news on terrorists was issued by PRNigeria, a press release platform. Less than an hour later, the platform sent an SMS to Editors requesting them to embargo a segment of the story that had ‘Thuraya’ with an updated version. The media complied with the ‘directive’ and the intelligence operation was successful.

Several instances abound where self-censorship, through systematic collaboration between the media and security agencies contributed to the success of military operations in Nigeria. Such restrictions serve common interest, especially in promoting best practices, moral standards as well as protecting life and property. For instance, when Nigerian troops had misunderstanding with their GOC in Maimalari Barracks on May 14, 2015, intelligence officers privately appealed to the media to be mindful of the danger of using the strong word ‘Mutiny’ as against a lighter word ‘Protest.’ Mutiny, according to them, is punishable by long jail-terms or death. At least a section the media were considerate enough to substitute the

word in attempt to save the career and lives of the soldiers.

Self-censorship has been used in battle of wits among parties in conflicts, not necessarily against the main enemies. There were attempts by some neighbouring countries to rubbish the integrity of Nigerian military by insinuating that our troops displayed cowardice. There was an incident at a border town in August 2014, followed by an embarrassing media leak from a neighbouring country to disgrace our troops. The then Defence spokesperson, General Chris Olukolade swiftly responded by issuing a statement with military jargon of ‘Tactical Manoeuvre’ which was widely used and celebrated by the media. Surprisingly, few months later the troops involved in the ‘tactical maneuver’ succeeded in launching aggressive military assaults and recovered the border town. While the enemies and ignoramuses might be laughing at the drama and the jargon, the military tacticians were focused on victories.

Meanwhile, between the months of January and April 2015 there were series of interfaces between the media and security agencies on planned strategies to recover occupied territories from Boko Haram when Sambo Dasuki was the National Security Adviser. The media bought into the idea of self-restraint over some classified information on the counter-terrorism campaign.

As patriotic stakeholders in Nigerian project, most editors became more conscious and prevented the inadvertent revelation of military secrets.

While some of the journalists deliberately omitted terrorists’ propaganda from their bulletins, others suppressed news that could be injurious to

national security. Till today many Nigerian are yet to know how over 20 towns were recovered in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States within the short-period of election postponement and before the handing over to the Buhari administration in May 29, 2015. The media protected the military strategies and supported our troops throughout the period.

The point here is that while security agencies use weapons to confront criminal elements, the media use their pens to frame the public perceptions on those efforts. The positive media narratives on the counter-insurgency operations, not only boosted the morale of the troops and built the public confidence, the anti-terrorism editorial policies also weakened the fighting spirits of terrorists.

However, conflicts sometimes brew between security agencies who desire to control information and the media that dig for fresh facts and newsworthy information from credible authorised and anonymous sources. The role of the media is basically to promote public awareness; shape public opinion; influence decision makers and mobilise support and resources for public good.

On the other hand, critical institutions are mandated to provide services, gather intelligence and respond to emergencies and educate the public amongst others.

The recent mistrust between security agencies and the media over the arrest of publishers of the Sahara Reporters, Sowore Omoyele and that of the Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi is unwarranted and worrisome. More disturbing is the involvement of Nigerian Army in the latest

fracas. Surprisingly, the Nigerian Army under the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has received tremendous media goodwill and publicity than any branch of security sector in Nigeria. The positive media exposure on the army is so overwhelming that other branches like Defence Headquarters, Air Force, Navy and other intelligence organs get lesser mentions in the press.

More painful is the fact that the name of General Buratai, one of the finest and humble officers is frequently mentioned in the impasse that the federal government and even the Nigerian Army, as an institution disassociated themselves from the legal tussle.

It is also funny that one of the lawyers denounced attempts for a peaceful resolution of the impasse and even threatened to invoke cybercrime law against the media. Cybercrime law was signed by the previous administration to tackle fraudulent and criminal elements not for intimidating the media which have continued to save the military and other security apparatuses from ridicule and imminent exposure to danger.

The Chief of Army Staff should be wary of busy-body consultants or lawyers who may wish to profit from the crisis by instigating him to take irrational steps against the media. No one fights the press publicly, especially credible media, in attempt to enforce censorship, not self-censorship, and get away with it unscathed.

The security agencies and the media need one another towards ensuring sustainable peace and stability of the polity. www.YAShuaib.com

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

EDITORIAL BURDEN OF PENSIONS TO EX-GOVERNORS

T

There is urgent need to review pension laws as they affect former state executives

he cost of scandalous pension paid by 21 states to some 47 former governors in the last four years has been estimated at over N37 billion.

And this is coming at a time when ordinary pensioners in most of these states and at the federal level have not been paid their meagre entitlements regularly for over five years. Moreover, a good number of these ex-governors are either in the Senate or are occupying other high public offices where they draw huge remunerations, thus raising a serious question about the propriety of this naked rape of the treasury. There are also questions, which remain unanswered, as to whether any official can draw two or more remunerations from the public treasuries at the same time.

It is indeed all the more unfortunate that at a period when Nigeria needs men of moral courage in government whose actions are motivated by the public good, we have now found ourselves in a situation where many of our officials are stretching the purse of their IN A TREND THAT STARTED states for their own IN LAGOS IN 2007, good. To worsen PRACTICALLY ALL FORMER the situation, it is GOVERNORS HAVE a perfect scam in COMMITTED THEIR STATES that these former TO WRITE LAWS WHICH governors successfully railroaded ENTITLE THEM TO LIVES their states houses OF LUXURY OUTSIDE of assembly into OFFICE AS WELL AS OPULENT BURIALS WHEN passing legislations for the scandalous THEY DIE pensions they enjoy at the expense of the ordinary citizens.

It is to say the least condemnable that many of the states with several pressing challenges – from inability to provide shelter and jobs for many of their residents to stalling in payment of pensions to retired teachers for years – can still sanction the indiscriminate awards of its resources to already

Letters to the Editor

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T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEPH USHIGIALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

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

well-heeled and comfortable citizens. But many of the current governors do not care because they also plan to enjoy such benefits after leaving office.

In a trend that started in Lagos in 2007, practically all former governors (the only known exception being Mr Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State who turned down the idea) have committed their states to write laws which entitle them to lives of luxury outside office as well as opulent burials when they die. Huge mansions were also constructed for them at public expense since the law provides for the governor a befitting palace in the state capital or in the nation’s capital, Abuja, while the deputy governor is entitled to an accommodation allowance equal to 300 per cent of his annual basic salary.

In most of the states, after office, a former governor and his spouse would be entitled to free medical services anywhere at a sum ranging from N100 million to N200 million per annum while the deputy governor will pocket N50 million for same purpose. Both would also be entitled to their current salary for life, which is in excess of N25 million each per annum. In addition they are also entitled to furniture allowances and brand new cars every four years at the tax payers’ expense. Their cooks, chauffeurs and security men – people who will further lighten their burden - are also well provided for.

Since what these governors take in a most cynical manner is public money which further impoverishes the majority of their people, one would ordinarily expect the labour unions to challenge these obnoxious laws and those who implement them. Sadly, we cannot recall any intervention from labour on this issue. This mindless plunder of scarce resources has lasted long enough and has to be stopped or reviewed. If we must develop as a nation, we have to revive those long cherished culture, values and behaviour that once made us so proud to be Nigerians. But it has to start at the top by reducing the intoxicating spoils of high office in Nigeria.

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.

WOLE SOYINKA, EL-RUFAI AND SOUTHERN KADUNA

he imbalance in the economy had on several occasions culminated in violent agitations such as the riots staged between 1946 and 1966 by the Kalaf and other related peoples in southern Zaria over certain injustices suffered under the leadership of the settlers. Earlier in 1942, there had been political protests among the Kaje group of the Zango Katab district over perceived discrimination by the Native Authority administration against the people of Southern Zaria. Such protests marked the beginning of what was to become a continuous agitation over political representation and economic participation by Southern Zaria, in the state. The specific demands made in some of those agitations included increased autonomy and control over local matters, the indigenisation of all district head appointments in southern Zaria, establishment of independent chiefdoms for all the southern Zaria tribes, the cessation of the proliferation of village heads as a strategy of divide-and-rule by the officials among the settlers, cessation of discrimination by Native Authority administration against the southern Zaria people, the establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal for non-Muslim groups to complement the existing Sharia Court of Appeal, the subdivision of Kaduna into one or two new states in order to put an end to the minority status of the southern Zaria people.

Rotimi Suberu has described official responses to these demands and protests as varied, from outright repudiation and denunciation of the claims of the southern Zaria communities in that regard.

Suberu adds that despite the dismissal of the Native Authority of the agitations by the southern Zaria population as the work

of a “few vocal malcontents and missionaries”, the regional or state governments have attempted to implement some repressive programmes which included “the prohibition of discriminatory acts by Native Authority officials against the southern Zaria population, the promotion of political de-centralisation through the establishment of village and district councils, the establishment of an Outer Court in order to facilitate the participation of southern Zaria groups in official matters, the employment of Native Authority departments and welfare projects in southern Zaria and the transfer of the independent districts of Moroa, Kagoro and Kwoi from the Zaria Province to Jema’a Division.” Suberu is of the opinion although such policies as implemented by the government did not put a total stop to the ethnic agitations in southern Kaduna, two notable goals were achieved through them namely, that the policies prevented a total polarisation of the state and ameliorated the fears and grievances of the southern Zaria people, even though the state thereafter witnessed three crises that were ethno-religious in nature namely, the Kafachan Crisis of March 1987, the Zangon Katab Riots of February 1992, and the Zangon Katab Riots of May 1992. To investigate and address the causes of these and other crises of similar nature, successive administrations in Kaduna State and the country at large had set up different tribunals, committees or commissions such as the one headed by Mrs. Hansine Donli (1987), the one established by the federal government and chaired

by Justice A.G. Karibi-Whyte (1987), the one led by Justice Rahida H. Cudjoe (1992), the one chaired by Alhaji Isa Aliyu Shika( 1992). It is not out of place to add to the government’s response

to the virtually incessant ethnic clashes in Southern Kaduna, the subdivision of the state into Kaduna and Katsina by the Babangida Administration in 1987. Yet, there has not ceased to be a clamour in some quarters for further subdivision of Kaduna State into Zazzau and Jema’a or Gurar (Southern Zaria) in consonance with the existing ethnic configuration in the state namely, the Hausa/ Fulani-non-Hausa minorities’ divide.

In the face of these facts and figures the insensitivity allegedly demonstrated by the State Governor through what the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) recently described (as published in notable Nigerian dailies on January 21 - 22, 2017 as his “use of hate speech to distort history over endless killings in the area”.

Such a condemnable attitude coupled with the governor’s widely publicised claim to have “paid the killers of Southern Kaduna people to stop the carnage,” spurred Nigeria’s revered Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka into commenting publicly on the crisis which he erroneously characterised as “religious” rather than ethnic in nature, as he incorrectly described the ethnic agitators as “religious forces,” like Boko Haram’s Muhammad Yusuf. It may interest the governor to learn that there is no need for witchhunting in the name of prosecution. Rather, there is need to launch a virtually panoramic investigation into the various issues raised in this discourse with a view to getting to the roots of the matter and addressing the issues once and for all. And the federal government must not remain silent and passive in this regard.

Dr.Saheed Ahmad Rufai, Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, Sokoto State University

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2017 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Another Hurdle Before Fayose

Victor Ogunje writes that Governor Ayodele Fayose must upturn last week’s Federal High Court judgment in order to remain relevant before and after the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State

T

he Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has always fought his way through political battles, but how he wriggles his way through the new one will be of interest to many watchers of the governor who has become the mouthpiece of the opposition party.

The issue is, last week Tuesday, January 24, the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti poured petrol in the fire of the internal crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when it sacked the Gboyega Oguntuwase-led State Working Committee (SWC) of the party.

By the judgent, Justice Taiwo Taiwo replaced the Oguntuwase leadership with the Williams Ajayi-led faction, meanwhile the widespread feeling in Fayose camp is that Ajayi is being bankrolled by the lawmaker representing Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu.

The verdict which immediately created an atmosphere of frenzy as remained source of concern for members of the party because if the situation is not quickly addressed, it could bring about the situation that led to PDP’s failure in the recent Ondo State governorship election.

The party started witnessing cold war since May 2016, when Governor Fayose, who has a domineering control over the party affairs replaced Mr. Idowu Faleye with Oguntuase, in a split congresses conducted by party members in the state. What led to the factionalisation was a replay of the seeming endless feud between the Ali Modu Sheriff group and Ahmed Makarfi Caretaker Committee over the control of the party.

What makes the Ekiti case worrisome among the PDP controlled states is the fact that the governorship election is coming in 2018. In fact, the party has not recovered from the loss to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Akeredolu, in Ondo state, which capitalised on the unhealthy situation in the party to overrun the popular PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede.

The division within the PDP provided ample opportunity for the ruling APC to play prominent role in the Ondo election and the people envisaged that the Ekiti election will be more ferocious owing to the hostility between President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Fayose.

After the conduct of the state congress, Ajayi, had in a suit number FCH/AD/CS/21/2015 filed on May 16, 2016, urged the court to recognize his own faction of the PDP in the congresses conducted in all the 177 wards, 16 local governments and the state on April 30 and May 4 and 5, 2016 respectively.

Though, Fayose initially treated the group with kid’s gloves because of his seemingly unmatchable political mastery in Ekiti politics, but pundits believed that the governor only played with the tail of a cobra by underrating people like Senator Kashamu, Senator Clement Awoyelu, Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, Ambassador Dare Bejide, former deputy governor Biodun Aluko and other party bigwigs in the group.

The plaintiff urged the court to pronounce him the authentic chairman of the party, also seeking an order declaring the Oguntuase as an impostor and an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant him and his executive recognition. Joined in the suit were; INEC as first respondent, PDP as second respondent, Ali Modu Sheriff as third respondent, Prof Wale Oladipo as fourth respondent and Gboyega Oguntuase as fifth respondent.

Justice Taiwo had said the motion on notice pending at the Court of Appeal over attempt by the second, third, fourth and fifth respondents to change their lawyer and appoint Chief Mike

Fayose...fresh battle beckons

Ozekhome (SAN), as the lead counsel was not enough to delay the delivery of the judgment.

Before the judgment, the body language and actions taken by counsel to the PDP, Bimpe Olatemiju, indicated that they already had a premonition that they would lose the case.

Olatemiju, in a desperate move to arrest the judgment, called the attention of the court to a letter dated January 19, 2017 and deposited with the registrar of the court to the effect that the court should set aside the proceeding of December 8, 2016, when the written addresses were adopted and the need to stay action on the court’s proceeding pending the determination of the motion on notice at the appellate court filed against the October 12, 2016 ruling of the court. The ruling was delivered against the second, third, fourth and fifth respondents on their request to appoint Ozekhome as their lead counsel.

However, Justice Taiwo, being an experienced jurist saw the handwriting on the wall and one could feel how deeply enraged he was with the way he reacted against the lawyer and standing his ground that nothing would stop the judgment from being delivered.

Arguing on point of law, Olatemiju said the court can’t proceed because of the pending case at the Court of Appeal. Justice Taiwo objected by maintaining that the 1999 constitution forbids arrest of judgment and that the case would not be an exemption.

However, the judge later listened to Olatemiju’s argument and the averment of plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr Niran Owoseni after which he rose and came back to dismiss the argument to give way for the delivery of his judgment.

In his judgment on the substantive matter, Justice Taiwo said: “A political party must operate

Governor Fayose has not made any public comment on the issue yet. But being a professor of politics as he fondly refers to himself, the governor surely understands that forces in the presidency would come after him during the election and he must have been preparing solidly and strategically ahead of that

within certain guidelines and when there is a crisis of this nature in a party, we use the party’s constitution and the 1999 constitution to remedy the condition”, citing the case of Ugwu Vs PDP to substantiate this claim.

He added that “it is not in dispute that the second, third, fourth and fifth respondents were jointly represented, and not in dispute that second and third respondents are members of the PDP. It is not also in dispute that third and fourth respondents were still acting as the chairman and national secretary. So, going by the PDP’s guidelines, the power to conduct congresses at the wards, local governments and state levels can only be directed by NWC and since these people were still in charge at that time, any other directive or parallel congress by any other body is null and void”, he ruled.

Diverse reactions have since trailed the judgment like two sides of a coin. While Ajayi’s faction considered it the most appropriate action, Oguntuase said it was a travesty of justice.

Oguntuase said: “We will appeal the judgment.

I plead with all PDP members in the state to remain calm. In that judgment, I saw humour and I didn’t see honour and candour. The judgment is based on judicial rascality and insanity, which would not prevent us from winning the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Oguntuase contended that anybody who is sacking them in the state would have to suspend the executive at the Government House and the legislature at the State House of Assembly, National Assembly and all local government chairmen in the state.

“How will you call yourself a chairman when the governor is not behind you, when all the National Assembly members and state assembly lawmakers are not behind you? So, this is not the last court”, he said.

Also upbraiding the judgment, former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, appealed to members of the party to resist attempt by those he described as fifth columnists to use judiciary to destabilise the party ahead of the 2018 governorship poll.

Lawal, who was deputy to ex-governor Segun Oni, urged the party not to tolerate any act of indiscipline that could make the APC wins undeservedly in Ekiti, the way it did in Ondo State.

“We shouldn’t allow external forces to be dabbling into our party affairs and the best way to prevent that is by using internal mechanism to settle our differences rather than rushing to court over little disagreements.

“The way we lost the Ondo governorship election is still fresh in our memories. Our party is very popular in Ondo State, but the litigation gave our candidate, Eyitayo Jegede only last

minute legitimacy to participate in the election and it led to that disastrous defeat. It is the same card that the APC is playing out in Ekiti today, using some of our members. No loyal party man will be happy doing hatchet jobs for the ruling party.

“What is happening to us in Ekiti is nothing short of such and our party must take decisive action to ensure that we retain Ekiti not minding the onslaught of the ruling party”, Lawal stated.

Having seen that Oguntuase’s group was working assiduously to wriggle out of the quagmire, Ajayi swiftly upped his game by suspending his ousted rival and two others, including sacking publicity secretary of the party, Jackson Adebayo and secretary, Tope Anjorin.

A statement signed by the deputy chairman of Ajayi’s group, Mr. Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi; secretary, Elder Obe Ilesanmi and the public relations officer, Mr. Dayo Owolabi, said the action became imperative following series of anti-party allegations leveled against them.

“Sequel to various allegations of anti-party activities leveled against them, particularly based on their roles in the parallel congress held at Adetiloye Hall under the supervision of Mr. Ayodele Fayose on May 10, 2016 and upon investigation, and more importantly, after the judgment of the Federal High Court of January 24, 2017, the SWC hereby resolved to suspend Mr. Oguntuase and his team of impostors forthwith”, part of the statement read.

Apparently as a form of reprisal, the PDP loyal to Fayose also suspended the Vice Chairman of Ikere local government, Mr. Adebayo Taiwo and a supervisory councillor, Mr Victor Adeniyi.

Also, a Commissioner with the Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Bode Adewole, is being investigated by the disbanded Oguntuase-led executive for similar offence.

Since the verdict was handed down, Governor Fayose has not made any public comment on the issue yet. But being a professor of politics as he fondly refers to himself, the Governor surely understands that forces in the presidency would come after him during the election and he must have been preparing solidly and strategically ahead of that.

After marking the second year anniversary of his government last year October 16, Fayose started extended interactions with various groups, including teachers, market women, youths, civil servants, and drivers openly canvassed for supports.

In one of the meetings, Fayose said: “You know that I am now in the opposition. I don’t have access to police, DSS or other security agents, but I have access to you. You are my backbone and that is why I am starting my campaign now”.

Also during a meeting with Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Ikere chapter last November, Fayose boasted that he can’t be caught napping the way Governor Olusegun Mimiko was humbled in Ondo State. The Governor boasted: “let me tell you, I don’t even know yet the political party my successor will contest the election.

“We are still playing the game left, right and centre to know where to go. But I know that if it remains just two days to election, if I tell Ekiti people where to go, they will surely follow me because we are always together”, he said assuredly.

But no matter how sagacious and enigmatic Fayose might be in political chess game, he must tread softly because the land is becoming more slippery for him. He should not also be oblivious of the fact that he would have to contend with another impending internal crisis over the choice of his successor. And the earlier the governor begins to think outside the box, the better for his political future.

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POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Delegitimising Killer Herdsmen (1) Femi Fani-Kayode writes that instead of the attention on Apostle Johnson Suleman who urged Christians to defend themselves against killer herdsmen, the Directorate of State Security should bring the perpetrators of the heinous crimes in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country to book

N

othing sums up the dangerous way in which the Directorate of State Security (DSS) is handling the Apostle Johnson Suleman affair better than the words of the Southern Kaduna-based Pastor Owojaye Matthew.

He said, “ You want to arrest Christian clergymen who asked Christians to defend themselves against killer Fulani herdsmen while you allow hundreds of foreign Fulani herdsmen invading Nigeria to kill and maim Christians and take over their lands!

DSS, tread softly! Do not play into the hands of chaos! We are waiting for DSS to arrest the kill and go Fulani herdsmen!”

The Buhari administration is literally playing Russian roulette with this matter.

They are playing with fire and it may well end up burning them badly and consuming the whole of Nigeria. They are sitting on a keg of gunpowder and it may well end up blowing up in their faces.

Owojaiye’s point is as pertinent as it is clear. His counsel to the DSS is unassailable and timely.

They would do well to take his advice.

Leave Suleman alone and, instead of harassing him, go after those who commit mass murder, ethnic cleansing and genocide against northern Christians at the drop of a hat and those who encourage, incite and pay them to do it.

In this respect, let us consider the words of the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, who, on the 24th July 2016 called on Muslims to fight anybody or any group that attempts to stop them from performing their religious obligations.

According to him, Muslims should “Fight those who seek to stop you from practising Islam. The only thing that will make me to act or ask you to act is only when somebody or a group or some other nations decide to stop us from performing our religious obligations. That is the only way we can fight somebody.” (The Daily Trust).

These words are not only ominous but also sinister. The question for His Eminence and all those that share his views and disposition - and I ask it respectfully - is precisely who is stopping the Muslims of Nigeria from “practising Islam” and “performing their religious obligations?”

Is his warning and veiled threat not dangerous and unnecessary? Is this misguided and misplaced missive not the motive and primary catalyst for the unprecedented and unprovoked attacks that the Christian community in northern Nigeria is being subjected to today?

Is this not the ethos and mindset of those who love to spill Christian blood and crush Christian bones?

Do such words not appear to be like manna from heaven and a source of great inspiration and encouragement to the radical Islamic terrorists and Fulani ethnic supremacists in our midst? Is this not a clear case of incitement to violence?

If the DSS can attempt to arrest and later invite the fiery Apostle Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries simply for calling on Christians to defend themselves when they are attacked by Fulani militias, why should they not arrest the Sultan of Sokoto for his comments as well?

If Miyetti Allah and other Muslim groups and Fulani leaders can call for the arrest of Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other clerics simply because they asked Christians to defend

Abubakar

Suleiman

themselves from what can only be described as mass murder and genocide, why can’t we Christians demand that the Sultan of Sokoto, the leader of Nigeria’s northern Muslims, be arrested for his inciting words as well?

Is what is good for the goose not good for the gander? Do Muslim lives matter more than Christian ones in President Muhammadu Buhari’s Nigeria? Are Christians expected to behave like quislings and cowards and hide under the bed shivering in silence when Muslim leaders speak or threaten them?

Are Christians second class citizens in Nigeria? Is it not better to be killed and die as free men than to live as worthless slaves or second class citizens in our own country?

All over the northern part of the country Christians are being targeted, slaughtered and butchered and not one person has been arrested, detained or cautioned by our government for these heinous crimes against humanity and these clear cases of ethnic and religious cleansing.

Are the lives of those defenseless and innocent Christian men, women and children that were brutally massacred some kind of sacrifice to a strange and demonic deity or entity?

Are those that kill in this gruesome and heartless manner and those that secretly encourage such killings and turn a blind

eye to them really Muslims? Are they even human beings or are they just beasts?

I ask these questions because the apparent indifference of our government to the plight of the northern Christians and their conspiratorial collusion with the forces of darkness that perpetuate these evil, ungodly and barbaric acts against them shocks and appalls me.

Muslim clerics and leaders all over the north pronounce inciting words every day in the sanctity of their mosques and the Fulani Emirs appear to endorse those words yet no-one has called any of them to order. This has been going on for years and yet few are prepared to confront it.

The indifference of most northern Muslim leaders towards this matter is troubling and nauseating me. It appears that those that kill Christians in the north have some sort of immunity from the law.

For example there was a particular Fulani prince who was involved in the gruesome public beheading of a Christian man from Benue State by the name of Gideon Akaluka in Kano in the mid 1990’s long before he became an Emir.

The Fulani prince was hidden in a Sokoto prison for two years after all those that organised the killing with him were extra-judicially executed by security forces on the orders of the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha. After his release the matter was closed and the prince not only flourished but he also went from strength to strength until he became an Emir!

That is how skewered the system is and that is the level of injustice and sheer madness that Christians have been subjected to over the years in Nigeria. Instead of facing justice, those that commit such atrocities appear to be rewarded by the state for their barbarity and evil.

Again in October, 2011 the Sultan of Sokoto delivered a lecture at Harvard University in the United States of America and, amongst many other things, said: “I do not recognise any Nigerian constitution and the only constitution I recognise is the Koran.”

As the cerebral young Yoruba nationalist Mr. Adeyinka Adebayo rightly asked, ”If Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor David Oyedepo, Pastor Ayo Oritsajafor, Cardinal

If the DSS can attempt to arrest and later invite the fiery Apostle Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries simply for calling on Christians to defend themselves when they are attacked by Fulani militias, why should they not arrest the Sultan of Sokoto for his comments as well?

Olubunmi Okogie in the name of their beliefs in the Bible as having the final say in their affairs, go about with such flatulence, would it be acceptable and exemplary?”

Adebayo has asked a pertinent question.

If Prophet Temitope Joshua, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Dr. B.O. Ezekiel, Rev. Musa Asake, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, Rev. Emmanuel Kure, Rev. Ladi Thompson, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo or any of the other notable clerics in Nigeria had said that they do not recognise the Nigerian constitution and that the only constitution that they recognise is the Holy Bible would all hell not have broken loose?

Up until today the slaughter that comes as a consequence of such irresponsible and hateful sentiments and incitement continues. Yet when the Islamist terrorists and Jihadists start killing Christians and Shiite Muslims as a consequence of such incendiary expressions the Buhari government is not doing enough to discourage or stop it.

Worse still, the entire nation maintains a stoic and submissive silence as if it they were totally bewitched by some deep voodoo magic and dark Luciferian spell.

Virtually everyone appears to have been frozen into silence in the country and the spirit of fear has gripped most of our leaders and captured their spirits and souls.

The killing of Christians on a daily basis all over the north has now become the norm and it is getting worse by the day. Yet no one seems to care and some, including that devilish little imp in Kaduna State that delight in shedding Christian blood, even relish it and boast about it.

Eight hundred and eight Christians were slaughtered in Southern Kaduna on Christmas Eve and Christmas day by Fulani militias and no arrests were made.

1000 Christians were killed in Agatu, Benue state last year by Fulani militants and no arrests were made.

Two hundred and fifty three Christians were bombed to death at an IDP camp in Borno state two weeks ago by a mad Muslim Air Force pilot and no arrests were made. One thousand Shiite Muslims were slaughtered by the Sunni-Muslim controlled Nigerian army at the end of 2015 and no arrests were made.

Thousands (yes thousands) of Christian Biafran youths and members of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) have been slaughtered all over the south-east and south-south by the Nigerian security agencies since Buhari came to power just under two years ago, yet no arrests have been made!

Christian political leaders and clerics are being harassed, detained, subjected to torture, humiliated, maligned, threatened, coerced and forced to step down as heads of their churches by the creation and implementation of bogus, absurd and self-serving laws and yet no one is there to defend them.

Relevant here are the words of the man of the moment, President Donald J. Trump. He said: “Christians in the Middle-East have been executed in large numbers. We cannot allow this horror to continue!”

If only he knew what the Christians of northern Nigeria were being subjected to, he would accept the fact that what is happening to Christians in the Middle East is nothing but child’s play. May God help us all. (TO BE CONTINUED).

Fani-Kayose, former Minister of Aviation, wrote in from Lagos

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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

15.4261% 15.7513% 16.1576%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

1 6 , 19.2703% 20.6120% 22.3006%

2 0 1 6 EXCHANGE RATE N314.77//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes NIMN Inaugurates Investiture C’ttee

MED-VIEW AIRLINE LISTING ON NSE

L-R: President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline Plc, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; Minister of State, Aviation, Senator. Hadi Sirika and Chairman, Med-View Airline Plc, Sheik Abdul Moshen Rahman Al-Thunavan during the ringing of the bell and Med-View Airline Plc listing at Nigeria Stock Exchange … recently

Aviation Sector Lost $2 Billion Investment in Two Years Chinedu Eze THISDAY investigations have revealed that the aviation industry in 2015 and 2016 lost over $2 billion investment from international financiers who wanted a stake in Nigeria air transport sector due to the prevailing economic downturn.

Considering the huge potential market for aircraft maintenance in Nigeria, THISDAY gathered that in mid 2015, one European based aircraft maintenance company opened discussions with a Nigerian carrier to establish Maintenance, Overhaul and Repairs (MRO) facility in Lagos.

The company was said to have withdrawn from the deal, citing Nigeria’s volatile economy.

Also in 2015, an African

AVIATION airline, which has entry points in Nigeria was said to have commenced feasibility studies to locate MRO facility in Lagos to serve West African sub-region, but decided last year to locate it in Togo, targeting the Nigerian market.

“We gathered that Asky Airlines based in Lomé, Togo and shareholder, Ethiopian Airlines are planning to establish an aircraft MRO and training centre in Lome, Nigeria was first considered and the market is targeting Nigeria,” informed source told THISDAY. The CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam was quoted to have explained that Asky was in discussions with the Togolese government

and that if approved, the MRO facility would service Boeing and Bombardier aircraft. The training facility would train back-office staff and cabin crew.

“Our main MRO hub remains in Addis Ababa and (we) will have regional MRO hubs in Lomé, Lilongwe and Kigali (home to partner RwandAir).

Our planned Lomé MRO hub would maintain aircraft operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal,” Gebremariam.

During the said period, three international airlines withdrew their plans to partner Nigerian airlines and inject funds for their operation and training of technical personnel, with plans to introduce simulators for pilots training.

“We have discussed with three international airlines that

were eager to buy stakes in our airline. They will bring in the technical support and inject funds into our company but later they become lukewarm and I have also decided not to go into any negotiation with any potential partner again because, looking at the recession, you will not get the actual value for your shares, as our economy is down now.

They will be calling ridiculous amount of money. We have to rebuild our economy and I am optimistic that we will come out of this recession. When we stabilize then we can go into such partnership. The country is actually losing investment now; not only in aviation but in all the sectors of the economy,” industry source told THISDAY. Continued on page 20

Customs, NACCIMA Endorses Proposed Nigeria Export Trade Hub Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have endorsed plans by the concessionaire of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Aulic Group of Companies in collaboration with the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Customs Command to establish the Nigeria Export Trade Hub (NETH) at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex.

NACCIMA gave the endorsement when its national President, Dr. Bassey Edem led a delegation to visit the proposed site for the project, off Badagry

MARITIME Expressway, Lagos.

Edem said the NETH project will help Nigeria salvage the current economic crisis, acknowledging that the project was in sync with the association’s goals for Nigeria.

He said a trade hub was strategic in providing the ideal export environment as well as the concept and infrastructure that would ensure that Nigerian manufacturers have the market access to market their goods.

According to him, “This project makes it much easier for the companies who are settingup their businesses for export purposes. We can have them around and it would be easier

for them to export their goods.

Once this seamless process is guaranteed, the tendency is that the producers of raw materials from the farms and mines would produce more as a result of the increased demand. At the moment this place looks like a ghost-town but in two or three years it should be beehive of activities.”

The NACCIMA boss also added that the project would provide massive jobs and also ensure that the businesses and other primary producers thrive.

On his part, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, T.B Aber said he was the visioner of the project, stressing that the aim was to increase the NCS’s

revenue via export duty.

Aber noted that the mandate he received from the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) to reform the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command was what led him to think of new ways of increasing the revenue generated from the command.

He said: “All sectors of the Nigerian economy would grow with the developments of projects such as NETH. Most of the problems we have in this country are because our business processes are not being transparent and people get scared in getting into import and export.

Continued on page 20

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria has inaugurated the investiture committee towards the formal enthronement of Mr. Tony Agenmonmen as the President of the Institute. Tony was elected President in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital at its last annual general meeting that experienced an unprecedented attendance and endorsement of its members.

The investiture event will hold at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites inVictoria Island Lagos on the 17th of February, 2017.The high profile event, expected to draw the private and public sector drivers of the Nigerian economy, will among other activities include a lecture, special induction, and the conferment of honorary fellowship on people that have supported the growth of the marketing profession.

Shortly after the election of the new president, docile interests, including those of key stakeholders, shot up among old members, academia and marketing organizations whose interest in the Institute had hitherto waned.

Professionals carefully selected for the onerous assignment includes……who have shown excellence in practice and trustworthy members of the NIMN over the years.

Tony Agenmonmen takes over the mantle of leadership from Aare Ganiyu Koledoye, popular among marketing professionals as the unification general. Tony is a celebrated marketing professional, he retired recently as Nigerian Breweries’ Senor Strategy Manager. By the time he retired, he had put in a cumulative 32 years in the services of the brewing giant and has held numerous positions in which he performed varying duties. He is a man of excellence and strives for excellence and a book has written on the subject of excellence. He started his career with NB in February, 1984 as Marketing Assistant, becoming Brand Manager in 1988 and Senior Brand Manager in 1993.

Arik Announces Valentine Offer

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline has said it is rolling outaseriesofsalespromotionsaspartoftheairline’s10thanniversary celebrations.ThefirstamongtheplannedoffersisthespecialValentine promo fare, which is available from 31 January, 2017. Customers can take advantage of this offer by buying one return ticket to any destination within Nigeria and then get another return ticket free for their loved one. The offer is open for purchase on or before 14 February 2017. To make this super flexible, convenient and to give adequate time for customers to plan their getaways with their loved ones, the offer permits the first sector to be travelled anytime until 28 February, 2017 while the return sector can be completed on or before 31 March, 2017.

The airline said customers wishing to take advantage of this special Valentineoffercouldbuytheirticketsbycallingtheairline’sCallCentre on 01-2799999 or at any Arik Air Airport or City Ticketing Office.

SAA Marks One Year in Abuja Route

South African Airways has announced that it is giving teeming passengers free Business Class tickets to commemorate the airline’s one year non-stop flight service from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.

Ideal for travelling couples or business partners flying out of Abuja airport, passengers are encouraged to buy one SAA Business Class ticket and South African Airways will immediately issue two Business Class tickets for both passengers to fly and enjoy the perks of South African Airways premium seat on-board.

According to a statement from the airline, the free Business Class ticket gesture is all about appreciating loyal and potential passengers as the airline continue to introduce innovative actions and services to satisfy customers.

SAA after more than 15 years of flying Nigerians from Lagos to Johannesburg and beyond introduced the Abuja – Johannesburg flight in January 2016 with three times a week flight frequency.

TheairlinesaidNigeriaremainsanimportantmarketforSouthAfrican Airways as the airline in early December last year introduced a new Airbus 330 – 300 aircraft on the Lagos – Johannesburg route.

We think that as solar power becomes cheaper, and it is becoming cheaper practically day by day, we will be able to afford to do even more and deploying more across the country especially to places that are not served by the grid VIice President,

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

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BUSINESSWORLD AVIATION SECTOR LOST $2 BILLION INVESTMENT IN TWO YEARS

THISDAY also gathered that more international retailers plan to join Dufri at the nation’s international airports but such plans have been put in abeyance “because what is biting them hard is how to repatriate their earning because of the drastic fall of the naira,” explained a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) official. The official also disclosed that although Dufri has established its shops at the Lagos and Abuja international airports “but they are finding it difficult now. Their officials came and left on January 19, 2017. They are hoping that there will be a quick change in our economy.”

During media briefing by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman on Monday he disclosed that some airlines have been in the process of obtaining Air Operators Certificate (AOC) with 18 firm applications and AOC certification process ongoing, while nine are unfirm at the level of intent.

CUSTOMS, NACCIMA ENDORSES PROPOSED NIGERIA EXPORT TRADE HUB

“Nigerians have suffered so much especially in export to such an extent that people have neglected it but this is the key to transforming the nation’s economy. The new Customs management under Ali has encouraged us to do all we can to ensure that export thrives so that we can earn foreign exchange via exports.

“This area is about 322 hectares of land, this is vast and we are going to manage not only the agriculture but also agro-allied exports, solid minerals processing, semimanufactured products, etc. and Nigeria’s revenue would increase even as we become a preferred environment for business.”

Chairman of Aulic Group, Prof Nick Ezeh said the project promises to make more Nigerians billionaires as a result of the business opportunities that would accompany it.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

NEWS

FG Renews Pledge to Boost Agriculture •Ogbeh commissions 30,000MT fertilizer company

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The federal government has said that it is committed to supporting all agricultural investments to boost food production in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who made the pledge in Kano on Wednesday, said that the federal government would continue to support the sector in view of the prevailing economic situation in the country.

“The federal government is determined to support all agricultural investments especially blending plants.

“The best sector to invest is agriculture because it is the sector which everybody needs including states and federal governments as well as the private sector.

“This, we believe will go a long way in boosting agricultural production in the country,” he said.

Ogbeh made the statement at the commissioning of ALYUMA Fertilizer blending plant at Madobi, headquarters of Madobi Local Government area of Kano state.

The minister, who was represented by the Minister of state for Agriculture, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri said the federal government had conducted a comprehensive Survey on soil map with a view to assessing the soil fertility across the country.

He said the reports would enable the federal government to know the type of fertilizer each state requires for use by its farmers.

The minister said the federal government would recapitalise the Bank of Agriculture in addition to restructuring the bank to enable it discharge it duties effectively.

AL YUMA fertilizer company is a privately owned company of Alhaji Ali Yusuf Abdullahi, which the company has the capacity to provide 300,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser.

However, the minister of state for Agriculture Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri also flagged off the 2016/2017 dry season Growth Enhancement Scheme in Chiromawa Redemption Centre, Garun Malam Local government area in the outskirts of the state.

Ganduje welcomed the minister and his entourage to Kano state, and for selecting the state to be the location

for the flag off of Dry Season Growth enhancement scheme, and informed the gathering that his administration has invested a lot in agriculture but mostly with the input of the farmers.

Ganduje stated that the state doesn’t deal with middlemen but the farmers directly which he said has yielded some positive development.

Lokpobiri thanked the

governor for agreeing to host the programme in Kano despite the short notice, and went on to also commend Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for the successes recorded under his leadership in the sector in the State.

He also said that the federal government is committed to continuing the GES programme despite the challenges being faced.

PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS

L-R: Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman receiving souvenir from AIG Zone 2 of Nigeria Police Force, Cornelius Kayode Aderanti, during a courtesy visit of the AIG to Bala Usman at the NPA Corporate Headquarters, Marina … recently

American Firm Launches New Technology for Nigerian Petrochemical Industry Ejiofor Alike The US Commercial Service Nigeria held a Single Company Promotion event in Lagos recently to launch a new training simulation solution

by New Jersey, USA-based Simulation Solutions, Inc., aimed at strengthening the skills of process operators working in Nigeria’s refinery and chemical industry.

Simulation Solutions is a leading provider of PC-based dynamic simulation training programs for process operators in the refinery and chemical

industries, as well as for government and academia. The company’s INSTO™ 5-Step Process Technology Operator Training for professionals has been used by downstream oil firms all over the world to improve significantly plant efficiencies.

US Consul General F. John Bray said in his opening remarks that for Nigeria to overcome its current economic challenges, it must find ways to diversify its economy while improving firm-level productivity. He encouraged participants to actively engage with Simula-

tion Solutions to improve their organisations’ bottom-line profitability.

Simulation Solution’s Nigerian partners Benel Energy and Hommaston Limited stressed why this training is absolutely critical for the economic wellbeing of Nigeria’s refinery and chemical sector. Don Glaser, President of Simulation Solutions, Inc., and Matthew Garvey, Project Engineer, showcased the Simulation Solution’s patented training programs, which combine collaborative classroom techniques with innovative simulator exercises to achieve a

“Hands-On/Minds-On” work ethic among students.

Over 60 representatives from across Nigeria’s petrochemical sector, including officers from Nigeria’s national oil company, regulatory agencies and parastatals, as well professionals drawn from private refineries, training institutes and academia, learned how companies can effectively operate their plants without accidents and downtimes, saving costs and improving profitability. US Commercial Service Counsellor Brent Omdahl anchored the event.

Audience participants

expressed keen interest in establishing a partnership with Simulation Solutions, so as to find ways to adapt the simulator training program for their individual operations.

Academic speakers encouraged a gradual introduction of the training program into technical and executive skills curricula. In the coming months, the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria will continue its support for Simulation Solutions and its Nigeria partners as they roll out training programs at interested organisations across the country.

Crusoe Osagie Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene Senior Correspondent

Economic Diversification: NIMASA, NUJ Call for Media Partnership Eromosele Abiodun

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Capital Market)

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has urged the media, especially the maritime press, to support the federal government’s drive to diversify the economy for growth and create alternative opportunities for investments.

He stated this while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its National President, Mr.

Abdulwaheed Odusile, at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

Peterside, while noting that the media is the interface between the public and the government, urged them to be professional in their reporting as people look up to them as the major source of information especially as the Government seeks to diversify the economy from oil.

“We urge you to support the government as it diversifies the economy for a better future for the entire Nigerian

populace. You have to be fair and professional while reporting Government activities in order not to create unnecessary panic amongst the public,”the NIMASA boss said.

He stated that the maritime industry is ready to take over from oil as the leading revenue earner in the country and called on all stakeholders to look into the opportunity that abound in the sector. Peterside said: “The ocean is a resource a country can leverage on to grow its economy and blessed with a

coastline of about 853km and 250 nautical mile Exclusive Economic zone, we must begin to take advantage of the maritime opportunities available to us to grow our economy.

“Being the Designated Authority (DA) for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code in Nigeria, NIMASA has implemented policies which has led to enhanced security awareness in the Ports, terminals and jetties which has improved economic activities

in these facilities. The Agency has received commendations from national and international bodies including United States Coasts Guard (USCG) for its progress in the ISPS code implementation.”

Earlier in his address, Odusile, who had on his entourage the Chairman of the Lagos branch of the NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye , said that his colleagues would do more to focus on government’s activities geared towards revamping the economy.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

CBN, BOI to Grant Loans RISK to NYSC Members MANAGEMENT WATCH

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) to provide loans to serving NYSC members across the country, who underwent skills acquisition and entrepreneurial trainings at orientation camps to set up small scale businesses after the service year.

The NYSC Director General (DG), Brigadier General Suleiman Zakari Kazaure disclosed this on Wednesday when he visited the 2, 384 Batch B, Stream two NYSC members undergoing orientation at Wailo camp in Bauchi state. He explained that the gesture was part of measures by the NYSC to surmount the

problem of unemployment faced by teeming graduates in the nation.

The DG who admitted that government could not provide jobs to all youths being produced by universities and polytechnics yearly, opined that corps members should pay serious attention to the skills acquisitions training taking place at camps to enable them start their own trades to earn a living and be self-reliant after the national service.

“We are trying to establish six skills acquisition centres in the six geo-political zones of the country where we will be training our corps members from all sides. Already we are into collaboration with CBN and Bank of Industry and they agreed to give loans to

our corps members. So start-up funds is not a problem to us,” he pointed out.

Kazaure, who advised the corps members deployed to the state to respect the culture of the locals and to always move in groups for security purpose, also challenged them to initiate or facilitate community development projects in their host communities which are some of the cardinal objectives of the scheme.

Earlier in his address, the Bauchi state coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Afolayan Adeola James appealed to the people in the state to be helpful and hospitable to the youths so that they would feel at home throughout their one year compulsory service and contribute their quota in nation building.

FG Moves to Drive Agricultural Devt Crusoe Osagie The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with Synergos (a global non-profit organisation that fights poverty and its effects), held a two-day strategy retreat for Directors in the ministry to unlock institutional effectiveness for the new agriculture sector roadmap - the Green Alternative.

The strategy retreat discussed options and provided guidance on the development of a post 2016/pre 2017-2019 strategic framework for the Green Alternative. The retreat also prioritized in-house findings of key intersections of policy making to enable effective delivery of pre-determined objectives.

In his address at the retreat, Minister of Agriculture and

Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, charged the Directors to make Nigeria a major player in the agriculture sector that could boast of $50 billion annually from agriculture alone. He further urged the participants to “take the matter serious, get to work and do your best to make Nigeria great again.”

He was of the opinion that clear targets must be set for each department in order to promote a culture of accountability.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shehu Idris, in his overview of the Ministry and its parastatals, stressed that the overriding purpose of the retreat was to showcase the power and effectiveness of working as a team to drive the Green Alternative. He added that the next of such retreat will hold along with parastatals of the Ministry for better synergy,

drive, delivery and results.

Departmental alignment as the building blocks for delivery of the Green Alternative was stressed at the retreat. To this end, every department in the Ministry made presentations on their mandates and plans for 2017, with focus on alignment with the Green Alternative.

The strategy retreat also witnessed presentations on sustainable change, systems approach, public-private sector engagements and agriculture sector baseline data/monitoring and evaluation framework development. There were also peer review exercise, action planning, and target setting for key strategic objectives.

Resource persons were drawn from the retreat partner (Synergos), the academia and the Ministry.

Nigerite Rewards Diligence as 50 Staff Members are Honored Nigerite Limited has rewarded 50 members of its staff for their commitment and diligence to work as well as loyalty and contribution to the growth of the company in the Nigerian Market.

The recognition of these outstanding members of staff took place during the 2016 End of Year Staff Party held on the premises of the company in the Ikeja area of Lagos. The event that was used to also socialize with the entire workforce, saw the awardees going home with various prizes, including; Nigerite products, electronic gadgets, plaques and cash prizes. Prior to the party, a novelty match was organised between the Technical and Administration staff members, at the end of which the technical team defeated the administration team by 3 goals to 2.

The Managing Director, Nigerite Limited, Mr. Frank Le Bris, said the event is an annual ceremony that has been designed to encourage bonding and camaraderie amongst members of staff as well as reward loyalty for their contribution to the growth of the company. “As a responsible

company, we appreciate the contribution of our people to the growth of the brand and business, hence this Award, which is designed to thank all workers for what they have done this year. Aside from using this to socialize, some of our people, who have spent 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years would go home with gift items, which will serve as a token of appreciation for their loyalty. Frank Le Bris, who likened the novelty football match to the spirit of team work among workers called on all staff, especially those who are still young in the company to always be creative and dynamic in their approach to work to get required result.

Speaking in the same manner, the General Manager, Human Resources, Nigerite Limited, Joshua Bamigboye, said the company always set aside this period of the year to recognise and reward those who have served Nigerite loyally and with all sincerity of purpose. To add colour to this year’s edition, Bamigboye said one of the things the company has done was to kit all staff in different attires as well as creating a convivial atmosphere for them to party

with colleagues and members of their family. “To make the event all-inclusive for staff of different cadre, we shut down our factory for the day. We want all members of the company and their families to participate and enjoy themselves,’’Bamigboye concluded.

Emmanuel Olusola Egbedi, a store officer, in his 50s, was the cynosure of eyes at the event, having spent 30 years working at Nigerite. In his reaction to the recognition, Egbedi expressed his appreciation to the management of the company for recognizing him and promised to always be a good ambassador anywhere he finds himself. He said: “I am so excited because it is not easy for somebody to have spent as much as 30 years in a place, it is a wonderful privilege. I joined Nigerite on 19th of May 1986 with School Certificate and Teachers’ Training College certificate. As at then, we were encouraged to develop ourselves, so I started with my first degree which I acquired through a part-time programme at the Ambrose Alli University, where I studied and bagged a BSc degree in Business Administration.

Robert Mbonu

The Risk Management Process

I

will like to thank all my readers for their positive comments and feedback. We will dig slightly deeper this week by introducing the concept of the Risk Management process.

The process of risk management is something that is both alien to us and yet familiar.

The familiar process is to think through the following sequence;

• What do I want to achieve?

• What are the uncertainties around achieving that?

•How likely are the uncertainties to happen?

• What’s the effect, or impact of the uncertainties on the outcome?

• What do I do to maximise the opportunity and minimise the threat?

In an organisation, all of this is within a dynamic programme of monitoring, reviewing and communicating the inputs and outputs.

Think about when you did this process last. The human body has an inherent risk process built right down deep into your DNA. The risk process is to risk management as blood is to the human body. The blood is the life-giving fluid. It is the energy that gives the body life. However, this energy is not much good if the body has no arms, and limbs. For risk management, the body could be the framework, the arms and limbs are the management activities, the toes are the governance processes, the fingers are the people within the organisation. The glowing skin and vibrant hair are the outputs. The food we eat, sun, air, water supply the nutrients that are needed to sustain the body and are the inputs like data, experience and knowledge.

The actual process of risk management is the invisible blood driving risk improvement, and it is the same throughout all aspects of risk management, whether we are talking about treasury, credit, market, liquidity, operational or any other kind of risk management in the

public or private sector.

The reason why it is invisible is because you can only see it based on its effect, i.e. the risks (uncertainties) are mitigated, objectives are met with a certain degree of assurance – threats get smaller and opportunities get larger.

We can relate this concept to the poor state of our development due to lack of electricity. In the Nigerian manufacturing sector, poor electricity supply remains one of the formidable challenges with the attendant negative implications for the sectors contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic product, GDP. It does not appear that we have a clear Risk Management framework being implemented and driven by efficient processes in this sector.

This fear was recently confirmed by the statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which said that the nation’s power generation capacity dropped from 3,959 megawatts on January 4, to 2,662 megawatts on January 22. This is clearly inadequate for a country of over 200 million, with an energy demand of over 30,000 megawatts.

The further aspect that we explore next week is about using risk management to ensure that the capacity remains adequate at all times, even if the threats to growth, return and quality become larger than expected.

In other words it’s about enough capacity to cover things if the worst happens.

Good risk management processes are an invisible part of the ‘way we do things around here’, just like the blood in the body.

Good risk management with sound and efficient PROCESSES is not just a way to meet set objectives; it is the way to guaranteed success.

Mbonu, studied Engineering, is an experienced Banker and Enterprise Risk Management specialist. Has undergone post graduate studies in Risk Management at Stern – New York University, and is a member of the UK Institute of Risk Management.

Can be reached on 09092092046 (SMS Only); email: rm4riskmgt@gmail.com

APCON Reinstates Commitment to Responsible Advertising Raheem Akingbolu The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has assured Nigerian consumers of sanity in the advertising landscape in 2017 to prevent deceitful campaigns that could wrongly affect consumers’ spending habit.

APCON’s registrar, Garba Bello Kankarofi told THISDAY in an exclusive interview in Lagos that the council is aware that consumer spending is the backbone of the nation’s economy, which informs why all hands must be put on the deck to protect their rights.

He admitted that advertisement has a strong impact on the consumer’s choice and that true advertisements which are in conformity with realities make the consumers evaluate

selection options for purchasing or using the advertised goods or services.

The APCON boss pointed out that the council is committed to see that advertising codes that are related to essential areas like; children’s advertising and food, drug and health are not abused.

“Nigeria vast market requires an equally vast regulatory structure that governs the manufacture, distribution, and sale of consumer products.

Most of the time, advertising enhances market performance by providing useful information to consumers and by enabling firms to promote the attributes of their products and services and, thereby, to compete better with each other.

On the other hand, advertising may adversely affect market performance when businesses

use it to transmit deceptive or fraudulent messages on which reasonable consumers are induced to rely to their detriment. When this happens, we tend to refer to the result as “market failure,” he said.

Kankarofi pointed out that untrue advertisements will have a reverse role with reflection of untrue affairs, adding that the role of advertisements and its effectiveness on consumer’s right of choice are from the undeniable realities.

While commending registered advertising practitioners in Nigeria for being law abiding, Kankarofi stressed the fact that APCON has a statutory committee, the Advertising Standards Panel, which vets all advertisements exposed in all media, whether it is radio, television, newspaper, outdoor and flyers.

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BUSINESSWORLD

Harvest of Awards as NIGAV Evaluates Aviation Industry Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV), aviation industry watchdog, which monitors activities in the industry and rewards outstanding organisations and individuals has presented awards to personnel and bodies that distinguished themselves in many ways in the industry in 2016. Med-View Airline emerged the airline in addition to clinching two other awards.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole won the coveted award of airline CEO of the year while a pilot of the airline, Capt. Usman Saleh Yahaya emerged as the Pilot of the Year.

Also, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma won the Aviation Personality of the Year while the cabin crew of the year award went to Dana Air. A Dana Air crew member – Joy Odimgba, bagged the award for the Air Crew of the Year.

Odimba, while speaking to newsmen after the award said, “I am delighted to have won the award for

Air Crew of the Year and this underscores the effort we put in daily to ensure that all our guests enjoy our award-winning hospitality onboard our flights. For us at Dana Air, our customers come first and we will continue to keep them smiling at every opportunity.”

Also the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) won the award of Best Handling Company for the year 2016.

SAHCOL was selected for the award by the NIGAV Award’s Committee because of the “remarkable changes, improvements and value added to the aviation development, air transport service delivery and safer air travel.”

The company said the awards have “continued to encourage healthy competition and also promote best practices in a sector that cannot settle for less.”

In 2009, the SIFAX Group led by its Executive Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, bought over SAHCOL from the federal government of Nigeria, since then, the company has experienced significant milestones and achievements after it was

acquired.

Today, SAHCOL is emerging as the most highly regarded and fastest growing ground handling company in Nigeria, slowly and steadily, having undergone and received the highest available International and local certifications, providing equipment and facilities that matches with the very best anywhere in the world SAHCOL was incorporated as an Aviation Ground Handling Services provider under the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. It is a Nigerian owned enterprise involved in the activities which includes Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew bus and Executive Lounge services and other related Ground Handling services for World best Airlines, originating within Nigeria and from various parts of the Continent.

Also rewarded was the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos, has won the Most Functional Airport Terminal Award of 2016.

Pakistan, Turkish Airlines Expand Codeshare Agreement Turkish Airlines and Pakistan International Airlines have expanded their codeshare cooperation starting on February 1, 2017. A statement from the Istanbul based airline said the codeshare would expand the airline’s routes, which would enable both airlines step into new markets while offering passengers various possibilities to travel.

With the expansion of the existing codeshare agreement, Pakistan International Airlines would be able to sell Turkish Airlines’ beyond Istanbul points of Atlanta, Johannesburg, Atina, Amsterdam, Tashkent, Moskova, Miami, Boston, Houston, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago with its own airline code and

flight number in addition to the already existing cooperation on Istanbul – Karachi/ Islamabad routes.

Turkish Airlines said it would market Pakistan International Airlines operating flights from Karachi and Islamabad to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat and from Lahore to Dubai and Abu Dhabi with its own airline code and flight number.

Turkish Airlines currently operates seven frequencies each on the Istanbul – Karachi/Islamabad/Lahore routes. The expanded codeshare cooperation provides passengers with more flexible connections as well as seamless travel opportunities between and beyond destinations of Turkey and Pakistan.

Pakistan International Airlines’ Jeddah and Medina flights and as well as eight domestic routes from Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore are appended to the renewed SPA in force since January 1st, 2017, which enabled Turkish Airlines to reach Pakistan domestic destinations.

The new code-share also involves Turkish Airlines’ all American destinations besides most of the European points. Turkish Airlines and Pakistan International Airlines have agreed to continually collaborate to enhance the tourism potential and cultural interactions between Turkey and Pakistan while promoting business travel between two brother countries.

Delta Introduces Nollywood on Its Fights Delta Air Lines said it would introduce Nigerianmade movies, popular known as Nollywood on board its flights. The airline said the genre is being rolled out across Delta’s inflight entertainment system Delta Studio and would be complete in April.

The first films to be shown will be Bambitious and A Place Called Happy, with more titles coming later in the year. The movies will be available on 339 aircraft flying both internationally and on U.S. domestic routes, including Delta’s daily

service between Lagos and Atlanta.

“As a global airline, we listen to our international customers to shape our product and services to offer what they want,” said Delta’s Commercial Director for East and West Africa, Bobby Bryan. “We already offer African menus and the introduction of Nollywood films shows our commitment to this region and offering local customers popular local entertainment.”

Ayo Makun, producer and lead actor of 30 Days In Atlanta, which is named in the Guinness World Re-

cords 2017 as Nollywood’s highest domestic grossing film said: “I applaud Delta for bringing Nollywood to a new global audience. Our films are already popular in Africa but I’m looking forward to more film fans becoming lifelong Nollywood fans too.”

Delta’s in-flight entertainment system, Delta Studio™, more than 1,000 hours of entertainment, including up to 300 movies, 750 TV shows, 100 foreign film titles, 2,400 songs, 18 channels of live satellite TV on select aircraft and a selection of games, podcasts, and audiobooks.

AIR WATCH

AVIATION

FAAN’s Stifling Levies

O

ver the years, domestic airlines have been grappling with various challenges ranging from high cost of aviation fuel, multiple charges, unfavourable government policies and lately, scarcity of forex, which is taking a huge toll on their operation.

These local carriers often blame their woes on unfriendly government policies, which they say dog at their operations.

One of such policies is what they described as insensitive overcharges by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Practically, FAAN adroitly introduced aeronautical charges that are exploitative and stifling to airlines, whereas in other parts of the world, there are reductions in aeronautical charges aimed at giving airlines relief so that they could operate profitably.

The emphasis now is on non-aeronautical charges, which are paid by businesses and other service providers at the airports that yield more revenues to airport managers and government.

Until last December, many Nigerians do not know that if an airline is operating into airports that close by 6:00 pm it has to pay about N500, 000 to FAAN so that the agency workers could stay longer to wait for the aircraft to arrive. The air traffic control and other government service providers would wait for the arrival of the flight. So besides the normal charges airlines pay to FAAN, they have to cough out such huge amount to pay for time extension.

Ideally, many airports in Nigeria are conceived to operate for 24 hours. But because FAAN did not provide the necessary facilities, including airfield lighting, many of these airports shut down by 6:00 pm every day. So technically, Nigeria could be said to have about six functional airports out of 22 managed

by FAAN in addition to about seven built and owned by states and Osubi airport in Delta state, which is managed by Shell.

What this means is that during emergency in the night, a pilot has only six airports to land in after 6:00 pm despite all the hoopla about Nigeria having more airports than all other countries put together in West and Central Africa. Unfortunately, other airports managed by the state government have taken a cue from FAAN to introduce these obnoxious charges on time extension.

Narrating the challenges Air Peace faced in its operations during the Christmas holiday in 2016, the Chairman of the airline, Chief Allen Onyema said, “When we operated to Uyo during that time we paid N800, 000 for extension of time because the weather was not good and I had to be delayed. In Enugu every day I had to be paying over N500, 000 to fly into Enugu for our last flights. Is the airline supposed to pay that after you have paid five percent charge to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)? That five percent charge is supposed to be for all government agencies; yet, we pay other fees to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), we are paying charges to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. They deduct from us at source. And after making these payments you go into the airport there is no runway light, you are now limited to fly only between the hours 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Onyema also observed that some of these airport workers don’t even come to work on time.

“Our departure from Lagos to Enugu or any other destination is 7:10 am, you need the destination airport to be awake to give you weather conditions there. You noticed that as at 7:10 take off, the workers at the destination airport have not come to work. Some airports don’t open on time until 7:30 am. You will be waiting for their workers to arrive to give you

weather report. Some of those airports do not go to work on time and by 6: 00 pm they close.

Enugu, for example, has runway light but they close on time so why can’t they operate 24 hours like an international airport? Why can’t that place be opened 24 hours? Why do you make me to pay extra for landing there after 6: 00 pm? Everyday during the Christmas period I was paying about N500, 000,” he lamented.

Other industry operators who confirmed the outrageous charges accused FAAN of being hostile to domestic airlines, noting that the agency ought to provide airfield lighting and operate 24 hours service in all the busy airports currently underserved like Benin, Owerri, Calabar, Enugu, Yola and Jos. These are airports that airlines could operate in after twilight.

Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe, criticised the over charges by FAAN and said that government is pushing the agency to exploit airlines and other airport users because it wants FAAN to contribute to government coffers instead of allowing the Authority to use the revenues generated to upgrade the airports and provide safety critical facilities.

“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. The money FAAN gets 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 getting 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 in the world. 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 were 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,” Aligbe said.

Government and its agencies must reduce the financial burden on Nigerian airlines to enable them to survive and provided them with critical infrastructure for seamless operation.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Sustaining a Zero Air Accident Record In the past three years Nigeria has not recorded any air accident involving civil or commercial airlines. Chinedu Eze spoke to industry experts who proffered measures on how this feat can be sustained One of the achievements recorded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), according to its Director-General, Captain Muhtar Usman, who addressed journalists on Monday, was that 2016 was the third year Nigeria has not recorded any accident in civil aviation.

The last air crash recorded in the country was on October 3, 2013; when Associated Aviation Flight 361 on domestic charter from Lagos to Akure, Ondo state crashed on take-off.

Nigeria was almost recording air accident every year, which peaked in 2005 and 2006 but there was interlude until March 2008, when Wings Aviation aircraft, Beechcraft 1900D disappeared on its way to Bebi airstrip in Cross River state and four years later the tragic Dana Air crash with 163 fatalities on June 3, 2012.

The period between 2008 and 2012 might be the longest so far in recent times that Nigeria maintained clean slate in air accident. But many in the industry believe that Nigeria will meet that record of four years by June this year and surpass it with a determination to ensure no civil aviation aircraft is involved in accident.

So many things had happened since the last accident on October 3, 2013. What has become discernible is that the airlines have taken it as a huge responsibility to ensure that their aircraft are airworthy; it does not matter whether the regulatory authority is monitoring or not. The airlines have also realised that if there is an accident involving one airline, the other operators will suffer huge losses because passengers will dessert the airports.

Self-Regulation After the Association Aviation flight crash, the NCAA drummed it home to the airlines that it is their responsibility to ensure that the aircraft they operate are airworthy. In human lives and in monetary terms, the airlines know that an accident may put to an end their existence and those who in the past cut corners or contemplated cutting corners have realised that they will carry the can when accident occurs.

But there are two other factors that have inspired airlines to ensure they fly safely. One is the ministerial meeting among African nations in Abuja, after the Dana Air crash, where it was declared that by December 2017, all African airlines must have the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) before they would be allowed to continue to operate. That is the well-known Abuja Declaration.

As a corollary to that, IATA took it up to assist Nigerian airlines to become IOSA certified and when the first two airlines became IOSA certified, others lined up and strived to meet the stringent conditions to become certified.

Today only very few of commercial airlines are yet to be certified. So there are safety, economic and goodwill factors that force airlines to abide by safety standard.

Tendency to cut corners The airlines face huge temptation to cut corners because they are finding it extremely difficult to obtain foreign exchange to fund their operations. The Chief Executive Officer of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said that even with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) window given for easy access of forex to airlines, the operators still face difficulty obtaining funds because it takes about three to four months for them to access dollars in exchange of the naira given to the apex bank.

In that interim their aircraft may suffer bird strike, which would prompt engine replacement, the landing gear may need to be changed, new tyres may need to be purchased and they lose huge revenues having their aircraft on ground.

Besides, due to the low value of the naira, airlines spend more than double the amount of money they spent in the past to purchase spares they bought at far cheaper price about

Air-peace-launched

two years ago and this becomes very difficult because they sell their tickets in naira and buy spares and other services, including insurance in dollars.

The series of air crashes that have taken place in Nigeria has become a huge source of fear to air travellers, to the extent that some Nigerians who can afford to travel locally by air chose to use other means of transport because of the fear of accident. THISDAY learnt from operators that passengers tend to exaggerate or distort issues concerning safety because of the ingrained of accident; that a little noise from aircraft that seemed usual could send panic among passengers that have already boarded flights and they would struggle to de-board.

“There is almost traditional suspicion between passengers and airline operators. Anything you tell the passengers they accept it with a pinch of salt. They suspect everything you say and do not believe that you are sincere. I recall one day breeze was rotating the blades of the engine of our aircraft because of the way it was parked. The sound of the engine blades turning stirred fear in the passengers.

One of them entered the aircraft and told the passengers that the aircraft was not safe.

Immediately half of the passengers stood up and wanted to jump out of the aircraft,” an operator told THISDAY. Critical Factors To sustain the zero accident record, self regulate by airlines is very crucial, while NCAA continues with its oversight functions.

The Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Medview Airline, Lookman Animashaun, told THISDAY at the weekend that certain actions must be taken to ensure the sustenance of the airlines and government has a big role to play in order to realise this.

“The problem we have now is the foreign exchange situation in Nigeria. Now even if we are carrying passengers, how much is that ticket you are selling? You don’t have the money and the CBN does not have the foreign exchange to give to you. You have to go to the black market to get the foreign exchange from the sale of the ticket and you are buying this foreign exchange from the black market, most of the gains and the profit you have acquired along the line are being eroded. It is a problem and government should do something about it.

“For the airlines to thrive and survive in this country, government must come out with a policy to save the industry. I am not saying that for Med-View but the industry. It is not only the airlines, even the regulator; it also

needs enough foreign exchange to be able to put infrastructure in place. Government should come out now to address that issue. The country is going aground gradually and nobody is talking about it. If aviation industry should continue this way, before the end of this year we only need prayer and God’s guidance to be able to get us through this year and I believe we will try our best, we would continue to pray. What we need now is to strengthen our corporate governance and safety record to be able to move ahead and we should be able to do that,” he said.

Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema said the country needs Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, noting that it is very critical for the airlines and not only that it would curb the huge funds Nigerian airlines spend overseas; it will also reduce the pressure on forex. In addition, Onyema noted that it would be a money-spinning project for Nigeria because all the aircraft in West, Central Africa and other areas would be bringing their aircraft to be maintained in the facility and they, of course would pay in foreign exchange.

This would generate enormous revenue for Nigeria. Industry operators had canvassed that government should facilitate it by providing enabling environment for its establishment by the private sector.

While it is said that about 40 to 50 percent of cost of operation is spent on aviation fuel (it has risen to 80 percent in Nigeria due to high cost of aviation fuel), the second huge expense by airlines is cost of maintenance; which is done largely overseas at high cost of foreign exchange. So for Nigerian airlines, humongous amount of money in foreign exchange is spent on maintenance, engagement of expatriate skilled manpower, including pilots, engineers, schedulers and others.

Ferrying the aircraft overseas for maintenance constitutes another challenge and more expenses, including allowances paid to pilots, hotel accommodation, fuelling and airport charges. So it will cost the airlines far less if they could carry out major maintenance of their aircraft locally, but there is no big maintenance facility in Nigeria. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and former CEO of Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited, Captain Fola Akinkuotu once gave presentation on the huge expenses Nigerian airlines incur in maintaining their aircraft overseas.

Akinkuotu said the biggest ‘killer’ of airlines in Nigeria is this huge costs associated with C- Checks.

“This is because most airlines are unable to pay for the checks and eventually abandon the aircraft at the foreign MROs which usually refuse to release the aircraft to the airlines until all invoices are settled. You may want to ask if the airlines don’t know of the costs before sending out their aircraft in the first place. The truth is that in the agreement, the MRO may charge a very attractive standard C- Check fee of $500, 000. But when the aircraft gets to the facility and the actual work begins and panels are opened, there are usually findings, which are beyond the quoted cap that must be rectified. This is where the huge difference comes in that dramatically raises the final C check cost.

“On the domestic front, our Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in its wisdom has imposed a calendar limit for a C- Check at every 18 months and depending on the scope of work to be performed, an average C- check costs $1million. By today’s exchange rate of N395/1US$, this can be said to be conservatively N395 million per aircraft every 18 months (it is now far higher with the continuous fall of the naira). 60 percent to 70 percent of this cost is labour costs while the balance is the cost of parts and engineering services associated with the C-Check,” Akinkuotu had said.

NCAA Agenda So it is imperative that for Nigerian airlines to be able to sustain the zero accident record there must be maintenance facility or facilities established in Nigeria.

NCAA on Monday while beating its chest on its achievements identified ways it could sustain the zero accident record. The Director-General during the media briefing said the regulatory authority would increase its safety oversight, have wider and more regular surveillance, introduce more stringent enforcement and apply appropriate sanctions on erring airlines.

NCAA said it would review and strengthen economic regulation, which would become “much more far reaching” and the airlines operational books would be sighted with increased regularity.

It is hoped that with increased stringent oversight measures and strict self-regulation of the airlines, Nigeria would join the countries that have spent decades without any major accident involving commercial airliners.

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End Game for Arms Smugglers Eromosele Abiodun posits that the recent success recorded by the Nigeria Customs Service in arresting smugglers and importers of arms will make the country safer for investment to thrive Smuggling severely harms the economy of a country in multidimensional ways. It undermines the local industry, discourages legal imports and reduces the volume of revenue collected from duties and levies by the state. Unfortunately a parallel underground economy has taken roots in Nigeria.

A major proportion of the revenue to be collected by the federal government is being lost, over and above the adverse impact that the smuggled items cause to local industry.

Obviously, this cannot be done without connivance of the corrupt officials including those in the law enforcement agencies and everyone is aware of it but no action is being taken.

Markets and shops across the country are flooded with smuggled goods of any and all descriptions. Smuggled items through the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Yobe borders form a major part of the informal economy volume of which ranges between 50 and 60 per cent of the formal economy. Smuggling has assumed an alarming proportion and turned out to be a parallel economy, which is depriving the country of its rightful levies including excise and customs duty worth hundreds of billions of naira.

As a result of the activities of smugglers, thousands of industrial units have been rendered sick, due to the availability of smuggled goods in open markets. Smuggling has now become a routine part of all economic activities in Nigeria which hardly raises any eye brows nor stirs the slightest fear of the law.

Nigeria is facing the challenge of measuring and countering enormous revenue leakages and black money — its size estimated to be three time the regular economy. Aside this, the fragile security situation in some parts of Nigeria and the impact of arms smuggling on the situation is telling. Given Nigeria’s porous borders, a lot of small arms have found their way into the country, further worsening the cases of armed robbery, kidnapping etc.

Ending the menace To put an end to this ugly situation, government agencies responsible for manning the borders are putting in extra effort. There has been an improvement in recent times.

For instance, this week in Lagos, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja arrested three men identified as Mr Oscan Okafor, Mahmud Hassan and Sadique Mustapha for the unlawful importation of 49 boxes containing a total number of 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed in a container of steel doors and other merchandise goods.

Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col Hameed Ali (Rtd.) who disclosed this in a chat with journalists stated that the arms were cleared at the Apapa Port with the aid of two customs officers who are now been investigation. He said the arms originated from Turkey and routed through China before it was smuggled into Nigeria and falsely declared as steal doors.

He said the roving team of the NCS federal operations unit while on patrol on Sunday, January 22, 2017, intercepted a Mack truck with registration number BDG 265 XG, conveying a 1x4 container with number: PONU/825914/3 along mile 2 Apapa-Oshodi express road.

The truck, he said, was immediately taken to the premises of FOU Zone A, Ikeja where physical examination revealed what was in the container.

While decrying the harm hard drugs and arms has inflicted on Nigerians over the years, he said: “These rifles are under absolute prohibition, therefore its importation is illegal. Such deadly contravention of the law is even more unacceptable considering the fragile security situation in some part of the country.

“Already, three suspects have been arrested in connection with this illegal importation.

49 boxes containing 661pieces of pump action rifles falsely declared as steel doors, paraded by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos.

Investigation has already commenced and I have directed that the dragnet should be wide enough to fish out all persons involved in the importation and clearing of the consignment.

The customs officers involved in the clearance of this container are with the Comptroller FOU Zone A, Ikeja.”

The seizure, he added, underscores the determination of the service to enforce all laws relating to importation and exportation of goods into and out of Nigeria thereby contributing to the economy, security and wellbeing of the country. He added, “This feat is no doubt commendable and represents the new normal in the service where most officers and men are on a daily basis ensuring that illegalities are not allowed unchecked. I commend the FOU Zone A Comptroller, all officers and men involved in this great seizure.”

Ali also called on all Nigerians to work with the service by giving information that help in stopping unscrupulous elements from importing harmful products into the country.

More arrests That is not all, late last year; Tin Can Island Command of the NCS arrested a middle-aged man identified as Christian Mbachi over unlawful importation of rifles, bulletproof vests and gas mask concealed in a container of personal effect.

The Customs Area Comptroller of the command, Yusuf Bashar told journalists that the items which were carefully concealed in the two vehicles were being smuggled into Nigeria from the United States of America.

Bashar, who handed over the seized items to officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), said the discovery was made as a result of tact and intelligence deployed by operatives of the command in the discharge of their duties.

Among the items handed over are nine military bulletproof vests, one military helmet, a gas mask, one Omini American tactical rifle No. AR48634, one Moasberg American pump action rifle No. U648018,3500 hollow point pellet ammunition, 4,000 military air gun ammunition, 26 packs of military made food and one rifle punch, two military boots.

A director with the DSS, Tin-Can Island Command, Mr. Julius Odey, who received the items, explained that the arms were concealed in two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla car with chases No.2T1BR32E54C30941 2004 model and a Nissan Amanda car with chases No.5N1AA08A69N709789 2007 model.

Odey said while the items in the Toyota

Corolla car were discovered to contain 40 pieces of Hardy X&W ammunition, the Nissan Amanda was discovered to contain two military rifles, military bullet proof vest, gas mask, two military boost, packs of already prepared military food and ammunition.

He said the items were declared as personal effects by their owner which allows it to come into the country duty free duty.

He explained that arms and ammunition are on the federal government absolute prohibited list, and not on the trade list, adding that this makes it illegal for any individual or group of persons to bring them in without necessary government approval.

Bullet-proof cars at Seme Also late last year, the Seme Command of the NCS seized three bullet-proof cars with a Duty Paid Value of N76 million.

The Area Controller, Victor Dimka, a Customs Comptroller, disclosed this at a briefing held at the vehicle seat in the command.

He disclosed that individuals who desired to import bullet-proof cars into the country must get clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

According to him, “The command seized three bullet-proof cars with a Duty Paid Value of N76million and this was done through intelligence gathering by officers of the command.

A particular bullet-proof car, which was a 2012 Mercedes C300, was intercepted at the Gbaji area of Badagry and it had an official plate number of FG 35 S02.”

“Due process must be followed in the importation of bullet-proof cars and the process is that the individual must apply to the ONSA and if it is approved, the office would send an approval certificate to the NCS and the individual would be allowed. All the cars that were seized have been handed over to the Department of State Security Service for further investigation,” he said.

Dimka also warned against attacks of Customs officers by smugglers.

“A situation where officers performing their legitimate duties are always ambushed and maimed with dangerous weapons would no longer be accepted or tolerated. Enough is enough. We are backed up by law so we are carrying out our legitimate duties by working to stem smuggling, so we are ready for war over this matter.

“Smuggling is dangerous to the economy, so anyone involved in it is considered as an enemy

of the nation. We have upgraded ourselves and we have everything we need, so people should desist from smuggling or be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” Dimka said.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to surpass its revenue target for 2016, adding that all revenue loopholes have been effectively blocked.

CGC’s riot Act Ali vowed recently to bring to book importers and freight forwarders who are bent on defrauding the federal government.

Specifically, he said importers who abuse the fast track facility meant to enhance trade facilitation and global best practices will face the full weight of the law.

The CGC read the riot act when he visited Apapa port command of the Nigeria Customs on his way from Cotonou where he made a two day working visit.

According to him, “We are out on a mission and we get information on matters such as this, we react. I am glad that the Apapa command was able to nip this in the board. I am here to strengthen the command, commend them for what they are doing and use the opportunity to send a very strong message to our partners who are either importers or freight Forwarding agents. Anybody got in this crime will be brought to book. Once you falsely declare and we discover it, it is automatic seizure. Whoever is involved will face the law and if there is any officer that connived with the importer he will be prosecuted and the minimum jail term is five years.”

He added, “It is instances like this that has continued to deter us from ascending to global best practices in trade facilitation. We will no longer trust in our stakeholders when we grant certain reprieve to ensure smooth clearing of goods and they turn around and abuse it. We have no option therefore than to subject every container that comes to our ports to 10 per cent inspection. That is going to course delay and increased expenses. At the end of the day, it is the poor consumer that will bear the cost.

“I therefore want to use this opportunity to say that in line with the law, we will fight corruption to its knees. That was the promise we made to this nation when we assumed duty. We are sure that anybody that has gone contrary to the law in the course of doing their job will be brought to book. We will use this as an example.”

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Nigerian Youths Urged to Embrace Shipping Career Eromosele Abiodun Nigerian youths have been enjoined to embrace a career in shipping and related activity in the maritime sector as doing so will ensure a brighter future for them and the country.

Stakeholders in the maritime sector stated this at the 9th edition of the Annual Shipping Career Summit, organised by Ships & Ports Communication Company, held in Lagos recently.

The summit, which had several notable maritime industry stakeholders in attendance, saw more than 200 students benefiting from career guidance handled by professionals drawn from different segments of the industry.

In his opening address, the Chief Executive Officer of Ships & Ports Communication Company, Mr. Bolaji Akinola said the annual shipping career summit was created to enlighten young Nigerians on the various career and investment opportunities that abound in the nation’s maritime sector.

He urged the participants to consider positioning themselves to take advantage of such opportunities.

According to him, “The maritime sector is where every attention should now be focused. Those who rule the seas rule the world. If we truly desire to a quick end t recession and emerge among leading economies of the world, we must pay closer attention to our maritime sector. Nigeria’s maritime sector is endowed with enormous natural resources, which provide great potentials and opportunities necessary to achieve sustainable growth and development.”

Akinola said with Nigeria’s vast coastline measuring about 850 kilometres and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of well over 300,000 square kilometres, 3,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways; six major seaports, 11 oil terminals, and over 170 private jetties, rewarding careers await young Nigerians in various segments of the maritime industry.

He said the summit has been held in various cities of the country since inception in 2006.

According to him, Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Abeokuta, Yenagoa, Makurdi and Warri have hosted the summit over the years.

At the event, the Igbobi College students showed a lot of excitement and enthusiasm during the programme as they

sat through, learning topics including ‘How to Develop a Career at Sea’, handled by renowned Master Mariner and former President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariner (NAMM), Captain Adewale Ishola and ‘How to Become a Customs Broker” handled by President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents

(ANLCA), Olayiwola Shittu.

Deputy Director Public Relations of Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Ignatius Nweke, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello was also on hand to engage the students on ‘How to Become an Importer/Exporter” while Mr. Emeka Akabogu, represented by a lawyer from Akabogu

& Associates discussed the prospect of “Developing a Career in Maritime Law” with the students.

Other notable guests at the event include: Mr. Oliver Omajuwa who represented the Chief Executive Officer of Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi and the Chairman of Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Chief Kunle Folarin.

Intels Pledges Support for FG’s Economic Agenda Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, Intels Nigeria Limited has declared its support for the federal government’s drive to expand and strengthen the nation’s economic base.

Chief Executive Officer of Intels Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Dawes, who disclosed this in a statement, said the company is optimistic that Nigeria will soon overcome its economic challenges occasioned by dwindling oil revenue.

According to him, “As a Nigerian company, we fully support the present administration’s agenda aimed at repositioning the economy and setting it on the path of recovery and sustainable growth. In line with government’s agenda, our mission is to promote the development of Nigeria’s economy through the provision of top notch logistics for the oil and gas industry.

“With more than 30 years of experience in port management and support services in shore bases across the country; we will leverage on our competency and continue to partner with government and relevant stakeholders to deliver great value to the Nigerian economy through the provision of bestin-class logistics services.”

Speaking on the successes recorded by the company, Dawes said: “Receiving and dispatching goods while providing localized services and supplies is the simple concept behind our success. This allows our clients to minimize their transportation costs and the risk of damage to their cargo,

thereby retaining value in the economy.

“Our clients enjoy dedicated and secure areas to store their goods, facilities and equipment for time efficient and cost-effective transport. We are continuously investing in people and equipment to guarantee customers efficiency, reliability and safety.”

Intels, headquartered at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, supports more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Niger Delta.

He added: “As a responsible Nigerian company, Intels partners with its host communities on environmental sustainability. Under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, it has embarked on several laudable community support projects, which include road repairs and construction, Women Empowerment Scheme, provision of Mobile Clinic and construction of ultra-modern lock up shops for market men and women, among others.”

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), which is an agency of government under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, recently commended Intels for its huge investment and commitment to the development of port operations in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, said Intels deserved the commendation because of its defining role in the provision of integrated logistics services in the Nigerian maritime, oil and gas industry.

BEHOLD OUR CABIN CREW

L-R Dana Air Crew - Doris Ajagwe, Bolanle Adedoyin, Adetoro Adewuyi, Benedict Adeyileka Director Airworthiness, NCAA, Joy Odimba, and Mirabel Nwaokolo during the presentation of Air Crew of the Year Award to Joy Odimba at the Nigerian Aviation Awards

STOAN Condoles with MWUN over Member’s Death The Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Vicky Haastrup has expressed shock at the demise of the SecretaryGeneral of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Aham Ubani, who died in Lagos recently.

Expressing her condolence to the President-General, Comrade Tony Nted and members of MWUN, Haastrup said

Ubani’s death was a sad loss not only to the union but also to terminal operators and the larger maritime industry.

“It was sad to learn of the demise of Comrade Ubani.

He was a great unionist and a committed member of the MWUN. He was humble and was a gentleman comrade. His humility even in the pursuit of better lives for MWUN members was unparalleled.

“Our hearts are saddened by this loss and our thoughts and prayers are with the MWUN and the family of the deceased.

May peace and comfort find his loved ones during this difficult time. Ubani is gone from our sight, but never from our hearts,” Princess Haastrup said.

She said Ubani’s death came at a time when the maritime industry required his experience most. “These are trying times for

all of us. The ports have dried up due to ill-advised government policies that pertain to trade. Ubani was one of those voices of reason who persistently called on government to reverse policies that have led to the loss cargo and several jobs in the industry. His departure at this time is a severe setback to the clamour for better government policies for the maritime sector, ”the STOAN Chairman said.

StarTimes Reloads Basic Bouquet with More Channels, Promoters of StarTimes platform, have assure digital television subscribers that they have upgraded and revamped the Pay TV package called “Basic bouquet” with more exciting channels and viewing options at no extra costs to viewers.

According to a statement signed by Head, Public Relations of the company, Israel Bolaji, StarTimes is offering a smart option for viewers to pay less and enjoy more entertainment moments on tv as part of strategic plans to

further encourage affordable viewing and with maximum pleasure for subscribers. He stated that with a very low monthly subscription, spendingconscious subscribers can enjoy over 60 channels with the best of entertainment across all genres on the much-improved basic bouquet.

He said: “StarTimes as a mass-friendly brand is buoyed by its avowed commitment to deepen digital TV penetration with sustain affordable viewing and maximum entertainment despite the current harsh eco-

nomic situation. We understand that tv entertainment helps people to relax and sooth nerves in a difficult period. We are bolstering our Basic Bouquet to include more exciting channels like FoxLife, CNBC, NatGeo Wild, Emmanuel TV, Jyb TV, Bollywood Africa with seven language and audio options and others. This is to further increase content options and energize enjoyable viewers experience.

The revamped Basic Bouquet now has the best of everything including access to sports, kid-

dies, movies, series, religion, music, news and documentary channels like never. Subscribers now have unhindered access to all StarTimes sports channels like ST World Football (channel 254 or 245), ST Sports premium (channel 252 or 242), ST Sports Life (channel 253 or 243) and ST Sports Arena (channel 251 or 241) on the bouquet. With this, they can enjoy all LIVE Bundesliga, Serie A, CSL and Ligue One football actions, boxing, wrestling, martial arts and other sports on StarTimes. “

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MARITIME

Pamnani: Importation of Chinese Goods Has Affected Manufacturing

General Manager, Lucky Fibres Limited, Mr. Jitesh Pamnani, spoke to Eromosele Abiodun on how cheap imported Chinese goods are hindering manufacturing and what the federal government should do to revive the sector. Excerpts: Noble carpets and rug has been in Nigeria for a while, what motivated you to believe in Nigeria?

As a group we believe in manufacturing, any country we go, we want to manufacture locally and make it competitive for the local market. What motivates us is that we believe in delivering quality stuffs for our consumers at an affordable price.

$20 million in Nigeria. The market has been sluggish from the start. The 2008 recession really hit us from hard and from there we are battling to get the volumes up. Investment in the future depends on how you play on the investment you have already made. If what we have now is heading in the right direction we will definitely do more.

The economic recession has actually affected consumption pattern, how has the recession affected your sales in terms of volume and financial earnings?

In terms of capacity utilisation we are about 20-25 per cent which is very low for an industry.

You can barely survive at level, but we are still managing to come up with that. Definitely we hope that things will be better in the future.

What makes your brand stand out?

Our system delivery of quality, we are an International Standard Organisation (ISO) certified company, our products are eco friendly and we believe that our quality stands out.

That is the reason we are still standing in this tough terrain.

How has your experience been in Nigeria?

The experience has been wonderful. It is almost three decades now that Lucky Fibres Limited has been in Nigeria and as the years goes by we keep on adding different products and designs to our kitty to keep the market afresh.

How are you coping with forex scarcity?

It is tough. As a business, we must make sure that the supply chain is not a challenge.

As manufacturing outfit, we are running on 25 per cent capacity. We need to ensure that all raw materials are in place. We are not able to get what we require, but at least we get some from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and we also source from the inter-bank market at a very high price.

Can you throw light on the partnership between Noble Carpet and Gerflor We partnered Geflor as Noble carpets and rugs, we are into carpet and rugs business, but we saw the need to cover the entire flooring.

That was why we partnered with Geflor to cover the entire floor range, not just putting the carpet for residential and commercial purposes. To bridge the gap to cover the floor covering we came up with the partnership with Geflor so that we could cover sports, healthcare, hospitality, and even industrial flooring we have it. We cover some wide range of port-folio in terms of flooring solutions.

How is the partnership going so far?

The partnership is going well. We are just entering the market with the product, so we hope to get the better benefit in the future.

What can you say is the biggest unique selling propositions that make Noble Carpet a success?

Again quality, world class quality, we are competitive in terms of standards as a whole, we keep innovating so that we can meet our consumers demands.

Some local manufacturers have closed shop in recent times because of the influx of cheap products from abroad, mainly China. How has this trend affected your company?

Definitely it has affected us. However, as business you try to maximise your opportunity by leveraging on the cost, if you are able to keep the cost competitive, despite the influx of Chinese and other goods coming into Nigeria, you have some advantage. So we try to keep our cost at the barest minimum, we try outsourcing raw materials at very reasonable prices so that we can make the end products competitive against imported ones.

You are a top player in the industry; the federal government in a bid to encourage local manufacturing has restricted access to foreign exchange to cerp products. What else can government do to encourage local production of carpets?

We are thankful to the government of Nigeria, they have been very supportive. There are four countries around Nigeria so the border is huge, you cants control each and every kilometer of the border. But efforts have been put in place, we have discussions with Comptroller General of Customs last year and he promised to take care of the challenges and we are seeing progress coming in. The forex

So how are you coping with imported carpets and rugs?

Rugs are the most imported and majority of them come from countries where some of these rugs are rejected and sent to Africa at very cheaper prices. So you can see lot of rugs smuggled into the country at a very low price, therefore we are not able to compete with them because their manufacturing cost is low and our cost is high. Smuggling is a challenge for us.

Pamnani

scarcity is helping the local manufacturers to compete effectively.

How affordable is Noble Carpet?

Very affordable. With N4,000 you can buy a piece of rug.

Your designs cut across every facets of human life, where does your inspiration come from?

What we say is, you imagine and we deliver.

We have the facility, knowledge and technology to do whatever the customer wants even if it their faces or images on the rugs. We are the only company in sub-Saharan Africa that has the kind of facility to manufacture carpets.

We are there to deliver what our customers want delivered. When you come to us, you demand a certain quantity and quality and we will deliver it to you as per your need.

Where can the average Nigerian go to in order to get Noble carpet?

We have about 220 distributors nationwide.

So you can go to any of our distributors and ask for the product. We have another platform where customers can reach us through our website or dial our number.

Tell us about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

We have a foundation that is providing limbs to the needy. We have that in place as a company. We have also done several CSR projects in this community that I cannot tell because of time.

In what other ways government can help industries to encourage local production?

The import duties on the raw materials that we import should be reduced so that

we can be competitive in the world with our finished products. Two, the cost of finance is very high, if we can work on the cost of finance to be single digit that will be very helpful to improving the industry. I want to use this opportunity to thank the bank of industry for been supportive enough at regular intervals by providing cheap sources of financing. However, we still need more because what we do requires huge working capital. If you see our factory we will see the amount of investment and stocks which we have on ground.

Thirdly, to make the manufacturing a little bit more affordable, we will like the gas prices to be in tandem with international prices. It is an irony that Nigeria with a large deposit of gas exports gas and it is very expensive.

Government needs to lower the gas prices so that local manufacturers can really thrive and not pass high cost of production to the customers.

It is very difficult in this market and to add to consumer prices because you can’t sell.

Anytime you increase the price; the volumes will decline. We have to get to the level where we are consistent in terms of pricing.

Government talks about backward integration to boost employment, what type of back integration is involved in carpet manufacturing?

A lot of carpet manufacturers import what they use but we have our own in-house fibre plant called Yan BCF. So we produce own inhouse Yan and we have various processes. You can say our process is backward integration process because we don’t import fibres, we make fibres here.

In terms of investments, what are you looking at in three or five years from now?

In the last ten years we have invested about

The Minister for Trade and Investment visited you recently and promised to fight smuggling, has there been an improvement?

I will not say much improvement, but they are working on the direction. But in the market, you still see that the goods are there. The entire industry is suffering from that, not just carpets.

How are you dealing with the issue of power?

We are using gas, which keeps us in business in terms of the cost. If we are using the diesel generators we would be off the market by now.

Also, it is not economical.

Is it true that tiles have taken over rugs?

In some ways, it is. The climatic condition of Nigeria is hot and humid; carpets are used in countries that are usually cold. Having said that, when it comes to out of pocket expenses, carpets are still cheaper when compared to tiles. It will cost you more money to lay your tiles; you have to buy cement which prices have doubled. Carpets are still affordable and cheaper. It gives a cozy feeling when you enter your house. The sector can still rebound and we have faith in our consumers that they will come back to us.

What future do you see for the carpet industry and noble carpet?

For the carpet industry, it is a challenging period. We have to look forward to year after year. We are not considering the long term because it is quite difficult. Drastic changes must be done, such lowering import cost, the forex prices, the gas prices and the finance cost. If these are looked into, these industry can be regenerated and move on forward. But looking at this current trend, we don’t see much happening in terms of looking at the long term.

Do have plans of going into tiles?

We don’t have any immediate plans as such.

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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'CONDITIONS OF NIGERIAN WIDOWS STILL DEPLORABLE’ ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

03.02.2017

'Conditions of Nigerian Widows Still Deplorable’ The maltreatment of widows in Nigeria is increasingly alarming. For Mr. Felix King Eiremiokhae, Founder, Felix King Charity Foundation, engaging custodians of customs in communities will best tackle the challenge. In this interview with Mary Ekah, he reveals how his foundation is achieving this, and why he developed a soft spot for widows and more What is responsible for the maltreatment of Nigerian widows?

Lack of documentation otherwise called Will.

During our last conference in Lagos most men realised that they needed to see this as important as anything. At that conference we were able to push the message to people that it could be you and every single person is a potential victim. Will, could help tackle the problem.

Before now most men believe you must get to 70 years before you write your will but things have changed. You can write your will now and that does not mean you will die tomorrow.

For instance, if you ask those perpetrating this customs that if you die would you like your brother to inherit everything you have worked for? He will tell you no. So to guard against this type of thing, will is a major deterrent. If we open our hearts to one another, only then this prejudice that is turning widowhood into a catastrophic nightmare in our communities will gradually fade away. I do believe someday no widow will any longer be denied her rights to inheritance, her rights to human right, her rights to economic freedom and the right to child welfare. The Felix King Charity Foundation N30 million widows’ empowerment fund for 2017 registration as well as screening is now on to help these widows kick-start a new life.

I believe when empowered these widows you automatically secure the future of their children.

I am doing this not because I have, but because I know too well what it means not to have.

So what informed your decision to start Felix King Charity Foundation?

The foundation was officially launched in 2015 and this is more of a divine mandate, a mandate to provide succour to vulnerable widows and their children in Nigeria. Because it is a divine mandate, it is God who knows why He gives it to me. However, from personal experience it is heartbroken once we see what widows in Nigeria go through. And this suffering and maltreatment are made possible by customs and traditions.

However, our aim is not only to ameliorate their suffering and agony but also bring their plight to the government and communities and why we should stop it.

What do you mean by personal experience?

What I mean is that this is what we see every day in the society. From one part of the society to another there is always a widow close to us hence the awareness of the inhumane treatment meted on these people. Because customs allowed a lot of these things it is fast becoming unbearable yoke.

I believe this defies religion because sometimes people will merge tradition and religion and when you look at religion and human dignity, people with conscience would then start to think that these things are not proper because these widows are one’s mother, sister or daughter.

So we believe is something we need to add our voice to and apart from trying to lend our support we think if others begin to condemn this act and desist from practicing them then the aim of ending this obnoxious customs may have come sooner than later.

Apart from creating this awareness, what other things have you done?

When you talk about widowhood in Nigeria the problem is bigger than we think. Statistics show that we have over eight million disadvantaged widows and with an estimated 21 million children.

This is a huge epidemic that Nigeria is sitting on.

So what we are trying to do is to lend our little support towards reducing their plight. We have set up an empowerment scheme, which is startup trade fund. Through the scheme, hundreds of widows have benefited from it. We help them identity trading opportunity and finance it for them. So it is like giving them hook rather than fish. Each of these women got an average of three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N350, 000) last year to start a business because we believe that once their source of income is guaranteed

and traditions. We need to lobby and engage them in a way that they won’t misunderstand it. We have to engage them properly by passing out the right messages and make them see the custom as archaic and the reason we must end it. It is because of this we are collaborating with the Edo State government to see how we can take the campaign to the hinterland but most importantly is about how much we are able to lobby the traditional rulers and council of chiefs.

Eiremiokhae

then the future of their kids is equally secured.

In addition to this, we also believe that children education is very important and unfortunately we also discovered that most of these children have dropped out of school upon the demise of their breadwinners. To ensure most of them go back to school, we have set up a scholarship scheme. Last year, tens of the children were given scholarship and like I said, this is nothing compared to 21 million I stated earlier however we need to start from somewhere. Again, we’ve established medical scheme to support some of these widows’ children and we give them social support in terms of food materials too.

But we did something very profound last year December by instituting a programme solely dedicated to the widows of Police officers. It is easy for people to criticise the Police but the sacrifice they pay is so enormous therefore we did a programme dedicated to the widows of policemen. It was quite insightful because the Police structure does not quite support these widows and their children. And this year January, we have flagged off the N30 million widows’ empowerment fund, where we will be disbursing money to the widows for those who never benefitted to use to start up their businesses. We have broken them into income groups and at this stage screening and registration are going on and when the process has been completed we start disbursing the fund. It is a nationwide programme but the first phase begins in Edo and Lagos states. This year our priority is on the military and the policemen widows.

How would this fund be distributed?

This is not a loan. It is an empowerment scheme and when we give them this money we try to encourage them to start a trade. It is not a loan but a free startup finance scheme.

So what we do is to work with groups. For instance, we are working with widows’ associations in the states where the associations know all their members and we are screening them and from that screening we give them this money and we encourage them. Also, the best we are doing for them is bringing in those who can supervise them but I strongly believe a widow would rather put that money into something good than squander it. But for the police we are working with the police authority, where all these women could be identified.

Do you have a system that monitors their progress?

We have a system that monitors their progress.

Again, when you give ten people money there are some who may not make good use of the money but presently the report we have received is satisfactory. We have visited a few of them and we found that most of them are doing well and living comfortable life. For instance, there is a woman who started with N300, 000 and now she has raised over a million naira. That is some cheering news and we are encouraged to do even more.

How would you rate last year’s event in relation to the awareness on the plight of widows in Nigeria?

Being the inaugural edition I think it was a huge success. This year we are taking last year’s gains to the second phase of the campaign. Last year was the right of widows and the idea was widows to know they actually have a right. They have right to basic amenities, right to live a normal life, right to their deceased spouses’ property and estate and right to heritance. However, this year goes beyond just fighting for their rights. We need to look at the root of disinheriting widows, root of widows’ maltreatment and root cause of widows living a deplorable life. This root is mobilising people and driving the message and giving a voice to a campaign whereby we can all push for the maltreatment of these widows to end. So we are kick-starting the ‘end widows’ maltreatment now’ campaign this year because once you end the maltreatment all these other things will become a non-issue. When people stop maltreatment of widows by denying them their right to inheritance that rightly belong to them then we will be fine. When we start to have a situation when you can abolish maltreatment whereby a woman’s dignity is being restored and not trampled upon because she lost her husband, when we get the abolition of maltreatment right then every other thing would be sorted. The widow will no longer be ejected from the house where she built with her husband or denied the happiness of living a normal life.

What has been the government response to this crusade?

I think the government is making its effort but again this is the problem that has been on from generation to generation. So what we are trying to do now is to form a lobby group where we will be bringing in traditional rulers, local chiefs, village heads and community leaders because they are the custodians of these customs

Are you looking at the possibility of sponsoring a bill to enhance the existing widow’s right in the constitution?

The problem goes beyond sending a bill to the National Assembly because we are dealing with customs and they are custodians of these customs. In the constitution of the federal republic, the right is there that a woman should have right to inheritance of her husband and father but a lot of people still hide under the guise of customs to perpetrate this evil in their different communities. And again, some of these widows do not even know their right but of course they have right base on the judgment by the Supreme Court some years back. However, when you are dealing with sensitive things like this you don’t use force rather use lobby strategy so that the custodians of these customs can support you and bring an end to it. Widows’ challenges are more of family and kindred setup than a national issue. If you make an act, the problem will continue because these widows will need to go to court to reclaim their right but where will they get the necessary finances to prosecute such case? Therefore, to make progress in this regard, it is more of engaging and lobbying the community leaders comprises traditional rulers, council of chiefs, village heads and elders than sponsoring a bill.

How many widows did the foundation empower in 2016 and what is your projection in 2017?

In 2016, we empowered over one thousand widows and tens of hundred of their children also benefited from our scholarship scheme. Actually, we are not doing it to count numbers but we believe that what we are doing should be able to solve problems and if others join to do it, it may push the challenge to the barest minimum.

This year we are putting a fund, which is the N30 million widows’ empowerment fund, so everything we are running this year comes from the fund to support these widows. This year is more about empowerment. So that is what we are going to be doing this year.

Where is the annual widows’ conference heading this year?

We are going to Edo State this year because we want to use it to flag off ‘end widows’ maltreatment campaign’. We will be flagging it off on June 23, 2017 where we will be hosting a lot of chiefs, traditional rulers and custodians of customs, legislative arm of government and executive hopefully, human rights community.

We will be appealing to them and help them understand the menace widows’ maltreatment cause and why it should be abolished. At the end, these people will take the message back home and perhaps educate those who have little or no knowledge of the menace of widows’ maltreatment in the society.

What is Widows’ Empowerment Centre all about?

Presently, we have been running the foundation from Oracle Experience office, which is our parent company, so the widows’ empowerment centre will be strictly dedicated to addressing the issues of widows because right now they come to the Oracle’s office with their complaints, needs and challenges. So what we have done now is to set up a proper structure whereby we can run a foundation outside of the Oracle Experience.

Therefore, the Widows’ Empowerment Centre will now be the centre that addresses anything

29/XTRA

03.02.2017

IVF Babies and the Stigma: Finding a Way Out Surprisingly, a group of parents who have benefitted from Assisted reproductive technology (ART) at various points in time have done something very rare. They have chose not to carry on with secrecy any more, like many have done. Rather, they have collectively agreed to break out of the cubicle by coming together to boldly talk about it openly without shame, so as to create awareness in the society, through an established organisation called, Fertility Awareness Advocate Initiative (FAAI), that IVF babies and their parents need not be stigmatised. This action, they say will help many out there who are also in need. Mary Ekah writes Would you rather remain childless in your entire life than have a child through a modern technology and be stigmatised by the society?

Well, for many it’s assumed they would rather have children of theirs through a contemporary means and be stigmatised than not having one at all. And that is where In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other options come in and then the accompanying stigmatisation by the society. Most parents who got their babies through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which may be either through In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or Intra uterine insemination (IUI), usually feel very reluctant to talk about it.

Even though IVF, process of fertilisation by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish, and then transferring the embryo to the uterus, is growing fast in Nigeria, a lot of people who go through it do it with high level of secrecy. In a country like Nigeria one’s inability to have a child is seen a social failure, especially for women and more so, it is like a taboo to disclose that your babies are IVF babies. They fear they would be stigmatised and their babies labeled unforeseen names. They also feel families and friends will look upon them as lacking in certain capability. And so they chose to keep mute about it even when they are aware that their outspokenness will help a lot of couples having fertility challenges but do not know how and where to get help.

Apparently, there are lots of women who need help but don’t even know that they can get help.

Some know but are afraid of the consequences and so really need a lot of knowledge and encouragement not just to take the decision but also to scale through the process achieving their dreams of having their own children through IVF or other means of ART. And so there arise the need for people who have had successful experiences with ART to come out to talk boldly about it and then encourage a lot of other people out there to come out and get help.

It would therefore be a pleasant surprise to many to know that Fertility Awareness Advocate Initiative (FAAI), a non-profit organisation that works to improve the lives of women and men experiencing fertility problems, is coming in to fill this gab.

FAAI, which started as an informal group of couples who had undergone successful IVF treatment at Nordica Fertility Centre, primarily focuses on providing support mechanism for people who are about to or already in the process of undergoing fertility treatment at Nordica.

The group recognises that considering the pressure most people face in deciding to undergo fertility treatment from religious, societal, and cultural perspectives, it was important to provide them with the right information about what the various treatments entail and possible result.

Pregnancies resulting from IVF or other fertility treatments are like pregnancies from regular conception, so FAAI also provides a platform to celebrate with successful couples and hold the hands of unsuccessful ones. This set of people have come out boldly as a source of inspiration for many couples who have gone through periods of waiting to encourage them till they finally get a child/children of their own.

Speaking during its official launch in Lagos recently, FAAI President, Omoz Evborokhai, said, “Over time, we have discovered that there is ignorance in the populace as to IVF treatment options and as a result a number of couples grope in darkness and go through hell in seeking help. We at FAAI believe that people should get to know that there is hope at the end of the tunnel and that they can have babies through legitimate processes. By offering counseling support we let couples on the fertility journey know that others have gone through this same route and achieved successes. We also

IVF babies, fondly referred to as 'Bubbles of joy' by their parents

share our experiences, which goes a long way to inspire them.”

Giving detailed explanation on what FAAI is all about, Evborokhai, noted, “We advice based on what we have experienced and not what we have read. So we are able to share our experiences with those who are also in the waiting room, so to speak, because we have been there and out of it.”

FAAI president was quick to state that the group only offers emotional support and not financial for now, adding, “It is a non-governmental organisation and support group and we hold our meetings every last Sunday of the month.

It is opened to those who are going through fertility treatment, those who have overcome the challenge and those who are in need. We preach about option available to couples and by that we create awareness and as much as possible, try to discuss treatment options while encouraging people to go for IVF as an alternative to buying babies at certain acclaimed babies factory. We have an MUO with Nordica Fertility Centre in which we have agreed jointly that we would fight the course.”

Evborokhai feels strongly that stigmatisation about IVF babies should be a thing of the past.

Talking about stigmatisation, we think that shouldn’t be. I would rather have a child and be stigmatised than not have a child at all. If you laugh at me when I don’t have a child, why laugh at me when I have one through an assisted reproduction technology? As long as it is a legitimate child, as long as the process of getting that child is legal, as long as I have not stolen a child, as long as I have not bought the child but I have only achieved pregnancy through an assisted technology, so why should I be ashamed? In fact, I should boast of my child because my child was achieved through a very expensive means. So my head should be high up and not bowed down.”

He said therefore that stigmatisation should not arise in any way about one having babies through IVF. “We are proud of our babies because they are our bubbles of joy. They bring joy to us and complete our families and because we have achieved our pregnancies and babies through Nordica Fertility, Nordica is our first point of call if we must recommend anywhere for those in need.”

“We want the world to know that it is nothing to be hidden when you achieve your children through IVF or other options. It is not anything

inferior that should be hidden rather it is something special, something that brings joy, something that complete the family and should be talked about so proudly. So through FAAI, we want to let the whole world know that we are here and this is what we stand for,” he said.

But even with such a group in existence, it could still be a big task for members.

It is no wonder therefore that the Medical Director, Nordica Fertility, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, felt at first that the idea of people coming all out to speak about themselves being beneficiaries of a modern fertility technology, was something impossible. So when it eventually came to being, he got so overwhelmed.

Speaking at the launch, Ajayi said, “Today, is a very happy day for me because I have witnessed so many ideas coming to live but FAAI is a very special one for me because it was something that many people said was impossible to do in Nigeria.”

The idea for FAAI started years back when Dr. Ajayi had conducted a study at Nordica Fertility Centre, during which 250 clients who had opted out of IVF treatments were interviewed. From the interviews, it was glaring that one of the major reasons people discontinued with IVF treatments was lack of emotional support and that made him to think quickly of a way out.

“As one of the few fertility clinics that have fully trained counselors, we discovered that emotional support was something that was lacking. One thing we also learned was that this support could be professional but at the same time, could also come from friends and family. And we knew that the best people that could give this message were people who have gone through it. So we started with a boat ride with successful ones, a couple of years ago and that was where the idea was born,” the fertility expert recalled.

Then, Ajayi knew it wasn’t going to be very easy to get people talk openly about treatment of fertility. But to his surprise, the beneficiaries took it beyond what he thought was possible.

He realised that that FAAI members were so committed to the course of trying to let people know what they have benefited from.

“You know, the difference between we, the blacks and the whites is that when the whiteman climbs a mountain, he puts a marking where he puts his feet on how he got to the top but when a blackman climbs the same mountain, he comes back and erases the marks so that nobody

is able to get there. But these people have not done that, they are sharing their experiences so that others will also benefit. I know even doctors who have gone through IVF but do not want to talk about it. They say they do not want people to know that their children are from IVF,” Ajayi noted.

He also feels that if people continue with the fear of stigmatisation, and refusing to talk openly about IVF, they may end up opening themselves to quacks. “The more we allow hush-hush with anything, the more there would be quackery and that is why we have also been trying to see how we can at least preach this gospel of fighting infertility,” he said.

One other thing that FAAI is capable of doing is to help in correcting the notion that IVF children are not normal as they have together with their children, displayed that IVF children are perfectly normal children. “We want people to know that children born from IVF are as normal as any child can be. We have interacted with a lot of children born from IVF and they have always been so exciting to be with. We really want to document them, looking at the neurological development of children born from IVF compared to children that are not born from IVF and we have been talking to some pediatricians and one has finally taken up the challenge now. The study takes a log while and the person must be trained in neurological development, and not just any pediatrician and so we have found someone who also shares that interest and would want to, may be for the first time in Africa, do a documentation on about 100 children born from IVF compared to other children that are not born from IVF because from my experience with some of these children, I have the strong feelings that some of these children born from IVF are brighter than their counterparts,” he noted.

More so, FAAI, Ayaji said, came into place with a view to opening its doors to more members to help in supporting those going through infertility across Nigeria, adding, “While we at Nordica Fertility Centre are proud to be the technical (medical) partners of FAAI, we want more people to identify with this set of people and that is why FAAI is being launched officially. We don’t want them to be lonely, because that is one of those things that makes people lose interest – when you are the only one talking and talking about it. So we want more people to join them so that we can go out there to propagate this gospel.”

30/ NEWS

03.02.2017

You’re a Comedian, Orji Tells Ohajuruka Peter Uzoho Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has waved aside the Abia ex-Speaker, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka’s media attacks on him, saying they are comic jokes meant to amuse like minds. In a statement by his Media Adviser, Don Norman Obinna, the Senator representing Abia Central at the National Assembly, said that rather than waste energy and time in politics, Ohajuruka should pursue a career in comedy as his utterances suggest that he will do extremely well in that field. Orji said that it’s comical that Ohajuruka hid under politics to speak about the very constituency he stagnated for four years at the National Assembly as its representative with his uneventful representation that attracted no project or single bill. “Umuahia/Ikot-Ekpene federal highway was in deplorable state when Ohajuruka was Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency representative. Why was he unable to attract the attention of the federal government to it throughout his abysmal four years at the National Assembly?

“It is a shame and failure on his part that what he could not achieve in his dull

Ohajuruka

four years at the National Assembly I accomplished in my 20 months at the Red Chamber,” Orji said. Orji also said that it is even more comical that despite serving as lawmaker both in state and federal levels, Ohajuruka still finds it difficult to place a clear distinction between the executive oversights and that of a legislator. Orji said that Ohajuruka’s statement that he “should stop taking credit for President Muhammadu Buhari’s project” in reference to the

ongoing maintenance/repair of some failed sections of the Umuahia/Ikot-Ekpene federal highway has given him insight on the extent of damage solitariness can cause in a life of an individual. Let me refer Ohajuruka to the statement made by Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) representative, Mr. Abraham Akange who represented the FG at the flag-off ceremony of the road. He said and I quote: “Government’s decision to fix the highway was due to the pressure from the National Assembly members from Abia State, especially Senator Orji and Hon. Sam Onuigbo. “Their pressure on FERMA and the Federal Ministry of Works for the rehabilitation of the road was so tense that an emergency meeting had to be convened by the Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola in Abuja where the plan for the palliative work was unveiled and ratified.” Senator Orji said that this statement by Mr. Akange clearly defined his role as the representative of the people and the role of the federal government to act responsibly to the immediate need of his constituents which as their mouthpiece he has championed effectively. “So how does that translate to taking credit for Buhari’s project as ignorantly claimed by Ohajuruka?” he queried.

Kaigama Urges Christians not to Indulge in Any Form of Killing Peter Uzoho Reacting to alleged orders by some Christian Pastors that their members should defend themselves against attacks by killing their attackers in retaliation, Archbishop of Jos Diocese and President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has urged members of the Christian community not to indulge in any form of killing of human beings, saying “kill them, retaliate is not the vocabulary of Jesus.”

Kaigama who said this at the 50th Anniversary of the National Council of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, held last weekend at the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, entitled ‘Spiritual Uplift for All’, noted that “Jesus has a different way of approaching this issue.”

He said that the Christian doctrine does not preach tit-for-tat but pointed that “we are not saying that criminals who kill and destroy should be let off like that. But we are not advocating for tit- for- tat,” Kaigama said.

“Jesus did not teach us to kill; he did not teach us to discriminate and do bad things to others. If others kill in the name of religion, our religion does not allow that,” he added. However, he pointed out that the

L-R,Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos,His Eminence,Anthony Olubunmi Okojie_Archbishop of Jos,His Grace Most Rev.Ignatius Kaigama_and current Archbishop of Lagos,Alfred Adewale Martins,at the ceremony in Lagos

killings and the violence being recorded in the country were the fallout of a heart filled with evil, calling for a change of heart for normalcy to return in the country.

Explaining the significance of the association to the Catholic family, Kaigama said both Jesus and his mother, Mary shared the same loving, forgiving, allembracing heart which are to be imitated by the members “And therefore if you are a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary you have a high moral responsibility. You are also involved in social responsibility

by expanding your horizon to embrace everyone you meet as a human being created in the image and likeness of God,” he added.

On his part, the Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, His Eminence Alfred Adewale Martins, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to “go beyond his own environment (party) to look for advice and solutions to the problems of Nigeria, noting that “this is not just about the government but it’s about all Nigerians and all Nigerians need to be consulted and their advice has to be taken seriously.

Lodios.Com Digital Entertainment Platform Launched Mary Ekah Celebrities, including award-winning singers Sunny Neji, Obiwon, Sani Danja and producers Tade Ogidan and Zeb Ejiro have shown delight at the launch of lodios.com, a digital entertainment content platform.

The newly-minted audio visual platform, lodios.com aims at giving unforgettable experience to entertainment lovers via a medley of exciting, crystal clear music content, inspirational talks, comedies and box office movie hits, among others.

The event, saw a mix of musicians, movie actors, producers, and industry stakeholders among others in attendance hailing the birth of lodios.com at a time Nigeria’s entertainment industry is needful of innovative marketing strategy for copyright music and movie production and distribution. Other guest celebrities in attendance that enthused the new platform included Olasco Films Producer, Olatunji Balogun, Nigerian actor Lanre Balogun among others.

VAS2NETS Business Development Director, Mrs. Teniola Stuffman, said the platform “provides solutions to enrich leisure time at an affordable price. We discovered that having a one-stop shop

Sunny Nneji; Zeb Ejiro, Producer, Zeb Ejiro Productions; Ayo Stuffman, Managing Director, VAS2Nets; Tade Ogidan, Movie Producer and Sani Danja, Musician at launch of Lodios.com

for various genres of entertainment content will make life better.”

Currently running on the platform are popular songs of Seyi Shay, Jaywon, Sunny Neji and Illrymz (Contagious TV) among others. Also, movies, such as Benevolence, Sisi Karo and Pure Honey are available for free, while offer lasts a month. The movie, Benevolence was nominated for ‘Most Inspirational Feature Film’ at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, in April 2016. Also, subscribers have a potpourri of Nol-

lywood movies (English and Yoruba genres), as well various comedy skits, like the Ushbebe collections, to choose from. Moreso, the platform ensures there is something for everyone, including inspirational content. Pastor Goke Coker’s God’Fessions series running on the platform mopped over three million ringtone subscriptions in 2016.lodios.com’s charges are pocket-friendly and go for as low as N50 per music or movie, while the platform also offers opportunity for fans to buy or rent movies.

‘Our Best Friend’s Wedding’ Holds in Lagos Mary Ekah ‘Our Best Friend’s Wedding’, a web series produced by Mr. Olawale Adetula founder of TheNakedConvos.com, was last weekend premiered in Lagos. The series tells with intrigue and suspense the story of a young man who when he was about to turn 30, decided to get married and so got his two Our Best Friend's Wedding actor, women best friends to help Olowu Bardia Adebola him find a wife. The show, which premiered at the Filmhouse, Lekki, Lagos, takes off with the journey of how Charles, the young man in question, went through different girls, all the obstacles, and the ups and down he encountered along the way and all of that. We also get to see the lives of his friends too and all the different things that happened to them along the line.

Explaining the main message behind the web series, Adetula said his website, where young people meet and easily express themselves on relationships, music, movies, health, sports, news and entertainment as well as write about their experiences in life, has had a lot of people put up various stories and a lot of other things. “Apart from having these stories on the website, we felt that we should also produce them into web series, movies and all of that.

And so we took one of the stories and produced it into this web series called, “Our Best Fried Series: The series is very Nigerian and it tells you a story every young Nigerian can relate to,” he said. Even though the web series emanated from Adetula’s TheNakedConvos.com, he stressed that it wasn’t a true-life story but a fiction. “It is not a true life story but has some real life elements and anybody that watches the series will probably see his/herself in one of the characters,” he noted. ‘Our Friend’s Wedding’, is Adetula’s first in terms of web series but before now he had adapted one of the stories on TheNakedConvos.com for a stage play, ‘Colour Me Man’ which was done two years ago and was also well received. “After ‘Colour Me Man’, we felt we should go for a web series and after this we may go for a full movie production and all of that,” he added. On what informed the choice of the casts for the series who basically were new faces in the field, Adetula said, “We wanted fresh faces, people who have not acted before so that they would bring in that passion in it and so we conducted a wide audition across the industry and we got a lot of people who were acting for the first time, so even though the casts is made up of people who are acting first time, it is also a mixture of those who have been in the industry for a little while as well as first timers,” he said. Adetula who said the series is co-produced with RedTv, described it as a “Romantic Dramedy”.

From Sorrow to Joy Starts Feb. 4 This year’s edition of “From Sorrow to Joy”, the annual two-day international crusade of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries is set to hold from Saturday February 4 to Sunday February 5. The interdenominational event which is billed to hold at the Chosen Revival The Lord’s Chosen, General Overseer, Ground, Along Oshodi- Pastor Lazarus Muoka Apapa Expressway, by 8am daily, organisers said is inspired by the Holy Spirit to address the challenges of humanity and turn every sorrow to joy. A statement by the church stated, “Come this weekend as we go to God in prayer during the crusade, all sorrows shall be turned to joy. The Almighty God shall shower upon the participants’ rain of blessing of joy. God Almighty has seen the hopelessness the people of this country are subjected to and therefore has scheduled the crusade to turn all their sorrows to joy. Without doubt, the era of sorrow will end after this power parked crusade.

“Nigeria must be delivered. It does not matter the extent of the affliction against their lives, families or businesses but we are sure in this crusade God Almighty will do something new in the life of participants.” The programme, which will be presided over by the icon of revival evangelism Pastor Lazarus Muoka, as usual is expected to attract an unprecedented crowd going by what was witnessed in the last event. Free transport arrangement has been made by the ministry to convey people to the venue from any location within the Lagos metropolitan city.

31/LIVING

03.02.2017

Lord Chosen : When Mgbidi Came Alive

A cross section of worshippers at the crusade

Mary Ekah Mgbidi, a quiet and sleepy village in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State came to live once again when it was at the beginning of this year invaded by over one million Christian faithful from different countries for the annual International Crusade of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement (LCCRM), tagged, ‘What God has determined shall be done’. Over 50 nations across the continents of the world converged in Mgbidi in Imo State for the 2017 annual international crusade adjudged to be the mother of all crusades organised by the church in the recent past.

The worshipers who were over 1.5 million in number gathered at Chosen International

Foreign participants at the Mgbidi crusade

Secondary School, Mgbidi, which is now the permanent venue for the annual international programme. The event afforded worshippers the opportunity to worship and pray to God for better things as the year began.

Little wonder that the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka had promised before then that, “Almost the whole world are converging at Mgbidi this year and we are going to experience what we have never experienced before because God is coming down in His power mightier than ever before and He is going to fulfill His prophecies concerning that place because He said, in the last days the mountain of the Lord shall be established on top of the mountains and all nations shall flow into it. That mountain is this ministry and the Mgbidi crusade venue is

the physical mountain where we gather every year and when we come there, all problems are taken away and that makes it unique.“ There was no doubt therefore that the little village saw an incredible overflow of human and vehicular stream of traffic. The large expanse of land covering over five thousand hectares were filled to the brim by worshipers who defiled the surging sun and stayed in the open ground with a determination and commitment to get their blessings from God. The young and aged prayed to God for solutions to their diverse problems during the three-day crusade.

No doubt, miracles and deliverances were in abundance. The sick, including the lame, the blind, the paralysed, the deaf and dumb received healing. The weak was made strong, the oppressed

was set free, salvation was granted to many and there was great Holy Ghost impartations by divine prayers and words from Pastor Muoka.

Thousands of worshippers slept on the crusade ground even before the crusade commenced on Friday, January 6. On the first day of the crusade, as at 8:00am, over a million people were already present when the programme officially kicked off with songs and praises by the chorus leader.

Business activities boomed, as members of the community and those in neighbouring towns and villages sold various items to the visitors smiling home with huge sum of money.

Landlords and other property owners also used the opportunity to make quick money from their property, which they rented out to food vendors and other businessmen and women.

Shaping the Year Ahead with Smart Technological Trends There is no doubt 2016 was quite an interesting year for consumers of electronics products all over the world, as the finest of innovative breathtaking products were introduced into the market with leading electronics brands choosing to bring consumers up to speed with imminent technologies. One of such companies is LG Electronics with its advanced and avant-garde products.

As the year begins in earnest, LG is again poised to impact the electronics industry on various fronts. 2017 obviously, will see the debut of more exciting technology than ever before.

However, in keeping with the company’s reputation for leadership, the company is also planning to showcase its line-up of innovative breathtaking new products to the market. LG has a history of setting trends and the company aims to interrupt the business-as-usual mindset that prevails in several key markets.

The pace at which technological innovations are taking over the world today is quite remarkable. Consumers are anxious to know what new innovations to expect in 2017. Strategic technology trends are potentially unsettling in nature with the ability to break out of an emerging state into a broader spectrum. Information and communication technology has grown in leaps and bounds in

LG Airport Guide Robot

the past decade than ever before. Technology experts are of the opinion that the year 2017 will most likely experience implosion of more technological innovation into the market.

“For LG the year is fully loaded with great products that will be trendsetting and perfect for smart homes, which will further shape the year changing the narrative of technological

innovation. Indeed, 2017 is a promising year for us, as we intend to upscale existing products and also introduce newer ones that will meet the needs of our consumers,” Head, Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Rajesh Agnihotri said.

The company’s consistent strong performance in the market has provided great insights into the path it will take. The next generation of TVs poised to enter the market in 2017 promises to provide the most brilliant range of colours and the clearest displays yet created. Industry mainstays will be anxious to draw attention to the advances made in colour technologies in 4K, 8K and OLED displays to build enthusiasm for the next wave of TVs. LG will be making inroad into the automotive industry in 2017 to take advantage of its IoT expertise to find new areas of growth. Experts have envisaged that about 60 per cent of new cars that will be sold during the year would most likely have IoT features. Previously the company has gone into partnership with Volkswagen to develop a connected car platform. Basically, the whole idea was to develop technologies that would make it possible for drivers to control and monitor smart devices at home right from their cars and give notifications about real-time driving

situations that will promote safer driving. LG also has a relationship with Toyota and GM as a supplier of key components for smart vehicles.

The latest LG robot collection will be on display at LG’s CES booth. As one of the industry’s early innovators of robotic vacuum cleaners, LG’s lineup would not be complete without the industrial-sized robot vacuum. LG’s airport cleaning Robot is a super-sized robot vacuum equipped with a large-capacity dust canister as well as multiple brushes and motors. It is capable of cleaning everything from tiles to carpet floors, this robot is equipped with the latest in smart sensors and multiple cameras to ensure a safe, effective and powerful performance in even the most crowded airports. As part of technologies that would help to shape the year LG would be unveiling its latest flagship door-in-door refrigerator, which features a 29-inch touch LCD display made possible by the InstaView feature attached to it. With just two knocks on the screen it instantly turns transparent making it possible for users to see inside the refrigerator without necessarily opening the door.

Consumers should expect better life experiences with highly sophisticated innovative products that LG Electronics would be bringing their way in 2017, there is no mincing words saying life is indeed good with LG.

RCCG Renovates Modupe Cole Memorial Home In accordance with its mandate of touching lives through corporate social responsibility platform, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 44 has renovated some sections of the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home in Akoka, Yaba.

Areas touched by the church include tilling of the kitchen area (floor and wall), renovation of the ceiling, electrical works, provisions of curtains and painting of the dining hall. It also include renovation of the toilets, provision of water, provision of five beddings, curtains and painting of the boys’ hostel. While inaugurating the new-look sections of the Home, Pastor in Charge of Province, Pastor Amos Emovon, said the gesture was in alignment with the vision of the church and in a bid to give back and improve the quality of living of the students of the school.

“The leadership of Lagos Province 44 in alignment with the vision and mission of the RCCG regularly embarks on various Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives and Investments as our way of positively impacting the quality

Pastor in charge of the Province, Amos Emovon cutting the tape with others

of lives within the communities our Parishes are located,” he said.

According to him, the Province had previously implemented various initiatives such as donation

of medical equipment to Randle Hospital Surulere, renovation and equipping of the ICT Laboratory of Aguda Grammar School, provisions of borehole water, provision of street light, youth empower-

ment programmes, food for all initiatives, visit to orphanages and other interventions.

Emovon, accompanied by two other pastors from the Province - Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs (CSR) and Joseph Ekhator (Admin) said “the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care intervention was conceived as a way of extending our CSR initiatives to the over 500 students of the school. By improving the quality of the school environment, we would be enhancing the quality of learning and empowering the students to become self-sufficient and hopefully look forward to a bright future ahead.” The estimated cost of the project, which started in October 2016, is about N2 million. Head of School, Mrs. Florence Kayode, also accompanied by representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olaitan Akinola – Deputy Director Guidance & Counseling, Mr. Segun Ogunbiyi and Mrs. Grace Abolarin who stood in for the Director Guidance & Counseling Mrs. Musa A.A, appreciated the gesture of the Church, saying their gesture would complement efforts of the government in making the Home more conducive for the students.

32 / ERAVE

03.02.2017

eraveonline@gmail.com

David Shocks Followers as He Reunites with His Former Manager Four years after Nigerian artiste, Davido fired his first manager, Asa Asika due to alleged financial disputes and other undisclosed reasons, the singer has shockingly reunited with him few days after firing his manager, Kamal Ajiboye. Asa Asika is now Davido’s manager again.

Since the drama of Davido and Kamal started about two weeks, different versions of the drama played out online over the resignation of Kamal. However, Davido has decided to move on and put an end to the dispute by announcing his new manager.

The deal that brought back Asa as Davido’s new manager was signed

and sealed on January 30, 2017, as Davido’s Hypeman, Special took to his Snapchat to share pictures and videos of the reunion.

Davido also tweeted, welcoming Asa back to the team. "Welcome back Yellow Man. Back to Basics."

It would be recalled that Davido fired Asa Asika in December 2012 shortly after he performed at D’Banj’s Koko Concert. Aside alleged financial disputes and other undisclosed reasons, it was also reported that the singer wanted a more matured manager. Asika was 22 years old as at then while Davido was 20.

Asa Asika and Davido

Ramsey Noauh Says Love is Not All That is Needed in Marriage Nollywood actor, Ramsey Noauh is arguably one of Nigeria’s most talented and popular actors. And over the years, the 46 years old thespian who has stayed married for 15 years irrespective of the plethora of divorce cases in his industry has also remained as one of the most consistent actors.

Responding to questions in one of his latest interviews steered by Premium Times, the father of three gave shocking response to one of the questions when he said true love dies. It was a sharp difference to his lover boy roles he has played in so many movies. “It is not love that will bond you. Forget love, love dies. What sustains the marriage is companionship.

If you cannot find companionship in your partner from the beginning, then you do not have a partner. Don’t lust after a woman because of her beauty and don’t lust after a guy because he is handsome.

You must lust after the companionship that bonds you together. It should be like “for some reasons you cannot do without her; for some reasons there is something about her that brings you home. It may be her sense of humour; or the way she keeps the home. Same thing applies for the ladies; there must be something about him that you cannot do without. If this quality is not there, then you don’t have a companion.”

Ramsey who has also tried to keep his family off the media spoke on why his 15 years marriage is still waxing stronger.

“My wife and I have an understanding.

And this is one of the reasons our marriage is still standing strong. We avoid the public eye because the public has a way of messing up relationships. Sometimes, my wife goes ahead of me into the event, so we don’t do red carpet. It is the same people that harass you for not taking

ramsey

your wife to red carpet event that will sit back and point fingers at how you both look.”

Commenting on his colleagues who have been unlucky with love and marriage, he said nobody gives advice when it comes to matters of the heart. “People say they are going for counseling and all but at the end, it is what is in their heart they will still want to do. Because those things in your heart are laced with emotions and emotions are very hard to tackle. When you have emotion that is full of jealousy, hate or anger, it is hard to break it until you exercise it.

That is why when your dad screams ‘do not follow that boy’, the teenager does not listen until she has satisfied what her heart desires from the boy.

Most times, you learn by experience.

Companionship is not easy. When everybody is running into marriages as if marriage wants to go out of fashion, take your time and be ready for it. Be

ready to accept someone with his flaws.

My wife has her problems and I also have mine. A lot of it actually and I know. You must be able to accommodate the other person.”

Ramsey also said contrary to a widely held notion, the success of a marriage largely rests on the woman. “These days, a lot of marriages are based on equality.

A woman wants to get 50 per cent of whatever she is giving into the marriage back from the man. This has led to the breakdown of many marriages. From time our mothers used to be the women that held their marriages. They were in charge of the home. Our mothers took charge of everything but today women don’t want that kind of responsibility. Hence, it is affecting marriages. My wife belongs to the category of our mothers. She believes in sustaining our marriage and holding it strong. So whenever I am asked how we have been able to keep it together, I tell them my wife is the woman who has actually held our home.”

He admitted that marriages do have own challenges. “Don’t get me wrong, don’t think that we don’t have our moments of disagreement. But it depends on the way we handle it. Women cannot stand the heat in the kitchen anymore and they just want to run. That is why marriages are crumbling. A lot people don’t want to work hard anymore, because marriage is hard work. So when you talk about marriages crashing, it’s not my call. The only problem that I have is to make sure I provide food for the family.”

Aside from acting, the actor said he like spending time with his family.

“Whenever the need arises, I get involved in humanitarian and charitable activities.

It has been more about film, family and giving back to the society.”

Nollywood Actor, Osita Iheme Launches Own Record Label, Signs Two Artistes Popular Nollywood Actor, Osita Iheme popularly known as Pawpaw has ventured into the music business. The singer has announced the arrival of his record label and the signing of the first two artistes on the label.

The multiple award-winning actor who has now added label executive to his title unveiled his record label name as Young Boss Records. The names of the first

signed two artistes on the label are Barrister Max and Charisma.

The actor who also described himself as motivational speaker is one of the most followed and admired Nollywood actors all over the world. What music buffs and fans can’t predict now is if Pawpaw himself would make some music in the nearest future like some of his Nollywood colleagues.

Osita-Iheme

@eraveng

www.eraveng.com

SAVE NOLLYWOOD Several Nollywood actors are suffering from ailments ranging from kidney, cancer, stroke and heart problems. Chris Okafor, the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministry, announced the donation of 2.3 million naira in his church on Sunday January 29, to a group known as Save Nollywood Actors Foundation. While making the donation, Okafor prayed for the entertainment industry. “We pray for the entertainment industry that the presence of Jehovah takes control. That they are bought and washed by the blood of Jesus. We stop every satanic harassment, onslaught, attack over their lives, that whatever the enemy has planted that does not glorify God, the enemy advantage over them, God, we plead for mercy.” Some of the beneficiaries are Prince James Uche, Obi Madubogwu, Romeo Casual, Romanus Amuta (Natty), Fregene Nicholas, Tunde Alabi, Emma Ugolee, Victor Olaotan, Jude Oteka, Harry B, Amaechi Muonagor, Patience Oseni, Theodore Anyanji, Tony Akposheri, Ernest Azuzu, Victor Eze, Adedayo Liadi, Victoria Ndubuaku, Frank Asiyai, Tommy Oyewole, Promise Nnaji, Sadiq Daba and Gbenga Peters. Another initiative to support the entertainment industry is the Entertainment Industry Health Development Foundation which will be launched later in the year.

IBINABO FIBERESIMA Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima just turned 44 and shared her bitter experiences in 2016.

She posted on one of her social media platforms.

“To say THANK YOU to all who have in little and big ways given a helping hand to build the wiser, stronger, loving and happier woman that I have come to be. In this journey i have learnt the power of love. I have learnt what it truly means to say "God is faithful." I have learnt that it is ok to be misjudged or misunderstood.

I have learnt to sieve what truly matters from what is undeserving of a second thought. I have seen that true love is not forced. I have appreciated the beauty of life and thank all who have allowed themselves to be used by God to see me through the journey. May He continue to use you for good in the life of others and never permit his good blessings to depart from you in the name of Jesus.”

BETWEEN HARRYSONG AND FIVE STAR MUSIC The last is yet to be heard on the case involving Harrysong and Five Star Music over his breach of contract.

In the statement released by Five Star Music, Harry was supposed to release three albums under the record label in three years, but the conditions were never met. “That he must deliver at least, three (3) full music albums on or before the expiration of the first term of his three year contract, otherwise the label solely reserves the right either to rescind or extend the contract.” Harrysong’s three-year contract with Five Star was supposed to expire this month, January 2017, but in November 2016 he announced his own label, Alterplate. Five Star Music management has vowed that they will pursue the issue to a logical conclusion using the full instrument of the law. Harrysong’s new management however claimed the supposed breach of contract as captured in Five Star’s petition is a civil and not a criminal case. He was arrested by the Police and later released.

33/ TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

03.02.2017

Top 100 Hotels in Nigeria Awards to Hold at Port Harcourt Bantaba 2017 ATQnews.com in partnership with Akwaaba African Travel Market has said that the Top 100 Hotels in Nigeria would particiapte at the Port Harcourt Bantaba in Rivers State. This edition of Bantaba with the awards, according to the organisers is unique as Bantaba would be returning after two years of absence but with a shift from its traditional Abuja location to the Garden City of Port Harcourt, popularly referred to as the Treasure Base of the Nation. The event will hold at De Edge Hotel Resort, Port Harcourt on 16b – 17th March, 2017. "Bantaba" means "Meeting square" in Mandinka language. Top 100 Hotels in Nigeria is aimed at recognising and celebrating hotels which have impacted positively on the growth and development of travel and tourism business in Nigeria through maintaining resilience, high quality in service delivery, excellence in operations, top class in infrastructure and steady progress in growth. It was started in 1999 by Travellers magazine. Winners emerged through a rigorous process that started at 2016 Akwaaba African Travel Market through over 2,000 nominations by delegates, top travel professionals, travel agents, tour operators, travel experts and professionals with collations from returned questionnaire from nominated hotels.

Mr. Ikechi Uko, Publisher of ATQNews.

Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Annastacia Ndlouv (middle), at the South Africa stand at the 2016 Akwaaba Travel Exhibition in Lagos

com and organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market, talking about this year's return of Bantaba in Port Harcout, said that, “The Government of Nigeria through the Minister of Tourism had asked us to return Bantaba to Nigeria. We had planned to move Bantaba to Atlanta, Georgia in America because for four years Boko Haram disrupted our events in Abuja. As a response

to the Honourable minister's request, Bantaba is back to Nigeria. It might be rotated to different cities based on request”, Ikechi explained. The recognition and awards for the Top 100 Hotels in Nigeria will hold at the Travellers Night Dinner inside the De Edge Hotel Resort, in the Garden City of Port Harcourt, on 16th March 2017. Port Harcourt Bantaba, would be a two-day event that will include speed-dating and high-powered seminar sessions with mini exhibition, matching travel buyers with sellers and allied tourism players; focus on developing the South-south and South-east as a tourism destination by attracting several countries in Africa and reducing the cost of individual marketing in the region. “For this year, Port Harcourt Bantaba will be attracting speakers drawn from different tourism fields across Nigeria and Africa with different topics allotted to them for discussion and in return touch on salient issues affecting the travel industry and how they can firmly proffer solutions that would bring decency to the partnership drive for onward development,” Uko noted.

Leading globally rated experts who would be speaking this year include Mr. Damian Cook from East Africa, an expert on e-tourism, training will cover topics on eTourism in Theory and Practice, eMarketing Strategy, Web Design, Content and Management, Analytics and Conversion Opti-

misation, Search Engine Marketing, Relationship Marketing,The Generation Gap- Encouraging User Generated Content;Trip advisor, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Managing Multimedia, Mobile and Location Based Services. Participants will be provided with materials at the training venue and certificate of attendance. Some of the past speakers Mr. Femi Adefope, former Chairman, HRG and former President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, Mr. Harold Demuren, former DG, NCAA. In order to empower hotels in Nigeria, organisers of Port Bantaba have included a two-day Master Class training for etourism including Trip Advisor, Facebook, Google and other online tools, even as it creates networking opportunities for the participants. The first day will be training on how to package inbound and outbound tours and admission for the first day is free. Bantaba is a travel and tourism speed dating event that was first held on Abuja in 2011. And it was a success story. It was an opportunity for stakeholders in the industry to come together to discuss some of the salient issues affecting the sector and the way forward. With the Akwaaba annual travel fair, the foremost West African travel fair holding in Lagos, ACCRA Weizo in Ghana, the Bantaba speed dating will offer a platform for travel trade networking in the South-south and South-east region of the country this year.

Tripberry.com is Built on 30 Years of Mayfair’s Travel Core Values, Says Kaurani Managing Director of Mayfair Travels Limited, Mr. Vinod Kaurani, has revealed that the company’s online travel booking platform, Tripberry. com, is built on 30 years of Mayfair Travel’s core values. He said this during a media chat with Atqnews.com in his office at Eko Court, Kofo Aboyomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

While the online platform continues to seek increased patronage on the site and boosting the B2B to B2C aspects of the business, he asserts that his company’s loyalty to those core values has been basic to their success.

“I don’t know if other travel agencies follow the same principles as us, but certainly what we have done is that we have identified what is our mission and vision and this has given us the foundation to work with, and to remain profitable,” Kaurani said. He went on to reveal that his company has flourished and remained consistent in delivering quality services to clients through focusing on what he classed as core values that have enabled him and his team to steer “a 30-year-old Mayfair Travels forward and remain profitable.

“Among our core values, one is hospitality.

Obviously, because we are in the service industry, that becomes one of our core values. If we don’t think about hospitality we cannot act correctly with our customers,” he said.

Kaurani went on to explain that adaptability is another core value his organisation has embraced strongly over the year as he maintained that

Kaurani

they have identified that for themselves and with commitment the company has continued to follow. He said, “We adapt to market situations and we adapt to customer’s needs and as an organisation, as much as possible, we adapt to our employee needs. So we have cultivated a culture of making sure we adapt to, primarily when it comes to selling it is more about our clients, ensuring we understand what they want, whether it is economic passenger or business class passenger or first class passenger.”

He went on to explain that across the divides travel business has continued to witness tremendous transformation in the last couple of years, shifting abruptly away from the traditional ways of transacting travel business, as they continue to embrace technology. Taking as an example Mayfair Travel Nigeria Limited, he insisted that

successful travel businesses must continue to keep pace with all the modern advancements that ensure seamlessness in serving an ever increasing clientele with growing sophistication in their needs, schedules and travel preferences.

Still focusing on challenges that have greeted the travel industry, he maintained that focusing on thinking out best hospitality approaches and products, raising businesses ability to adapting to the ever dynamic market situations and clients’ needs would remain the core values every business would need to remain afloat and successful.

He further revealed that the online travel booking portal is the product of his company’s response to the technological advancement which started embracing travel business in Nigeria, saying that, “One of our objectives and one of our strength is thinking ahead. And when in 2005 the concept of e-ticketing was discussed in the industry and it was already being noticed that this is what we are looking at, I think we are probably one of the very few first companies that said yes we are ready.

“Ready not necessarily because we had the technology (then) but because we knew that that is supposed to be the future and we believed that. So, we were actually prepared and mentally ready. We agreed with it and we followed the association at that time in 2008. The National Association Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) was quite aggressive about educating the members

and the industry that e-ticketing is going to come and this is the process. They took everybody through it and in understanding it.

“Talking about the future, TripBerry.com, our online platform, is a brand and a platform of Mayfair. In terms of growth we would welcome be willing to get into partnerhips that could enable us start working together to be able to afford more of the market share.” This he said is, “Because as individuals we cannot pull in more than one percent of the market share or half a percent of the market share or less. But as a consolidated group of agents, you should be able to start talking in terms of 10 per cent or 20 per cent market share.

Still talking about the future, he explained that he thinks that in the future such partnerships are likely going to happen in the industry. “And we hope we can participate in that. We don’t know yet whether it is possible or not but then for us we will definitely be looking at growing with technology,” he said, adding “So, in the future, Mayfair Travels would be making huge but cautious investments to expand in the coming months,” as he maintained that an online travel booking platform will continue be the main focus in future.

He also delved on to look at the current challenges facing travel business and opined that in the present circumstances, travel business could on succeed only if travel agents would ensure adaptability to dynamic market situations and their clients’ complex needs, while paying unwavering commitment to hospitality.

Royal Carribbean Cruises Releases Profit for 2016 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, has reported a US GAAP and adjusted earnings for 2016 of $5.93 and $6.08 per share, respectively, resulting in more than a 25 per cent increase in both US GAAP and adjusted earnings over 2015.

As the company enters its Double-Double year, forward bookings are at record levels and earnings are expected to be in the range of $6.90 – $7.10 per share.

Key highlights for 2016 showed that the Net Yields were up 3.9 per cent on a Constant-Currency basis (1.6 per cent).

While the Net Cruise Costs (“NCC”) excluding fuel were up 0.9 per cent on a Constant-Currency basis (up 0.3 per cent).

The US GAAP Net Income was $1.28 billion or $5.93 per share, versus $665.8 million or $3.02 per share in 2015. Last year’s figure includes an impairment charge related to Pullmantur. The adjusted Net Income was $1.31 billion, or $6.08 per share, versus Adjusted Net Income of $1.07 billion, or $4.83 per share, in 2015. This exceeds the midpoint of both the company’s original guidance for the year and the most recent update.

In the outlook for 2017, Net Yields are expected to increase 4.0 per cent to 6.0 per cent on a Constant-Currency basis (3.3 per cent to 5.3 per cent).

The NCC excluding fuel are expected to be flat on a Constant-Currency basis (flat to (1.0 per cent). While the adjusted EPS for 2017 is expected to be in the range of $6.90 – $7.10 per share.

Royal Carribbean Cruise

Foreign exchange and fuel prices are creating headwinds. The above guidance is based on current rates which will cost the company $0.18 per share versus last year’s figures. Since the last update, the impact has worsened by $0.10 per share.

“As we enter our Double-Double year, we have never been so well positioned,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer.

“This programme has done what it set out to do – bookings are at record levels, the preference our brands enjoy has never been stronger, we are on the cusp of investment grade ratings, our dividends are at an all-time high, costs have been well managed, and our guests’ satisfaction has never been better.

“The Double-Double programme helped reinforce the mindset and discipline across our organisation which has gotten us here. For that I

thank every one of the men and women whose passion and efforts are driving this performance.

While currency and fuel are both significant negatives at the moment, our business continues to thrive.”

The fourth quarter results showed that US GAAP and Adjusted Net Income for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $261.1 million, or $1.21 per share and $264.7 million, or $1.23 per share, respectively, compared to US GAAP and Adjusted Net Income of $206.8 million, or $0.94 per share, for the same period last year. Constant-Currency NCC excluding fuel were down 1.9 per cent, better than guidance, driven by operational efficiencies. Net Yields on a Constant-Currency basis increased 5.3 per cent, below guidance due mainly to lower close-in pricing.

The full year results for 2016 US GAAP Net Income for the full year 2016 was $1.28 billion or $5.93 per share, compared to $665.8 million, or $3.02 per share in 2015. The 2015 figure includes a non-cash impairment charge related to the Pullmantur brand. Adjusted Net Income for the full year 2016 was $1.31 billion, or $6.08 per share, compared to Adjusted Net Income of $1.07 billion, or $4.83 per share, for the full year 2015. This represents more than a 25 per cent year-over-year increase in earnings per share.

Net Yields for the full year 2016 increased 3.9 per cent on a Constant-Currency basis versus 3.5 per cent in 2015 marking another year of consistent yield improvement.

NCC excluding fuel were up 0.9 per cent on a Constant-Currency basis. The average bunker price net of hedging for full year 2016 was $522 per metric ton and consumption was 1,367,000 metric tons.

During 2016, both the U.S. dollar and the price of fuel in world markets rose. There has historically been an inverse relationship between the foreign exchange impact on our currency exposures and fuel prices, but recently global trends have caused both factors to work against the business. For 2016, the net impact of currency and fuel was a negative $0.08 per share relative to January guidance.

The company’s booked position for 2017 is better than last year’s record high, and at higher rates. Strength from North American consumers is driving exceptionally positive trends for North American and European products. These trends, along with a positive outlook for Australia and a solid booked position in China for the first half of the year, are positioning the company for robust growth in 2017.

“Our global portfolio of products is demonstrating strength across virtually all key markets, positioning us to deliver strong yield growth in 2017,” said Jason T. Liberty, chief financial officer.

“Strong topline growth combined with continued focus on cost management will generate another year of record setting results. Even with significant pressure from FX and fuel, we will deliver another stellar year.”

34/XTRA

03.02.2017

UN Campaign to Save Nigerian Children from Measles, Polio Odimegwu Onwumere writes that if not for the nonstop campaign by the United Nations to put the health of Nigerian children on the global focus especially children in the North-east ravaged by Boko Haram, much might not be known of measles and polio taking tolls on children

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole

At a time when reports showed that many children were malnourished, susceptible to different diseases and have died in their numbers in the North-east ravaged by Boko Haram which resulted from spent healthcare services, the United Nations (UN) on January 13, 2017, took up a massive campaign to protect as many as 4.7 million children from measles in the area.

In September 2016, the National Immunisation Financing Task Team (NIFT) promotion commission had called on the federal government to guarantee that Nigeria’s dedication of $181 million immunisation funding requisite for 2017 and 2018 was rallied in order to diminish the catastrophic evidence of under-five demises in the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in the same month to 18 December 2016 drew the attention of authorities that children under five were affected by measles.

An estimated 1, 500 infected children were suspected in Borno State that led to about 77 per cent of them vaccinated. This was even apart from 177,000 infants below age five that experts said lost their lives annually then, due to pitiable running of pneumonia vaccines. According to experts report, “WHO estimates that over 800,000 children under age five die from pneumococcal diseases each year with those less than two years of age most affected, especially in developing countries.”

Given its readiness to combat measles, the WHO founded Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) last year. Children that numbered 83,000 who were aged six months to 15 years old camped as internally displaced people (IDPs), received vaccination from the Borno State authorities in partnership with the WHO. Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, Country Representative of the UN World Health Organisation showed concern that the body’s interventionist approach to campaign against measles this year, could not be avoided owing to dangerous and transmittable diseases that the children faced.

Apart from measles, on August 12, 2016, Doune Porter, the UNICEF Chief of Communication said in Abuja that the WHO and UNICEF supported the Federal Ministry of Health as partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in the latter’s fight against polio in the approachable parts of Borno State. In October, the same year, the UNICEF commenced an urgent-situation vaccination in 18 states in northern Nigeria with 39,000 health workers set-out across the Lake Chad basin that included Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Central African Republic.

More than 41 million children were hoped to be immunised. The WHO hoped that the battle against polio could be won in 12 months.

The UNICEF believed that 400,000 would be affected by malnutrition in the areas prone-to Boko Haram, hence the UN body geared up to screen under five children of malnutrition last year.

Porter said at the time, “We cannot deny the connection between conflict and the continued threat of polio. The two new cases mean children across the Lake Chad region are now at particular risk. With our partners, we will not stop until we reach every child with polio vaccination.”

A report by the WHO stated that "all wild polio cases worldwide originated from Nigeria".

And it was believed early 2000 that many Muslims in the North where polio was said to be predominant than the South, felt that polio vaccine was a mechanism to poison their children, especially cause HIV/AIDS. On August 11, 2016, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole gave hope that the government would as a matter of urgency to the outbreak, take on up to five million children for immunisation, in four states.

According to Adewole, “Our overriding priority right now is to rapidly boost immunity in the affected areas to ensure that no more children are affected by this terrible disease.

“Local health officials with the support of partners including WHO and UNICEF are conducting detailed risk analysis to clearly

ascertain the extent of circulation of the virus, and to assess overall levels of population immunity in order to guide the response.

“As an immediate response, about one million children are to be immunised in four local government areas in Borno State. Children in adjoining states of Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe will also be immunised bringing the number to about five million in the four states.”

The initiative started due to two new cases of polio virus in the state in 2016, after the WHO certified Nigeria polio free on September 25 2015, as Nigeria did not report a case of wild poliovirus from 24 July 2014 to the year she was certified polio free. A statement by the President, Nigerian Academy of Science, NAS, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, said, “After attaining non-polio endemic status in September 2015, commitment waned and complacency set in.

This was particularly evident at the levels of the National Assembly, governors and local government area chairpersons.”

Prof. Tomori continued, “This complacency meant that polio eradication activities were no longer backed by adequate and timely counterpart funding at the state and local government area levels. This was despite a public and often vocal commitment to polio eradication from Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As a result, gaps remained in the quality of immunisation and surveillance activities. These were especially prominent in the country’s security compromised areas.”

Media reports accounted that the Project Director, the Community Health and Research Initiative, CHR, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, “linked the fresh outbreak to non-release of the N12.8 billion approved for routine immunisation five months after President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the 2016 budget.

“Magashi-Garba expressed worry that the continued delay may put the lives of over 7.2 million Nigerian children in danger or even cause more outbreaks of polio and other vaccine-related childhood diseases.”

The WHO said that one in 200 polio infections

would end in permanent paralysis. “Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Children younger than five years old are more likely to contract the virus than any other group.”

Specified that more than 134,000 deaths were recorded from measles in 2015, the WHO took up the campaign aimed at children aged from six months to 10 years old slated to last for two weeks this year. But the deaths in measles would have been more than, if not that the WHO waded in as at when due, and saved a predictable 20.3 million deaths between 2000-2015. This effort was adjudged one of the best in public health.

Today, children in the North-east, especially in states like Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where the international body felt it could access due to the act of terrorists, were in to gain from the WHO’s measles vaccination. Checks revealed that the WHO supported the primary healthcare development agencies by providing proficiency in areas including “logistics, data management, training, social mobilization, monitoring and evaluation, supportive supervision and waste management.”

How to save children in Nigeria from the vaccine-related diseases was a cause of concern to specialists. Quoting Dr. Garba, the media said, “For Nigeria to return on track of winning the war against polio and deliver the African continent from the clutches of wild polio, immunisation is the way to go.

“To save the lives of our children and save the country the scarce resources by reducing cost of healthcare as well as give the future leaders the opportunity to live their potential, government at all levels must ensure 100 per cent coverage of immunisation.

“If we as a nation cannot provide healthcare to our children, what message are we sending to the world?”

For Tomori, “Nigeria must focus on attaining polio free status over the next three years and concentrate less on prematurely celebrating victory.”

35/ENTREPRENEUR

03.02.2017

Making Life Accessible, Safer for the Rural Nigerian through Homegrown Renewable Energy Kunini Energy Project is the brainchild of London-based Taraba State indigene, Ellison Christopher Kunini, who has in the last five months been working on generating energy, electricity and gas from plants and bio-degradable waste at his over 25-acre Kunini Village in Keffi, Nasarawa State, where a majority of people use firewood as fuel for cooking, and there is no grid electricity available. He shares his experience with Adedayo Adejobi on the challenges, his belief about his innovation providing an answer for the energy needs of homes, in education institutions, agriculture, businesses and other areas of life where the use of energy is required The big idea and approach The idea to try anaerobic digestion for myself was birthed in 2010 in London, England, but the history of my knowledge extends even farther to a Costa Rican coffee farmer whose pigs supplied the family's cooking gas with an innovative, hand built system on his homestead. Biogas digesters are also not a new technology in Asia or Europe, and continue to increase in the USA and Africa.

My approach has been to start by trying to identify the issues at the top of the agenda in many discussions concerning the needs for energy in Nigeria and Africa. I then looked in detail at cases of poverty and why the administrative system fails to deal with the issues.

So, I decided not to sit and say, 'this or that must be in place before we act', but rather, to look for indications of strength within communities and the readily available resources that can be drawn upon to achieve particular ends. The emphasis is upon making the most of what is available now, rather than awaiting for some better politically harmonious future. The Kunini Energy Project is a new and interesting project aimed at making cooking gas (biogas) and electricity accessible and safe to use for the people of Africa, especially those living in rural areas, by converting organic materials (waste) into energy which can be used as a fuel for cooking and electricity. Our digesters are made with care, love and critical thought for specific situations requiring specific solutions The experiment In a bid to address the aforementioned, I then decided to visit Taraba State, Nigeria, after I and my team embarked on the feasibility studies and tested the suitability of biogas production. We noted that the weather and the abundance of human and animal waste are conducive for biogas production. This made it possible for us to design biogas digesters that would deliver sustainable gas production for home use and in future industrial use. In fact, we are a family made up of people from all over the world who bring their talents, expertise and skills, and that is why we are strong.

After two and a half years spent preparing for the project take-off, Ellison Christopher Kunini resigned a well paying job at the Raven University in London for an unknown future to kick off a laudable innovation, Africa’s first bio-gas project on a 25-acre permanent settlement, land where animals, energy crops under the auspice of testing and demonstration site, just 30 minutes drive from Abuja, Nigeria.

Despite the fact that Moringa is very popular in Nigeria, there are so little records of its history. We have a huge plantation of energy crops like Moringa, Miscanthus and Okra because they are known to local Nigerians and is not too difficult to grow. Moringa is a fast-growing, and drought-resistant tree.

Generating bio-gas through cow dung…

Biogas has 55-65 per cent methane. Its heat value is about 600 BTU per cubic foot.

This compares with natural gas’ 80 per cent methane, which yields about 1000 BTU per cubic foot. About 2 cubic feet of gas can be generated from 1kg of cow dung. It is easy for Nigerians to improve their lives by creating

Kunini

sustainable living from potential human and animal waste in their backyard, thus reducing carbon emissions, creating employment and sustainable living by using what is readily available in the community (waste) to produce energy (biogas) that can used as a fuel for cooking and electricity.

For Ellison Christopher Kunini who collects cow dung from the the cow pen, my overall vision is to see my passion work and transform the lives of ordinary people in Nigeria and Africa. I believe Nigeria can provide an answer for the energy needs of homes, in education institutions, agriculture, businesses and other areas of life where the use of energy is required.

Giving voice to rural communities We are building community-based biogas digesters and co-ordinating structures to ensure sustainability. A biogas digester, also known as methane digester, is a piece of equipment that is used in converting organic matter into useful energy source (gas). Plants grown specifically for biogas production are not to be considered as waste. The first place we are planning to start training communities how to build and use biogas for cooking and electricity is Kunini, a small village in Taraba State located in the Northeastern part

of Nigeria with 60,000km2 of land mass. The state lies largely within the tropical zone and has a vegetation of low forest and grassland and few mountains. The state is divided into 16 local government areas with Jalingo as the capital and has the population of about two million people. At the moment, electricity supply from the national grid is distributed in four towns (Jalingo, Wukari, Takum and Zing). Some of the towns in the state rely on the power supply from the isolated generating stations under the Rural Electrification Scheme. All other towns have no power supply either from the national grid or from under the Rural Electrification Scheme including the Kunini Village. A majority of people in Taraba State, northern states, east and rural areas in the west of Nigeria use firewood as fuel for cooking, others use gas and kerosene. However, there is increased deforestation with adverse effects on the people and the climate. The everyday use of firewood is usually inconvenient, apart from the expense of obtaining it. Biogas, a more convenient energy source - which can be obtained from agricultural waste such as maize, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava; livestock waste from cows, pigs, poultry - will give the people a more productive and better quality of life. My dream is to help these

communities use the waste produced at homes and in farms to create energy enough for them to cook and power their homes.

With the knowledge that there is no grid electricity available, it means locals have to cater for energy for cooking and light. The local economy is very poor and the level of poverty is far from good. The innovation will be there to help these people build their own biogas digesters to produce their own cooking gas and light, using animal waste, and also help those that do not have animals to grow energy crops that can be used to produce biogas, cook a day’s meal for a family of up to five members, power motor vehicles, heating and electricity.

The invitation The invitation to take part in what the Kunini Energy Project will be doing throughout Africa, starting in Nigeria, is open to anyone who has an open mind and willingness to give something new a try. We have very high standards for ourselves, our training, our digesters and for all participants. With a quality anaerobic digester, there are endless potential for methane-produced electricity and cooking fuel, on a commercial and humanitarian level, which can be harnessed by individuals and governments alike.

36/COLLAGE

L-R: Mr. Eddy Odiwri, the couple, Mr. Valentine Obih, his wife, Carol Arhere, Gladys Okotie and Stella Akatugba. during the traditional marriage of the Obihs in Agbarho, Delta State...recently

03.02.2017

L-R: Assistant District Superintendent of Lagos Mainland, Assemblies of God Church(AGC),, Rev. Emmanuel Awazie; General Superintendent Assemblies of God Church Nigeria Rev (DR) Chidi Okoroafor; Deacon Francis Ehiguese; and Deacon Joseph Abuka ,at the Retreat tagged '' Come Worship his Majesty'' held in Lagos... recently

L-R; New lSAN Executives Members, Mrs Temilade Durojaiye, Moses lgbrude, Moses Ogundeji, Kabiru Sarumi, National Coordinator, Adebisi Araunsi; Founder, Siir Sunny Nwosu; Peter Soares, Seun Odukoya, Chuks Osadinizu and Juliet Gbaka during the handiing over ceremony of the Association iin Lagos...recently

L-R; Head of Youth, Iju Ogundimu Land, Chief Adebowale Olurotimi Ajila, his Wife Aderonke, and Alhaji Mutiu Olugoroye, during the 10th Coronation Anniversary of the Oniju of Iju Ogundimu Land, His Royal Majesty Oba Elijah Adisa Olanire, in Lagos...recently

Olorogun Jacob Diedjomahor- Oghoverere of Olomu kingdom and Olorogun Mrs. Augustina DiedjomahorAkpomeme of Olomu Kingdom. during confirmation of chieftaincy title on them by HRH Richard L. OgbonOgoni-Oghoro 1, the Ohworode of Olomu kingdom, Delta State... recently.

District Governor, District 404b2 Lion Club of Nigeria, Taiwo Adewunmi, President, Lion Club of Maryland, David Ikuomola (both in middle), surounded by the Club members to cut the cake, during the 30th anniversary and presentation of David Ikuomola as the new president of the Club in Lagos.... recently

37/THISLIFE

03.02.2017

Dickson: Bayelsa’s Countryman Governor Clocks 51 Recently, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, celebrated his 51st birthday anniversary. But celebrating the people’s true leader will not be complete without recounting his worthwhile impacts on his people, writes Peter Uzoho

Dickson

That he is called ‘countryman’ is not for fun. It is because of his love for his people of Bayelsa and Ijaw in general.

Henry Seriake Dickson is not just a governor but a true leader of his people. He knows his people’s problems; he shares in the plight of his people and is ever determined to pull them out of the clutches of hardship.

Dickson’s entrance into politics was apparently not borne out of the desire to wield political power but to have an avenue of liberating his people, standing for them, speaking for, serving and providing for them.

This was evident in his speech during his inauguration as the governor of Bayelsa in 2012. He was not happy over the level of underdevelopment in the state despite the abundant natural resources. He saw how his people were mocked and ridiculed for taking arms to challenge injustice. He had heard of many derogatory names given to his people just because they were fighting for their right.

All these informed his decision to come out and be their voice and since his enthronement as the governor, there has been a reversal.

Since becoming the governor of the state, his administration’s policies, programmes and projects have been tailored towards alleviating the sufferings of the people of Bayelsa. From education to health, agriculture to transportation, down to commerce and industry, the story of the state has been rewritten.

Upon his inauguration as the third elected governor of the littoral state, he declared that his government will usher in development, security, peace and prosperity in all sectors, such that after him, Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw nation will never be the same again. Five

years down the line there has never been the question of abdication of that obligation. The scrupulous observance of the imperatives inherent in the social contract naturally endeared him to the masses. It was this that earned him the sobriquet, Countryman Governor.

The governor has reaped a deserved reputation as a man of unflinching humanistic convictions and consensus builder, yet does not compromise his stubborn commitment to democratic principles.

This shows why both at home and abroad, Dickson stands to be celebrated especially on the occasion of his 51stbirthday anniversary.

Celebrating him for clocking 51 will not be complete without remembering his achievements and impacts on humanity. Both publicly and privately, lovers of quality leadership and service deemed it worthwhile to join in congratulating Governor Dickson as he celebrated his 51st birthday.

Congratulating this rare figure, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the people of Bayelsa were blessed to have Henry Seriake Dickson as their Governor in view of the several development projects so far recorded by his administration.

In a birthday message by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Okowa noted with appreciation, the immense contributions of Governor Dickson to the development of Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and the people of Delta State, I write to felicitate with you on the occasion of your 51st birthday anniversary, today, January 28, 2017.

“Over the years, you have given yourself to the cause of peace and development in Nigeria and Bayelsa State. For this, we owe

you an enduring debt of gratitude.

“In a life that has seen you reach an enviable height of your public service and political endeavours, there is great cause for you, members of your family, your many political associates and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His benevolence upon you,” he said.

Born on January 28, 1966, in the riverine community of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Dickson did not sight a vehicle not to talk of experiencing a ride until he was 18 years and in far- away Patan. And at a point, his parents’ business nosedived and could not afford his school fees anymore, forcing the young Seriake to drop out of secondary school to join his mum do menial jobs in search of fees, before returning to school and therefore making him to miss some terms. Such very modest beginnings could not have presaged a successful future, but it’s yet another proof that one’s circumstances at birth are merely accidental and may be overcome by dint of hard work and conviction in the strength of the human spirit.

From that humble background, Dickson enlisted in the Nigerian Police Force in 1986 after completing his secondary education.

On completion of secondary education,he proceeded to River State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, in 1988 where he obtained degree in 1992. He later earned his Bachelors in Law from the Nigeria Law School, Lagos, in 1993, and was called to the bar the same year.

Upon graduation in 1993, he was appointed a cadet Assistant Superintended of Police in 1994, which led to his training at the Nigeria

Police Academy in Kano. However, he took a decision to resign from the Force to study law, a decision which shocked his family members who had long dreamt of seeing their son decorated an officer.

Rising in politics, Dickson was elected Chairman of Bayelsa State Chapter of Alliance for Democracy (AD) between 1990 and 2000. Under his watch, the party recorded a resounding victory in the 1999 general elections, producing the Senator and member of House of Representatives representing Bayelsa West and two members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Brass.

Owing to his capability in steering the ship of the party to progress, he was elected National Legal Adviser of the AD, a position he held between 2000 and 2002. Due to his passion for the Ijaw struggle, Dickson would take his leave from the AD and defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when the former backed the Onshore/ Offshore dichotomy.

Between 2006 and 2007, he was appointed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bayelsa State by the then Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and was later elected the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State in the House of Representatives where he made his mark in the sands of time, sponsoring many bills which have since been passed into law, chief of which was the amendment of the Evidence Act, the first since 1954. He was re-elected in 2011 but resigned to contest for governor of Bayelsa State, which he won and was sworn-in on February 14, 2012. In 2016, he re-contested and won as the Governor of Bayelsa State.

38/OPINION

03.02.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Buhari and his wife, Aisha, in UK

I

This Government is on Edge, Yet in Dark

forewarned the Buhari government that it will come to this. Now, the ashtag #Febuhari has turned to #FedupwithBuhari.

In an Op-ed I penned on Friday November 26, titled: ‘Like Economy, Internal Security Slips out of Buhari’s Hands’, I advised the government to take proactive measure to stop the spark before it turns into a consuming fire, but it will appear that President Muhammadu Buhari, and his cabinet think a mere blip in social voltage will not harm this government.

Understandably, that is the government narrative in Nigeria.

Everyone in government circle will continue to say Sai Baba until the house comes crashing.

Those in Goodluck Jonathan’s government even turned it to a song, “Goodluck to you, Goodluck to me, “Goodluck to everybody,” until the doomsday appeared.

The Tuface’s “one voice” revolution is the spark in the series of protests that will change the government that has repeatedly failed to change the way people live, despite the promises.

Unfortunately, Buhari allowed this to happen to his government. With no single priority to focus on, the government has been running around in circles and with it President Buhari is holidaying in the United Kingdom and having medical tourism.

Hey! When it comes to that, nobody needs to incite citizens to put their feet on the streets.

We all did in January 2012 to show President

Goodluck Jonathan his yellow card before the red card came in 2015. Only a small percentage of Nigerians did not participate. They are those from Otuoke and the cabals of Aso Rock or to put simply, those who have been blinded by the gods of Aso Rock.

Pleasingly, the professor who called Tuface an “illiterate” has capitulated with profound apology to our music icon.

But to ignore Tuface’s one voice march on Monday, February 6, is to ignore the voice of reason. Tuface has the resources, both human and financial; he has the gut and the will to galvanise this movement.

I don’t think he needs any politician for a backup like some are insinuating. Only death can stop him.

Prof. Akindele Adetoye, the man who called Tuface an “illiterate,” probably didn’t watch the video that Innocent Idibia (Tuface) posted on his facebook page to deliver his message.

“Nigeria must work for all of us and all of us must work for Nigeria. The walk will be from National Stadium to National Theatre the two symbol of how Nigeria is fast declining,” Tuface said in the video.

For me, the connection that Tuface made with the suffering that Nigerians are facing with the declined national heritage like National Stadium and National Theatre is a major opprobrium that reflects poorly upon succeeding governments.

In history, there is always that immediate and remote cause of event. The most critical is the last straw. We are now witnessing remote

causes and Mr. President and his party, the All Progressives Congress can still do something before immediate cause and the last straw comes to break the camel’s back.

To avoid more rumours of death and rushing to salvage the situation with photos that experts have analysed to show the figure of a truly sick president, the government should work on our healthcare system such that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be spending money to improve Theresa May’s economy while his own economy is sliding.

I believe any president needs vacation. The burden of leadership is a huge one and leaders do need a retreat where they can ponder on the future of the country they govern without the pressure of sitting behind the presidential table as commander-in-chief.

So like any president, Buhari deserves the vacation. But vacations are not hurriedly done by presidents like we have seen in Buhari’s case.

Vacation is a planned event on president’s calendar every year. There’s usually nothing sudden about it. More, it is curious why President Buhari chose to be holidaying abroad when he has the rare chance to make a change in encouraging Nigerians to invest money in our tourism sector.

When American presidents go on holiday, they go to places in their countries that magnet the citizens to visit. A presidential stay in Ikogosi Spring in Ekiti State or Yankari National Park in Bauchi State will definitely rev up

tourism and wouldn’t have given birth to death rumour.

For those who still don’t know why Tuface will march, below is a pick from my column published last November. Prophesy is being fulfilled, because the government did nothing about it.

On November 26, 2016, I wrote: “I really don’t want to exacerbate an already bad situation with this justification. At the same time, I’m careful not be caught in the web of figures that will not make sense in the end, but I want this government to get the picture that Nigerians may be heading for another ‘enough-is-enough’ protests that will be birthed not by a particular organisation but by individuals who are truly tired.

“Anger and despair are two important ingredients for uprising. I know that the theory of grievance, greed and opportunity structure exist, but that is applicable to Niger Delta and Boko Haram insurgency, where militants take the opportunity of the swamp in the Delta area and the hills and caves in the North-east to fight the government. So the government may decide to ignore the warning.

“But without swamp and hills, we can’t forget too quickly that mutiny against President Goodluck Jonathan started with street protests over an “offence” as simple as subsidy removal, though his approval rating was still somewhere in the middle at the time.”

Follow me on twitter:@adeolaakinremi1

39

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Concessionaires Renew Commitment to Development of Dry Port Projects In a bid to escape the hammer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council which threatened to revoke the licences of non-performing operators of inland container depots, the concessionaires are now showing a high level of commitment in the development of the depots, writes Francis Ugwoke Operators of the Inland Container Depots, ICDs, otherwise known as dry ports appear to be waking up from the slumber. After several years of abandoning the projects, many of them are beginning to take the projects serious again.

This is notwithstanding the current economic recession and the high cost of building materials in the country. But this is for obvious reasons.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, had few months ago sounded a note of warning to the concessionaires of ICDs scattered in the six geo-political zones to take the projects serious or lose their licences. The ports economic regulator which was apparently worried about the failure of the concessionaires to speed up the projects at various sites had come out to make the consequences clear. The Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello, had at a meeting with the concessionaires said “if for any reason, we see some unwillingness to execute this project the government will not hesitate to terminate this concession”. Bello had issued the warning after assuring the concessionaires of federal government readiness to accord them the status of ‘Port of Origin’ when they qualify for this.

The assurance from the Council’s boss was very significant considering claims by many of the operators that what is holding them from the completion of the project was the fear of not being declared ‘port of origin’. Bello had said in a meeting with the concessionaires, “the government has an obligation to bring out consistence policies that will encourage private sectors to perform. The concessionaires too have an obligation. Government is an enabler and will do everything possible to ensure that these projects come on stream but we also need to see some level of work to show some seriousness on the side of the concessionaires. The private sector must show some responsibility because now we have in that agreement new time lines and we have to act according to the time lines. Anywhere you want us to intervene for you to grow don’t hesitate to tell us but I am telling you now that we also want to see action and if we don’t see action according to the agreement, we will not hesitate at all to cancel any concession.” Bello added: “We are now having a new agreement which we have done with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). This agreement is more agreeable, modern and it is in tune with the legal framework of public private partnership and it is easier to accomplish than the previous agreement. The previous agreement was done without any regulatory framework. We are going to give every concessionaire copies of the agreement and we expect you to study the agreement and make contributions and inputs so that we can come up in two weeks’ time because we cannot unilaterally make the agreement without our key parties.” The threat was even taken further when Bello said the staff of the Council in different zones will be deployed to monitor activities on the sites. That was in November last year. And about two months after, the warning has begun to produce results in many parts of the country.

Dry Ports as Modern Shipping Infrastructure As experts say, dry ports make international trade easier for people who are doing business far away from the seaports or airports. It is one of the modern shipping infrastructures in many countries promoted by governments in their efforts to make life easy for the people. For the

As experts say, dry ports make international trade easier for people who are doing business far away from the seaports or airports. It is one of the modern shipping infrastructures in many countries promoted by governments in their efforts to make life easy for the people

Executive Secretary of Shippers Council, Hassan Bello

NSC Executive Secretary, Bello, ICDs will bring the ports closer to the door-steps of many Nigerians no matter the geographical location. For instance, there are six of them and more to follow as container freight stations. ICDs are currently located in Isiala Ngwa, Aba, Erunmu, Ibadan, Heipang, Jos, Zawachiki, Kano, Zamfarawa, Funtua and Jauri, Maiduguri. There is also one in Kaduna which already has Port of Origin status.

FG Efforts in Promoting ICDs The federal government is currently promoting ICDs. This is by way of linking them with rail lines at least from states where seaports are located. This was disclosed by the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi during a recent visit to the Heipang Jos ICD being promoted by Duncan Maritime Limited. Amaechi had during the inspection assured the federal government’s enabling environment for the operators of the ICDs in the country to succeed. He explained that government will ensure that infrastructures that will make ICDs succeed in various areas of location throughout the country were provided. Amaechi had identified rail as crucial and said that efforts were on to link most of the ICDs, including that of Jos with railways. With this effort, movement of cargoes will be easy, he said, adding that the federal government was on top gear as far as rail services were concerned. On the issue of port of origin status, he assured that no ICD that meets all the necessary qualification will be denied being declared as Port of Destination in what is necessary for them to gain international recognition. NSC CEO, Bello, identified the employment opportunities for the youths as very important for the states where the ICDs are sited. He also said that the dry ports will boost the economies of the areas where it is located as well as reduce the difficulties encountered in international trade.

Bello said the federal government was fully committed to the ICDs, adding that this was the reason the Transportation Minister had to travel all the way from Abuja on the road for four hours for the site inspection.

Efforts, Challenges by Concessionaires Following the threat to revoke the licences of non-performing concessionaires, many of them have been making frantic efforts to ensure that their projects come on stream.

It was gathered that with the seriousness demonstrated in rail projects, many of the concessionaires are beginning to take the federal government very serious too. This is because ICDs can only succeed with rail links between the seaports and dry ports.

Hauling containers by road is out of it because of the risk and bad state of the roads.

Among those who have shown seriousness in the ICD project is the promoter of Heipang Inland Dry to Plateau, Duncan Maritime Limited, for the Jos dry port. It has a land mass of 33.7 hectares and a capacity to handle 20, 000 teus. The Managing Director of the Duncan Group of Companies, Dr. Godfrey Bawa Shitgurum described the dry port being constructed in Heipang, Jos, as a game changer for the economies of the North East States. Shitgurum who spoke when the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Executive Secretary of the NSC, Bello and his top management staff, among other stakeholders, paid a working visit to Jos for the inspection of the project site said the benefits cannot be quantified. He said that apart from generating revenue to the states and federal government, the port when fully operational will “create employment, expand economic value chain and open up new business opportunities to the citizens”.

He however called on the federal government and state governments to intervene in the

provision of internal road network, water supply and electricity into the IDP. He equally appealed to the NSC to facilitate the signing of Government Support Approval, GSA, to guarantee the state government’s continued support for the project. Shitgurum called on the federal government to intervene in the construction of rail siding in the IDP. Apart from this, he urged the Transportation Minister to use his good offices to fast track the Gazetting of the Jos IDP as a Dry Port of Origin and Destination.

Apart from Shitgurum, other ICD operators have also called on the federal government to consider the issue of according ICDs Port of Origin status. Chairman of Dala Inland Dry Port Nigeria Limited, the company promoting the Kano ICD, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu said assurance of being granted the Port of Origin status was very important to fasten dry port projects. Such assurance will make it possible for banks to lend the companies involved for the project as far as reassure development partners, he said. He told this writer, “the issue is that no bank will be ready to lend you except they see evidence of serious commitment on the side of government as we want, like the declaration of Port of Origin.. The banks wrote us letters and we forwarded them to the Ministers that they know that they are lending to approved project not that they are lending to real estate like this building.

It can’t be approved because it’s just real estate but if we have been declared as a Port, whatever we do here, we are investing in a port duly recognized in the world”. Rabiu added: “We have taken our cries several times to the minister and to the president and we are about to take beyond that and we are hopeful that before the end of this month/ January the declaration will be done and we can commence in the month of February because we have got everything it takes. We have done beyond what the minister can see from concept to design to the level that we are”.

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

CITYSTRINGS

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

‘I Did Menial Jobs to Survive’ Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who delivered UNILAG’s 2016 Convocation Lecture, apart from charging the students to take their studies seriously, revealed that he did menial jobs to survive. Peace Obi who covered the event, reports

Fayemi delivering UNILAG’s 2016 Convocation Lecture...recently

D

espite the precious and appealing look of gold, it went through some refining processes to emerge with its irresistible look. This was one of the nuggets of wisdom the 49 convocation lecturer has left his listeners to digest. And bringing to the consciousness of the graduating students that for most successful people, there is always a little beginning. And for those who rode on the back of hard work to stardom, their success stories are never complete without reference to some of the decisions, steps and things they did in extraordinary way. And that such experiences when shared, especially among the youths, prepare and equip them for the challenges ahead.

Delivering the 49th Convocation Lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently in Lagos, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, challenged the students to take their studies seriously while urging the graduating students to embrace the new phase in their lives with the determination to give their best to their world. Speaking on a theme, ‘Building a Successor-Generation: Reflections on Values and Knowledge in Nation Building’, the minister challenged the students to creatively explore opportunities around them. Stressing that students’ ability to see beyond the

restrictive boundaries of their academic disciplines and socio-cultural background would be a sure path to greatness.

Sharing his experience, values and advice - a common practice in convocation lecture,

When you consider my resume today, you might see the prestigious organisations I have been privileged to work with. What you need to know however, is that as a UNILAG graduate and a post-graduate student in the United Kingdom, I have also driven taxis and worked as a security guard, amongst several other menial jobs I did in the past to survive

the minister presented the students with realities of life, dislodging in the mind if his listeners the assumption that successful people possibly never had it tough or rough in life. Preparing graduands’ minds for the journey ahead, Fayemi told the audience that life may not always go as planned, he, however advised them to prepare to bend backwards and do what they might consider to be beneath them because of the bigger picture.

Revealing that he had in the past done some menial jobs including security guard, driving of taxi, among others to survive even as a graduate and post-graduate student in the United Kingdom, the minister said, “When you consider my resume today, you might see the prestigious organisations I have been privileged to work with. What you need to know however, is that as a UNILAG graduate and a post-graduate student in the United Kingdom, I have also driven taxis and worked as a security guard, amongst several other menial jobs I did in the past to survive.”

Challenging the graduating students on national development, the minister hinted that successful leaders start with identifying their purpose and passion and are committed to pursuing and fulfilling it. Encouraging them to learn to take advantage of opportunities and shun the fear of unknown,

Fayemi disclosed that failure is overrated.

“It is time to explore your mind, discover yourself, and give the best that is in you to your to your world. You have to learn the art of seizing the moment and trying new things. Never be afraid to put your passion to work and start something new. Trust me, failure is overrated. If you haven’t failed at something, that means you are not doing anything. Besides, if you don’t fail when your are young, when do you want to fail?

When you are old and grey?”

Stressing the need for Nigerian youths to be given opportunity so as to express themselves, make their mistakes in a secured environment and learn from their mistakes, he however noted that the youths do not optimally take advantage of the opportunities where they exit. “One of the failings of our country is that we don’t give young people enough room to explore their creative abilities and make mistakes early. Equally as bad is the fact that young people don’t optimally take advantage of these opportunities where they exist. Universities as a microcosm of the larger society ought to be grounds for students to explore and make mistakes in a protected environment.”

According to Fayemi, for Nigeria to improve on the quality of its manpower and invariably its potential leaders, adequate attention must be paid to the universities,

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

CITYSTRINGS

A cross section of guests at the 2016 UNILAG Convocation Lecture

It is time to explore your mind, discover yourself, and give the best that is in you to your to your world.

You have to learn the art of seizing the moment and trying new things.

Never be afraid to put your passion to work and start something new. Trust me, failure is overrated. If you haven’t failed at something, that means you are not doing anything

the breeding grounds for society’s elites and sites for knowledge production. “If we are to improve the quality of our country’s human capital and invariably have better national development outcomes, we have to pay attention to the factory that produces the most important segment of our work force that we expect to drive development in every sector, and which is the crop from which our future leaders would arise.

“It is therefore not misplaced for society to look to our universities to produce successive generations of elites that can fix our country, and help us achieve our strategic national development priorities.”

And calling on Nigerian youths to come off the entitlement mentality and take responsibility for their future, he implored, “Don’t think you are entitled to a job because of your parents’ influence or what they have. Don’t think things would be all rosy because you graduated from UNILAG with good grades.

“Be prepared for surprises and disappointments because life is bound to hand you a couple. The only guarantee you have in this life is what you do for yourself with the grace God bestowed on us all. The earlier you realise that no one owes us anything, the better for us, and the more prepared we would be to face life’s challenges. You owe it to the world to leave a lasting legacy - the world owes you nothing.”

The chairman of the convocation proceedings, retired Major-General Ike Nwachukwu in his earlier remarks said that it was high time the younger generation are given the opportunity to lead and serve the country.

L-R: Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Chairman Convocation ceremonies, Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Guest Lecturer and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof Duro Oni; at the University of Lagos Convocation lecture in Lagos

Fayemi

Identifying fear of unknown to be responsible for the tenacious grip to power by the older

generation, he hinted, “little wonder we keep making the same mistakes, thus making our

country go round in circles. The implication of not doing this is that we will be denying our society of fresh brilliant, innovative, modern, articulate ideas in academic, in public and corporate governance.”

Speaking further, Nwachukwu said that the younger generation must be willing to be mentored for effective leadership. “The time is now to make that transition from tenaciously holding unto power to identifying, mentoring, instilling well-trained, focused, motivated and capable young Nigerians to take Nigeria out the present tendency towards ethnic, religious intolerance, towards building a modern nation that we all should be proud of. The younger generation stepping up to take the mantle of must be prepared to be mentored.”

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahmon Ade Bello, in his speech had noted that Nigeria is a great country with very high potential to be a world power, if the country can get its act right.

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T H I S D AY •FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigeria Kicks off Road Show for First Eurobond Since 2013 S&P assigns proposed Eurobond ‘B’ rating Obinna Chima with agency report Nigeria will meet investors this week for its first Eurobond sale in more than three years as Africa’s most populous nation battles an economic contraction and the worst dollar squeeze in almost a decade.

This is just as Standard & Poor’s (S&P), a global financial services and ratings company yesterday assigned the proposed $1 billion Eurobonds a ‘B’ issue ratings. The agency stated this in a note on the debt issue yesterday. Beginning Friday, officials will hold roadshows in London and the U.S. before the proposed issue of 15-year bonds, the country’s longestmaturity dollar notes yet, according to a person familiar with the matter, who is not authorised to speak publicly told Bloomberg.

Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun and the central bank’s Deputy Governor Sarah Alade will lead the meetings,

to be organised by Citigroup Inc. and Standard Chartered Plc. The delegation will also include Udo Udoma, the budget minister, and Abraham Nwankwo, head of the Debt Management Office.

The proceeds, along with those from a $1 billion loan Nigeria will seek from the World Bank, will be used to fill the government’s funding gap as it battles plummeting revenue from oil exports and shortages of fuel and foreigncurrency. President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is proposing a record budget this year to lift the economy out of its slump.

The dates for the roadshow are: London: February 3, Los Angeles: February 6, Boston: February 7 and New York: February 8. Nigeria has $1.5 billion of Eurobonds outstanding, all of which were sold with maturities of five or 10 years. It last tapped the market in July 2013. The yield on Nigeria’s $500 million bond due in July

2023 rose for a seventh day, by two basis points, to 6.92 percent as of 3:22 p.m. in Lagos, the commercial capital.

The country will apply for the World Bank loan once lawmakers approve this year’s budget, Adeosun told reporters Feb. 1. The government forecasts the fiscal deficit to be 2.36 trillion naira ($7.5 billion) in 2017, she said. Gross domestic product probably shrank 1.5 percent in 2016, which would be the first full-year recession since 1991, according to the International Monetary Fund. Foreign investors have fled the country, saying the central bank’s imposition of capital controls has left the naira overvalued. While the currency trades at around 315 per dollar on the official interbank market, it fell to a record 500 on the black market this week.

Capital inflows fell 47 percent in 2016 to $5.1 billion, the lowest since 2007, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

KPMG Boss Calls for Increased Private Sector Participation in Economy The National Senior Partner (NSP), KPMG in Nigeria and Chairman, KPMG West Africa, Mr. Kunle Elebute has called for increased private sector participation in economic activities.

This, according to Elebute, who spoke in an interview, would help stimulate growth and bring about efficiency in service delivery in sectors across the country.

While speaking about the theme of the recently completed World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which was: “Responsive and Responsible Leadership,” the KPMG CEO, noted that wherever there are leaders that are not responsible, coupled with the fact that government controls too many things, that makes it even much more difficult for the

environment to develop and evolve.

Commenting on the situation in Nigeria, he said: “My own philosophy is that government should stop doing what government cannot do. Government cannot run airports, they should just concession the airports to those who can run the airports, government cannot run refineries, they can’t run petrochemical plants, pipelines or even pipelines.

“They should just hand them over to the private sector. Whether they privatise them or concession them. If a business is ran efficiently and profitably, it would make profit.

Before the business can pay dividends to its shareholders, it must pay tax. So, the very first outcome of a profitable company is tax.

“That tax goes to government.

It is only after you have paid tax, with what is left over after tax, is what you can declare dividends from. In many cases, the tax that government would get, would be much more than the dividend that government can get from that business. So, government’s return on any business enterprise is tax.

“So, government should hands off and give it to those that can run it properly and profitably and government gets tax revenue in return.

If you look at the banking industry, go back 20 -30 years when government owned so many different banks, all the government banks that I know have collapsed.

Whether it is New Nigeria Bank, ACB, National Bank, or whatever, they all collapsed.

Top Services Limited Floats N20bn REIT Top Services Limited (TSL), one of Nigeria’s leading property development company has floated a N20billion Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

The close-ended TSL REIT offer, consisting of 20 million units for subscription at N1, 000 per unit and opened February 1, 2017, will have First Ally Capital as its lead issuing house and First Ally Asset Management as its fund manager.

According to a statement, having identified the need for well-located and affordable retail/mall spaces to help catalyse the growth of local retailers, TSL said it committed itself to building and delivering “neighbourhood” malls that are affordable yet of high quality to attract anchor tenants.

To date, the firm said it had developed four malls -Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall, Surulere; Apapa Mall, Apapa; Cocoa Mall, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State; and Akure Mall, Akure, Ondo

State, all of which are currently operational and have occupancy rates of over 80 per cent.

Speaking on the offer, Chairman, TSL, Chief Tokunbo Omisore, said initial investments by the REIT would focus on retail-related real estate including the highlighted four malls owned by TSL. Promising stable and regular income distribution to investors in the REIT, Omisore disclosed that the malls can boast of diverse corporate tenant profile with staggered rental renewal periods which prevents mass vacancy at any one period.

He listed the strengths of the TSL REIT to include predictable cash flow, multiple anchor tenants at each location with long term leases, rental payments agreements that are indexed to the Naira:US$ rate, zero leverage of assets at inception, while Investors will not take on development, construction or financing risk. In addition,

the malls have high average occupancy rate as all the malls are at or above 80 per cent occupancy levels.

According to the Managing Director of First Ally Asset Management, Fund Manager for the TSL REIT,Mr. Winston Osuchukwu, “investing in the Top Services Limited Real Estate Investment Trust allows for diversification of investment portfolio thereby reducing portfolio risks. Let me assure investors that the REIT will be managed by professionals with great care, top skill, prudence and diligence. For instance, the Investment Committee consists of professionals of diverse skills and in depth knowledge in real estate investment and operations. In addition, the REIT is transparently structured and backed by reputable organizations including ARM Trustees Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Leadway Assurance Plc.”

(MILLION NAIRA)

OCTOBER 2016 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 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 14%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY 1, JANUARY 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $52.76 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $52.19 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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017• T H I S D AY

43

NEWSXTRA

Military Speaks on Rann Accidental Air Raid, Says 112 Killed, 97 Injured Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The Nigerian military yesterday broke its silence on

the number of casualties from the Rann accidental air bombing by the air force, stating that 112 persons died in the incident while 97 others were injured.

Ganduje Set to Marry off 1,520 Women in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

is an annual programme introduced to marry women The Kano State Government is to the man they love. set to marry off 1,520 women THISDAY recalled that over under its mass wedding 35,000 prospective couples have programme. been registered for the exercise The state Commissioner through the state Hisbah Board. for Local Government, Alhaji In a related development, the Murtala Sule Garo, disclosed this commissioner said over 2,000 yesterday at Government House, youths were empowered under Kano, during the distribution under G-MEEP programme. of empowerment tools to He said: “4,400 youths youths under the Ganduje and 4,400 women would get Mass Economic Empowerment assistance under the programme Programme (G-MEEP). soon.”

“Funds for the proposed mass He also recalled that in the wedding has been released first leg of the exercise, over since. This is the first batch 3,500 youths were empowered and second and third batches during the first year anniversary would followed soon.” of the present administration.

The mass wedding in Kano

The military equally revealed that 26 foreigners were caught who had links with Boko Haram in the last one month.

Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri, the head of the counter-insurgency operations in the North-east (Operation Lafiya Dole), Major General Lucky Irabor, said of the foreigners caught, 17 were Chadians and nine Nigeriens.

Added to the 26 foreigners arrested during operations, was a Malian simply identified as Ayuba, arrested in Dikwa who claimed he only speaks French, Irabor said.

Another major arrest made in Shehuri area of Maiduguri, according to Irabor, was a suspected Boko Haram member who specialises in sneaking suicide bombers into Maiduguri.

Irabor disclosed that seven cattle rustlers were arrested in Monguno, and 34 cows were recovered from them.

He said 3,332 suspected Boko

Haram members who were arrested in January during operations against the insurgents are currently being screened to ascertain if they are indeed members of the group.

He equally revealed that five Boko Haram members willingly surrendered to the group.

Among the five is one 31-year-old Mohammed Abubakar, who has had his leg and arm amputated by the insurgents for trying to desert.

Abubakar in a brief interview with journalists, revealed how his right arm and left limb got amputated: “I told my friend Hassan Danguduma we have to flee and surrender because our activities are unIslamic, he pretended as if he supported the idea, but leaked the secret to our leader. So they amputated my left leg and right hand from the wrist. But I managed to escape.”

He added: “I have been in the group for two years, they

abducted me from Wulgo Hausari village, Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area. For fear of being killed, I joined the group. I’m loyal to the Mamman Nur-led faction.”

On the Rann misfire, Irabor said after the sad incident of Rann air strike accident, coordinated emergency response was established for rescue and treatment of victims, surgical centre was equally set up.

He equally revealed that a board of inquiry was established by the Theatre Command to investigate the incident which proved it was a mistake and that 112 persons died and 97 others were wounded in the incident.

On other successes recorded in the last one month, Irabor said troops conducted several operation and recovered several arms, ammunition in Sambisa Forest.

He said five insurgents were killed around Sambisa Forest,

adding that in Dikwa, nine militants were also killed.

He said: “In Monguno, troops trailed and had an encounter with insurgents, one militant was killed. Troops conducted operations along Maiduguri-Dikwa road, killed two insurgents. In GulumbaGana road, with the support of Camerounian troops, four terrorists were killed.

“In Konduga-Yale area, hundreds of hostages were rescued. Also in GulumbaGana troops recovered arms.

Terrorists after being dislodged from Sambisa Forest, relocated to Dusla area in Damboa local government, among them nine were killed.”

He, however, lamented that the recent highway attacks might not be unconnected with the displacement of the insurgents from their Sambisa forest stronghold, insisting that the troops are on their trail and would soon neutralise them all.

Leadership Crisis: PDP Withdraws Petition against Appeal Court Justices Expresses regret

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn the petition it wrote against some Justices of the Court of Appeal alleging bias in the handling of the appeals which resulted in the reinstatement of Eyitayo Jegede as its candidate in the last governorship election in Ondo State.

The party, in a letter dated January 31, 2017 addressed to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, expressed regret for writing the petition.

A copy of the letter was obtained by THISDAY. The PDP had in the petition dated November 17, 2016 accused the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel of competing bribes, an allegation the justices vehemently denied.

The party urged the Acting CJN to among others, direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to order the panel to stop hearing the appeal marked: CA/A/551/2016 relating to the Ondo dispute.

Apart from denying the allegation, the justices, to further prove their innocence, recused themselves from further hearing of the appeal.

The January 31, 2016 letter was signed by Prof Wale Oladipo and Bashir Maidugu (as PDP’s National Secretary and National Legal Adviser).

Excerpts from the letter read: “With utmost humility and great respect to your lordship, we write in respect of our earlier petition dated November 17, 2016 in which we urged your lordship to direct the e President

of the Court of Appeal to instruct the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel of justices to stop all further proceedings in respect of appeal No: CA/A/551/2016 wherein judgment had been delivered.

“Upon a more sober reflection, we humbly apply to withdraw the said petition against the Justices and regret any inconvenience same may have occasioned on all affected parties.”

Justice Saulawa referred to the letter of withdrawal at the proceedings of his panel yesterday.

He said it was the right thing to do and commended lawyer to the petitioners, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), for advising his clients appropriately.

Olujinmi, who is lawyer to Biyi Poroye and some other state officials of the PDP in the South-west, loyal to the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of party, acknowledged the fact that his clients wrote the letter.

Meanwhile, it was learnt yesterday that the PortHarcourt division of the Court of Appeal has fixed February 17 for judgment in the appeal by the Sheriff faction against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt, recognising the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee as the true leadership organ of the party.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja had in a judgment, ordered the substitution of Jegede with Jimoh Ibrahim by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, his judgment was set aside by the Court of Appeal reversed.

COURAGEOUS OFFICERS

L -R : Minister of Defence,Brig-Gen. Mansur Muhammed Dan -Ali (rtd); Commadant, National Defence College, Real Admiral S. I. Alade; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; FCT Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas; and Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, during the lecture delivered by Osinbajo at the National Defence College in Abuja ....yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

BUA Targets 1m Tonnes Rice Processing Capacity Set to upgrade largest mill in Nigeria to include parboiling plant Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano To further boost to federal government’s agriculture drive, BUA Rice Ltd, owners of Nigeria’s largest rice mill and a subsidiary of Nigeria’s foremost foods and infrastructure conglomerate, BUA Group, yesterday had a stakeholder session with the Kano Rice Farmers Associations to develop an efficient outgrowers scheme.

The programme will involve the provision of improved seeds, technical expertise as well as BUA’s milling and processing infrastructure in a programme that is expected to drive BUA current processing capacity from 200,000 tonnes to 1million tonnes within the next 4 years.

Currently, BUA’s Rice mill, which was supplied by world renowned Satake Japanese Technology, is the largest rice mill in Nigeria with a total processing capacity of about 200,000 metric tonnes per annum.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director, BUA Group, said that BUA remained genuinely committed to the government’s resolve to reduce the Nation’s dependence on imported rice by boosting local capacity to produce, process and package rice locally.

He further added that this unique private-led partnership will also support the rice farmers to take advantage of the CBN Anchor Borrowers Scheme whilst

BUA will provide end-to-end support to the value chain in ensuring that its milling facilities are being utilised optimally.

Furthermore, Rabiu added that BUA Group is also seeking – as part of the partnership, to support the government in establishing another 200,000tonnes rice processing plant on the banks of the Hadejia River Basin in Auyo, Jigawa State.

He also commended the President Buhari administration for driving a Nigeria first policy in Agric; the Central Bank of Nigeria for providing an enabling environment for farmers to access finance as well as the Kano and Jigawa State governments for their support in ensuring the initiative came to fruition.

In his comments, the Chairman of the Kano State Rice Farmers Association commended BUA Group for initiating this partnership, declaring that Kano State alone had over 500,000 rice farmers with over 40,000 of them fully registered with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

He was also optimistic that the initiative will see improved yields as well as reduce wastage currently being experienced due to insufficient processing and storage facilities.

BUA Rice Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of BUA Group of Companies with its primary milling facilities located in Kano State, northern Nigeria.

44

T H I S D AY •FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Brokers Assure Investors of Safety Despite N10bn Infraction Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie As the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Partnership Securities Limited, Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi faces litigation over N10 billion clients’ money he misappropriated, stockbrokers have assured investors that their investments are safe in the Nigerian capital market.

Ogiemwonyi, who is a

leading stockbroker, is currently in the custody of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and facing criminal and civil charges for misappropriating money of some of his clients.

Specifically, he has owned up to have sold and misappropriated about 96 million Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) shares valued at N1.24 billion and $80,000 belonging

to former Chief Executive Officer of ETI, Mr. Arnold Ekpe.

There are other clients who have made similar complaints against Ogiemwonyi, a development that is sending negative signals to investors in the market.

However, the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the two umbrella bodies

for stockbrokers in the market, yesterday assured of safety of investments in the market.

ASHON described the capital market as well regulated for enhanced investor protection, stating that are processes and procedures to ensure that their investments are safe.

“ASHON would continue to work very closely with the regulators, trade groups and investors to protect the integrity

of the market by ensuring that its members uphold utmost level of professionalism in all their activities,” the association said.

Speaking in the same vein, the President and Chairman of Governing Council of CIS, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe Stated that investor protection would always remain a topmost priority for both the regulators and operators in the Nigerian capital market.

Responding to the litigation of Ogiemwonyi for market infractions, Abe advised the investing public to be calm as there were sufficient measures to ensure that every investor is protected.

He noted that prior to the ongoing litigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange had conducted extensive investigation into the infractions.

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

E XC H A N G E

45

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

MARKET NEWS

United Capital Plc Launches Two Mutual Funds Goddy Egene United Capital Plc, a leading investment banking group in Africa, has launched two new mutual funds, thereby giving investors opportunity to diversify their investment and reap significant returns.

The two mutual funds are: The United Capital Nigerian Eurobond Fund and the United Capital Wealth for Women Fund aim to meet the diversified investment portfolio

needs of indigenous and global clients. Both funds opened for subscription on January 25, and will close on March 3, 2017.

The United Capital Nigerian Eurobond Fund is an openended mutual fund that will be invested in Dollar denominated Eurobonds, floated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigerian top tier banks and other corporate issuers whose securities are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The

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

minimum investment is 10 units ($100 per unit price) and multiples of five units thereafter.

Commenting on the funds, Managing Director, United Capital Asset Management, Mr. Jude Chiemeka said: “We designed these new products specifically to suit the changing needs of our clients. We are excited to launch the United Capital Nigerian Eurobond Fund, as I believe if there was ever a best time for such a product, that time would be now. Our mutual

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 1-Feb-2017, unless otherwise stated.

funds have consistently offered attractive dividend returns for investors and we expect our two new funds to follow suit.”

Meanwhile, the United Capital Wealth for Women Fund aims to encourage women to imbibe a savings culture, provide an avenue for women to be financially independent and to create a sustainable foundation for women’s financial empowerment and development in Nigeria. A maximum of 80 per cent of the fund’s assets will

be invested primarily in naira denominated fixed income and high yielding instruments and 20 per cent will be invested in carefully selected quoted stocks from the NSE. The fund will invest in businesses who have significant women representation in their management/board.

Commenting on the fund, Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc, Oluwatoyin Sanni said: “The Wealth for Women Fund comes at a time when the cause of

advancement of women is at the forefront of the Africa narrative. Several studies have demonstrated that businesses with significant participation by women on their Boards as well as businesses led by women often outperform their peers.

United Capital is committed to empowering African women and in launching this fund, we have gone beyond just saying it to doing something to support this cause through this innovative product.”

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 aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 128.03 128.10 0.64% Nigeria International Debt Fund 218.09 218.23 1.19% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.69 0.70 -0.64% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.76% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 12.44 12.81 0.72% ARM Discovery Fund 288.87 297.58 0.59% ARM Ethical Fund 22.28 22.95 -0.29% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.09% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 106.25 107.00 1.11% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.55% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Nigeria Global Investment Fund 2.15 2.21 -0.91% Paramount Equity Fund 9.39 9.63 0.32% Women's Investment Fund 84.76 86.93 0.19% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.32% FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,098.72 1,099.94 0.77% FBN Heritage Fund 111.23 111.99 -0.31% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 15.16% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $104.26 $104.98 0.22% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $104.02 $104.75 0.68% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 114.55 116.06 1.67% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 0.94 0.96 1.06% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.60 2.60 1.25% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,191.60 2,217.05 -0.80% Coral Income Fund 2,137.81 2,137.81 1.59% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.68 1.70 0.16% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.71%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.00 1.02 0.59% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,021.25 1,021.25 0.96% 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 9.74 9.82 0.78% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.70% 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 1.08 0.66% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.40 10.43 -0.10% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.21% 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 110.92 111.81 2.49% 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 1.26 1.26 0.88% 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 1,812.22 1,821.61 -1.06% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 152.45 152.45 -0.98% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.76 0.77 -0.65% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 187.97 187.97 0.58% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 130.02 131.76 0.17% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.53% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,369.99 7,465.54 -2.75% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 8.23% United Capital Bond Fund 1.24 1.24 14.93% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.67 4.21% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.80 9.98 1.84% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.18 11.29 2.47% Zenith Income Fund 16.94 16.94 2.53%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 124.10

1.01% 0.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.19 72.87

8.29 74.24

-6.68% -3.84%

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

2.41 5.55 11.67 13.85 125.89

2.45 5.63 11.77 14.05 126.89

-12.14% -20.93% -2.70% -13.08% -3.43%

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.

46

WORLD OF ISLAM

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2017 • T H I S D AY

Edited by:

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

The Amazing Quran – 5 US-Australia Refugee

MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Gary Miller/IslamiCity

Continued from last week

The Source of the Quran Another example of people’s use of this weak stance can be found in the Makkans’ explanation of the source of Muhammad’s message. They used to say, “The devils bring Muhammad that Quran!” But just as with every suggestion made, the Quran gives the answer. One verse (Surah Al-Qalam 68: 51-52) in particular states: And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message; and they say: “Surely he is possessed!”

But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds.

Thus it gives an argument in reply to such a theory. In fact, there are many arguments in the Quran in reply to the suggestion that devils brought Muhammad his message.

For example, in the 26th chapter Allah clearly affirms: No evil ones have brought down this (Revelation): It would neither suit them nor would they be able (to produce it).

Indeed they have been removed far from even (a chance of) hearing it. (Surah ash-Shuara 26:210-212) And in another place (Surah an-Nahl 16:98) in the Quran, Allah instructs us: “So when you recite the Quran seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the rejected.”

Now is this how Satan writes a book? He tells one, “Before you read my book, ask God to save you from me?” This is very, very tricky. Indeed, a man could write something like this, but would Satan do this? Many people clearly illustrate that they cannot come to one conclusion on this subject. On one hand, they claim that Satan would not do such a thing and that even if he could, God would not allow him to; yet, on the other hand, they also believe that Satan is only that much less than God. In essence they allege that the Devil can probably do whatever God can do. And as a result, when they look at the Quran, even as surprised as they are as to how amazing it is, they still insist, “The Devil did this!” Praise be to Allah, Muslims do not have that attitude. Although Satan may have some abilities, they are a long way separated from the abilities of Allah. And no Muslim is a Muslim unless he believes that. It is common knowledge even among non-Muslims that the Devil can easily make mistakes, and it would be expected that he would contradict himself if and when he wrote a book. For indeed, the Quran states (Surah an-Nisa 4:82): Do they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.

Mythomania In conjunction with the excuses that non-Muslims advance in futile attempts to justify unexplainable verses in the Quran, there is another attack often rendered which seems to be a combination of the theories that Muhammad (sas) was crazy and a liar. Basically, these people propose that Muhammad was insane, and as a result of his delusion, he lied to and misled people. There is a name for this in psychology. It is referred to as mythomania. It means simply that one tells lies and then believes them. This is what the non-Muslims say Muhammad (sas) suffered from. But the only problem with this proposal is that one suffering from mythomania absolutely cannot deal with any facts, and yet the whole Quran is based entirely upon facts. Everything contained in it can be researched and established as true.

Since facts are such a problem for a mythomaniac, when a psychologist tries to treat one suffering from that condition, he continually confronts him with facts.

For example, if one is mentally ill and claims, “I am the king of England,” a psychologist does not say to him “No you aren’t. You are crazy!” He just does not do that.

Rather, he confronts him with facts and says, “O.K., you say you are the king of England. So tell me where the queen is today. And where is your prime minister? And where are your guards?” Now, when the man has trouble trying to deal with these questions, he tries to make excuses, saying “Uh… the queen… she has gone to her mother’s.

Uh… the prime minister… well he died.” And eventually he is cured because he cannot deal with the facts. If the psychologist continues confronting him with enough facts, finally he faces the reality and says, “I guess I am not the king of England.”

The Quran approaches everyone who reads it in very much the same way a psychologist treats his mythomania patient. There is a verse in the Quran (Surah Yunus 10:57) which states: O mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts,- and for those who believe, a guidance and a Mercy.

At first glance, this statement appears vague, but the meaning of this verse is clear when one views it in light of the aforementioned example. Basically, one is healed

of his delusions by reading the Quran. In essence, it is therapy. It literally cures deluded people by confronting them with facts. A prevalent attitude throughout the Quran is one which says, “O mankind, you say such and such about this; but what about such and such? How can you say this when you know that?” And so forth. It forces one to consider what is relevant and what matters while simultaneously healing one of the delusions that facts presented to mankind by Allah can easily be explained away with flimsy theories and excuses.

New Catholic Encyclopedia

It is this very sort of thing – confronting people with facts – that had captured the attention of many non-Muslims.

In fact, there exists a very interesting reference concerning this subject in the New Catholic Encyclopedia. In an article under the subject of the Quran, the Catholic Church states: “Over the centuries, many theories have been offered as to the origin of the Quran…

Today no sensible man accepts any of these theories!!”

Now here is the age-old Catholic Church, which has been around for so many centuries, denying these futile attempts to explain away the Quran.

Indeed, the Quran is a problem for the Catholic Church.

It states that it is revelation, so they study it. Certainly, they would love to find proof that it is not, but they cannot.

They cannot find a viable explanation. But at least they are honest in their research and do not accept the first unsubstantiated interpretation which comes along. The Church states that in fourteen centuries it has not yet been presented a sensible explanation. At least it admits that the Quran is not an easy subject to dismiss. Certainly, other people are much less honest. They quickly say, “Oh, the Quran came from here. The Quran came from there.” And they do not even examine the credibility of what they are stating most of the time.

Of course, such a statement by the Catholic Church leaves the everyday Christian in some difficulty. It just may be that he has his own ideas as to the origin of the Quran, but as a single member of the Church, he cannot really act upon his own theory. Such an action would be contrary to the obedience, allegiance and loyalty which the Church demands. By virtue of his membership, he must accept what the Catholic Church declares without question and establish its teachings as part of his everyday routine. So, in essence, if the Catholic Church as a whole is saying, “Do not listen to these unconfirmed reports about the Quran,” then what can be said about the Islamic point of view? If even non-Muslims are admitting that there is something to the Quran – something that has to be acknowledged – then why are people so stubborn and defensive and hostile when Muslims advance the very same theory? This is certainly something for those with a mind to contemplate – something to ponder for those of understanding!

Deal: Trump in ‘Worst Call’ with Turnbull

A phone call between US President Donald Trump and Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has called into question a refugee resettlement deal.

The Washington Post reported Mr Trump called the conversation “the worst by far”of his calls with world leaders that day, and cut it short.

Mr Trump later tweeted that he would“study this dumb deal”.

Struck with the Obama administration, it would see up to 1,250 asylum seekers to Australia resettled in the US. Australia has controversially refused to accept the refugees most of whom are men from Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq - and instead holds them in offshore detention

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS OBENEME GLORY ADAEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NNOROM GLORY ADAEZE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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Testimony of an Intellectual Recently, the leading intellectual in the Catholic Church – a man by the name of Hans – studied the Quran and gave his opinion of what he had read. This man has been around for some time, and he is highly respected in the Catholic Church, and after careful scrutiny, he reported his findings, concluding, “God has spoken to man through the man, Muhammad.” Again this is a conclusion arrived at by a non-Muslim source – the very leading intellectual of the Catholic Church himself!

I do not think that the Pope agrees with him, but nonetheless, the opinion of such a noted, reputed public figure must carry some weight in defense of the Muslim position. He must be applauded for facing the reality that the Quran is not something which can be easily pushed aside and that, in fact God is the source of these words.

As is evident from the aforementioned information, all of the possibilities have been exhausted, so the chance of finding another possibility of dismissing the Quran is nonexistent.

I formerly known and addressed as FAUSAT FUNMILAYO OLABANJO, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWAFUNMILAYO MICHEAL AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Burden of Proof on the Critic If the book is not a revelation, then it is a deception; and if it is a deception, one must ask, “What is its origin? And where does it deceive us?” Indeed, the true answers to these questions shed light on the Quran’s authenticity and silence the bitter unsubstantiated claims of the unbelievers.

Certainly, if people are going to insist that the Quran is a deception, then they must bring forth evidence to support such a claim. The burden of proof is on them, not us! One is never supposed to advance a theory without sufficient corroborating facts; so I say to them, “Show me one deception! Show me where the Quran deceives me!

Show me; otherwise don’t say that it is a deception!”

To Be Continued

centres on the Pacific nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Prime Minister Turnbull had been seeking clarification on the future of the deal after Mr Trump last Friday signed an executive order temporarily barring the entry into the US of refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Later on Thursday, Mr Trump seemed to brush off the reports, saying it was only right said that he would need to have tough conversations with other world leaders.

“The world is in trouble but we’re gonna straighten it out...

That’s what I do, I fix things,” he said, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast meeting in Washington DC. What do we know about the

I formerly known and addressed as UMEH JENNIFER CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEADUM JENNIFER CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as JOHN JOY REGINNA instead of NWOME REGINNA JOY. Henceforth, my correct names remain NWOME REGINNA JOY. All documents remain valid, the general public should please take note.

UGWU OBIORA GERALD and UGWUANOZIE OBIORA GERALD is the same person bearing the two names. All

former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

phone call?

The phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Turnbull took place on Saturday, and was one of four the US president had with world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

The Washington Post quotes senior US officials, briefed on the call, as saying that the conversation should have lasted an hour but was abruptly ended after 25 minutes

by Mr Trump.

Mr Turnbull was seeking assurances from Mr Trump that the deal would be honoured.

The US president reportedly said accepting the refugees would be like the US accepting “the next Boston bombers”, who were from the Caucasus region of Russia.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as BOYLE TEIM JENGOA, now wish to be known and addressed as TAMUNOTEIM EYO UMO. All former documents remain valid.

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and The general public should please take note.

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The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BABA BARTHOLOME, now wish to be known and addressed as ISAIAH JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS MELEKWE OGUGUA JUDITH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBAZE OGUGUA JUDITH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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NEWSXTRA

After 35 Years of Service, Obaigbona Retires Honourably from CBN James Emejo in Abuja

Accolades from the top management and staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday marked the colourful exit of one of the Directors, Mr. Emmanuel Obaigbona, from the bank after 35 years of meritorious service.

Described by many as an intellectual and one who stood by his word and impacted the careers of many successful CBN staff, Obaigbona rose through the ranks to reach the climax of his career.

The celebration of his exit was held at the governor’s conference room, packed with top management staff, including the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), Mr. Joseph Nnanna, as well as directors of various departments and staff of the bank.

Sources said it was the first

time there was such a high level representation at similar events.

CBN’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, described Obaigbona as courageous and jovial.

“He’s a very simple person and I am happy he attained this height, “ he said.

Also, CBN Director, Branch Operations, Mr. Rabeh Salisu, said the celebrant had “been in the trenches, fought wars, sustained scars but came out alive and reached the climax of his career.”

He said Obaigbona was an intelligent and industrious person who could instantly proffer a well thought out solution to problems.

Salisu said though the staff were happy he reached the peak of his career, they were saddened with the fact that the celebrant was leaving the bank with vast experience that would have further impacted the bank.

Nevertheless, he said the bank would still approach Obaigbona for his services whenever necessary.

Obaigbona, who was a former president of the CBN staff multipurpose cooperative society, was specifically commended for being instrumental to the survival of the cooperative.

Many staff who had the opportunity to make comments said he touched their lives in a positive way and inspired them along the line of their career.

One staff said:” Obaigbona has confidence and patience and whatever he believes in, he stands by it. “ Responding however,

Obaigbona, who is a cousin to the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY Newspapers/Arise Television Network, Mr. Nduka Obaigbona, returned all the glory to God who empowers him to do all things.

He said the CBN had been an experience for him.

He further admonished parents to always speak positive words to their children, noting that his mother’s prophetic pronouncements at the inception of the CBN job, kept his hope alive even when promotions were initially delayed.

“You will not retire until you get to the top,“ the mother had told him- a prayer which saw

him rise to the position of a director, the highest office in the civil service cadre.

Obaigbona, who is also known to be a pastor said: ”No matter how bad your children are, say something good about them.”

He further charged his colleagues to affect people’s lives positively without expecting a return adding that by so doing, they would be rewarded by God. A graduate of Economics from the University of Ife, with an MBA from the University of Lagos, Obaigbona had worked in the Kaduna branch of the CBN and in the personnel,

research, branch operations, Abuja Stock Exchange, among others.

He was promoted Assistant Manager (Economist) in 1989; Manager (Senior Economist), 1993; Senior Manager (Principal Economist), 1997; Assistant Director, 2003; Deputy Director, 2006; and Director, January 2017.

He held special positions including Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor (1998).

He was also instrumental in the settings up of the Abuja Stock Exchange between 1998 and 1999 as well as Chairman, Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), (2011-2013).

HMOs Return 92% NHIS Funds

ICPC, agency intensify war against graft Paul Obi in Abuja Following frantic efforts to rid the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of corruption, about 92 per cent of funds meant for NHIS have been returned by Health Management Organisations (HMOs).

This was made known during a parley between the NHIS and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.

NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, assured ICPC officials of his readiness to combat corruption, inefficiency and impunity to a stand-still in the scheme.

To that end, Yusuf explained that “HMOs has retuned over 92 per cent of the money owned to NHIS.” The Executive Secretary also decried “the irregularities operated among the HMOs and ill-treatment enrollee’s encounter in receiving services at the hospitals,” stating that, “the institution had not done well in the past, given that some Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and healthcare providers’ treats enrollees like lepers.”

Yusuf contended that his mandate as the Executive Secretary is “to be a good custodian of people’s wealth and by extension sanitize the NHIS and make it work for everybody.

“I have a duty to reposition this noble institution that all Nigerians can be proud of,” the executive secretary stated.

He added: “The meeting is geared towards consensus building and support among stakeholders towards repositioning the scheme for effective service delivery.

Yusuf stressed that NHIS as an institution has paid so much money to the HMOs from 2005 till date and there is nothing to show for it.

The executive secretary then called on the leadership of ICPC to commence the process of probing the activities of NHIS and HMOs, who in one-way-orother have defrauded the system and shortchanged enrollees.

He further reaffirmed that there was no way “we can achieve universal coverage if we continue to give our resources to people that do not deserve it,” stating that he would be the face of NHIS and the advocate of the enrollees.

Yusuf, however, requested the full cooperation and support of the leadership ICPC to purge the endemic corruption that is embedded in NHIS. Speaking, the Chairman of ICPC, Ekpo Nta, who was represented by the commission’s Secretary, Dr. Elvis Oglafa, commended the scheme for his sincerity and doggedness in the fight against corruption in NHIS and repositioning the scheme for better service delivery.

He assured the management of NHIS of ICPC’s support in the fight against corruption in NHIS. In another development, the Executive Secretary while on a courtesy call to the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, assured the him that NHIS would continue to provide easy and qualitative health service to men and officer of the immigration and their families.

The Comptroller General likewise assured NHIS on the need to work together with the scheme to ensure prompt service delivery.

AWRAD FOR INTEGRITY

L –R: Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) , Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, being presented with the Icon of Integrity and Agent of Communication Development award by the President, National Association of Oduduwa Students, Adekunle Michael Adeniyi ...recently.

ICAO, NCAA Begin Certification of Lagos, Abuja Airports Chinedu Eze The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced the implementation of the Africa, Indian Flight Region (AFI) Plan Aerodrome Certification Project for Abuja and Lagos airports.

The objective of the certification is to ensure that the airports, which are the busiest in the country, meet international safety standard.

None of the nation’s airports has been rated by ICAO and other international aviation safety organisations because they have not been certified, and this has lowered the overall safety rating of Nigeria by the international aviation body.

The certification process was disclosed by the Director General of NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman, while addressing his counterparts from the ICAO Western and Central African (WACAF) during the pre -certification meeting at the NCAA Conference Room.

The Regional Director of ICAO WACAF, Mam Sait

Jallow, the team leader who was accompanied by the Regional Officer, Nika Manzi, said the objective of this mission is to follow up on the AFI Plan Certification project and assist Nigeria with technical guidance towards the certification process.

According to Jallow, two airports were selected from Nigeria for AFI Plan Aerodrome certification project while one airport was selected from other states in the AFI Region.

The two airports are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

NCAA said these two airports were chosen due to the volume of traffic in Nigeria, which has the largest passenger traffic in the African continent.

The AFI Plan was adopted by the 36th ICAO Assembly to address the safety status of aircraft operations in the AFI Region.

This plan is meant to address three focal areas which are: to establish and maintain a sustainable oversight system (infrastructure/capacity building); assist states to resolve

identified deficiencies within reasonable time; and to enhance aviation safety culture of African aviation service providers.

The ICAO WACAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as participants in the ICAO AFI Plan Project in Dakar, Senegal on August 11, 2016.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the NCAA Director General affirmed that this project is crucial to global aviation as regards safety and security of the airport environment.

He said the aerodrome certification is in line with the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and all the necessary instrumentation for the process are already in place.

Usman added that the authority has trained technical personnel who are very competent to handle the challenges that may be encountered during the certification exercise.

In his response, Jallow said the ICAO WACAF meets twice a year and their next meeting is scheduled for May 2017; therefore, all hands must be on deck to achieve a successful certification and present the report during the meeting.

The DG therefore expressed profound appreciation to the ICAO WACAF team for their efforts in providing additional momentum to the aerodrome certification.

He assured the body that Nigeria would meet up with the certification requirements within the stipulated time frame.

The representatives of ICAO WACAF, DG, officials of NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) later held a meeting at the FAAN Headquarters as part of the Pre-Certification formalities.

After the meeting, all concerned undertook an inspection of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,(MMIA),Ikeja.

The team leaves for Abuja today.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017• T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Alison-Madueke’s Funds: Bank Chief Accuses EFCC of Concealing Facts Davidson Iriekpen An Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dauda Lawal, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of falsifying the circumstances under which he surrendered N9.08billion to the commission.

EFCC had urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of the money allegedly laundered for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

But Lawal, in a counteraffidavit filed in opposition to EFCC’s prayers, said there was a desperate bid by the EFCC to obtain an order of forfeiture from the court.

A copy of the affidavit was obtained last night.

In an affidavit obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, Lawal denied ever being in possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity held or laundered on behalf of Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

He said following his arrest on May 9, 2016, he cooperated with the EFCC

and made a full admission to having received $25million.

“Having provided evidence to the EFCC of how the $25million so obtained had been disbursed, I was still made to agree to surrender to the EFCC an additional sum of N9.08billion being the naira equivalent of $40million at the rate of N227 to $1,” he said.

He said based on the agreement, he surrendered N5billion in order to regain his freedom last May 13, but that EFCC reneged on the agreement to release him despite surrendering 56 per cent of the total amount.

Lawal said he made statements to EFCC as to the circumstances he released the money.

“Had the EFCC disclosed my witness statements to Justice Muslim Hassan, he would not have granted them the interim order for forfeiture on 6 January 2017,” he said.

Lawal said he received a call from a personal friend, Stanley Lawson, around March 2015 to help collect $25million from someone in Lagos, which he subsequently paid into an account provided

for him.

“I had no idea of the origin of the said funds and only acted in the course of normal banking business,” he said.

The banker said the EFCC allegedly compelled him to provide the funds.

Lawal said in the affidavit: “Having been invited and subsequently detained in Lagos for 11 consecutive days and without access to members of my immediate family, the EFCC investigators kept suggesting and insisting that there was a shortfall of $40million which I was yet to account for.

“They were alleging that I had in fact taken $65million as opposed to the $25million which I stated that I had received.

“The EFCC investigators interviewing me made it clear that the only way that I could/would leave detention is if I made payment of their suggested shortfall available to them.

“As I had now been in detention for several days, not seen my family and felt that the only way of being allowed to leave EFCC detention was by giving into their demands.

“My legal representatives and I became extremely fearful that if I did not take this course of action, I was going to be detained by the EFCC for at least a further 19 days, with the real prospect that this could be extended.

“At this stage, I was extremely desperate and would have agreed to almost anything to ensure my release from detention.

“Because I never had this EFCC invented $40million to hand, I had to use my personal connections to source for and raise about 50 per cent of the said amount while I was in detention.

“I managed to borrow some of the money from the bank where I am an Executive Director and surrendered it to the EFCC through my legal

counsel and was eventually released from detention on 20 May 2016.

“Consequently in a three week period between May 13 and June 6, 2016 I was made to surrender to the EFCC Recovery Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria the total sum of N9.08billion.”

He is praying the court to set aside the temporary order of forfeiture on the basis of alleged suppression of material fact by EFCC. “I believe that it is in the interest of justice for this court to deny the applicant’s application for a final order of forfeiture in this case so as to ensure that justice is served,” Lawal said.

The bank chief made a counter-claim for an order directing EFCC to return the N9.08billion to him.

EFCC, in its response to the counter-affidavit, said the N9.08billion, “being proceeds of the unlawful activities retained by the

second respondent (Lawal) was recovered from him voluntarily by the applicant”.

“The second respondent confessed to have retained the said sum and voluntarily pledged before his lawyer to return same to the federal government,” the commission said.

Insisting that the money formed part of unlawful activities, EFCC asked the court to make a permanent forfeiture order of the money.

“While the second respondent was in our custody, he had unfettered access to his lawyers, immediate family and friends.

“It is in the interest of justice to grant this application forfeiting the total sum of N9,080,000,000 being properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful act found in possession of the second respondent,” EFCC said.

Justice Hassan adjourned until February 16 for ruling.

Maritime Workers Threaten Mass Protest over FG’s Policies

Want port’s access roads fixed, ban on car importation suspended for a month Eromosele Abiodun Maritime workers in the country have threatened to embark on a mass protest if the federal government fails to reverse some of its policies that they are claiming to be responsible for the untimely death and 70,000 of their members who have lost their jobs.

The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Anthony Nted Emmanuel, who stated this at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, said the federal government’s foreign exchange policy had driven several shipping companies out of Nigeria, resulting to mass sack of maritime workers.

He said the abandonment of access roads to the ports which had been in the state of disrepair for several years, has led to the death of its members and caused delays in the ports.

According to him, “As we speak, the roads have become death trap to every road user despite strong assurances by the federal government and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) that contract has been awarded.

In recent times, importers and manufacturers have

found it extremely difficult to access foreign exchange and even when it is available, the cost is outrageous.

This has resulted to mass job loss, relocation of shipping companies to neighbouring countries.

We can no longer seat down and watch our members die and thrown out of job. “We urge the federal government to urgently take steps to address these issues or we shall embark on mass protest until our demands are met.”

While commanding the federal government for the recent ban on importation of cars through the land borders, he appealed to the government to give a month grace to importers whose vehicles are trapped because of the policy to clear their vehicles.

“After the one month grace, the federal government should commence full implementation of the policy.

In the same vein, we appeal to the federal government to have a stakeholders’ meeting with assembly plants and indigenous automobile manufacturing companies to identity and address the challenges of manufacturing of cars locally,” he said.

HERE IS OUR REPORT

L-R Managing Director, Agusto & Co., Vivien Shobo; Executive Director, Isaac Babatunde; Head, Business Development, Adetutu Denton; and Executive Director, Yinka Adelekan, at the unveiling of the 2017 Insurance Industry Report and Consumer Survey by Agusto & Co. in Lagos....recently

NLC: We Were Taken Aback by Minister’s Outburst over Warning Strikes Senator Iroegbu

the claims of the minister.

Accordingly, we find it necessary The Nigerian Labour Congress to state that whether warning (NLC) has expressed surprise strike is in the corpus of the over the threat by the Minister Nigerian labour laws or not, of Labour and Employment, Dr. unions over the years across Chris Ngige, to outlaw warning the world use warning strikes strikes and to invoke the clause as a bargaining device to bring of “no work no pay” in the to the negotiating table, recalcitrant event of the use of warning employers or social partners,” strikes in the future as according Ozo-Eson. to him, warning strike is not In other words, he said it was known to labour laws. a tradition that has acquired the The General Secretary of the force of law.

NLC, Mr. Peter Ozo-Eson, in a He stressed that the efficacy statement yesterday, maintained of warning strikes cannot be in that warning strike had been one doubt as it is the reason why the of the bargaining strategies of government, led by the minister labour unions across the world. himself is now negotiating “We were taken aback by with Academic Staff Union of

Polytechnic (ASUP) executives.

The union Secretary, reminded the minister that in the annals of labour history, warning strikes have had the distinguishing feature of saving the parties to disputes the rigours, costs and pains of full-blown strikes.

“This, the minister, a cerebral mind a former union leader, very well knows.

“Why then would the minister be canvassing a position that is extreme and intolerant of further dialogue which is the mainstay of labour-government relations,” he stated.

Ozo-Eson cautioned against the hasty resort to legalese as a basis for conflict resolution, saying that

it would not be helpful.

He contended that if strikes are guaranteed by the law, labour does not see how warning strikes can be illegal.

“We do not intend to resort to unnecessary pedantism, but quite often, a literal interpretation of the law falls short of the intendment of the law,” he added.

He insisted that warning strikes would continue to be part of our engagement with all employers including government, when necessary; saying, “we believe we are deserving of commendation for this thoughtfulness/ discretion and not vilification.”

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NEWSXTRA

Inadequate Security Blamed for Death of Five Boundary Officials Daji Sani in Yola The Adamawa State Government has lambasted the Camerounian authorities on the inadequate security for the five slain officials on United Nations’ assignment to demarcate the disputed boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroun.

The state Commissioner for Land and Survey, Alhaji Yayaji Mijinyawa, disclosed this to journalists in Yola, at the residence of one of the slain officials, Alhaji Zakari Bakari, who was the Assistant Surveyor General of the state before his demise.

Mijinyawa faulted the security arrangements

Protesters Attack Mimiko’s Convoy over State Assembly Crisis

NLC tells Ondo assembly workers to shun offices

provided by the Camerounian government to the officials who were on an importance and critical mission.

According to him, though the attack on the slain officials was a coincidence but whenever there was such mission, adequate security arrangements should have been provided to the team following the critical nature of the assignment.

He said: “According to information we gathered, security was attached to the team, but was not enough.

We were told that the bandits came in two groups, and two Cameroonian gendarmes attached to the team engaged the first group in battle and chased them away, while

James Sowole in Akure

Command, Mrs. Hilda Ibuforo –Harrison, directed The siege on the Ondo that workers of the assembly State House of Assembly should vacate the premises by protesters to prevent the until further notice. state Governor, Dr. Olusegun However, the 13 aggrieved Mimiko, from presenting the lawmakers led by their 2017 appropriation bill to Speaker, Hon Malachi Coker, lawmakers almost turned continued their siege on confrontational yesterday assembly as they gathered as protesters attacked the to claim the leadership of governor’s convoy. the assembly.

The protesters, who has The visitor that Mimiko gathered at the assembly’s led on inspection of the junction near the Ministry of new state event centre “The Women Affairs at Alagbaka Dome “ was Mrs. Tokunbo area, rushed to the main Awolowo -Dosumu, who was road on hearing the siren invited as a special guest for of the pilot cars leading the the inauguration of Mega governor’s convoy.

Primary School at Ore in THISDAY learnt that the Odigbo Local Government governor, who was billed to Area. inaugurate a mega school at Meanwhile, the Nigeria Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Labour Congress (NLC) Local Government Area, led late yesterday directed a visitor on an inspection of civil servants working in the new state event centre, the Ondo State House of “The Dome” in preparation Assembly to stay away for its official inauguration from the assembly complex later this month. indefinitely, sequel to the “You know that anyone lingering crisis rocking that wants to drive to the the legislative arm of Dome must make a U-turn at government. the assembly junction before The directive was going to the event centre. contained in a statement “The protesters who had signed by the Chairman been there to prevent the of the state chapter of governor from going to the the Parliamentary Staff assembly, saw the convoy Association of Nigeria and rushed towards the (PASAN), Comrade vehicles.

Araulene Felix.

“They thought Mimiko was Felix directed all going to the assembly and assembly workers to stay they wanted to stop him. away indefinitely from the “All other vehicles in assembly until enabling the convoy have gone but environment for work is the ambulance which was provided and security the last, was attacked and of its members could be had part of its side mirror guaranteed. affected.

Stating that the resolution The eyewitness said was in line with the directive though the governor saw of the organised labour all that happened, he under the leadership of gave instructions that the the NLC, TUC and NLC, protesters should be left (PASAN) noted that its alone even as they blocked members are civil servants the entrance on his way out who have nothing to do with of the dome. the crisis in the Assembly.

He said the demonstrators He added the workers ran away when security men would not be recalled in the convoy came down until the assault on the to clear the way.

Paymaster of the Assembly The source said the , Mr Adesina Makanjuola is governor left the area Ore addressed. where he was scheduled to “Until normalcy is inaugurate the mega school returned to the complex, project. all workers under the Meanwhile, THISDAY leadership of PASAN are gathered that the to stay away indefinitely Commissioner of Police from the Assembly for the Ondo State Complex,” he said.

chasing the first group, the second group of bandits came from behind and attacked the officials.

“Definitely, security was attached to the team but the security was not enough.

“This is an international assignment where the mission was to be carried out, government of that country is to provide security for the personnel on the mission.

“If the mission is to be carried out in our country, definitely Nigerian government would provide security for the team.

“If the assignment is to be done in Cameroun, the Cameroonian authorities should beef up security for the team.

“The incidence happened on Camerounian side of the border, and that is why we cannot specifically explain how it happened.”

The commissioner who led a delegation from his ministry to the residence of the slain official to condole with the family, said Bakari was hardworking and his ministry has lost a very important personality which will take the ministry some times to get.

He said the surveyor was among those attacked and killed armed men in Koncha village while on official assignment in Cameroon.”

Mijinyawa, however, explained that government was mapping out modalities

to alleviate the suffering of the families of the deceased.

“Actually, we are discussing on measures to adopt and see that the suffering of the families of the deceased is alleviated,” he added.

The Surveyor General of the state, Adamu Mohammed, described the deceased as a hard working staff, who demonstrated cordial working relationship with members of the staff. “ Zakari is not only a staff but he is like a son to me. We have been working hand in hand for years; we became very close because he was hardworking, sincere and above all, he has good relationship with almost all staff,” he said.

As

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

The 97 Nigerian Air Force personnel deployed to The Gambia during their arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos ....yesterday Chiemelie ezeobi

Court Lauded for Dismissing Bauchi Govt’s Probe of Yuguda Sunday Okobi The Peoples Movement Bauchi (PMB) has hailed a Bauchi State High Court presided over by Justice Gurama M. Mahmood for displaying what it described as uncommon courage and integrity in declaring as improper, illegal and unconstitutional attempts in its judgment delivered on November 1, 2016 by the state government to raise committees to probe the Isa Yuguda administration over an alleged spending of N213 billion for contracts in the state.

The group in a statement issued by its Head of Communication and Strategy, Abdulmumin Idris, also praised the court for granting the former governor’s application on January 20, 2017, for a leave of perpetual injunction restraining the state Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar; himself, agents, or privies from setting up committees, making any act enabled by the Bauchi State Recovery of Government Funds and Property law Cap 3 of 2007 or doing anything pending the

determination of the suit.

The presiding judge, Justice Mahmood, in a judgment delivered last year, had emphasised that the state law is inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 1,6,35,36 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, as to render the sections null and void in effective to the extent of its inconsistency with the provision of the constitution.

The group recalled that Abubakar had set up Asset Recovery Committees under Salihu Abubakar and Air Commodore Gamawa (rtd) to audit major contracts awarded by the immediate past administration in ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) of the state, a development which prompted Mukhtar Abubakar Usman, the former Attorney-General of the state under Yuguda to approach the state High Court seeking a declaration that the provisions of 5, 12, 15, 17 and 18 of the Bauchi State Property LawCap 3, 2007 are inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 1, 6, 35, 36, and 44 of the 1999

Constitution, and to render the entire law null and void, ineffective to the extent of its inconsistency.

Agreeing with Usman, who is a plaintiff in the suit no: BA/122/2015, Justice Mahmood stated thus: “I have looked at the entire law the plaintiff has complained of especially the powers conferred on section 5 of the law and other general powers created by the other sections he cited, I am satisfied looking at the 1999 Constitution especially, sections 1, 6, 35, 36 and 44.”

The trial judge stressed that even though there was the power to modify the law to bring it in conformity with the provision of the constitution, “This has not been done and even if it is done, the fact that it has ousted or eroded the powers of courts created by section 6 of the constitution will not solve the problem.”

Joined as defendants in the suit, were the state governor, state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, the state House of Assembly, Air Commodore Ahmad Tijjani

Baba, Haruna Mohammed, state Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The pro-democracy group therefore called on lovers and defenders of democracy in the country to prevail on the state government to obey the orders of the courts in line with due process and the rule of law, contending that an attempt to rubbish the ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction is an invitation to anarchy and threat to democracy in the country.

It kicked against the submission of the reports on January 6, 2017, by the said committees to the state government as well as an alleged setting up of White Paper Committees by the state government in spite of a subsisting court order nullifying such actions. It maintained that while the asset recovery moves were part of a grand plot to rubbish the achievements of the Yuguda administration, “the entire episode around the publicised submission amounted to contempt of the court.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017• T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Alleged N10.9bn Theft: Court Strikes out Nwosu’s Application to Prevent His Trial

Akinwale Akintunde Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court yesterday struck out two applications preventing former Managing Director of the defunct FinBank Plc, Mr. Okey Nwosu, from facing criminal trial at the High court.

The Supreme Court had in a judgment delivered on July 17, 2016, ordered Nwosu and three former directors of the bank, Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike, to face trial before a Lagos High Court.

The apex court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammed, had allowed the appeal filed by the federal government and set aside the allegedly perverse judgment of the Lagos Court of Appeal.

The court held that the decision of the trial court delivered by Justice Lateefa Okunnu prevails and ordered that the case should be sent back to the Lagos State Chief Judge for Nwosu, Famoroti, Ocholi and Ebubedike’s expeditious trial.

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, in its judgment, said the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to try the case and thereby freed the defendants who

were being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 26-count charge of stealing.

When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to Nwosu, Mr. Anthony Idigbe (SAN), in the first application, filed a written address dated January 20 before the court.

Idigbe requested for a stay in proceedings which will enable them approach the apex court for an interpretation of its decision.

“My Lord, the facts of this case is simple, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) directed the Chief Judge of Lagos State that the matter should go on trial, the Chief Judge directed that the matter should go before your Lordship.

“Our own interpretation of the decision of the Supreme Court is that the matter should go before another judge and start ‘de novo’.

“In our further affidavit, we showed that this is not an unusual case, the prosecution has refused to comply with the decision of the Supreme Court to start the matter ‘de novo’, rather, they are fighting the decision.

“The prosecution argues that this is a matter of law and this court has no discretion by virtue

of the EFCC Act. “We humbly disagree; the issue of stay of proceedings is first an issue of exercise of discretion and second, a part of the inherent jurisdiction of a superior court.

“It is a well-established jurisprudence that where a court exercises discretion, it cannot be bound by any further discretion of any court and the issue of stay of prosecution is an exercise of discretion.

“It is our humble submission that on the materials before the court, the Supreme Court should be allowed to exercise discretion in this matter.”

Counsel to Famoroti, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), told the court that he had filed a written address in support of the stay of proceedings filed by Idigbe .

“We are wholly in support of the application for stay of proceedings, I intend to adopt the written address in support of

what the first defendant has put before the court,” Sowemimo said.

EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), while opposing the applications filed by Idigbe and Sowemimo, told the court the applications were unfair and not in the interest of justice.

“In the decision of FRN vs Okey Nwosu, the Supreme Court said in the case that ‘accordingly, this appeal is allowed and the perverse judgment of the Court of Appeal is set aside and the decision of the trial court is upheld’.

“The fact that they want a particular judge when the Supreme Court said your decision prevails is totally uncalled for. The decision of your Lordship was not upturned by the Supreme Court.

“Inherent jurisdiction has been interpreted in the case of Fayemi v Akilu that inherent jurisdiction will not play any part where there

is statutory power.

“We are saying that in an application filed by the defence on November 11 was not based on discretion but based on statutes.

“By your Lordship’s ruling on that day, the defendants never filed against it and to now file against the order of the Supreme Court is an abuse of court processes.

“I have looked at the exhibits in this case and I felt we are failing the administration of criminal justice.

“In view of all these, I urge your Lordship to refuse the application,” Jacob urged the court.

Ruling on the applications, Justice Okunnu said: “The prosecution closed its case three and a half years ago, and in the three and a half years, there has been no trial in this case.

“To further delay this trial after a three and a half year hiatus is

to act without the dictates of the constitution.

“I do not think there is merit in this application, it is therefore dismissed and the third defendant’s application for an order striking out the charge before him is hereby struck out.”

After the ruling was read, Idigbe in his second application urged the court to drop the charges brought against Nwosu based on a purported letter requesting same allegedly written

by Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), former Attorney General of the Federation.

Idigbe also requested that the purported letter from Adoke which sought to stop the prosecution of Ocholi should also prevent Nwosu and Famoroti’s prosecution.

Jacobs, however, objected to Idigbe’s request for Nwosu and Famoroti to be exonerated by the said letter.

Herdsman Remanded by Ekiti Court for Grazing on N25m Cassava Farmland The police yesterday arraigned a 30-year-old herdsman, Abubakar Usman, in an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court for grazing on a cassava farmland.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Bankole Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused and others at large, committed the offence sometime in December at Iyemero farm settlement camp in Ikole-Ekiti.

Olasunkanmi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the accused unlawfully permitted his cattle to graze on the 70 hectares cassava farmland property of Bunmi Akingba, valued N25,000,000.

He said the offence contravened Section 2 (i) and punishable under Section 7 of Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing, Ekiti State

Law 2016.

The prosecutor also said the accused and others at large, had in their possession offensive weapons contrary to Section 4(1) of the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing of Ekiti and punishable under Section 11 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law 2015.

Olasunkanmi told the court that he had forwarded the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

No plea was taken.

Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo remanded the accused in prison till the outcome from DPP office.

He adjourned the case till March 3 for mention.

Man Hangs Self in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

A middle-aged man was yesterday believed to have hanged himself on a tree in Kano.

The incident occurred in a remote village of Tsamiya, Gezawa Local Government, 50 kilometres away from the Kano metropolis.

The man, who was identified as Nura, was believed to have left behind a written message.

According to an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity: “The man kept his shirt, shoe and a local counter.”

He also revealed that “We saw his body hanging on the tree with a written name

which we suspected that it is his name.”

At the time of filing this report, the lifeless body of the man was still dangling on the tree waiting for the police to arrive for action.

The state police spokesman, Magaji Musa Majia, confirmed that incident.

Majia said the policemen had been sent to the scene of the incident.

A similar incident had occurred a few weeks back at Gezawa Local Government Area when the body of an 80-year-old woman was found hanging on the tree.

The incident generated outcry from people in the state.

WHERE IS ELECTRICITY? Chief Corporate Services Officer, Kaduna Electric, Uday Mishra (left), and Head, Corporate Communications of the company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, during a press briefing in Kaduna....yesterday

Apprentice Kidnaps Boss’ Toddler in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi Barely five days after she resumed work at a beadmaking store, an apprentice artisan, one Grace John, abducted her boss’ three-yearold daughter, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi.

The suspect had since been declared wanted after she fled with the minor, who she lured out of her mother’s store.

Grace was said to have resumed duty at the victim’s mother’s bead making shop situated at No. 1, James Oyedele Street, Moshalashi in Alagbado last week.

According to the child’s mother, Mrs. Oluwatobi Adebiyi, the suspect was asked to provide a guarantor and her passport photograph for documentation but she kept giving excuses.

She said the suspect had told her she was going to buy snack and her daughter, who had become fond of her, pleaded to follow her.

She said: “Last Saturday Grace said she wanted to go and buy gala. My daughter pleaded to follow her and I obliged. But after several minutes, they didn’t return, I started looking for them.

I saw them on the road with a guy.

“I thought that the guy was her brother or guarantor because I had asked her to provide a guarantor.

So, I thought she was bringing the guarantor to fill her form.

“But when I didn’t see them, I went back to the place I had seen them and didn’t see anyone.

“I called her number but she didn’t pick. She was cutting my call and before I knew what was happening, her phone went off.

“We reported the matter at Alagbado Police Station but it has been moved to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja. The police assured us that they would track her.

“There was a time I snapped her with my phone but after the incident, I looked for the picture and didn’t find it. She might

Doctor Risks Jail for Defrauding Colleague of N.9m Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

offence contrary to and punishable under Section If eventually found culpable, 419 of Criminal Code Cap a 43-year-old medical doctor, C16 Vol. 1 Laws of Ekiti Akolawole Michael, riskes State 2012. being jailed for allegedly The accused pleaded not defrauding a colleague of guilty, while his counsel, a sum of nine hundred Busuyi Ayorinde, applied for thousand for the purchase his bail, promising the court of land. that he would not jump bail.

Akolawole was on The prosecutor objected to Wednesday arraigned before the bail application because a Magistrate Court sitting in the accused had jump bail in Ado-Ekiti over the matter. the police station.

At yesterday’s proceeding, Magistrate Taiwo Ajibade, the police prosecutor, Sgt. consequently granted bail in Oriyomi Akinwale, told the sum of N100,000 with the court that the accused two sureties in the sum of committed the offence N50,000 each, who must be sometime in the months of resident within Ado-Ekiti with January 2013 in Ado-Ekiti. a verifiable addresses.

The cop alleged that, Ajibade said one of the the senior doctor did sureties must be a senior fraudulently obtain the medical officer, sum of N900,000 from one while the other must be a Babalola Olawale, a junior civil servant of grade level doctor with the pretence to 12 or executive member of sell six plot of land to him landlord association. at Afao road in Ado-Ekiti.

She thereafter adjourned According to him, the the case to February 15 for accused committed an further hearing.

54

friDAY, februArY 3, 2017 • T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS AFCON 2017…

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

AFCON 2017…

AFCON 2017…

Cameroon Shocks Ghana 2-0 to Reach Final Duro Ikhazuagbe In what appears a repeat of the 2008 semifinal clash, Cameroon again stopped Ghana’s Black Stars from reaching the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. Indomitable Lions’ Michael Ngadeu and Christian Bassogog both scored second half goals as Cameroon won 2-0 to set up final clash with Pharaohs of Egypt in Libreville on Sunday.

And so, Ghana’s trophy drought continued in the continental football show piece they last won in Libya in 1982.

The defeat to the Cameroonians is Black Stars’ sixth consecutive AFCON semi-final loss. Ghana dominated the encounter but had no goal to show for the beautiful played characterized with too many misses.

In the 72nd minute Black Stars’ goalkeeper, Razak Brimah, failed to deal with a free-kick into his area and John Boye’s weak defensive header merely served as an assist for Ngadeu to control and fire home for the opening goal for the hungry Lions.

But hopes of a Ghana comeback faded when Bassogog dashed away to clinch the second goal in the third minute of added time to seal Cameroon’s secured berth in the final. The victory sparked wild celebrations in the Lions’ den.

The Black Stars, who have still never beaten Cameroon at the competition, will now go to Port-Gentil for a third-place play-off against Burkina Faso on Saturday.

Just as in their quarterfinal win against DR Congo, the Ghanaians were once again without Asamoah Gyan at kickoff as their captain struggled to shake off a groin injury.

In his absence, the Black Stars were second best for most of the first half and the Cameroonians were unfortunate not to be in front after a lively start to the match.

Adolphe Teikeu saw his header from a Benjamin Moukandjo corner cleared off the line by Harrison Afful and Razak had to get down to save when Robert Ndip Tambe swept a Moukandjo cross towards goal.

Moukandjo, the France-based captain of this inexperienced

Cameroon side, also headed onto the roof of the net as the Ghanaians weathered the storm.

With Andre Ayew struggling to get into the game from his position on the left flank, Avram Grant’s side made little impression going forward until five minutes before half-time.

That was when Christian Atsu’s pass into the box split the Cameroonian defence and found Jordan Ayew, whose shot from a tight angle whistled just wide of Fabrice Ondoa’s far post.

In a reversal of roles, Black Stars were the better team at the start of the second half with the lightning quick winger Atsu their main source of danger.

When one of his runs was illegally halted outside the area, Mubarak Wakaso whipped in the resulting free-kick and Ondoa flew high to his right to turn the ball behind.

The Indomitable Lions steadied themselves and got the breakthrough from a setpiece of their own, the goal Cameroon’s first in almost five hours since Ngadeu netted the winner against Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.

Para-Sports Can Generate N25bn in One Year, Says Iwuanyanwu Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Sports Development Fund Inc. (NSDFI), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has challenged the Board of the Nigeria Para Sports Development Fund to create three million jobs and raise about N25billion this year to change the face of para sports in the country.

Iwuanyanwu who gave the charge in Abuja at the inauguration of a nine-man board of the para-sport body, said that it has been the dream of NSDFI that raised money towards Super Eagles qualification for USA ‘94 to socially impact on the nation.

“We have commenced with the first of the 36 Community Sports Development centres in Offa, Kwara State. By the time we deliver these complete, no

Mayflower Inter-house Sports Hold Tomorrow The annual Inter-house sports competition of Mayflower Private School, Ikenne Ogun State holds tomorrow at the school sports arena.

The event, which is under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Olaolu Adubifa, the first female President of Ikenne Development Association (IDA), is the seventh edition of competition and will see all the pupils compete in

Cameroonian players celebrating the 2–0 victory over Ghana… yesterday

athletics and track and field events and points would be awarded to all the participating houses late tomorrow.

In a related development, the same will hold among Mayflower Junior School the following Saturday, 11th February 2017 under the chairmanship of Pastor O.A Adeniran.

The event is in its 28th edition.

less than one million children will be involved. The six National Sports Development Centres and then, announce the 90 elite athletes we want to specially prepare from now for a minimum of 10 medals in Tokyo 2020, you will appreciate where we are going.

“The children and youths in Nigeria seem to have lost hope in the nation. It is even worse with those living with disabilities. When you deliver your tasks, hope will be a thing of the past while they

will realize the ability inherent in them. Sports industry in Nigeria is bigger than the oil industry if we marshal our resources well.”

In his response, the Chairman of the governance board, Dr Mike Omotosho thanked Iwuanyanwu for nurturing sports and laying a solid foundation for the trustees to build on.

“The task ahead is not a small feat, fundraising especially in Nigeria is tough, and this is also happening at

a difficult time in our Nation, however, we shall surpass expectations and accomplish our vision. The funds raised will be transparently used to develop leagues in para sports, create productive cooperatives for People With Disabilities (PWDs), and help them set sustainable vocational enterprises,’’ Omotoso The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability, Dr Samuel Ankeli lauded the vision and leadership of

Iwuanyanwu for nurturing the NSDFI and for making a platform to privately raise sports fund for people with disability possible.

Other members of the committee are Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Agi (mni), Pastor Gabriel Amawachi, Hajia Amina Ahmed, Chief Mary Onyali, General Lonsdale Adeoye and Prince David Ayuba (Secretary). Others are: a member of the Paralympics Committee of Nigeria, and NSDFI.

NPFL…NPFL…NPFL…

Babaganaru Plays Down Speculations of Being under Pressure Mohammed Babaganaru had arrived Bauchi before the start of the season to fill a huge gap created by the departure of Abdu Maikaba who had led Wikki Tourists to two seasons of top four finishing. Maikaba’s departure stunned analysts who were surprised that he was leaving a continental-bound side for Akwa United.

Babaganaru, who was coming from Kano Pillars had endured two seasons of leading the former champions to barren runs and may have been a candidate for the boot.

After five fixtures, it is looking like he is finding Maikaba’s results a mountain to climb. But it is still early days in the season.

In Lokoja on Match day 4, he

wore a mournful look after his charges were beaten 2-0 by Niger Tornadoes in the midweek fixture and it was their second defeat in four matches of the season in which they have won and drawn one game each .

Babaganaru admitted it feels sad to go down in a game the way his squad did but quickly stressed that he is not under any form of pressure to better the team’s performance of last season which fetched them a CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

“We did not do enough today but live goes on”, the former Kano Pillars gaffer yelled out to www. npfl.ng. “The NPFL is a marathon race, not a 100m sprint. We have gone four games now and there are

still 34 to go. We keep on working hard and improving on areas of deficiency in the team and hopefully we will get back into our strides”.

A comfortable 3-1 win against FC IfeanyiUbah on Match day 5 catapulted Wikki from 18th place to 8th, a reflection of the tight race in the NPFL in which a dropped point can see a side careen from top to mid table.

Babaganaru was quick to dismiss any suggestion that he is under pressure to surpass the achievements of his predecessor.

“It is important for us to continue to work hard and get results. But I don’t think it is proper to insinuate that I’m under pressure to replicate or surpass my predecessor’s achievement here.

“No doubt they did well last season to earn the club a continental ticket by finishing in third place. We can only work hard for improvement, not an obsession to match or surpass my predecessor’s achievement. I’ve won the league title elsewhere, at Kano Pillars to be precise.

So chasing a third best record shouldn’t be the yardstick”.

Babaganaru would go on to commend the League Management Company (LMC) for getting the 2016/2017 domestic top flight season underway early, saying such competitive league games are serving as good preparation for teams representing Nigeria in CAF’s club competitions this year.

55

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

FRIDAYSPORTS

Lampard Retires at 38 Former England and Chelsea midfield star Frank Lampard retired yesterday aged 38 years, calling time on a playing career that will be remembered as one of the Premier League’s finest.

Lampard did not reveal what he plans to do next, but said he was grateful to the Football Association for the opportunity to do his coaching badges, suggesting he may go into management.

Chelsea’s record goalscorer said he had turned down “a number of exciting offers” to carry on playing in Britain and abroad.

“After 21 incredible years I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer,” Lampard wrote on Facebook.

“I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals.”

Lampard left New York City FC in the autumn and also played for West Ham United and Manchester City in the Premier League.

But it was at Stamford Bridge where he really made his name as a prolific midfielder.

He scored 211 times for the Blues and won every major club honour, netting the goals which in 2005 secured the club’s first championship title in 50 years.

“Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea Football Club, a club which has given me so many great memories,” Lampard wrote.

“I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there.

“All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I’m eternally grateful for everything and to everyone.

Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support.

“Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Lampard was a pivotal figure in the greatest period in Chelsea’s history as he helped the west London club win the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and a Community Shield.

He thrived under Jose Mourinho’s management, scoring 13 goals in their 2005 title-winning season and netting 16 times the following season as Chelsea retained their title.

In 2006, he finished runner-up to Barcelona forward Ronaldinho in both the Ballon d’Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards.

Lampard scored 10 or more Premier League goals in 10 successive seasons for Chelsea and peaked with 22 as he picked up a third Premier League winner’s medal in 2009-10.

After many years of agonising near misses, including a penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester United in the 2008 final, Lampard finally capped his glittering career with Champions League glory in 2011-12.

With John Terry suspended, Lampard captained underdogs Chelsea to a shock penalty shoot-out win over Bayern

Munich in the German club’s own Allianz Arena.

Lampard’s retirement drew tributes from across the world of football, including his old friend Terry.

“The greatest player in the history of our great football club,” Terry wrote on Instagram.

“All the great memories together winning trophy after trophy year after year I will never

forget. You have won everything and should be extremely proud.

“It’s been my pleasure and honour to play and experience all those great moments with you.

“A gentleman both on and off

the pitch, leader in the dressing room and if I could choose one person next to me in the trenches, it would be you.”

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was also fulsome

in his praise.

“After all those Chelsea battles and Frank Lampard now retiring, I can finally admit the respect I had for him and that he was a great player,” said Carragher.

LAMPARD’S CAREER FACTFILE

Full name: Frank James Lampard Age: 38 Date of birth: June 20, 1978 Place of birth: Romford, England Position: Midfielder Clubs: West Ham (1995-2001), Swansea (loan, 1995-96) Chelsea (2001-2014), Manchester City (2014-15), New York City (2015-16) West Ham appearances (goals): 187 (39) Swansea appearances (goals): 9 (1) Chelsea appearances (goals): 648 (211) Manchester City appearances (goals): 38 (8) New York City appearances (goals): 31 (15) National team: England (1999-2014) Appearances (goals): 106 (29) Debut: October 10, 1999 (v Belgium) HONOURS CLUB Premier League (3): 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10 FA Cup (4): 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12 League Cup (2): 2004-05, 2006-07 Community Shield (2): 2005, 2009 Champions League (1): 2011-12 Europa League (1): 2012-13

Lampard… hangs boots finally

WINTER TRANSFER

Premier League Clubs Net January Profit Premier League clubs have recorded a transfer window profit for the first time - despite spending reaching a six-year January high of £215m.

Southampton and Burnley made late deadline-day deals, while Odion Ighalo moved from Watford to China for £20m.

Saints paid about £14m for Napoli’s Manolo Gabbiadini, and the Clarets signed Robbie Brady for up to £13m However, top-flight sides brought in £40m more than they paid out, according to finance analysts Deloitte.

Premier League teams have spent a record £1.38bn on transfers in the 2016-17 season, after a summer outlay of £1.165bn.

Spending in January 2017 is the second highest - behind the record mark of £225m six years ago - and dwarfs the £35m spent in the first January transfer window in 2003.

While the window is now

closed for the major European leagues, there could still be departures as big-spending China has an official deadline of February 28.

Deadline-day sales were led by Nigeria striker Ighalo, 27, moving to Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai.

Burnley were one of the busier sides, recruiting 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international Brady from Norwich for a clubrecord fee having earlier snapped up another midfielder, Ashley Westwood, from Aston Villa.

Southampton bolstered their attacking options by bringing in Gabbiadini, 25, while Crystal Palace secured Liverpool centreback Mamadou Sakho on loan and signed Serbia midfielder Luka Milivojevic from Greek side Olympiakos.

Swansea City signed Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayew in a swap deal that saw Wales defender Neil

Taylor go the other way.

Several mooted moves did not go through on a relatively low-key day, with Celtic keeper Craig Gordon and striker Moussa Dembele staying with the Scottish champions despite reported interest from Chelsea.

Sunderland, thwarted in their attempts to sign forward Leonardo Ulloa from Premier League champions Leicester City, had a bid of about £12m rejected

by Southampton for forward Jay Rodriguez.

Championship clubs spent a record £40m on deadline day, led

by Aston Villa signing forward Scott Hogan from Brentford for a fee that could reach £12m.

Wigan sold winger Yanic Wildschut to Norwich for £7m, but they ended the day with eight new players.

Sheffield Wednesday have to wait until Wednesday to see if their £9.5m move for

Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes had gone through in time.

Midfielder Ravel Morrison returned to QPR on a late loan deal from Italian side Lazio, and highly rated West Ham defender Reece Oxford, 18, moved to Reading on loan for the rest of the season.

Striker Matty Taylor caused a stir by leaving Bristol Rovers, where he has scored 19 times this season, for local rivals Bristol City - the first time a player has done so since 1987.

Championship side City wasted no time in winding up their League One foes, with manager Lee Johnson saying: “It’ll be a big step up in standard for him.”

Meanwhile, Neil Danns’ tour of the clubs of the north west beginning with a B saw him tick off Blackpool. The midfielder’s loan deal from Bury follows spells at Bolton and Blackburn. He has also squeezed in Birmingham City

and Bristol City along the way.

Everton were the Premier League club to spend the most on a single player, paying Manchester United £22m for France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

However, the biggest fee was the £60m paid to Chelsea

by Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG for Brazil attacking midfielder Oscar.

Also departing the Premier League was Dimitri Payet - with West Ham accusing the France forward of lacking “commitment and respect” as he rejoined Marseille for £25m.

The top six sides did not shell out - the only new purchase among the leading sides being Arsenal’s surprise signing of left-back Cohen Bramall from non-league Hednesford Town for £40,000. He had just been made redundant from his job in a car factory before a trial with the Gunners.

Serie A: Juventus in Titanic Clash with Inter Milan Sunday’s cracker between tabletopping Juventus and Inter Milan promises to be full of the usual drama and intrigues associated with games of this magnitude in the Italian topflight Serie A. With Juve, Inter faces a pretty daunting task, as the Old Lady are not known to be losers in their home stadium in Turin, making the clash all the more worthwhile.

All the Serie A fixtures this weekend are live and exclusively on StarTimes World football (channel 254 or 245).

On Saturday, Napoli will start the weekend clashes with the trip to face Bologna. On Sunday, AC Milan is to battle Sampdoria while Chievo hosts Udinese.

Pescara is to confront Lazio.

Inter’s Antonio Candreva said he looks forward to a “really

passionate game” with Juventus.

“I already tasted it in the first game at a full San Siro, it was a nice atmosphere. Then we won against the strongest team in the League. It will be difficult, we know they’re the strongest. We have to give 100 per cent and try to express out qualities and strengths.

We’re in good form though, we’ll go there to play,” he

assured the club’s fans.

Head of Public Relations and Communication at StarTimes, Israel Bolaji, emphasised the pay TV company’s commitment to deliver a fine mix of pulsating live sporting matches to its customers and football lovers.

“We have shown and we will continue to demonstrate that we are a company focused on satisfying our customers

by bringing to their living rooms live matches from the biggest players and clubs in top European leagues. These upcoming crackers are other opportunities to excite our customers,” said Bolaji.

Others channels dedicated to showing sports include; ST World football, ST Sports Arena, ST Sports Focus, ST Sports Premium etc.

Friday, February 3, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Sani to Buhari

“This letter is a funeral service for the anti-corruption fight. Mr. President, when it comes to fighting corruption in the National Assembly and the judiciary and in the larger Nigeria society, the president uses insecticide but when it comes to fighting corruption within the presidency, they use deodorant.”

– Senator Shehu Sani berating President Muhammadu Buhari for clearing Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir Lawal and discountenancing the senate’s committee’s ad-hoc report indicting the SGF of corruption.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

Lessons From America (2) I

did not think I would write the second part of the above titled article published a fortnight ago on this page. But I felt the compelling need to avail readers an update on a major lesson I referenced in the article about the immediate-past VicePresident of the United States of America, Joe Biden. On Friday January 20 after participating in the inaugural activities and peaceful transfer of power to President Donald Trump, Biden headed to Amtrak Washington Union Train Station for a ride back to his home state, Delaware. “Back to Amtrak,” he was said to have announced with thumbs up before entering the train. It is one of those humbling moments that force one to question why things are so very wrong here.

According to The New York Times report, post-presidency, Biden plans to get a small house in Washington to maintain close contacts with the Obamas and to maintain his wife’s teaching job at a community college in northern Virginia; while he would be partnering with the University of Delaware on domestic issues and the University of Pennsylvania on foreign policy matters. In between, he will be working on how to find a cure for cancer through the cancer “moonshot” initiative he is spearheading.

Biden, 74, carried his own bag and walked casually and jovially into the train. No busybody aides trying to help him because he didn’t need them. No haughty posture or superiority complex as a former “constituted authority”. Can anybody compare Biden’s humility and simplicity to the conduct of any Nigerian government official? I am struggling to think of any elected or unelected public officer in this country like Biden who tries to mix with the public to get a connection and relate with their daily troubles, fears and anxieties. Once elected they become inaccessible, chartering private jets and flying in the air until another election cycle when they buy a few bags of rice, salt, oil, etc, branded with their photographs; in addition to a few naira notes - to give out to voters in exchange for their votes.

This has been the stuff of politics here. Without a doubt, we have the worst politicians in the world - totally idealess and visionless.

There is another important lesson I want to draw attention to: Though this time from a Western ally of the United States, Britain, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron was driven to Witney Used Car Centre where he bought a Nissan Micra for his wife. According to various reports in the Western media, in May 2016, a used car dealer, Iain Harris, took a call, saying the prime minister was on his way to buy a modestly-priced car.

He assumed it was one of his friends playing a prank on him.

But soon after, Harris was stunned to see Britain’s PM pull up to take a look at a blue Nissan Micra. Owner Iain Harris was even more surprised when, instead of opting for one of the more expensive cars on the forecourt, Mr. Cameron selected a 2004 blue Nissan Micra costing less than £1,500 that has clocked up almost 93,000 miles. The car shop owner added: “It was a bit surreal, but likewise he was just a normal chap buying a car for his wife, a normal conversation, normal sort of deal and that was it.”

Well, in this clime our leaders are not “normal” people. Once they get into public offices, they quickly morph into thoughtless, arrogant, self-conceited constituted authorities. They wouldn’t build roads, provide healthcare or fund the education system. All they are interested

Joe Biden and his wife, Jill following the inauguration ceremonies, headed to Washington’s Union Station, and boarded a train for the ride home to Wilmington, Delaware in is paying themselves outrageous salaries, allowances and equally outrageous pensions when they leave office.

I watched the video of Emperor Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State assaulting our sensibilities recently with his bellicose rhetoric while addressing the protesting students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and it left a nasty feeling in me.

Who is this thoughtless, egocentric man? How did he come close to holding public office? From reports, some Nigerians wished he was beaten up by those students for being too cavalier in the way he treated them, and for being indifferent to the problems besetting the education system.

He even dared the students to do their worst.

Thankfully, they chose to mock his pathetic arrogance and make him look utterly foolish in his impudent and irresponsible behaviour that was so vainly on display on that day. Instead of explaining to the students his efforts (if any) in resolving the crisis, he resorted to bullying and threats. But his conduct was largely a reflection of the god-like mentality of public office holders across the country. And I dare say, it is the slavementality of the people that has emboldened public officials, elected or appointed, to continue to oppress the people.

The question to ask Ajimobi is, if his children were in LAUTECH, would he allow it to be shut down for eight months? Of course his children will never attend such a school meant for the children of the poor. Instead they send their children to the best schools in Europe and America. Public schools across the country under the supervision of constituted authorities lack qualified manpower and where available, they are poorly motivated.

It is common knowledge that public schools are in a terrible state of disrepair and lack basic amenities due to a lack of funding. Ajimobi, aka “constituted authority”, has become the symbol of all that is wrong with Nigeria and its leaders who immediately detach themselves from the same very people they purport to represent after elections. How he won a second term in office

is a testament to the foolishness of voters in this country and they share in the blame for the mess we have all found ourselves.

As I was writing this piece, I stumbled on a report in the Vanguard newspaper that despite the appalling state of public utilities, 21 states spent a whopping N37.4 billion on servicing just 47 former governors and their deputies in pension payments and provision of houses, staff and vehicles which are replaceable between three and four years. This is said to be aside their medical bills, which according to the report, run into hundreds of millions of naira. These self-serving entitlements are besides the massive stealing they perpetrated while in office through security votes and end-of-tenure payouts they approved for themselves. Some even made away with assets belonging to their states such as cars, furniture, real estate, etc.

The pension laws which some state governors railroaded through their various Houses of Assemblies also require the governments to acquire and maintain two houses for the former governors, one apiece in Lagos and Abuja. Of course some of them went on to become senators.

Still, they collect housing allowances from the federal government, while drawing pensions and salaries from the state and federal governments simultaneously every month. Where else in the world does this happen?

This is a country that claims it wants to make progress. Even in this dire time of economic recession, state governors haven’t shown any commitment to prudency and frugality, nor have they cut down on their frivolities which are a huge drain on scarce resources. The economic hardship in the country has only served to energise our governors, senators, and ex-presidents’ thirst for luxury cars. Their only qualification for these personal benefits is that the people gave them a mandate to serve. And instead of doing that, they robbed them and retired with pensions that ensure they continue to fleece the states until they die having installed their stooges as their successors.

We did not hear that former President Barack Obama or Biden left office with massive severance packages. Obama used his personal money to acquire a property in Washington. The US government did not buy him a house in Washington and in New York. But here our leaders are in competition to outdo each other as to whose house is bigger and better, not from any benefit of personal savings.

Former President Ibrahim Babangida ignited the race with his luxurious Minna hilltop mansion, Abdulsalami Abubakar built his not far from Babangida’s, Olusegun Obasanjo’s own welcomes you to Ota in style and of course, Goodluck Jonathan’s in his sleepy Otueke village.

There is yet another lesson from America. Within days of Donald Trump’s stunning victory in the recent United States presidential election, even though he was somewhat unprepared for the win, he had started to name top officials to his cabinet. By the time he was sworn into office on January 20, 2017, the cabinet picks were already undergoing Senate confirmation hearings. From his first day in office, it has been a flurry of activity, signing one executive order after another, and making good on his electoral promises. No matter how unpalatable his actions may be to many, he is doing what he promised during the campaigns.

Now, compare him to Buhari who finally won the presidential election on his fourth attempt and promised to hit the ground running. And so, he was expected to have a blueprint for the transformation of the country. But what happened? He hit the ground and instead of running, he sat down. The two months preceding his inauguration were wasted doing nothing.

He eventually bowed to pressure from some Nigerians to name a cabinet after another four whole months. Obviously irritated, he described ministers as “noisemakers”. And perhaps out of cluelessness, he named people plagued with allegations of corruption or with track records of wasting taxpayers’ money on personal political projects.

While he wasted time appointing a cabinet, the masses were celebrating and encouraging him to take his time. They called him the longawaited messiah, some danced for him, some trekked great distances to demonstrate their love for a man who had no clue about governance.

Where are those trekkers now? Suddenly, body language entered our political lexicon and became the fixer of anything that seemed to breathe or function minimally in government. Where are those who said Buhari was a born-again phenomenon? Where are those who said he was building the Nigeria of our dreams? Where are those that told us that Buhari was the messiah, a no-nonsense anti-corruption crusader? Haven’t they heard that he cleared Babachir Lawal of corruption allegations despite the fact that he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar?

According to Junaid Mohammed, in just two years, the country is now in worst shape under Buhari than he met it.

Some of us that saw through all the elaborate gimmickry were attacked for warning that Buhari lacked the competence and capacity to govern Nigeria. I was branded a plague among friends who were just too blinded by emotion to see what was so clearly obvious from day one! He took his time appointing a cabinet. And has taken his time over nearly every other decision of his government and we can see the result: Our finger-pointing president has dragged Nigeria from the Olympian height into a morass.

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