Thursday 23rd February 2017

Buhari’s Lawyer: I Gave N500,000 to Justice Ademola, But Not at President’s Behest Tobi Soniyi in Abuja One of the lawyers who defended President Muhammadu Buhari in the suit challenging his qualification to seek election to the Office of the President,

Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), has described as ridiculous the allegation that the N500,000 he gave to Justice Adeniyi Ademola for his daughter’s wedding was a bribe from the president.

Reacting to news reports

interest of justice and fair play the following very short statement on account of the distorted news story currently being peddled as affecting the person of Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and my

that he gave the judge, who is on trial before an Abuja High Court for corruption, the money at the behest of the president, Awodein said: “I am constrained to make in absolute good faith, in good conscience and in the

good and very noble self.�

Awodein’s reaction was issued on his behalf by the president’s media aide Mr. Femi Adesina yesterday in Abuja.

Awodein described the allegation as “malicious,

utterly ridiculous, and revolting�.

The senior lawyer said that he had known Justice Ademola as a friend for well over 35 years.

Continued on page 9

President Speaks to Ganduje, Says He’s Feeling Better‌ Page 9 Thursday 23 February, 2017 Vol 22. No 7980. Price: N250

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Dollar Tumbles on Parallel Mkt, Sells at N501/$ from N525/$

Buy rate falls below N490 as Teriba urges CBN on building reserves With $30bn, we have firepower to meet demand, says central bank Fitch: New FX policy action may ease pressure on banks Obinna Chima and Eromosele Abiodun in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja

The new foreign exchange policy actions introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) saw the naira

extending its gains on the parallel market yesterday, appreciating significantly by N14 to close at N501 to the

dollar, stronger than N515/$ from the previous day and N525/$ on Monday.

Also, the buy rate for the

greenback crashed on the parallel market yesterday to below N490 to the dollar, as foreign currency

speculators who had held on to the dollar for several Continued on page 9

Ministers Tearfully Bid Amina Mohammed Farewell During Valedictory Session Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday presided over a valedictory session in honour of the outgoing Minister of Environment Amina, Mohammed, who has been appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

A source at the meeting informed the State House press corps that several of the cabinet ministers could not control their emotions, as they wept openly at the event.

A video recording of the valedictory session seen by reporters that cover the Presidential Villa in Abuja showed that Mrs. Mohammed also could not control her emotions, as she was moved to tears by the farewell messages from her colleagues.

Continued on page 9

FAREWELL TO A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE‌ R-L: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo; outgoing Minister of Environment and new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mrs. Amina Mohammed; Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu; and Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, after the valedictory session held for Mrs. Mohammed at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja‌ yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE NINE

President Speaks to Ganduje, Says He’s Feeling Better Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday spoke to the Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and extended his appreciation to Nigerians for their goodwill messages and prayers, saying he was on the mend.

Buhari, who spoke on the phone in Hausa for about three minutes with the governor

while a prayer session was going on at the Government House, Kano, said he was feeling better.

“Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah),” he said when Ganduje enquired, “how are you feeling now Your Excellency?”

During the prayer, which was broadcast live by local radio stations in Kano, Ganduje told the president that Islamic

scholars and Imams in Kano were praying for his speedy recovery.

To this, the President remarked “Maa shaa Allah”, meaning God willed it, an Arabic phrase used to show appreciation for a person or event and is evoked upon hearing good news.

He expressed the hope that Allah will accept the prayers and asked the governor to

extend his best wishes to the Islamic scholars.

Ganduje, who was ecstatic over the phone call, remarked that based on the tone of the president’s voice, his health had greatly improved and expressed hope that the Nigerian leader would return soon.

The governor told the president that there were over 7,000 Juma’at mosques in Kano and that he has directed them

to pray for him.

Ganduje also enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for the well-being of the president and the success of his administration.

“We prayed for Buhari to win and he won. It is now mandatory on us to rally round his government and pray for his well-being,” Ganduje remarked.

The prayers session, which brought together about 300

Imams and Islamic leaders from all Islamic denominations across the state, was attended by the Kano deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar; the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor Muhammad Sani Zahraddeen; the state Commissioner of Police, Rabi’u Yusuf; state assembly lawmakers; and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba.

BUHARI’S LAWYER: I GAVE N500,000 TO JUSTICE ADEMOLA, BUT NOT AT PRESIDENT’S BEHEST This fact, he said, was well known to a majority of lawyers who have practiced, especially in Lagos, during the same period and also by many professionals of other disciplines and other prominent and not so prominent Nigerians.

He said: “It is a fact that the sum of money mentioned was personally paid by me as a friend to Mr. Justice Ademola as a personal gift, as our custom well recognises and demands on the occasion of his daughter’s high society wedding solemnised at the

Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the 9th of May 2015, which I attended in person.

“I was fully convinced then, as I remain today, that I could do no less as a friend of longstanding to fairly reasonably support him on

that memorable occasion of his daughter’s wedding.

“Anyone and everyone who knows me would readily and unquestionably testify that I am and have always been a man of impeccable integrity on and off the courts and that such a record speaks always

DOLLAR TUMBLES ON PARALLEL MKT, SELLS AT N501/$ FROM N525/$ weeks rushed to sell off the currency in the wake of renewed confidence in the CBN’s ability to meet demand on the interbank market.

This is just as the chief executive of Economic Associates Limited, Dr. Ayo Teriba, urged the central bank not to relent in its efforts to rebuild foreign reserves to at least $36 billion that can cover nine months of imports, in order to close the gap between the interbank and parallel market rates.

Also, global ratings agency, Fitch Ratings yesterday said the new policy actions announced by the CBN, might ease some of the severe foreign currency liquidity pressure faced by banks in the country.

Fitch said that the most important aspect of the CBN’s announcement was the plan to normalise the FX interbank market.

It said in a statement that the intention of the CBN was to clear the backlog of overdue foreign currency obligations owed by banks to international creditors.

It explained: “These are primarily trade finance obligations owed to correspondent banks. In addition, the CBN will no longer have a say in how banks on-lend the foreign currency they access from it.

“Banks previously had to demonstrate that funds were being directed to priority sectors of the economy.”

The CBN on Monday removed the preferential treatment for certain sectors of the economy, but added that providing foreign currency to the manufacturing sector was still a priority.

Fitch pointed out that with restrictions eased, larger banks with greater access to foreign currency would be free to lend to the smaller banks whose access to international funding was restricted.

The CBN also indicated its intention to increase intervention in the FX interbank market to increase supply and reduced the maximum waiting time for banks to take delivery of foreign currency through its forward sales contracts to 60 days from 180.

The first of these forwards amounting to $500 million was offered by the central bank on Tuesday, but 23 banks were only able to buy $371 million in one-month and two-month forwards.

“This should help banks make more timely payments to creditors, speeding up the flow of currency to importers and helping the economy.

“The CBN’s initiatives are an important boost for banks as access to foreign currency liquidity is tight and banks have struggled to meet their foreign currency obligations.

“Nigeria is highly dependent on imports and Nigerian banks have long provided trade finance facilities to importers.

“Currency scarcity and exchange rate weakness have made it harder for importers reliant on naira-denominated cash flows to service US dollar-denominated trade finance lines, forcing some banks to restructure their obligations with international correspondent banks last year.

“Correspondent creditor banks agreed to maturity extensions and were duly compensated for this,” Fitch explained.

It revealed that there was a steady reduction in overdue trade-related obligations since late 2016, helped by more frequent foreign currency auctions by the CBN. It however stated that this week’s announcement should further ease foreign currency flows into the banks.

“However, the operating environment for Nigerian banks is still challenged by the oil price shock, slow Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, pressure on the naira, scarce access to foreign currency and policy uncertainty.

“The CBN plan will also make it easier for individuals and business customers to meet their foreign currency travel and other personal needs because it will sell foreign currency to banks at a rate not exceeding 20 per cent over the interbank (official) rate for these purposes,” it added.

Meanwhile, the CBN yesterday stated that it was already making some headway with the new FX policy, adding that with over $30 billion

foreign reserves in its coffers, it now has enough firepower to continue to intervene in the interbank FX market.

Speaking early yesterday morning in an interview on Arise News network, a THISDAY sister company, CBN’s Director of Financial Market, Mr. Emmanuel Ukeje said the central bank was almost done with its adjustments in the interbank market, and would now intervene promptly.

He said the CBN will rely on its over $30 billion reserves to continue to intervene in the market, adding that the reserves were enough for this.

“As of now, we have a reserves of over $30 billion in our coffers and with that the central bank is ready to play in the interbank market,” Ukeje said.

He added: “Also, don’t forget that the central bank a few months ago was able to take out $4.2 billion from the market and having taken all that, what is left is residual and that is why it is fine-tuning these policies which hitherto people said were not working.

“That is the whole idea of this policy and we are gradually moving towards a convergence of the interbank and parallel markets because we have the firepower to play in that market now.”

Defending the policy of the bank, Ukeje said: “The interbank market yesterday (Tuesday) closed at the nominal rate which was about N305 because the central bank intervened in that market with a lot of funds.

“Not only was it forwards that we did yesterday (Tuesday), we also intervened at the interbank market and we had about four or five banks bidding for funds from the central bank which had the market closing at N305.”

Also, commenting on the new FX policy actions by the CBN, the chief executive of Economic Associates Limited expressed confidence that the gap between the parallel and the official markets would narrow further as Nigeria’s foreign reserves improve.

In a chat with THISDAY yesterday, Dr. Teriba said the naira appreciated yesterday

because the supply to the interbank market was improving.

“The key point is that the supply situation is improving.

A year ago, the CBN had no capacity to intervene. Today, they are regaining the capacity to intervene.

“So I think the message is not just about what happened in the last 24 hours but more like what is likely to happen in the near future.

“Given the improvement in the foreign reserves, you should expect the gap between the parallel market rate and the official rate to continue to narrow and as long as you see more improvement in the reserves, the gap should eventually close.

“There is also the possibility, given the outlook for the year, that oil prices are not just twice as high as what they were last year, the outlook for them is stable.

“With a bit of luck you can even have better oil prices and oil production domestically has also improved, so there are chances that it will improve further.

“Now we have about $30 billion in foreign reserves from $22 billion approaching $20 billion previously. Now that we have $30 billion, if you take $36 billion as the threshold, which will give us about nine months import cover, the gap should close and you might begin to see appreciation in the official rate as well.”

Teriba who refused to predict at what rate the naira will be trading against the dollar by the end of this year, said: “What we should do now is to focus on the reserves.

“If we get to a threshold like $36 billion, I will be surprised to see a gap between the official and the parallel markets and I will expect an appreciation in the official rate as well.

“At what rate the appreciation is going to take place, I cannot tell you.

However, I can tell you the broad direction in which things will move but I cannot put specific figures.”

Speaking further on the policy measures announced by Continued on page 10

loudly for itself.

“I would conclude by stating categorically and without any equivocation that any link whatsoever with Mr. President, or any court case or cases, of my personal gift from my personal resources delivered to Justice Niyi Ademola by myself on that occasion, or any suggestion whatsoever that it was anything but a gift, or that it ever came from Mr. President, or at his instance, or that I was acting under any circumstances on his behalf, is most malicious, utterly ridiculous and in very, very poor and revolting taste and most undeserving of any further comments.”

Also weighing in on the issue, Adesina said Nigerians were aware that Buhari challenged the election results of 2003, 2007, and 2011 up to the Supreme Court, and not once was he accused of trying to compromise any judge, though some of them were his schoolmates or contemporaries at one time

or the other.

He said this was in keeping with the president’s time-tested reputation as a man of truth and integrity.

“Any attempt to sully that reputation is bound to fail, inexorably,” he added.

Adesina said the statement

by Awodein had shown that Buhari was in no way linked with Justice Ademola at all.

The prosecution witness in Justice Ademola’s trial had during cross-examination on Tuesday revealed that Awodein had given the judge N500,000 as a gift for his daughter’s wedding.

However, at the time the gift was given, Awodein was on the team of lawyers that represented the president in the defence of his suit challenging Buhari’s eligibility to contest the 2015 presidential election over his secondary school certificate.

By coincidence, the trial judge in the suit contesting the president’s eligibility was Justice Ademola.

MINISTERS TEARFULLY BID AMINA MOHAMMED FAREWELL DURING VALEDICTORY SESSION In his remarks, Osinbajo, who described the outgoing minister as a role model to millions of youths across the country, lauded her contributions to the government and the society at large.

He announced that a special valedictory dinner would be held in her honour today.

“We have always been very fascinated by her incredible understanding of so many different things.

“It’s actually quite amazing that we have one person who seems to know so much, who is competent in practically everything: finance, planning, environment and even law sometimes,” he said.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed added that Mrs. Mohammed had made the nation proud, saying the only consolation was that she is leaving to assume higher responsibilities.

According to him, Nigerians are confident that she is going to succeed in her new assignment at the UN. Others that spoke at the valedictory session included the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan; Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Ms. Aisha Abubakar; and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Amina Mohammed, 56,

had served as the UN Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser to former SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.

She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Before joining the UN, Mohammed worked for three successive civilian administrations in Nigeria, serving as the Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

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PAGE TEN

Amnesty Int’l Alleges 240 Boko Haram Suspects Including 29 Children Died in Giwa Barracks DHQ rejects report, calls it a fabrication Paul Obi and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Amnesty International has again accused the military of human rights abuses, this time of arbitrarily detaining 240 Boko Haram suspects, including 29 children at Giwa Barracks who later died in overcrowded cells.

The international rights group also accused staff of the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency of secretly burying the suspects at a cemetery in Maiduguri.

Amnesty disclosed this in Abuja while presenting its annual report on Nigeria for the year 2016.

However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in a quick riposte, has dismissed the report, accusing Amnesty International of fabricating its findings.

The Amnesty report also said that Boko Haram terrorists have continued to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in the North-east, affecting 14.8 million people, adding that it continued to carry out attacks and small-scale raids throughout the year.

It noted that in its response to the Boko Haram attacks, the military continued to carry out arbitrary arrests, detentions, ill-treatment, and extrajudicial executions of people suspected of being Boko Haram fighters.

The report also revealed that the military arbitrarily arrested thousands of young men, women and children who fled to the safety of recaptured towns, including Banki and Bama in Borno State.

These arrests, according to the report, were largely based on random profiling of men, especially young men, rather than on reasonable suspicion of having committed a recognisable criminal offence, adding that in most cases the arrests were made without adequate investigation.

The report said other people were arbitrarily arrested as they attempted to flee from Boko Haram, while those detained by the military had neither access to their families nor lawyers and were not brought before a court.

The report stated: “More than 1,500 detainees were released throughout the year.

The mass arrests by the military, of people fleeing Boko Haram, led to overcrowding in military detention facilities.

“At the military detention facility at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, cells were overcrowded.

“Diseases, dehydration and starvation were rife. At least 240 detainees died during the year.

Bodies were secretly buried in Maiduguri’s cemetery by the

Borno State Environmental Protection Agency staff.

“Among the dead were at least 29 children and babies, aged between newborn and five years.

“At Giwa Barracks, children under five were detained in three overcrowded and insanitary women’s cells, alongside at least 250 women and teenage girls per cell. Some children were born in detention.

“In May, 737 men detained as Boko Haram suspects by the army were transferred to the prison in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.

“They were charged for being ‘incorrigible vagabonds’, which carried up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine.”

The report revealed further that there was continued lack of accountability for serious human rights violations committed by security officers.

It said no independent and impartial investigations into crimes committed by the military had taken place despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s repeated promises in May. “Moreover, senior military officials alleged to have committed crimes under international law remained uninvestigated; Major General Ahmadu Mohammed was reinstated into the army in January.

“He was in command of operations when the military executed more than 640 detainees following a Boko Haram attack on the detention centre in Giwa Barracks on 14 March 2014,” the report noted.

The amnesty report also put the crackdown on the media into perspective, saying that government arrested and detained at least 10 journalists and bloggers without trial.

It said: “In August, Abubakar Usman, a prominent blogger, was arrested in Abuja, the capital, by the anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and accused of contravening the Cyber Crimes Act. “The commission did not point out the specific provisions the blogger had contravened; he was released without being charged.

“In September, Jamil Mabai, was arrested and detained by the police for posting comments on Facebook and Twitter that were critical of the Katsina State Government.

“In early September, a publisher, Emenike Iroegbu was arrested in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, over alleged defamation.

“On 5th September, Ahmed Salkida, a Nigerian journalist based in the United Arab Emirates, was declared wanted by the military and later arrested

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin by the State Security Services on arrival in Nigeria.

“He was among three persons arrested and briefly detained for alleged links to Boko Haram and for facilitating the release of a Boko Haram video on the abducted Chibok girls. He was later released; his passport remained confiscated.”

The report fingered also the security forces for disrupting and in some cases violently and with excessive use of force, peaceful protests and assemblies.

The report recounted that “on 6th September, police stopped members of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement (BBOGM). They had given notice of the protest and gathered peacefully outside the office and residence of the president in Abuja to demand the release of the abducted Chibok girls”.

“On 22 September in Abuja, police fired tear gas canisters to disperse a peaceful protest by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, resulting in some minor injuries.

“A number of supporters of Biafran independence were in detention – many of them since late January – for attempting to hold or participate in peaceful assemblies. On several occasions, security forces used excessive force against pro-Biafran activists across southeastern Nigeria,” it said.

The report maintained that the deployment of military to police

public gatherings contributed to the number of extrajudicial executions and unlawful killings.

It said since January, in response to the continued agitation by pro-Biafra campaigners, security forces arbitrarily arrested and killed at least 100 members and supporters of the group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), noting that one of those arrested was subjected to enforced disappearance.

However, DHQ yesterday denied the allegations by Amnesty International, saying its report was filled with falsehood.

Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Rabe Abubakar said the report was another premeditated attempt

by AI to bring disrepute to the Nigerian military.

Abubakar said: “The report published by the Amnesty International (AI) alleging death of 240 people including babies in Borno and 177 pro-Biafran agitators was yet another in its series of spurious fabrications aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Nigerian military.

“Without mincing words, the allegations contained in the said report are not only inconceivable, but have no place in the Nigerian military.

“The report is another contrived lie orchestrated to blackmail and ridicule the Nigerian Armed Forces which

they have unsuccessfully tried to do in the past.

“It is on record that Amnesty International embarked on a series of such false allegations against the Nigerian military and other security forces as far back as the inception of the military action against terrorists in the North East.

“Amnesty International only encourages the activities of non-state actors who take up arms against the state, killing, maiming and destroying public property, and always accuses the security forces who are sacrificing everything to restore peace and normalcy.”

He said that the Nigerian military acknowledges and respects the views and constructive criticism of individuals, groups or even international organisations including those of Amnesty International, “but it will neither fall for nor accept the deliberate falsehood that has no bearing with the facts or reality on the ground”.

“The truth is that the Nigerian military has always been open in its operations and does not hide its activities from the probing eyes of the public.

“Amnesty International chose to bandy fabricated reports and concocted stories instead of seeking clarifications from the relevant authorities.

“The Defence Headquarters

runs an open door policy in terms of information on its activities in the North-east or elsewhere and is ever ready to provide clarifications on any issue.

“On a number of times, the National Human Rights Commission has sent its delegation to seek clarification on issues they are not comfortable with, and on each occasion, the DHQ always obliged them with the information they sought.

“Amnesty International would rather contrive their report to suit their intention which is to cast a slur on the image and integrity of the Nigerian military.

“It smacks of mischief for Amnesty International to insist on publishing unverified and unsubstantiated reports as they alone know why they have embarked on such a dishonourable venture over a period of time.

“The Nigerian military rejects this report in its entirety and appeals to all well meaning Nigerians to disregard the report and discountenance its contents as it was meant to paint Nigeria in bad light.

“We reassure our citizens of our commitment to ending these security challenges facing our country, irrespective of the unfounded reports and cheap blackmail by AI,” Abubakar said.

strategy was as a result of its inability to meet demand for the dollar. But as supply improves all that will change.

“As long as the capacity to

supply keeps improving, the gap between the parallel and official markets will continue to narrow, “he said.

On the possibility of a single foreign exchange window, he

said the multiple windows arose because of the CBN’s inability to meet demand, adding that once that is no longer the case, all the rates will converge.

DOLLAR TUMBLES ON PARALLEL MKT, SELLS AT N501/$ FROM N525/$ the CBN, Teriba said boosting supply does not amount to access.

“It has always been a supply problem. Trying to restrict demand was the

wrong approach, it simply heightened anxiety,” he said.

He added that the FX market will be liberalised as soon as the CBN regains its capacity to fully intervene in

the market, adding that the restrictions were put in place because the CBN lacked the capacity to intervene in the market.

“The CBN obstructionist

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Osinbajo Seeks N’Assembly Approval for $500m Eurobond to Fund 2016 Budget Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has sought the approval of the National

Assembly for the issuance of $500 million Eurobond to address the deficit in the 2016 budget.

The request follows the

Helicopter Service from Kaduna to Abuja Available During Airport Closure Helicopter services are now available for passengers who do not wish to travel from Kaduna to Abuja by road after the closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

The federal government had earlier announced the closure of the Abuja airport, with plans to redirect flights to Kaduna airport, for a period of six weeks, to allow repair works on the airport runway.

The move has raised many security concerns for travellers, who prefer swift landing in Abuja, and would love to avoid the two-hour journey from Kaduna to Abuja.

For these travellers, some aviation agencies are swift to the rescue. The companies have begun advertising various options for travellers.

One of such offers is a 45-minute trip for passengers via the AgustaWestland AW139 and Sikorsky 92 helicopters at N49,999.

The offer, which was

made by Maple Aviation Logistics Limited, offers to pick passengers at the Kaduna International Airport and drop them off at the national stadium in Abuja.

Some international airlines like Lufthansa have ruled out the option of flying to the Kaduna airport.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the runway had exceeded its lifespan, explaining that it was built to last 20 years but has been in use for 34 years.

Amaechi added that the government would not change its mind about closing the airport, but would ensure that the airport is opened after the stipulated six weeks.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has also said no provision was made for the repair works in the 2016 and 2017 budget, adding that non-completion of the Minna airport remodeling project made the Kaduna airport the back-up.

NSIA Attracts over $375m Foreign Investments Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), operators of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), has attracted over $175 million foreign investment into the country since it commenced operations in 2012.

NSIA’s Managing Director, Mr. Uche Orji, made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday while briefing journalists on the activities of the organisation.

Giving an insight into the over $,375 million foreign investment, Orji said it is composed of $175 million investment in the Agric Fund; $100 million in the Real Estate; and another $100 million in Infracredit for the development of infrastructure facilities across the country.

The NSIA, he said, was making effort to boost agriculture by ensuing the availability of fertilizer to farmers at an affordable price of N5,500.

Orji also disclosed that in partnership with others, the NSIA was targeting a million metric tons of fertilizer which is being blended in some parts of the country for delivery in five tranches,

effective from the next wet season.

The fertilizers coming from the plants, he said, were not only branded but also had N5, 500 printed on the bags to make it impossible to exploit the farmers above the fixed price.

A whistleblowers’ strategy, the NSIA chief executive added, had been put in place to check any eventual abuse.

He also disclosed that the on-going transaction towards taking over the Commodities Exchange in Abuja would position it to create an agriculture sector that would guarantee optimum earnings for farmers.

According to him, without the exchange, middlemen who visit villages to buy farm produce from the farmers would continue to be the main beneficiaries of the effort of the farmers, adding that the organisation was determined to promote sectors that would ensure the industrialisation of the nation’s economy by helping to establish middle industries that can easily fill the gap of specific imports, particularly in areas where the nation has comparative advantages such as petro-chemicals.

recent issuance of a $1billion Eurobond, which was eight times oversubscribed, in the international market.

Osinbajo, in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, read at plenary yesterday, said the government wished to take advantage of favourable market conditions, to issue the fresh debt instrument to fund the 2016 budget.

The proceeds are to be used as funding sources to finance the budget deficit, including the capital components of the budget which ends in May 2017.

The issuance is planned to hold between February and March 2017, subject to market conditions, in order

to meet with the approved capital expenditure funding plan, he said.

Osinbajo, however, noted that the terms and conditions of the Eurobond, may be determined at the point of issuance, being a marketbased instrument. “It is important to note that the previous issuances of $500 million, $1 billion (consisting of two tranches of $500 million) and $1 billion in January 2011, July 2013 and February 2017, respectively, were issued at coupons of 6.75 per cent, 5.125 per cent, 6.375 per cent and 7.875 per cent based on the prevailing market conditions,� the letter read.

The acting president gave the assurance that the

Debt Management Office (DMO) and the federal government’s appointed Transaction Parties to the issue, are committed to securing the best terms and conditions for Nigeria. “...Your timely response would be most appreciated in order to facilitate the prompt completion of the Eurobond Issuance,� the acting president said.

The letter read further: “The Speaker may wish to refer to Line Items 229 and 244 of the Federal Government of Nigeria Appropriation Act, which provided for a Deficit of N2,204.742 billion and New Borrowings of N1,818.675 billion, respectively. “The Act also provided

for domestic borrowing of N1.182.769 trillion and external borrowing of N635.877 billion in Line Items 245 and 246 respectively. “...may also wish to note that while the approved domestic borrowing has been fully incurred, the N635.877 billion for external borrowing has not been fully accessed.

The external borrowings incurred to date consist of $600 million from the African Development Bank and $1 billion Eurobond from the International Capital Market (ICM) only.

Thus based on the 2016 Appropriation and applying the average exchange rate, there is headroom to access further international funds.�

ALLIANCE AGAINST AIDS

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; immediate past Co-chair of Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS (NiBUCCA), Mr. Paschal Dozie; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Total Plc, Nicolas Terraz, during the inauguration of Wigwe and Terraz in Lagos‌recently

Arik: I Have Initiated Settlement with AMCON, Arumemi-Ikhide Tells Court Davidson Iriekpen The Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, has informed Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos that he has initiated settlement discussions with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on how to resolve the takeover of the airline by the corporation.

Arumemi-Ikhide, who was represented by his counsel, Mr. Babajide Koku (SAN), consequently, requested an adjournment to enable parties explore settlement.

AMCON had penultimate week, taken over the management of the airline by appointed a receiver manager due to its indebtedness to the tune of N263.7 billion.

The takeover was consequent upon an ex-parte granted the corporation by the court.

When the case came up before the court last Tuesday for hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by AMCON and the Receiver Manager through their lawyer, Prof.

Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN), Koku informed the court that he had filed two applications before the court namely: An application dated February 15, 2017, seeking an order striking out or dismissing the claim for being incompetent, or alternatively, an order discharging or setting aside the ex-parte order made on February 8, 2017.

Koku also informed the court of an application dated February 20, 2017, seeking orders of interlocutory injunction restraining the Receiver Manager from dissipating any property belonging to Arik; or taking and accepting any facility or loan; or terminating or

renegotiating the subsisting contracts entered into by Arik, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.

In light of the foregoing, Justice Idris adjourned to February 28, 2017, for report of settlement and hearing of pending applications.

AMCON had declared that the total debt owed the corporation by businesses where Arumemi-Ikhide is a major shareholder amounts to N263.7 billion.

But the founder and Chairman of Arik Air had insisted that the total debt exposure the airline owed AMCON was N90 billion, admitting that the airline also owed Zenith Bank N35 billion, Access Bank N7 billion and Ecobank N12 billion, bringing the debts to N140 billion.

He alleged that AMCON management had acknowledged that N90 billion

was the debt the airline owed the government agency and wondered where it got the extra N56 billion it added to the earlier debt, which both parties agreed on and endorsed.

Other debts he mentioned include debt owed Lufthansa Technic, a maintenance company that provides technical support to the airline, which is about $9.8 million, and the one owed Eurocontrol, which he said was less than ÂŁ1 million.

Arumemi-Ikhide insisted that the airline had been paying debts owed aviation agencies and noted that when there was a disagreement over the total amount owed FAAN, the agency took Arik to court, in a case that is still subsisting.

He had also said the crash of the naira in value made it extremely difficult to generate enough revenues in the local currency to offset overseas debts in dollars.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

NNPC Admits Inefficiency in Management of Refineries Operators seek collaboration for surviving low oil price regime Ejiofor Alike Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Aliogo Ugochukwu The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has admitted that it had displayed inefficiency over the years in the management of the country’s four refineries, attributing the poor performance of the refineries to obsolete technology.

This is coming as oil and gas industry operators who gathered yesterday in Lagos at the West African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (WAIPEC) have concluded that the only means of survival of service providers at this current regime of low oil price is collaboration, rather than being traditional competitors.

Speaking at a special panel session at WAIPEC, the Managing Director of National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), a subsidiary of NNPC, Mr. Siky Aliyu, stated that when he started his NNPC career in the refineries over 30 years ago, the then group managing director of the corporation used to query the refineries for performing at 93 per cent capacity utilisation.

He said the situation had changed for the worst with the plants currently struggling to achieve only 50 per cent, which is far below the 93 per cent that had attracted queries in

the past. “We are grossly inefficient in managing the refineries. We have been struggling to do 50 per cent. I started my career in the refineries and when we are doing 93, 95, 96 per cent, I remember the GMD calling us to ask what is happening? What is really going on? Why are you doing 93 per cent? And you see people running helter - skelter. ‌.Now, we are doing 12 per cent, 15 per cent,â€? he said.

Aliyu disclosed that Nigeria accounts for 73 per cent of the 607,000 barrels per day West Africa’s refining capacity, without much to show for it as a result of the poor performance of the country’s four refineries.

According to him, Nigeria with her huge population has only four refineries while Egypt has nine refineries and United States has 137 operating refineries. “I agree with my sister (Mrs. Uju Ifejika) that the four refineries are technically obsolete. We are planning to build pipelines between Niger and Kaduna. We can’t have a refinery in Kaduna where we pay workers but can’t put the refinery into use,� he added.

On concern raised by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brittania-U Limited, Mrs. Ifejika that the NNPC is only interested in four out of the 15 derivatives from

the refineries, Aliyu said the corporation blends the other derivatives to produce petrol.

Aliyu added that the present management of the NNPC is determined to turn the refineries around with 60 per cent capacity utilisation target by the end of this year or first quarter of 2018, stressing that there are huge opportunities for private investors in the refining business.

In his keynote address on “Collaboration and local capacity development as an enduring strategy in a low

oil price environment,� the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said effective collaboration would ensure the survival of the service providers in the present low oil price regime.

Baru, who was represented

by Aliyu cited the success story of the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the Topside of Total’s Egina FPSO project as a case study of good result of collaboration.

According to him, the project was delivered safely, on time and within budget

by a consortium of Nigerian Engineering companies led by NETCO. “Hitherto, no engineering project of this magnitude has been handled locally because no single local company had the capacity to do so. The Management of NNPC in its wisdom approved for three local companies to collaborate and support the local execution of this project. This decision paidoff and has placed on record that over 80 per cent of the associated man-hours which

was in excess of 1 million man-hours on a single project can be effectively executed in one project location in Nigeria,� Baru explained.

Also in his presentation on “Service company – operator collaboration models; drawing on experience from other providences,� the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, urged the service companies to collaborate to be able to execute world-class projects.

Benue to Grant Autonomy to Local Governments George Okoh Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ“ Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has expressed the willingness of the state government to grant local governments autonomy once the National Assembly passes the bill.

Giving this indication while playing host to the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Khaleel, at the Benue People’s House yesterday in Makurdi, Ortom said his administration had already started implementing autonomy for local governments through transparent management of resources. “We will not interfere with local government funds, I was a local government chairman; once the people express desire for local government autonomy, I will go with them,� the governor assured.

He said the transparent manner in which he handles the issue of money by involving workers and their leaders in the sharing of every kobo that comes into the state’s coffers speaks volumes and acknowledged the positive roles of the state branch of NULGE in his administration.

While stressing that Benue is a civil service state, the governor said efforts are being made to diversify the economy especially in the area

of agriculture where the state has comparative advantage.

The governor thanked Khaleel for paying a condolence visit to Terungwa Igbe who lost his son, Elvis, and noted that God would also visit the national leadership of NULGE in its times of their needs.

Earlier, Khaleel had commended Ortom for being transparent in the management of the affairs of the state.

He particularly praised him for carrying union leaders along on issues concerning the utilisation of funds, pointing out that interference from some state governments has made NULGE to urge the National Assembly to quickly pass the bill on local government autonomy.

Khaleel urged the governor to continue to be honest in his dealings with the people and observed that when granted, local government autonomy would ease governance in Nigeria.

He also advocated for the decentralisation of the local government system, stressing that people at the grassroots would feel better impact of governance when effected.

The state chairman of NULGE, Igbe, who spoke before Khaleel had disclosed that NULGE and other unions in Benue identified the governor as a God-fearing person who carries the people along.

COLLABORATION TO TACKLE CORRUPTION

L-R: Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu; Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; and Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, during the South-west Nigerian Women Against Corruption Initiative by EFCC and the Office of the First Lady in Lagos....yesterday

AFRICOM Commander: US to Share Intelligence with Nigeria Osinbajo seeks further help to fight terrorism Tobi Soniyi Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Nigeria has been described as an important nation that is very strategic, not only to Africa but to the whole world while her success determines Africa’s success in the social political and economic emancipation of the continent of Africa.

The Commander of the United States African Command (AFRICOM), General Thomas Waldhauser, said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

General Waldhauser said he was happy with the level of warm cordial relationship between the US and Nigeria.

He pointed out that the US would do all that is needed and necessary to make Nigeria

succeed in its leadership role in Africa, especially in its untiring effort at wiping terrorism from Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

The Commander, AFRICOM stated that his country was committed to maintaining productive and fruitful relationship with Nigeria by stepping up her assistance in the areas of training, intelligence sharing, capacity building and hardware.

In his remarks, the CDS, General Olonisakin, expressed appreciation to the US government for its tremendous contributions to the armed forces of Nigeria in the fight against insurgency and other sundry crimes across the country.

He stressed that the US has been forthcoming in manpower training, equipment support, upgrading of Special Forces,

intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and other relevant areas as required by the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

The AFRICOM Commander was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, US Defence Attachee to Nigeria, Colonel Patrick Doyle and some senior staff of US Embassy, while the CDS was assisted by the representatives of the Service Chiefs and Principal Staff Officers from the Defence Headquarters.

In related development, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has appealed to the United States to give more help to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

He said the time has come for both Nigeria and the US to deepen the long-standing relationship between the countries

based on mutual trust.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa while receiving the Commander of the US-Africa Command, General Waldhauser, and the US Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington. “We will be very open and willing to build a relationship based on trust, so that we would benefit from it and of course our relationship as nations would benefit tremendously from it,� the acting president stated.

Nigeria’s relationship with the US, he observed, remained very important one “and has been so for many years, even so now at a time like this for us,� he added.

He said the federal government appreciated US’ support over the last few years.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

COMMENT

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

FIXING THE WINGS OF A GIANT BIRD AMCON’s intervention in Arik Air is for the public good, argues Aisevbo Uwadiae

A

fter a decade of dominating the aviation industry in Nigeria as the largest local carrier, Arik Airline is engulfed in crisis, which has set it on the same old path of many defunct Nigerian airlines like Nigerian Airways, Okada Air, Kabo Airlines, ADC Airlines, and Concord Airlines.

There were also Sosoliso Airlines, Oriental Airlines, Triax Airlines, Air Nigeria, Albarka Air, Al-Dawood Air and Amako Air all of which passed the difficult route Arik has found itself now and never came out alive. The difference is, like Aero Contractors five years ago, Arik has been provided with a lifeline by Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

In this lies the hope of serious and genuine rebirth.

But ever since the change of management at Arik, the Nigerian media had been replete with claims and counterclaims about the infractions that prompted AMCON to take over the management of the airline. From all the evidence before the general public, I find the position of the owners of Arik preposterous to say the least. What they seem to want is maintenance of the status quo despite the welter of incontrovertible evidences that it is highly indebted to an array of creditors.

AMCON has reeled out the many justifications for the takeover. They include the publicly acknowledged failure to serve its customers, ranging from frequent delays or outright cancellation of flights, the failure to pay its staff to its fight with the aviation workers’ union which recently saw its offices across the country being picketed. Other infractions less known to the public include failure to remit deducted taxes, failure to service its mounting loans, and bad corporate governance.

Arik may want to claim, like most businesses, that it started on a humble note. But we are all living witnesses to its favoured acquisition of the premises of the defunct Nigerian Airways at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

Given the links of its chairman, Sir Johnson ArumemiIkhide to the powers-that-be at inception, it was easy for him to obtain a surfeit of credits for its ambitious expansion. That is probably the beginning of Arik’s problems – the growth was too phenomenal in scope and incredible in pace to be typical!

AMCON INTERVENES TO SAVE BUSINESSES FROM OUTRIGHT EXTINCTION AND HAPLESS NIGERIANS FROM LOSING THE HARD-TO-COMEBY JOBS

It is from his name Arumemi-Ikhide - that Arik, that West Africa’s largest commercial airline, derives its own.

At the peak of its operations, Arik was operating a fleet of 23 state-of--the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft including two Airbus A340-500, making the airline the “first operator of the wide bodied aircraft in Africa.” But, as has been mentioned earlier, in running the company, Sir Arumemi-Ikide apparently did little about good corporate governance and ran it like a company least prepared to compete with the likes of brands like KLM, Ethiopian Air, Virgin Atlantics, etc.

There is also the fact that the Arumemi-Ikhides are an overconfident lot. One is compelled to ask: Did they not know about the fate of local airlines before them? Weren’t they aware of the factors that led to or leads to the collapse of airline business in Nigeria? What was the aviation wizardry they were hoping to conjure to break the cycle of morbidity and mortality in the sector?

Billionaire business men like Sir Arumemi-Ikhide should be thankful to the federal government of Nigeria for setting up institutions like AMCON, which is there to step in when businesses of this nature are overwhelmed by their non-performing loans. AMCON always intervenes to save businesses from outright extinction and hapless Nigerians from losing the hard-to-come-by jobs. AMCON intervenes not only to save businesses themselves but often to prevent systemic collapse of the industry they belong to, as we have seen when it intervened a few years ago in the banking sector.

But my fear is that the idea of AMCON giving itself a period of six months to turn things around in the place is a tall order! In orthopaedic terms, it ought to take much longer to fix the broken wings of a giant bird. Indeed, fixing the “Wings of Nigeria” cannot be a hurried operation! Nigerians and members of the international community who have enjoyed the services of Arik Air over the years, regardless of what they have to say about the quality of these services, hope that the owners of the organisation will, one day, take control of their business. But they want it to be a better-run business. No one wishes Arik to just die like that.

Uwadiae wrote from Benin City

AN INNOCENT MAN Innocent Oparadike, a distinguished journalist and administrator, tells his story

I

n Lagos, there was a pleasant surprise.

We took the 5p.m. Kabo flight to Lagos, arrived Lagos after 6p.m., got into traffic and got to the Minister’s home a few minutes to the commencement of the NTA 9p.m. network news.

Our appointment as Managing Director and Editor respectively was the lead story and the reason we were summoned to Lagos. I was told by Mr. Yusuf Mamman, an IBB confidant and Press Secretary to Commodore Ukiwe, that Gusau’s phone call made General Babangida aware that his directive had not been carried out. He had long approved our appointments but some unpatriotic public and civil servants wanted to subvert it.

He directed that it must be announced that day. Thanks to Generals Babangida, Wushishi and Gusau, the day my name was to disappear from the imprint as Ag. Editor was the day the qualifier was removed and I became substantive Editor.

They were willing tools of God’s will and grace. This is the first reason for thanking General Babangida. Additionally, on at least three occasions high level conspiracies were hatched to nail me.

I was abroad in 1986 when Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe was booted out of office.

When I returned, I left Kaduna for Lagos to pay him a courtesy visit. There was nothing clandestine about this. I went in an official car, gave my complimentary card to the secret service personnel at the gate and also signed the visitors register. This was conveyed to General Babangida as proof of my loyalty to Commodore Ukiwe and by inference, disloyalty to him.

He asked the then Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar to look into the allegations. The governor dutifully

invited me and after hearing me out went to Dodan Barracks to report back.

What was my defence? I owned up to visiting Ukiwe. And I asked the general what kind of friend he would consider me if, as soldiers are wont to do, he is removed and out of fear for my job, I refuse to visit him to cheer him up. I am told he understood that impulse to stand by a friend or mentor in distress. On another occasion, the Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi accused Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, then General Secretary of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of running a one man show and issuing self-serving orders in the name of an ailing Sultan.

The New Nigerian ran the story, the subject of a press conference and the Editor earned the wrath of the man who later became Sultan in controversial circumstances, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. He asked General Babangida to remove me because I was putting a wedge between Northerners.

The general reportedly told him to do some soul searching because an outsider can only put a wedge where there is a crack.

After the Kafanchan riots and the crisis it generated, when for one month I couldn’t sleep in my quarters and had to send my family down south, because the then Police Commissioner considered me an infidel who didn’t deserve police protection, General Babangida through his Press Secretary, Duro Onabule facilitated a holiday abroad.

Unfortunately, it seemed I paid him back with ingratitude when the paper I edited accused the wife of going on Hajj with an entourage of 100. That was one set-up I couldn’t “cleverly side-step” to quote the publisher of the defunct Hotline, Alhaji Hassan Kontagora. He said that when I cleverly

sidestepped all previous traps, including people offering me financial assistance with the plain clothes police ready to pounce, they hit on a plan that was foolproof.

The Hajj story was covered by our Kano Editor, who always covered Hajj; so one was bound to believe the story. Two, not being a Moslem, it would not occur to me to query why the First Lady was travelling with such a large entourage and without her husband. Three, they were in luck. I was attending a book launch in Lagos. I left Kaduna with first flight meaning to return with the last. In effect, I did not edit the paper that day. I was picked up at 10.30p.m. at the Kaduna airport, kept overnight in Kaduna secret police office and returned to Lagos and detention under Decree 2, the next day.

When shown the offending news and denial by Dodan Barracks, I smuggled out an apology which I signed as Editor. Unfortunately, the man in charge of our Lagos office into whose hands the apology was entrusted sat on it and instead published an annoying, “we stand by our story--Editor”.

I am told that when the First Lady saw the piece, she cried out and said “what did I do to this young man?”

That heartfelt cry still haunts me, especially as I had no opportunity to explain to her what transpired before she transited.

Part of that conspiracy was to keep me in detention for a specific period, after which, according to the New Nigerian Editorial Policy, another Editor would be appointed.

They underrated my wife, Lady Esther Oparadike. She flew to Lagos, went to The Guardian and saw Nduka Irabor, who interviewed her for his hot-selling paper, Guardian Express. “Editor Missing” was the screaming headline that got the world

media, principally the BBC, to ask questions that embarrassed and woke up the federal government.

Admiral Aikhomu denied signing the order. It seems somebody cloned his signature or used a proforma copy. From 15 Awolowo Road, I was taken to House Arrest in Victoria Island to buy time. There again, my wife got the media to know that contrary to the information that I had been released, I was yet to return home.

I was finally released, went back to work, on borrowed time, offered my resignation to Admiral Aikhomu and was turned down. A month later, I was redeployed to the Federal Ministry of Information which had no room for me. I was then given a choice of government parastatals, I settled for MAMSER. Preconceptions and misconceptions were too hard to clear. Let me now publicly say thank you to Generals Babangida, Wushishi, Gusau and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe. Thank you Prof. George Obiozor, for coming to take me out on bail one of the occasions I was a guest of the NSO at 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. Posthumous thanks to Ochiagba Dikenafi, Chief Collins Obih, who alerted Prof. Obiozor to my plight.

Thanks to all the beautiful souls that were my colleagues in the New Nigerian, especially my erstwhile Deputy, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the current Hon. Minister of Education. And without mincing words, thank you to my amazing wife and mother of my wonderful children.

Olusegun Adeniyi’s Note: Without any doubt, Chief Oparadike was an accomplished professional and a fastastic human being. As he is therefore laid to rest tomorrow in his village in Imo State, I join friends and wellwishers in praying God to comfort the family he left behind the fortitude to bear his loss.

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

EDITORIAL THE TASK FORCE ON FOOD PRICES Fixing prices by government fiat does not work

T

he Federal Executive Council recently constituted among itself a “Food Security Task Force’’ to address the rising prices of consumables. “Government is quite concerned about the rising cost of food items and the fact that more often than not even when these products are available, if it does reach the market, they are sold at very exorbitant prices,� said Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture. “So, the government has set up task force on food security to ensure that an end is put to the wastage that occurs and with tonnes of produce sitting down in the farms rotting or in the markets rotting�.

While Nigerians are yet to be availed the report of this omnibus committee, establishing an interministerial committee made up of the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, Water Resources and Transportation, to report back to FEC after which “concrete actions would be taken� is not a serious way to address such a challenge. It exposes the lack of clear ideas BASIC ECONOMIC IDEAS on how to reposition SUGGEST THAT PRICES the economy by an ARE DETERMINED BY THE administration that INTERPLAY BETWEEN wants to be seen DEMAND AND SUPPLY, as doing something AND ANY EFFORT TO FIX while doing practiPRICES BY FIAT WILL ONLY cally nothing.

Against the CREATE MOCK SCARCITY background that OR HOARDING, WHICH the Consumer Price IN TURN COULD DRIVE Index (CPI) which PRICES EVEN HIGHER measures ination increased to 18.72 per cent (year-on-year) last month (January 2017) compared to 18.55 per cent in the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), it stands to reason that we are dealing with a serious economic challenge.

According to the CPI report for the month in review, the rise in ination during the period under

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LAGOS’NEW APPROACH TO PUBLIC SECURITY

T

he reason for increase in crime rate in Nigeria is clear. The country is witnessing population explosion without any concrete corresponding development plan in place. Presently, policymakers across the country are unable to take advantage of the population bulge.

Law enforcement infrastructure and practices were not enhanced in accordance with the expanding population and emerging crime trends. The weakness of the system has provided space for criminals to operate at will. Regrettably, increasing street crimes in the cities, moral and financial crimes across the board and existence of militia and ethnic-based crimes and criminals not only expose the system but also the failure of the nation.

Undoubtedly, the security situation in the country remains precarious. People are still quite cautious about moving freely within the country, even in broad daylight while greater doom awaits those whose legitimate activities revolve working round the clock or mostly at night. The scale of kidnapping, robbery attacks, ritual killings, murder and other devious crimes, appear to continue at a skyrocket rate.

Yet, public security is the primary duty of any government, be it federal, state or local govern-

review was in bread and cereals, meat, ďŹ sh, oils and fats, potatoes, yams and other tubers.

There were also increases in the prices of clothing materials, cooking gas, etc. In speciďŹ c terms, food prices rose by 1.29 per cent between December and January.

What the ination ďŹ gures, which keep rising every month, revealed very clearly was that the economy is facing fundamental challenges and that can also be seen in the value of the naira which depreciates on a daily basis. The federal government should therefore reason accurately: ďŹ xing of prices by government ďŹ at does not work.

What times like this demand are policies that will help bring down the prices. For instance, this is the right time for the federal government through the Ministry of Agriculture to identify the food items that are in high demand and help the farmers by way of price mechanism that has been tried in the past. The government does not need to reinvent the wheel on such measures.

In line with sound economic reasoning, if local production is looking good, the federal government also has the huge responsibility to protect the producers with the requisite incentives. With that, the production of local equivalents will boost the economy with the attendant multiplier effects, including on ination. The point being made is that unlike what is being proposed by the federal government, basic economic ideas suggest that prices are determined by the interplay between demand and supply, and any effort to ďŹ x prices by ďŹ at will only create mock scarcity or hoarding, which in turn could drive prices even higher.

It is very clear that lacking in clear economy policies, the Buhari administration has resorted to dealing with the symptoms rather than the disease. Setting up a task force on food prices is no solution to what currently plagued the nation. The only solution is to come up with a holistic plan to revitalise the economy and put the people to work.

ment. The public security consciousness of any government is ultimately an indicator of its public acceptance. This is because public security is one of the most prominent factors that determine good governance and guarantee the extent of socioeconomic growth and development.

The dilemma with our pseudo federal system of government is one where governors are called chief security officers of their states but without control over the security agencies. The constitution does not allow state police whereas it allocates security vote to states. The implication of this is that bad leaders are also exposed to crime which is the reason why fingers are often pointed at some governors for the activities of certain crimes within their states.

In the country, we have a model of what states should be doing to ensure security of lives and property in Lagos State. The special status of Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, and indeed West Africa, has its peculiar security challenges. With a population of close to 24 million out of the country estimated population of 180 million, the security challenges in the state are peculiar and therefore need peculiar solution.

Idris Olokodana, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

CONSUMER RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

T

he Consumer Protection Council is a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.

Though it was established by Act No. 66 of1992, it commenced operations only in 1999, when its institutional framework was put in place. Our mandate requires us to, among others, eliminate hazardous products from the market, provide speedy redress to consumers’ complaints, undertake campaigns that will lead to increased consumer awareness, ensure that consumers interest receive due consideration at the appropriate forum, and encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers.

While using all legitimate means to eliminate the scourge of consumer rights abuse in the Nigerian market place, we are conscious of the fact that an uninformed consumer population cannot be effectively protected if they do not know that they have rights, what the rights are, and how the rights could be protected. Businesses also need to be well acquainted with their obligations to consumers.

In view of all these, we are currently doing the best we can to effectively police the market, sensitise

consumers to their rights and responsibilities and at the same time ensure that businesses are committed to fulfilling their obligations to consumers. It is our hope that with the co-operation of all market players, our country will become a better consumerfriendly nation.

As a consumer, you have the following rights and you must insist on them: One, the right to satisfaction of basic needs.

Access to basic goods and services necessary for survival, such as food, water, energy, clothing, shelter, health-care, education and sanitation. Goods and services must meet the standard of quality promised such that there is value for money in the purchase.

Two, the right to safety, protection from hazardous products, production processes and services.

Three, the right to information. Provision of information enabling informed consumer choice as well as protection from misleading or inaccurate advertising and labeling. Four, the right to choose.

Access to variety of quality products and services at competitive prices. Five, the right to redress.

Compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods and unsatisfactory public and private services, including the right to adequate legal representation.

Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, Wuse II, Abuja

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBURARY 16, 2017

POLITICS

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

T H E G U B E R N AT O R I A L I N T E RV I E W

El-Rufai: We’ll Put a Stop to the Killings Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai is no doubt worried about the crisis in the Christian-dominated southern part of his state, which has claimed many lives. He, however, understands some of the factors responsible for the needless killings and this was what formed the basis for his recent media interaction in Lagos, during which he also addressed other burning issues in Kaduna and the nation. Olawale Olaleye presents the excerpts:

W

hat really is the problem in Southern Kaduna?

People have reduced it to Fulani versus this, no, in at least two cases out of the 11 we have had, it was a clash between indigenous ethnic groups that are mostly Christians. So, I want people to understand this: this has been a pattern. Eleven times it has happened and not necessarily religious and it is mostly ethnic. It was only once in 1992 after the Zangon Kataf crisis that the federal government under Babangida established a judicial tribunal, which tried Zamani Lekwot and others for killings, and they were sentenced to death.

But Babangida politically commuted their sentences to life imprisonment, and thereafter, they were released. It was the federal government that did it, not the state government.

The state government has never prosecuted anyone. And this is the pattern, and then we wait for another conflict. In 37 years, we have had 11, and if you do the mathematics, you will see that it happens almost every three years.

So, when we came into office, I asked for all the reports of the commissions of inquiry and I read all of them. The only one I have not been able to find is that of the first one, the Kasuwa Magani crisis. I read all of the White Papers because I knew sooner or later that in our four years, that we might have one.

So we were ready for this. But we took steps to ensure that it did not at all happen. The first thing we did was to try to understand why communities in Southern Kaduna were attacked? We set up a committee under Gen. Martins Agwai to study the problem and tell us what the problem is.

The committee was inaugurated, submitted a report in August (2015). They had some findings and recommendations that were very, very interesting. They found that there were three kinds of Fulani – the settled Fulani that don’t have cattle; the semi-settled who have cattle but don’t go very far, maybe within the confines of the state and then the transhumance Fulani, who come from West African countries.

There is an ECOWAS protocol that allows them to move across these countries and it appears there are international stalk routes that had been marked in pre-colonial times to enable them to move their cattle up and down.

What has happened is that over the years, expansion of population, urban development, need for farmlands have encroached on these international stalk routes. So, as these Fulani mostly from outside Nigeria come, they get on farms that in their minds were part of the international stalk routes but have now been overtaken by need for agricultural land. This is where the conflicts come. The conflicts, according to the Agwai Committee, arise from the semi-settled Fulani who move cattle within Nigeria and the transhumance Fulani, who come from outside Nigeria.

You alluded to the post-election violence.

How do you mean?

The second finding and recommendation of the committee was that under Governor Patrick Yakowa, this dichotomy was understood by him and that when the attacks on Southern Kaduna communities persisted, he figured that it had to do with the 2011 post-election violence and he began to send delegations to reach out to the transhumance Fulani and

El-Rufai...Southern Kaduna crisis deeper than many know

offered them compensation to stop coming to kill. To some extent, Yakowa was successful until he died, because at some point, the attacks stopped. But when he died, the successor government did not continue, and the attacks resumed.

The Agwai Committee recommended that we should try to reach out to these transhumance Fulani because they are the main cause of the attacks. The committee established that it is not the Nigerian Fulani that are doing most of the attacks and that the bulk of it was coming from abroad. We said to them, ‘look, we offer you compensation for deaths, for livestock lost provided you agree that these reprisals stop. Leave our people alone.

This has happened; it happened in 2011. We were very successful because from August 2015, when we started the outreach following Agwai Committee report till May 2016, there were no attacks in Southern Kaduna.

There was silence. We thought that we had dealt with more than one-half of the problem – the transhumance Fulani. Once we started sending delegations, even those who were planning to attack heard that the government is going round apologising, offering compensation, so they waited because the Fulani have their informal ways of communication and we thought that we had solved that problem.

What’s the relationship between the Kaduna State Government and the three senators from the state?

One of the things that I initiated was a monthly meeting with members of the National Assembly from Kaduna State across party lines, because I believe that their job is to advocate Kaduna State’s interest at the federal level and that we should all work together.

I hosted them to a dinner immediately after

inauguration, but the senator from Southern Kaduna did not come, the two APC senators came, and most of the members of the House of Representatives came. I told them that we need to work together to influence budgetary provisions for Kaduna, to influence projects and so on.

I was doing that monthly until the governors’ forum started fixing monthly meetings the same time I was having dinner with the members of the National Assembly. That disrupted it, and I have not met with them now for about four months, but we have now agreed to a monthly late lunch meeting.

What is the problem with the senator from Southern Kaduna?

The senator from Southern Kaduna, maybe, considered himself a PDP senator and maybe thought we would not be fair to him. So, he has never attended these meetings. I think that once elections are over, you are governor of everyone and you should try to bring everyone along. That does not mean that I don’t have separate meetings with APC House of Representatives members or House of Assembly members. We do when we have to meet over party issues, and I meet monthly with State House of Assembly members across party lines.

They come, and I host them to dinner, they ask what we are doing, and we explain. We are on one page, and I think this is why our State House of Assembly is the most prolific in Nigeria. It has passed something like 25 laws in two years.

As a member of the Abuja Cabal, how have you been intervening in some of the decisions of the president?

It is not correct. Am I very close to Buhari?

Yes. I worked very closely with him in the

CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) when everyone had given up on him. I know him, I know how he thinks and he trusts me. But Kaduna is my primary assignment. The president knows that I am driven by public interest. Do I participate in federal decision making? I don’t. I am too busy addressing Kaduna problems to be part of it. When I am called for an opinion or when I happen to be around, and I have an input or if I see something going seriously wrong, I drive and go and see Mr. President that I have heard A, B, C and D. I don’t think it is right, you should consider doing C, D, E. I do that and I drive back to Kaduna.

My primary assignment is Kaduna. I am not involved in the federal government.

People like to say and attribute so much to me, and sometimes it is good for me, it gives me a larger than life image! Is there a cabal? There is always a cabal. Even in your own newspaper, there is a cabal. Nobody can run an institution without a coterie of two, three, four trusted people. There is always a cabal. The issue is whether it is a positive or a disruptive cabal. Am I a member of the cabal? No, I am governor of Kaduna State.

I work for Kaduna State 24/7.

Why have you not sold some good things you did in Kaduna like the attachment of portfolios to commissioners-designate to the president?

Every leader has his leadership style, and every governor has his own culture. The culture in the federal government is to send names without portfolios.

But was that the culture in Kaduna before you came?

I have decided to change it. I am not the president. If I am the president, I probably may do things differently, but if I am the president, also, I may get information and briefings by officials and security agents that may help me do things differently. You don’t know how much briefing or information he has – matter of procedures and duties. Every leader has his own style, information that guides how he decides, so I can’t say that what I have done in Kaduna is necessarily relevant to the federal government.

What’s the controversy over the alleged marking of Inuwa Abdulkadir’s house about?

I don’t know that. I didn’t even know Inuwa Abdulkadir had land or house in Kaduna. I know that he has a wife that lives in Kaduna, I would assume that like most northern elite, he has a house in Kaduna, but I really didn’t know. I don’t know about this. These things are done as a matter of procedures and duties, and if he has his title and approved building plans, nobody would touch his house. Of course, there is a problem between us because he is trying to mess up our party in Kaduna State in pursuit of an agenda and I have told him that if he doesn’t stop doing that I will deal with him, and I got three witnesses to that.

I am not a guerrilla warrior, if I am going to fight you, I will give you notice so that you will prepare. If Inuwa Abdulkadir has a house in Kaduna and he built without title or permission, I will not ask KASUPDA not to demolish just because he will blame me for it; I don’t care about that. On the other hand, if he has his title and approved building plans, you better ask him to produce them to KASUPDA because this KASUPDA is three or so levels below me and I don’t get to know what they are doing.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBURUARY 16, 2017

RIGHT OF REPLY

This Lagos Senator is Certainly Not from Yewa There is no way to twist the facts: Senator Solomon Adeola is just not an indigene of Yewa in Ogun State, Raheem Ajayi insists

I

read a rejoinder by Kayode Odunaro, media aide to Senator Solomon Adeola, in response to my article of February 13, 2017, titled: “Adeola and the Burden of Ancestral Ties” wherein I, on behalf of the good people of Yewa, sought clarification on the origin of the incumbent Senator representing Lagos West and an aspirant in the Ogun governorship election in 2019.

Instead of addressing pertinent questions raised in my article, Odunaro merely went on red-herring and introduced innuendos, insinuating that I was a “brotherly associate” of the Senator amongst others. By making reference to an invitation I honoured from Senator Yayi to a programme in Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, several months back, Odunaro attempted albeit futilely to compromise me and vitiate my position against the Senator.

One of the things Odunaro forgot to add was that it was his principal, who invited me to discuss Ogun politics in continuation of an earlier interaction. Odunaro should ask his boss about my position regarding his political ambition in Ogun State when we met a year earlier at a function in Lagos.

When Senator Yayi could not convince me, we decided to continue on the discussion at a later date.

That was why I agreed to meet with Odunaro’s boss on June 12, 2016. My meeting with Senator Yayi wasn’t a secret. It was an assignment undertaken on behalf of my

Adeola

people. If Odunaro would be truthful, the outcome of my meeting was made public and I dare him to come out with “details of any financial transaction” as being insinuated.

It is an open secret that Odunaro splashed my picture with Senator Yayi’s on the Social media after the meeting, an indication of how much they wanted my support.

Why then attempting a blackmail now, if not for naked desperation. I bet Odunaro

didn’t know Senator Yayi has been making frantic efforts to reach me since my article was published. Just how pitiable can people become when they work with a boss with whom they are not on the same page and for whom they will readily sacrifice integrity and if not cheaply trade away their ancestral root?

Odunaro’s rejoinder deviated totally from expatiating on why Senator Yayi initially picked Ishaga in Abeokuta North local government in Ogun Central as his home origin and later shifted to Joga Orile in Yewa North local government and recently Pahayi in Yewa South Local Government.

I wouldn’t have written since I had asked him in private, even though he couldn’t give a satisfactory answer.

My write-up was a follow-up to reactions elicited by a letter addressed to Senaror Yayi

by Omooba Damilare Oloyede, another concerned Yewa man on the subject matter.

If building houses in a place is enough to make an individual an indigene, I should be able to contest for the office of Governor of Lagos State because I also have a house in Lagos. It is condescending for Odunaro, a true born of Yewa, to deride the ancestry of Yewa the way he and his cohorts have been indulging.

How would Senator Yayi’s monetary contributions to festivals in Yewaland confer on him the status of an indigene? I know a friend – a native of Ekiti State who wouldn’t

want his name mentioned and who had contributed to such festivals in Yewaland in the past without making a fuss.

A good number of people have been elected into various positions in states other than their states of origin without having to lie or cook up stories to covet indigeneship at whatever costs. Why the desperation and feeble attempts to present fictions as facts?

Should we then ask Odunaro why his own origin hasn’t been a subject of controversies?

I don’t have a problem when people work to earn their pay but it is however sickening when people stand the truth on its head for whatever the attractions could be.

I challenge Odunaro to ask his boss why he has enlisted several persons to talk to me in the last few days over this matter. Why would there be need for such intervention if truly Senator Yayi has no issues with his Yewa ancestral claim? Odunaro has more herculean tasks to do forcing the falsehood of Senator Yayi’s ancestral ties down the throats of conscientious bonafide sons and daughters of Yewa and Ogun West.

This will be my last take on this matter for now. The people of Yewaland will definitely respond appropriately when the time comes.

It is all about us, our homeland and our collective future!

-Ajayi wrote from Imasayi, Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State

PERSPECTIVE

Now That Ibori is Back…

With former Delta State governor, James Ibori free and back in the country, Delta’s political turf is sure to undergo a deserving rebirth, writes Sunny Onuesoke Early this month, on February 5 to be precise, James Onanefe Ibori, erstwhile executive Governor of Delta State returned from the United Kingdom after serving a 13-year jail term. The timing of his coming was a refreshing time out for rival politicians to exhale, deflect and divert attention from the growing upheaval of the masses over the country’s current socio-economic woes. But Ibori handled his triumphant entry as discreet as possible, and never made it some media frenzy for adversaries to latch onto and create dissonance.

Prior to his coming, the media was awash that Ibori would be deported from the UK to face further prosecution in Nigeria. But that never happened. It was all cheap propaganda and blackmail. First, Ibori was never deported from the UK. Second, he fulfilled routine protocol by immediately visiting the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura for a brief chat on his arrival in Abuja.

Thereafter, he flew from Abuja in company of some of his trusted aides, before travelling by road to his hometown Oghara, near Benin City.

However despite Ibori’s low-profile mien, many media war mongers have not stopped to ‘prosecute’ the ex-governor in their various platforms by insinuating lies and falsehood and trying to change the course of history in a most bizarre and jaundiced manner.

Of course, they could not convince themselves that a week to Ibori’s coming, one of his contemporaries, who is now a prominent member of this current administration, volunteered one of his private jets, a super expensive VP-CBT Falcon Dassault 900X triple engine jet valued at over $70m, to smuggle erstwhile Gambian strongman, Yahaya Jammeh to

Ibori

exile. Recall that this individual was also a two-term governor like Ibori and has had a strong political grip of his state and its environs from 1999 till date.

Of course, this politician is not alone when it comes to super rich ex-governors or leaders with private jets and expensive mansions and properties scattered all over the world. Yet the biased media never mentioned this simply because they have been compromised, or that this would not serve their ethnic and political interests.

Nigeria has been rightly tagged as one of the most corrupt countries in the world on account of the greed and avarice of its leaders.

And this has also rubbed off on the populace so much so that corruption has literarily become the oxygen that keeps the average Nigerian alive. It has become our way of life. The office clerk at the government ministry will not treat your file until you part with some money. The contract will not be awarded until you build in certain percentage.

Contracts are awarded to cronies

and inflated at more than 10 times the original value. Monies budgeted for projects are plundered and siphoned to private accounts. Once you are elected into public office, you instantly become a multi-millionaire by default – from local government chairmen, assembly members, commissioners to governors, legislators, ministers and president – everybody!

That is the rot and lot we are today.

Therefore singling Ibori or calling him out is not only hypocritical and wicked but also sending wrong signals to the populace, who know very well that Ibori is a saint compared to the number of governors, politicians and public office holders that are billionaires today.

Between 1999 and 2015, we had not less than 70 Governors, 250 senators and over 150 ministers. Not to mention the number of legislators, both at the state and federal level, and then the state commissioners and the almighty local government chairmen.

We are talking of over 15,000 public officials. Translate that to the number of multimillionaires and billionaires and you will figure out why we have remained static and stagnant as a nation.

We all know Ibori ran into turbulent waters with the Jonathan government and the PDP hierarchy at that time, shortly after the demise of President Yar’Adua.

Given his strong influence then, there were fears he could lead a break-away faction and team up with the opposition APC to cripple Jonathan’s re-election bid.

Therefore, the government set him up and used the machinery of power to blackmail him. They sent the EFCC after him, haunt and hounded him from his village, and he eventually ended up in Dubai.

Not done, the Jonathan government coerced the British government into the ploy, and got Ibori extradited to the UK

to face money laundering charges. He was persecuted and prosecuted for his role in the sale of Delta State’s shares of V-Mobile. He was eventually sentenced to 13 years in jail in 2012 for money laundering and related offences by Southwark Crown Court in London, after five years of trial and tribulations. Ibori pleaded guilty on the advice of his counsel, who reckoned their client would suffer unduly if they prolonged the case because they were already battling with larger than life institutions, powers and principalities.

He regained his freedom on Dec 21, 2016 after 4 ½ years in jail. Today the Odidigbodigbo is back among his people.

The level of red-carpet reception he received from his people clearly attests to the fact that his political base is not only strong but that he used his position to lift his people and better their lots.

This cannot be said of his persecutors and adversaries, many of whom have gone into political oblivion and consigned to the dustbin of history. Today, we are assailed by mind-boggling corruption cases in the throes of billions of dollars committed by Ibori’s adversaries and persecutors.

And this sheer scale of sleaze has left Nigerians confounded, not the least by the realization that Nigerian politicians would do anything to cling unto power and rubbish the reputation of humane people like Ibori in order to achieve their political aims and objectives.

Now that Ibori is back, the political landscape has suddenly widened again and the kaleidoscope broad is inviting, just as hope looms large in the horizon especially for politicians and their followers in Delta State.

-Onuesoke, a chieftain of PDP, wrote from Warri, Delta State

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THURSDAY, F Ͱͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Jaiyeoba (right), attending to a pregnant mother

Reversing Maternal Mortality Many Nigerian women die giving birth as a result of pregnancy-related complications.

But one woman is trying to reverse this trend, writes Ayodeji Rotinwa

L

ightning may never strike the same place twice but death does not indulge such restraint.

In June 2011, Adepeju Jaiyeoba received news that a sister of a close friend, Ramatu had passed away in the hospital after a ‘complication’. The complication turned out to be anything but pregnancy. Ramatu lived in Lagos. However, she planned to give birth in University College Hospital (U.C.H.) Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun, four hours away from Lagos by road. She had made this decision because her mother had delivered all of her 11 children at U.C.H. safely. She also decided she was going to give birth to her child via a voluntary caesarean procedure because she had had preeclampsia complications with a previous birth. On due date, she arrived at the hospital and was informed that her consulting doctor was not available. The surgery would have to be performed by a Matron and a House Officer. She delivered the baby safely but soon blood was freefalling from her body.

Her caregivers could not figure out why. Even after several blood transfusions, there was no change. Eventually, she exchanged a maternity bed for one in the morgue. It was only after this it was discovered that the House Officer had severed an artery during the procedure and forgot to close it up.

Four pints of blood was removed from Ramatu’s lifeless body.

In July 2011, barely a month after Ramatu’s passing, another friend of Jaiyeoba’s passed

Jaiyeoba away right before entering the hospital that would hopefully deliver her child and preserve her life. She had had high blood pressure throughout the pregnancy that had apparently gone undetected.

A brace of deaths caused by too similar circumstances, less than 30 days apart.

Jaiyeoba tells these stories, with her threemonth-old baby in her arms and a hint of a

The mothers delivery Kit

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

FEATURES We have saved an estimated ted number of 500 women as a resultt of training from the he Foundation.

The women men are encouraged aged to go for ante-natal atal care and hospital al delivery as opposed d to birthing at home so o as to reduce the risk k of infection and so on regretful smile on her face. She recounts them with her friends ds in the present tense. As if they were still alive.. It is because of these events she founded the Brown rown Button Foundation and the Mothers Delivery ery Kit company.

“It could have ave happened to anybody. I have four sisters; itt could have been anyone of them. m. I had to do something.”

The Foundation dation is a non-profit organisation rganisation that seeks to o improve women’s access ss to quality healthcare, train rain and improve the skills ills of those providing this healthcare and championing ning their sexual and d reproductive rights of women to access care for themselves.

T h e Mother ’s Delivery Kit is a product (and social business) designed gned to ensure safer births, instigate stigate behavioural changes in birth delivery ry procedures and also create income-earning g power for women selling and distributing the he kits across 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states.

Jaiyeoba does not have a medical background. She is a practising lawyer and a Senior Associate ate at a leading legal firm in the country, Aboyade & Co. Her experience spans commercial law, litigation. She was however not going to let a knowledge handicap stand in the way of her Foundation’s vision, to “eradicate infant and maternal mortality in Nigeria.” She recruited her brother who is a trained medical doctor to the cause.

“My role is just to develop ideas, growth and strategies for the business,” She says in an offhand matter as if this function is dispensable.

The impact of her work has been swift and far-reaching across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as it counts birth attendants, primary healthcare centres, maternal health organisations, private and public hospitals as clients and partners.

Jaiyeoba, on starting out quickly zeroed in on the fact that it was mostly rural communities unattended to by functional or existing public health services that needed most help.

“In most of these communities, primary health centres aren’t headed by trained doctors/nurses because they don’t have enough staff. They are run by those who have interest in healthcare and are trained to work as community extension workers,” she says.

Birthing mothers in these areas have had to rely on traditional birth attendants who

solve complications with untested herbs and prayers p y and who in many y instances will tell a bleeding woman post-birth to hold her legs close together to stop the outflow instead of finding a stopgap solution and transferring her to a medical centre.

To kick off her work, Jaiyeoba contacted a serving Senator i n Sagamu, Ogun State, to grant her access to the

community he represents, to provide skilled training to traditional birth attendants there. She lobbied him to build the first maternity health centre for the community as well, which he did. Previously women in the community had to travel 40 minutes away to access any kind of healthcare at all. She leveraged on the success of the training and moved up the country. In Gusau, Zamfara, she encountered a child who died as a result of his umbilical cord being severed with a rusty blade. This would inspire the idea for providing sterile supplies through the Mother’s Delivery Kit which is sold at a subsidised cost of N1, 700 ($5.30) - because she orders the materials herein in bulk – and which most expectant mothers in fairly low-income communities can afford as opposed to buying the goods in the kit separately on the open market. This would cost them an estimated N3, 500.

The supplies and training have proven to be the difference between life and death for mother and child.

“We have saved an estimated number of 500 women as a result of training from the Foundation. The women are encouraged to go for ante-natal care and hospital delivery as opposed to birthing at home so as to

reduce the risk of infection and so on,” says Shafaatu Abubakar, a Skilled Birth Attendant/ Community Health Worker, Head, Sabon GARI Health Centre, Gusau who has seen the impact of Jaiyeoba’s work, first-hand. And that’s in one community alone.

In the supplies is the drug misoprostol, a deal breaker that helps stop postpartum haemorrhage which, according to Jaiyeoba, is the leading cause of maternal deaths. Now, women – finally - have a solution that works.

Also in the kit, is a mucus extractor which has saved many new-borns from asphyxia. It’s important to note here that these supplies are not readily available even in some supposedly modern hospitals

The training has encouraged traditional encourag birth atte attendants to refer wom women to better facilities for cases they cannot handle. cann We have been W able to train ab attendants at to identify complications co in pre pregnancy promptly prompt

many of whom rely on the kits to care for their patients.

Dr. Alalade, resident in a hospital i n

caters to areas (North-east, predominantly are supposedly only Muslim) where women w heard, their voices in the iron seen and not he Law, one would have thought clutch of Sharia L Jaiyeoba’s chances chance to succeed, would be slim. found a way. The first challenge As always, she fo was funding and expanding the business’s production. At the bu sstart she was depending on manual processes to manufacture the kit and her output fell far short of demand. She was able to obtain funding from the U.S. African Development Foundation in the sum of $10,000 Fou which she used to automate her with wh manufacturing processes. In her work manufa ground, where her gender may on the gr disadvantage she has learnt to pose a dis lobby influential men in the communities in need who are ar respected and listened to. her vision of ending maternal She sells he mortality to them. More often than not, they buy into it. we mention our work in “When w maternal health, it brings memories of people mothers, wives, sisters, it is not who have died: m abstract to them. It would be hard for them to say no to anyone trying to improve maternal health indices in tthe area.” her into the community and They lead he with all the assistance that she provided her wi venues, chairs. An argument needs: free ven may even break out over which area in the should host the training. community shou In Jaiyeoba’s case, tragedy has been the mother of invention, and her personal tragedy has helped in stopping occurrence of same in others’ lives. Yet, according to a UNICEF report, a woman’s chance of dying from pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 13 in Nigeria.

The mountain of odds will not be conquered so easily.

“The government needs to pay more attention to healthcare at the grassroots level.

Primary healthcare is the closest to the people, planted in these rural communities and abandoned there,” Jaiyeoba says.

She is well aware she is filling a gap in what should be a public health service. does not mind the fight She doe being no longer hers to lead and handing over to the government.

Her business has sold 30,000 kits this year alone and has made N45m ($140, 625) in sales.

“I hope we run out of business soon,” she says.

Kaduna, who joined in on the conversation over the phone orders the kit in hundreds and prescribes it as a musthave in his facility.

“With the kits, we have been able to not only encourage but create behavioural change in ensuring a clean, safe and hygienic delivery,” Jaiyeoba says of other ways where her work is being instrumental.

Before the Foundation’s training and the kit, in many birthing homes, plastic sheets were used for the woman to lay and birth on.

These sheets would be disinfected and reused. The kits have provided an alternative of an absorbent, woollen-surfaced, stark white delivery mat that is good for one use only and does not “tempt the attendants to use again.

“The training has encouraged traditional birth attendants to refer women to better facilities for cases they cannot handle. We have been able to train attendants to identify complications in pregnancy promptly.”

Building a business and a product that is being distributed across 30 states and training women omen in eight of those states ates are certainly not ot as effortless as thee above text may y have come across ss as. Not in a productionchallenged country like Nigeria.

More so, a business run un by a woman that

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IMAGES

L-R: Naib Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaíat Nigeria, Northern Region, Dr Yeqeen Habeeb; former Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya; Sadr, Engr. Abdul Waheed Adeoye; Naib Amir, Eastern Region, Dr Abdul Ghaniyu Enahoro;and Amir, Dr. Mashíhud Adenrele Fashola during the 18th National Workshop Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: President/CEO, Bay-wood Continental Limited, Emperor Chris Bay-wood Ibe; Managing Director/ CEO, Ashton Layton, Mr. Gbenga Adebija and the Company secretary, Bay-wood Continental, Mrs. Regina Obanya, during a press conference by the Bay-wood in Lagos,recently.

DAN UKANA.

L-R; Transformation Director Union Bank, Joe Mbulu, , President, Benson Idahosa University; Bishop F.E.B Idahosa; CEO Union Bank, Emeka Emuw and , Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Kunle Sonola at the launch of the Union Bank’s branch in Benin, Edo State..recently

L-R: Chairman Board of Trustee (BOT), Society for Forensic Accounting and Fraud Prevention (SFAFP), Prof. Benjamin Osisioma; Executive Secretary, Dr. Abuchi Ogbuju and President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Mr. Anthony Nzom, during the maiden induction of SFAFP first batch of associates in Keffi Nasarawa State.....recently

R-L; Coordinator Basic Skill Acquisition and Vocational training program in Nigeria, Mr. Lawrence Terseer Kyuka; Chief of Staff to Kogi State Government, Mr. Edward Onoja; Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji. Yahaya Adoza Bello and other officials during the unveiling of the Basic Skill Acquisition Program in Lokoja... recently

L-R, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; Human Resource Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Mrs. Grace Omo-Lamai and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo during the presentation of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award to Nigerian Bottling Company Limited in Abuja...recently

L-R Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos state, Prince Anofiu Elegushi; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mallam Sabiu Zakari; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Ade-Bello and ?Country Head/Resident Representative, United Nations Institute for Training & Research, ?UNITAR, Dr Larry Boms at the Diageo/ UNITAR capacity building workshop on road safety and sustainable transport systems in Lagos...recently

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Quick Takes Etisalat Celebrates Channel Partners ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?ÒÙåĂ?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă“ĂšĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÙÚ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ăš Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂŁ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ËÞÞÒĂ?ĂĄ Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ à ÓÞËÖ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă‘ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÚËĂ?Ăž ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœË›ËŹ Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂžËœ Ă?Ă˜ Ă‘Ă&#x;ÔÓÙĂ?Ă™ĂœËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë›

SURVEY REPORT ON FINTECH

L-R: FS Advisory Partner and Chief Economist, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Nevin; Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Francis Wasa; and Associate Director and Co-FS Advisory lead, PwC Nigeria, Adedoyin Amosun, at the launch of results from PwC’s 2017 Nigeria FinTech Survey in Lagos...recently

FG Urged to Establish State ICT Regulatory Agencies Stories by Emma Okonji The federal government has been advised to as a matter of urgency, establish state information and communications technology (ICT) regulatory agencies in all the 36 states of the federation, including the federal capital territory (FCT).

The National President of the Association of Telecommunications Professionals of Nigeria (ATPN), a plethora of ICT Think Thank experts, Mr. John Williams Adede, who gave the advice recently, told THISDAY that the need to establish state ICT regulatory agencies, became necessary, in order to address the shortfall of ICT infrastructure across states, since ICT has become an integral

ECONOMY part of everyday life for many people in the world.

Adede also called on the federal government to extend it to local government areas, by setting up ICT units in all the 774 local government areas of the country, to enable Nigerians at the grassroots level to benefit from ICT infrastructure, which he said, is fast driving economies.

According to him, “It is important to establish ICT agencies with good infrastructure by states government across the nation as that will help the progress of their development goals in the plan to drive ICT policy from the federal level to state level and local govern-

ment, since we already have the National ICT policy, which the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is implementing in the country.�

I therefore urge the federal government to assist the 36 states governors including the FCT to establish an agency that will coordinate and manage the ICT activities in the states and local government areas, so as to enhance sector growth in the country, Adede said. “ICT has huge potentials in providing quality of service in areas such as education, health, commerce and public administration. The creation of such agencies is vital in protecting the interest of stakeholders such as consumers, service providers and the government who are

increasingly embracing services like e-learning, tele-medicine, tele-health, e-services and e-commerce, among others,�

Adede said.

The lack of a state ICT coordinating agency constitutes one of the biggest challenges in developing the sector in the country, and this could have adverse effect on the country’s planned migration from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting by June 2017.

The formation of ICT agency at the state level is therefore necessary to guide the government in the transitional stage of creating a database through which the proposed agency Continued on page 24

NAITEOC: BPO Can Create 250,000 Jobs in 18 Months The Chairman, Nigeria Association of Information Technology Enabled Outsourcing Companies (NAITEOC), Mr. David Onu, has stressed the need for government and the private sector to support Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), insisting that the sector alone can generate as much as 250,000 jobs within a space of 18 months through domestic outsourcing.

Onu, who spoke at a recent BPO workshop organised by NAITEOC in Lagos, said aside generating several jobs from call centre operations in the telecommunications and financial sectors, among other sectors, BPO would boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), cut down on operating cost of companies and also enhance customer experience.

TELECOMS “By expanding call centre operations and moving them to expertise to manage outside the business of the company, more jobs will be created and it will lead to job efficiency and customer satisfaction.

BPO can increase efficiencies and return on investments,�

Onu said.

Nigerian businesses for instance spend huge amount of money on foreign software when we have local software developers that can actually produce same software of international standard, yet many businesses in Nigeria prefer to patronise foreign software, and this a huge channel for loss of revenue to foreign countries. For instance, Nigeria spent over $10

billon (N3.8 trillion) on foreign technologies in 2015. If such monies were invested in local technologies in Nigeria, such amount of money will remain in Nigeria and boost our GDP, Onu added.

The Chief Investment Officer, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mr. Daniel Awurum, who represented the CEO, NIPC, Ms. Yewande Sadiku, at the workshop, said: “BPO itself has the capacity to grow any economy, and there is need to support agencies like NAITEOC that is at the forefront of driving BPO in Nigeria.

Countries like India, China, US, South Africa, Ghana, Malaysia and Egypt are really catching up on the BPO to grow their economies, and Nigeria should not be left behind.�

According to Awurum, BPO remained a viable business area to explore, since it would create business opportunities and jobs for Nigerians and the Nigerian youths. We work closely with all agencies that are associated with BPO, in order to further grow BPO in Nigeria, he said, adding that NIPC is an agency of the federal government with mandate to coordinate, promote and encourage investments in Nigeria.

It is based on this mandate that the NIPC was able to engage over 80 BPO companies globally and the essence is to attract foreign businesses into Nigeria in order to grow the Nigerian GDP and boost the economy through local content Continued on page 24

HD TV Grows across Eutelsat Operations Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ăž Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ͰͲ͎ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙÞËÖ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ÞåÙ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ—ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă? ÍŻËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ăž Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?ËÞ˪Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ’Ă™Ă™ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?ËÞ˪Ă? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ’Ă™Ă™ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă‹ĂĄ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´Ëœ åÓÞÒ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?âĂ?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ÒÓÚ˛ Ă’Ă? Ă&#x;ĂšĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞËÕĂ?Ě‹Ă&#x;Ăš ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?ËÞ˪Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă’Ă“Ăš ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Í°Íł ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Í°ÍłÍŽËœ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă–Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ě‹Ă&#x;Ú˛ Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂŁĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂžËœ Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëž Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă&#x;Ă— ÚËã̋ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă’Ă“Ăš ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂĄĂ‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ě‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă‹Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă– ËäĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ë› Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ăž Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂžËœ Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă– Ă¤Ă“ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂžËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤÍ°ÍŽÍŻÍ´ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂžĂ“ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ÙÖÓÙ Ă™Ă? Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ’Ă™Ă™ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă™Ă? ÍŻËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? ÞÙ Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?ËÞ˛ Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÚÚĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ù××ÙÎËÞĂ? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–ĂŁ åÓÞÒ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?˛ˏ

TerraPay Partners MoneyTrans, Paga Ă?ĂœĂœĂ‹ Ă‹ĂŁËœ Ă‹ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ě‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“ĂžĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“ĂšËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ëœ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂŁ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÓÚÓĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ÍŻÍŻËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĚ‹Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ‹Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÓÚÓĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ ÚËã ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŁ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂžĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă• Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ě‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“ĂžĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă?ÙÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă‘Ă“Ă&#x;Ă—Ëœ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞËÖã Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ë›Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙÑĂ?ÞÒĂ?ĂœË›ËŹ

The federal government is set to collaborate with professional marketers to market the enormous investments opportunities in Nigeria

Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

FG URGED TO ESTABLISH STATE ICT REGULATORY AGENCIES

Zinox Boss Counsels Nigerian Youths on Wealth Creation

would perform its monitoring role, he added.

Adede, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Communications, and its Minister, Adebayo Shittu, for re-constituting the National Council of Communications Technology and Head of ICT in all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). He also thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for envisaging the exploration of ICT potentials among the youths.

We must understand that professionally, it is imperative for all the state governments of the federation to infuse ICT into their processes if we as a nation, must attain the auspicious vision 20:2020 in the next three years, Adede said, while urging all state governors to also introduce the study of ICT at the primary school level throughout the nation with ICT facilities that will give the pupils a technological knowledge about ICT education.

Stories by Emma Okonji

NAITEOC: BPO CAN CREATE 250,000 JOBS IN 18 MONTHS development, Awurum said.

Onu who spoke about the need for government and the private sector participation in BPO activities in Nigeria, said NAITEOC has been engaging government on BPO matters and that government needed to address the issue fast.

Government must put a policy framework in place that will make BPO business to thrive. Indian, for instance, was able to come up with laws that protect businesses from different parts of the world, that are operating in Indian, because they needed to protect those companies that are coming into the country to do various businesses.

Again government needs to make broadband more available, accessible and affordable, the reason being that the BPO services heavily depend on communication and we need broadband to boost the communication via the internet, Onu said.

Group Business Editor

Ă’Ă“Ă•Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă¤Ă?Ě‹ ĂĄĂ‹Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ă•Ă&#x; AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă•Ă? (Labour) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Cap Mkt) ÔÓÙĂ?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? (Energy) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Nation’s Capital) ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ (Money Mkt) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (Maritme)

Chairman of Zinox Group, and serial digital entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh has disclosed that a multitude of opportunities exist for the current generation of Nigerian youths to create and sustain new wealth in the 21st Century. He noted that family background or circumstances no longer represents obstacles to achieving success.

Ekeh made the remarks while featuring as the keynote speaker at The Harvesters Entrepreneurs Forum, a monthly event organised by Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC) to reach and equip entrepreneurs and people of similar inclinations with the theoretical and practical business knowledge to help them achieve and sustain economic success.

Ekeh, who spoke from his long years of business experiences as an entrepreneur, expressed his belief in the innate abilities of the youthful generation to turn around Nigeria’s fortunes for the better.

Speaking on the topic – You, New Wealth and God in the 21st Century, Ekeh disclosed that today’s entrepreneurs have no reason to fail in business.

In his opinion, considering the atmosphere of knowledge democracy and advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which has put access to information and intelligence at the disposal of everyone, Ekeh expressed optimism that the youth are more strategically positioned to out-strip the achievements of the older generation by creating new wealth. “There are many opportunities for many of you in this generation to create new wealth.

Even if you were born into a poor family, you have enough resources available today to change your story and alter your destiny and that of your family.

You are smarter, you have the

knowledge, the exposure and better infrastructure than the older generations but what you need is up your energy level to deliver your passion.

So, what excuse do you have not to make it in life?, � he queried. “Today, you are seeing a polished Leo Stan but can you imagine Nigeria 29 years ago?

No electricity, no telephone, the roads were bad. People didn’t even know they needed light yet some people think the past was better. You should be positive. The first quality in life is to be positive. If you are negative, you failed before you started. Only positive minds achieve success.� “Some of the rich people

you look up to today are not as exposed as you are.

Many of them acquired wealth through funny means and as such, they cannot sustain or defend it. So you must not feel intimidated. You can start small and scale up gradually.

But you must discover your passion in life and follow it,�

Ekeh said.

He recounted some of the cultural, infrastructural and ethical challenges he faced as a young man struggling to make it in business after discovering a passion for ICT, a profession declared too futuristic for him to pursue an interest in by his lecturers at his post-graduate school. “After four months at

post-graduate level studying Computer Science at Cork City University, Ireland, I was counseled to change course as they innocently did not see a future for this in Africa in the short term based on my insistence to return to Africa after my studies.

This was a reflection of the mindset and state of affairs on the continent towards ICT at that time. But even after completing a degree in Risk Management, I did not abandon my passion. Today, I have successfully built possibly the biggest 360-degree ICT Group in Africa,� Ekeh told Nigerian youths.

According to him, many young entrepreneurs struggle

today as some of them put pleasure ahead of business, thereby making it difficult for them to make a head way in life. “You must learn to start small and be ready to take pains before pleasure,� he said.

He advised youths to go through a structured incubation period and be morally and financially sound to survive in a highly competitive knowledge-driven economy.

According to Ekeh, success in business requires a number of qualities including brain power and ability to constantly innovate, hunger to succeed, humility, a positive mindset and of course, a firm belief in God.

BUILDING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP

L-R: Vice President Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Adebisi Idowu; Chairman, Grandtowers Limited, Chidi Duru; and Vice President Channel Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Ken Ogujiofor, at the 2017 Etisalat Channel Partner Conference, held in Lagos...recently

‘Deployment of Cloud Technology, Key to Illegal SIM Registration: NCC to Charge Three Suspects to Court Business Growth, Sustainability’ The trio of MainOne, Signal Alliance and Microsoft have declared that the adoption and deployment of cloud-based solutions would drive business growth and sustainability for both small and large corporate organisations.

Based on the importance of cloud technology for businesses, MainOne and Signal Alliance, both partners of Microsoft on cloud solutions, have collaborated to deliver Microsoft cloud solution to customers in a more cost effective manner that will drive business efficiency.

Speaking at the NERDS UNITE forum on disruptive technology, organised by MainOne in Lagos, recently, both MainOne and Signal Alliance gave details of the partnership on Microsoft Cloud, and how such partnership would deepen the adoption and deployment of Microsoft 365 cloud solution for business growth and sustainability.

Revealing the benefits of the collaboration, Signal Alliance Microsoft Cloud Services, Mr. Kenneth Ufomba, said “Signal Alliance is Microsoft biggest

partner on cloud services and the collaboration with another big partner of Microsoft on the same cloud serves, will further simplify the technicalities of the cloud technology solution and make it more efficient and affordable to deploy to end users,� According to him, before the collaboration, those who patronise Microsoft cloud technology solution were at the risk of deploying the solution by themselves, and oftentimes they pay heavily to expertise for the deployment, which in most cases, fail as a result of the technicalities involved in the deployment. He said the collaboration between Signal Alliance and MainOne, would help to demystify the process of deployment and enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness.

MainOne Cloud Services, Wale Adeyemi, said before now, MainOne was offering end-to-end cloud solution delivery, but that the collaboration with Signal Alliance would deepen the service delivery and further reduce forex since businesses can source cloud solution locally and pay with local currency

as against payment in foreign currencies, which he said adds to the total cost of deployment.

He further explained that the collaboration would bring together, the technical expertise of both organisations, and use the combined technicalities as a platform to offer robust and cost effective cloud solution from Microsoft 365.

The partnership is as a result of the expansion of MainOne’s enterprise offerings with cloud-based Microsoft business solutions last year.

Signal Alliance is currently Microsoft leading Office 365 enterprise partner in Nigeria with over 50 per cent account under their management and support. Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud service solution that includes Microsoft Office and other services, such as email and collaboration, from Microsoft’s cloud server. It provides desktop functionalities and is available by subscription.

Microsoft Office 365 provides a comprehensive set of software tools and services that facilitate office documentation, communication and management tasks.

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set arraign three suspects to court for illegal SIM card registration in uncontrolled environment.

Addressing journalists after its enforcement team raided SIM card resellers recently in Gwarimpa, an outskirts of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the leader of the team, Mr. Salisu Abdu, said the warning issued on the issue elapsed since January.

According to him, the contravention of the registration directive attracts N5 million fine per day while refusal to meet the deadline attracts additional N500,000 per day. The purpose of the enforcement exercise, Abdu explained, was to stop indiscriminate registering of SIM cards by agents of telecommunication companies. “You are all aware that NCC issued a directive to all mobile operators to from February 1, 2017, to provide a controlled environment for registration of SIM cards.

This controlled environment means a permanent structure that can be traced, a location

that can be identified and also that the registration agent manning this centres are expected to have identity as well. Since the deadline ended on February 2, the NCC team is going to ensure that no agent does registration outside the controlled environment,� Abdu said.

According to the team leader, a controlled environment approved

by NCC must be clearly delineated for that purpose, adding that it must be a permanent structure and must have the logo of the operator.

He said it is not NCC’s responsibility to do the publicity on the deadline as the operators who engaged the agents are supposed to carry out the sensitisation. “It is the responsibility of the operators to do that because they actually engaged the agents. They should have told them what we have directed them to do.

Adequate time has been given to the operators.

The directive has been given since November 2016 that is barely four months. It is not for the operators to arrest these agents, it is the work of NCC to carry out the enforcement of its regulations and directives.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Addressing the Pains of Emerging Technologies The effects of Over the Top Technologies such as What’sApp and Skype have turned out to be a thorn in the flesh of telecommunications operators, who are beginning to feel jittery over revenue losses, writes Emma Okonji When the first set of telecommunication operators were licensed in 2001, the second generation technology, known as 2G was in vogue. Hence, the operators had to invest in 2G technology for their network expansion in order to provide telecoms services to the growing subscriber number that was about 400,000 at that time.

But five years later, 3G technology became the in thing and operators had to top up their game to invest in 3G technology for network expansion. From 3G, it moved to 3.5G and later to 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, and some countries are beginning to explore 5G technology, which is still in its trial stage.

However, some of the characteristics of the emerging technology in the telecoms sector are the speed of connectivity as well as the voice and image quality, which come sharper and clearer. But in all of these, the bottom line is all about capital investment on the part of telecoms operators who continue to invest billions of naira in new technologies as they emerge.

Confident that they will have high returns on investments from investing in emerging technologies, telecoms operators had to reinvest their revenue for network expansion, even when the federal government was not prepared to establish telecoms infrastructure for the smooth takeoff of telecoms operations in the country.

Since technology is evolving, new technologies kept emerging and telecoms operators continued to invest and build future network for telecoms service delivery, with the hope that some day, they will begin to reap from their investments. But little did they realise that another form of technology called Over the Top Technologies (OTT) will emerge and this technology is beginning to give telecoms operators sleepless nights because it is eating deep into their revenue stream, and the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is finding it extremely difficult to regulate the OTT technology in Nigeria.

Telecoms operators are highly apprehensive that the emergence of OTT is one form of technology that may send them out of business if they do no proactively think of alternative means of revenue generation.

Issues with OTT OTT refers to applications and services that are used over the internet or mobile data plan, rather than over the network of a service provider, in order to bypass traditional distribution and carrier fees. OTT messaging is defined as instant messaging services provided by third parties as an alternative to text messaging services provided by a mobile network operator. An example is the Facebook-owned mobile application WhatsApp, that serves to replace text messaging on internet connected smartphones.

Other providers of OTT messaging include Viber, WeChat, Skype, among others.

The third party service providers use open internet communication protocols to replace and sometimes enhance existing operator controlled services offered by mobile phone operators.

Consumers can access OTT content through internet-connected devices such as mobile phones, smart TVs, set-top boxes, among other devices.

OTT services are often offered free of charge and the service providers have nothing to lose because services are transmitted over the internet.

But the situation is posing serious concerns to traditional telecommunications operators like MTN, Globacom, Aitel, Etisalat, and ntel, who have over the years, spent huge sums of money in building their networks to provide telecoms services to subscribers.

Worried about the situation, the operators are collectively calling on the telecoms regulator, the NCC, to consider regulating the emerging technology, which they said is causing a lot of pains for them, since they are losing revenue.

This is because most subscribers have stopped patronising the traditional service providers and have devised a new means of making voice calls and sending text messages through the OTT platform that is absolutely free of charge.

Symbols of players of OTT as emerging technology

NCC’s position on OTT The operators have argued that apart from interference that would be created in the telecoms space, such free service provision is also eating deep into their revenue generation, since they invested so much in telecoms infrastructure in the country and are still investing in the maintenance of such infrastructure and the staff that operates them.

But the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, who spoke recently on the issue, noted that the countries of the world are deliberately treating the regulation of Over The Top applications with caution.

“The whole essence of this digital transformation and emerging technology that we so passionately talk about is to ensure more participation of citizens in governance,” Danbatta observed.

He said: “There are many other important things happening, the smart phones, the social networks and mobile applications. These have transformed the society in unprecedented manner that things will never ever be the same again. We are hoping that these transformation will be positive transformation. It’s our hope again that the disruption associated with these transformations will not completely destroy legacy, system, process among others.”

“Look at the impact of social media in ensuring free fair and credible elections. Many people hailed the last election in Nigeria as the most credible ever in the history and the role played by the social media cannot be ignored.

When the history of elections in this country is eventually written, the role of social media in the last election will occupy an important portion,” Danbatta added.

Industry position Country Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Johan Jemdahl, told THISDAY that over the years new technologies have been evolving and it would be detrimental to regulate those technologies. “You cannot stop technology evolution. I strongly believe that OTT services should not be regulated in any form. What the operators who feel threatened about the OTT services should do, is to look for alternative means to generate money, instead of fighting OTT operators. The regulator on the other hand, must not do anything that could stifle technology growth in the country.

Over the years, technologies have been evolving globally and any attempt to regulate these technologies in some countries of the world, would mean stifling the growth of technology in such countries,” Jemdahl said.

According to him, the traditional telecoms

operators should be thinking about innovative ways to serve their customers better, without running out of business.

“We have over 180 countries in the world that are benefitting from emerging technologies like OTT, and it is therefore wrong for any country to regulate such technology, when the same technology is operated freely in other countries of the world. If OTT services could be offered in US and other parts of Europe, them I do not see any reason why it should not work in other countries like Nigeria. So regulating OTT services will definitely hinder development, and it must not be stopped,” Jemdahl said. President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, told THISDAY that the matter has become highly controversial since subscribers are benefitting from the free service, even though the traditional operators are claiming to be losing revenue.

According to him, although it is difficult to regulate emerging technologies because they are global issues, but NCC must come up with measures that would address the pains of the operators, whom, he said, have invested so much in financial terms to build and expand telecoms networks across the country over the years.

Telcos’ investments No doubt, telecoms operators have invested huge sums of money in building world-class telecoms infrastructure, a responsibility that the federal government failed to address when it received the first set of revenue from telecoms operators as licence fees.

The operators had since 2001 continued to invest in telecoms infrastructure and a simple business sense demands that all investors must recoup their investments after some years of doing business. The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdinard Moolman, while speaking on MTN’s investment in telecoms, said the company has contributed over N1.8 trillion to the Nigeria government by ways of telecoms investments, taxes, levies and sundry regulation payments since it commenced operations in Nigeria in 2001. Part of the N1.8 trillion investment details, show that MTN has paid duties on equipment of over N87 billion; duties on stock of over N12 billion; VAT on revenue of over N299 billion; VAT on operating expenses of over N48 billion; employee tax of over N31 billion; company income tax of over N486 billion, among other taxes and investments, which include building of telecoms networks and expansion, totaling over N1.8 trillion, since it commenced operations in Nigeria in 2001.

Aside the N1.8 trillion investments, MTN also invested over N18 billion in MTN Foundation in executing corporate social responsibility (CSR)

projects across 771 local governments in the country, in the areas of education, health and economic empowerment in the six geo-political zones of the country, and over N10 billion has been invested to date to support SIM card registration exercise in the country, thus helping to build a national identity database for Nigeria.

He said MTN would continue to empower its Nigerian workforce and that over 90 per cent of the current executive management staff of MTN Nigeria are Nigerians. Moolman said till date, MTN has employed over 500,000 Nigerians directly and indirectly in the MTN services and distribution chain.

Imminent danger Going by the huge and continuous investments in telecommunications infrastructure in the country by telecoms operators, it is likely that they may not be able to reap the benefits of those huge investments if telecoms operators are left unprotected from the imminent dangers posed by OTT technology and other emerging technologies.

If MTN alone has contributed over N1.8 trillion to the telecoms sector since 2001, it therefore shows that the five major telecoms operators put together must have contributed well over N8 trillion to the Nigerian economy, depending on the size of their networks and investments.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), last year, released figures, which suggested said telecommunication sector is contributing so much to GDP. According to NBS, the telecommunications sector contributed N1.580 trillion to GDP in the second quarter of 2016, a 9.8 per cent growth, which represents an increase of 1.0 per cent points relative to the previous quarter.

NBS that was the largest contribution to GDP made from this sector in the rebased period, which emphasises that growth in telecommunications has remained robust when compared to total GDP. The last time that telecoms contribution to GDP was as high as 9 per cent, was in the second quarter of 2015, when it recorded 9.46 per cent growth, according to NBS. The way forward Since telecoms operators have invested heavily in network expansion over the years, there is need for government to protect their investments in such a way that they could make good returns on investments.

Also, given the huge sums of money contributed to the country’s GDP it becomes necessary for government to find ways of protecting the interest of telecoms operators to enable them invest more in the GDP of Nigeria and in telecoms infrastructure development generally.

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Consolidating Innovation

Market

Leadership

with

As over 250 patrons of LG Electronics from across the Middle East and Africa relish the outcome of the 2017 edition of InnoFest, the company’s annual innovation event, Raheem Akingbolu writes on how cutting edge technology has helped the brand to carve a niche in the global electronics market Consumers’ quest for sophisticated products has always driven players in the global electronic market to think out of the box and come out with compelling products. In a way, this has given rise to the level of competition among electronic brands globally. Of course, it has also turned out to be blessing in disguise for consumers who now have more choices and better products.

For LG Electronics, the winning number has been ‘innovation’ all through. Through it, the LG brand has not only become a household name but has suddenly emerged as one of the most respected global leaders in the electronic market. few days ago, the company held the Innofest 2017, its annual two-day innovation event, where array of innovative and premium product line-up were made available for over 250 retailers, partners and customers from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), that witnessed the event. Building upon a long history of award-winning designs and innovative technologies, the company at the forecasted growing demand for ultra-premium products as it ushered in an enhanced line-up for MEA in 2017.

Innofest 2017 Held in Barcelona, Spain, Innofest 2017 represented a crucial platform for reiterating LG’s position in the global consumer electronics and appliance industries. Also, it highlighted the brand’s increased focus and commitment in not only emerging as a leader in the premium product category but also showcasing an expansive line-up of innovative and energy efficient products, planned for MEA, across multiple business units.

President, LG Electronics Middle East & Africa, Kevin Cha, was quoted to have stated at the event that Technology is progressing at a faster pace than ever and the force of the change is becoming even more powerful. “Today it has progressed to the point where innovation is no longer about creating a better life; instead it is the desire to create a better lifestyle for consumers that underpins our premium product philosophy. 2017 will see LG Electronics pursuing an innovative, energy efficient and a premium product market strategy, positioning the company as a technology innovator with a flair for convenience, design and style,�

According to reports on the annual event, the products paraded included the stylish and most talked about LG Signature line-up, revolutionary OLED TVs and ground-breaking TWIN Wash washing machines. Others are; smart home appliances, energy efficient products and everything in between. It has also been reported that the 2017 line-up combined the best of LG’s cutting-edge technology and world-class design with exquisite attention to detail for today’s most discerning consumers.

OLED W7 With more than 120 awards at CESŽ 2017, LG’s revolutionary new LG Signature W7 OLED 4K TV bagged the official Engadget CES’ Best of the Best Awards.

Riding on this success, Innofest 2017 is focussing on bringing ground-breaking technologies to the Middle East & Africa markets. The OLED W7 series exemplifies cutting-edge innovation within the home entertainment space. The innovative design of the W7 series follows LG’s “less is more� philosophy, stripping away everything to emphasize the beauty of the screen alone. LG OLED TVs are less than 4mm thick when measured from the wall, to which they can be mounted with magnetic brackets, without any gap between the TV and the wall. The sense of immersion is completed through up-firing speakers which

Participants at the event admiring one of the products

produce Dolby Atmos sound.

LG Signature

For LG Electronics, the winning number has been ‘innovation’ all through. Through it, the LG brand has not only become a household name but has suddenly emerged as one of the most respected global leaders in the electronic market. few days ago, the company held the Innofest 2017, its annual two-day innovation event, where array of innovative and premium product line-up were made available forover 250 retailers, partners and customers from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), that witnessed the event.

Another set of products that were celebrated at the event was LG’s most talked about LG Signature Line-up with the LG Signature OLED TV, LG Signature Refrigerator, the LG Signature TWINWash washing machine and the LG Signature Air Purifier as highlights at the show.

Observers and brand analysts believe that LG’s premium product strategy will witness a boost with the introduction of these premium products across key markets in MEA in 2017.

LG TWINWash Among the key attractions within the home appliances category was said to be the LG TWINWash™, a product that allows consumers the ability to wash two loads of laundry at the same time. The redesigned 24kg capacity TWINWash is being considered globally as an exceptional innovation for any family on the look-out for the next big thing in home appliances that will make life much simpler.

IoT & Robotics If there is any product caused a stir at the conference, it was the company’s latest foray into the development of ground-breaking line-up of intelligent robots. It is part of the company’s innovations in artificial intelligence and developments in the IoT ecosystem. The line-up includes a home robot that doubles as a smart home gateway and intelligent home notification centre, enhancing convenience in users’ day-to-day lives.

Green & Energy efficient Air Conditioning Solutions In the same trend, LG also used the occasion to showcase its latest air conditioning solutions with the cutting edge Inverter Technology.

Through the inverter compressor, LG’s products are able to operate under the extreme climatic conditions of the Gulf, even up to 65fl.

While regular air conditioners can only turn on and off, LG Inverter Technology can control rotation frequency to produce cooling more efficiently. The energy saving efficiency has been certified by TUV. The inverter technology is reliable due to increased durability, and it

offers optimal indoor environmental comfort for users.

Giving appraisal on the array of products, Cha concluded that the brand has made great strides with the continued support and goodwill of business partners across MEA. “We are thrilled that through InnoFest 2017, we can continue to meet with our key stakeholders, discuss local market opportunities and expand the reach of our new line-up to many more discerning consumers across the region,� he added.

LG was applauded with 21 CES Innovation Awards from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA™) in 2017 across home appliance, home entertainment and mobile communications categories. LG’s latest products are said to be built on the foundation of excellence and come with a number of new cutting-edge features designed to transform the lives of the consumers. To this end, the management of the company has stated that delivering innovation for a better life will continue to be the foundation of LG’s product strategy for 2017.

Positioning strategie According to THISDAY findings, many marketing activities have helped LG brand to grow but top among them has been innovation. In the area of communication, the company has also explored almost all legs of communications to reach its target audience. Its handlers have come out with good campaigns, experiential marketing and sponsorships For instance, it sponsored the English football club Weyside Rovers from 2000 until 2002 and the English football club Fulham F.C until July 2010. It also sponsored the Brazilian football club Sao Paulo FC from 2001 to 2009, during which time the club were the winners of the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship. In August 2013, it was announced that LG Electronics would sponsor German Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the next three years with an option to extend for one more year. Because of the huge followers that sports command, the brand has been able to attract a lot of patrons in all the markets it involves in sponsorship.

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Akingboye: In the West, Inactive Assets are Often Sold at Auctions The Chief Executive Officer of 3AAuctions Limited, Abimbola Akingboye, in this interview, speaks on how his company recently delivered a jet it auctioned late last year to its new owner in the United States and why the service must be taken seriously in developing economies Your company recently delivered the private jet it helped auctioned late last year to the new owner in the United States of America.

What does this portend for the company going forward?

3A Auction has had one vision since inception: solving problems. This has and will continue to be the driving force behind our activities.

Taking delivery of the jet simply reiterates our passion for the business and to ensure that our processes are followed to the letter; guaranteeing security and a safe process for both buyers and sellers, You are not known to be grounded in aviation matters, how did you pull this through?

We don’t claim to be professionals in every sphere, which is why we partner with only the best in different fields to guarantee a seamless process. In this case, we enlisted the assistance of professionals in the aviation industry.

You just told us that you had to involve professionals to help with some technicalities. Why did you have to do this considering the cost?

If it were easy, everyone would do it. To do things the right way is to incur extra cost. But in doing so, we have shown fellow professionals and the world at large that we are willing to do what it takes, following the right steps and not cutting corners. This way, we are certain that the process is hitch free.

Was bringing in these professionals a demonstration of your commitment to professionalism and thoroughness or it was just a one off thing?

Partnering with professionals in order to facilitate the successful completion of an auction will definitely be ongoing. The only way to do a thing is the right way. We are building a business culture of excellence and professionalism that

This is the period when people are buying the most and travelling the most. This is also the time when people are trying to transform assets into cash. We are merely here to facilitate that process. And from the reception thus far, we are expecting even greater sales.

Akingboye

will set the pace for all others to follow.

Will you be doing this in subsequent auction exercises?

If anything, our processes will get improved.

There are always better ways of making the Auction exercise easier, and we will employ all resources in our power to do so.

Nigerians still believe it is better keeping unwanted assets rather than selling them off.

What message do you have for these people?

In the western world, assets that are no longer being actively utilised are often sold at auctions.

Buyers bid for these items and either repair or renovate such items for resale or reuse, oftentimes doubling their capital. We believe that once Nigerians see how this will benefit them, auctioning will be the order of the day.

The economy is in dire straits. Do you think people will have enough money to buy assets at this time?

Is that why you are using an auction model?

I think the reason why I decided to use auction model is because I have come to realise how much is being under-utilised in Nigeria.

In the Western world, it is quite common to purchase assets at auctions below market value from banks, insurance companies, etc. Insurance companies, for instance, sell a burnt property or accident vehicle as it is. If the property was initially worth $500,000, they may decide to sell it for $150,000 or $170,000. This item is bought by a bidder and renovated for, say, $100,000, bringing capital spent to a total of $250,000. The asset would then be sold for oftentimes double the amount! This is one major area we are yet to maximise in Nigeria. A lot of individuals and organisations have in their possessions unutilised assets while there are prospective investors right here in Nigeria.

So I thought to create a platform that will give people that opportunity to sell these assets. A while ago, a friend’s father passed on and his family sought ways to dispose of his property.

It stood in the market for over a year and I remember thinking how easily this would have sold if there it had been brought before the wide audience of bidders at an auction.

Auctioning will speed up asset disposal and give opportunities to both buyers and sellers to buy below market price and dispose of assets at an accelerated rate.

So the time is now; when people can actually buy property cheaper?

Yes. Bear in mind that this is not just for property, but general assets: vehicles, vessels, heavy machinery, jets, etc.

You have an auction platform for real estate.

How do you plan to make it credible? It is a new niche and due to the skepticism of Nigerians to new products or platform, how do you plan to make it credible?

The issue is about transparency, integrity and excellence. Our terms and conditions are fair and clear. For example, sellers and their relatives are prohibited from bidding on their own items at the risk of facing set penalties. In addition, if an asset is expected to sell at a certain figure but is able to sell at a higher figure, the additional profit remains with the seller. So it is a thing of integrity.

What are the latest innovations you are building apart from being an auction model?

We live in the 21st century where people want to sit in the comfort of their homes and get things done. So if this business is to survive this new age, then IT has to be taken into consideration.

So while live auctions are ongoing, registered and verified bidders from all around the world can take part and bid live via our website.

Going forward, what should clients expect from 3A Auctions in 2017?

We will hold our first auction for the year in February following which there will be several more. However, as part of our Corporate social responsibilities, we will be holding the first ever Charity Auction in the second quarter of the year. This auction will showcase items up for bid from recognised individuals and bodies who will be partnering with us to fund select non-governmental organisations. There will be more to come on this soon.

THE ENTREPRENEUR’S BEST FRIEND What To Do After Once You Have A Business Idea I am of the belief that the best business ideas are birthed in the bathroom, no seriously!

If all the business ideas I conceived while taking a shower or brushing my teeth were implemented properly by now I may have been a black bill gates.

So whether your business idea was invented while taking a shower or while scrolling through your social media page or maybe the inspiration hit while at the gym or while cooking your favorite meal. It is important to know what steps to take in order to implement and grow that idea.

That’s why I’m here to answer those questions which may have lingered on your mind and give you professional advice you may have to pay a consultancy firm for.

1. Research, Research, Research!

I cannot stress how important research is.

Probably why the SWOT analysis was one of those topics I was drawn to while doing my B.Sc. in Information management at the university of Sheffield or earning my certificate in user innovation from MIT. I find it quite fascinating how people can write articles, start debates or make life changing decisions without proper research. In this digital age carrying out a research is not as tasking as people make it seem depending on its context. If you’re too busy to carryout a research or you’re just not into discovering information that can impact your decisions please get yourself an integrated consultancy firm such as Image Boosters to assist you

By research I mean studying publications on the relevant areas, Google keyword search, surveys, interview and focus group discussions, data collection, data analysis, SWOT analysis Some important questions to ask yourself: r 8IP JT NZ UBSHFU BVEJFODF BOE XIBU BSF their actual wants or needs? Why will they choose my brand over my competitors r 8IP BSF NZ QPUFOUJBM DPNQFUJUPST r )PX TBUVSBUFE JT UIF JOEVTUSZ 8IBU BSF UIF industry regulations to follow? Legal information for start-ups? Steps needed in registering the company? Start up capital? Staff? And so on. r )PX MPOH EJE JU UBLF GPS UIF JOEVTUSZ MFBEFST to gain relevance? r 8IBU WBMVF EP DPOTVNFST BUUBDI UP NZ business idea and will they willing pay the price I attach to my business? Who are my collaborators?

2 Business Plan and Marketing Plan Although some people say a business plan should be outlined before research is done, I say break the rules! If you’re going to be a successful entrepreneur you’re going to have to discard the norms and usual way of doing things ask CEO’s like Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell when you get to the top.

Your business plan is a description of your business’ future and you should be able to refer to it occasionally to ensure your goal attainment strategy is on track. Your marketing plan on the other hand is very essential and should be written early, you’ll find out why in my future posts. Your marketing plan is your chart to

success; it is your marketing strategy, budget and goals needed to increase visibility and consumer interest in your market.

Some people find it very difficult to do this. Please feel free to talk to trusted family and friends or contact integrated marketing communications consultants who will assist in building your foundation.

If you’re still reading and interested in turning that idea into a business venture No. 3 is for you.

3. Prepare yourself, family and friends mentally Some people are lucky; they work for 3 months and boom! Money, fame and whatever you describe success as comes knocking on the door! Unfortunately not everyone carries that grace and to be honest with you most successful entrepreneurs had their fair share of failure, hard work, perseverance and commitment.

All entrepreneurs must prepare themselves for the good and the bad. What is your plan B? How much of your resources, time and effort are you willing to sacrifice for the business idea to grow into an organization?

Inform your partners of the capital the business needs. See why I said do your research, you need to give facts! Telling those important to you about the cost of this business idea will create so much ease on the pressure from others to provide financially.

You may spend hours, months and even years working on the idea stage, you must now learn the importance of prioritizing and multitasking.

Debbie Larry-Izamoje You’ve done well so far if all you have is that idea. Now make sure you remain consistent and you don’t quit because it’s not how many times you fall its how many times you pick yourself up, and remember that with each fall you become stronger.

I have divided this article into 3 different points, so as to avoid bombarding you with too much information. You must realize that there are so many steps to a great start up this is why I advise that you contact us at Image Boosters or email me directly if you need specific information for your brand.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend, holds a BSc in Information management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. And Msc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certificates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University.

She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business difficulties while providing solutions through public speaking, article writing, training, workshops and coaching.

She is the founder of Image Boosters a Communications and strategy agency aimed at assisting SME’s, with core services in social media management and business strategy consultation.

Website: www.imageboosters.com.ng Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@imageboosters.com.ng or debbie@imageboosters.com.ng, 08050464111 (text only)

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017 T H I S D AY

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The 2017 Budget and Kachikwu’s Oil Industry Reforms The focus and details of this year’s budget confirm the relevance of the ongoing reforms at the Petroleum Ministry under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, reports Terpase Joseph Namor The strong focus on oil revenues in the 2017 budget reflects two very important realities.

One, it shows the importance of the oil sector and the importance of the reforms which the Minister of State, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu and his team is carrying out under the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari. Two, it demonstrates that in spite of efforts to diversify the country’s revenue base, the oil sector remains the most ready, important and reliable source of revenues for financing the budget, funding critical social infrastructure, getting the country out of recession and laying the foundation for a post-oil era.

The 2017 budget numbers clearly show this.

From the projected budget revenues of N4.940 trillion, the oil sector is to account for N1.985 trillion, while non- oil’s and independent revenues contribution stand at N1.373 trillion and N1.583.6 trillion respectively. Oil takes the lead with forty percent of total projected revenues while non-oil and independent revenues are at twenty eight and thirty two percent.

The reverse was the case in 2016. The 2016 budget had put the non-oil sector in the lead as part of government policy to reduce over-reliance on oil revenue and reduce the country’s exposure to oil price volatility. Non-oil revenues, comprising Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies were projected to contribute N1.45 trillion while only N820 billion was projected to come from oil related revenues. The 2016 budget had also projected that by enforcing strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and public expenditure reforms in all MDAs, about N1.51 trillion will be derived from independent revenues.

Unfortunately, these projections did not materialize. In a recent report on 2016 revenue performance, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said that non-oil revenue projections fell far below expectations. For instance, the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) failed to deliver on the N5 trillion revenue target and only managed to collect N500 billion in non – oil taxes in three quarters – estimated to be the worst collection figure in six to seven years.

The renewed focus on oil revenues in the 2017 budget as the central source of budget financing may be seen by some as a lesson from the 2016 bad experience with non-oil. But most importantly, it underscores the optimism of the government in the sector which is a result of the reforms and innovative policies of the Kachikwu leadership of the oil industry.

He has been a key part of a series of positive international and local developments in the oil sector key amongst which are the recent rally in global oil prices, increase in local production, flexible oil and gas financing system as well as increased investment in the oil industry amongst others.

Concerning the global oil price rally, Kachikwu was one of the earliest proponents for production cut as a way to reduce the glut in the market and cause some increase in price of oil.

Initially the campaign to fix production cuts met stiff resistance from OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE. Saudi Arabia particularly having amassed substantial savings in dollars from oil over time, had a deliberate strategy to allow and keep prices low so as to maintain their international customer base and make it completely unproductive for shale oil producers in the United States to keep production going. Along with countries like Qatar in this fortunate position, they were obviously not concerned about the damaging effects of very low prices on other countries like Nigeria who did not have such a cushion to fall back on. Despite the initial opposition and lack of cooperation, Kachikwu soldiered on – hopeful that at some point – there will be some consensus around the idea.

Kachikwu

This actually came to pass. In November, OPEC sent crude oil prices soaring by agreeing to its first production cuts in eight years.

The deal, designed to drain record global oil inventories, overcame disagreements between the group’s three largest producers -- Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq -- and ended a flirtation with free markets that started in 2014. It was also broader than many had expected, extending beyond OPEC. Most strikingly, Russia agreed to unprecedented cuts to its own output.

Due to the strategic role that Kachikwu played and his strong international lobby and representation of Nigeria’s peculiar position, the country has benefitted immensely from this production cuts at two key levels. For one, Nigeria’s production quota of 2.2 million

The successful elimination of the decades old joint cash call system by the Kachikwu-led leadership of the oil sector is also a key factor in the 2017 budget. Unlike earlier budgets, the budget 2017 did not make any provision for taking money from government revenues to fund joint venture cash calls

barrels per day is not affected by the new production cut. The country was completed excluded. Two, with new oil prices nearing the $60 mark, this means greater earnings from oil and a sharp increase in the contribution of the sector to budget financing.

The consistent engagement of Niger Delta militants and elders from the region has also helped significantly to increase local production.

Early last year, the activities of militants had led to the vandalization of critical pipelines.

This led to forced production shut-ins by oil majors and drove crude oil production numbers to historic lows. The production losses contributed to the fall poor performance of revenue projections in the 2016 budget.

The policy of diplomacy, engagement and involvement of militants and stakeholders in the region has helped to calm tensions in the region, reduce militancy and vandalization significantly. As a result, production has risen to over 2 million barrels. This and ongoing efforts makes the 2017 production assumption of 2.2 million barrels feasible.

The successful elimination of the decades old joint cash call system by the Kachikwu-led leadership of the oil sector is also a key factor in the 2017 budget. Unlike earlier budgets, the budget 2017 did not make any provision for taking money from government revenues to fund joint venture cash calls. As has been the practice, each year sizable portions of government revenues which ordinarily should go into capital expenditure taken out and used to finance government’s financial commitments to joint venture investments in the downstream sector. The new system has changed this for good. In the place of the old plan which required government to provide 50 percent of costs required for joint venture operations, the new funding regime is largely private-sector driven.

Government contribution to financing joint venture operations with the international oil companies like Shell, ExxonMobil, etc is now to be funded by commercial banks in a smart and innovative structure. The arrangement is such that the banks will recover their monies while the federal government will only collect dividends from the profits. This has freed-up the government from the annual ordeal of budgetary cash call obligations and increased the amount of money available for financing

the 2017 budget.

Besides freeing up revenues that would have gone into financing of joint venture operations, the negotiation and securing of a debt write off accumulated cash call arrears and a convenient payment plan for the balance has also taken a lot of pressure off budget revenues. The cash call arrears which stood at $6.8billion and would have been provisioned in the 2017 budget were negotiated down to $5.1 billion.

About $1.7billion was taken off of the total as a result of the negotiations. The balance of $5.1billion is to be paid within five years at basically zero interest rate. Besides, the source of funds for payment is structured to put the least possible pressure on the government as it is expected to come only from additional barrels. This also makes the 2017 assumptions more realistic.

The deregulation of the oil and gas industry and removal of the fuel subsidy payments in May 2016 is another key policy that has also taken a lot of pressure off of the funds available for budget implementation in the 2017 budget. Instead of budgeting trillions of naira to pay subsidy claims, government has re-directed the savings into capital expenditure to be spent towards the financing of social infrastructure like roads, power, hospital and schools. It will be recalled that immediately it was done, the removal led to a 30% drop in consumption – due to smuggling and savings of $4.5million a day from the elimination of false subsidy claims.

Overall, it is clear that the policies and reforms that Kachikwu is bringing to bear on the oil industry under the vision and direction of the President is increasing confidence in the sector as a continuing major source of national revenues for financing the budget.

While it is important to aggressively pursue a diversification agenda, to expand the sources of revenues with focus on agriculture, mineral resources, and the experience of the 2016 budget revenue projections have shown that it is yet early days. Oil still remains for now the most immediate source of revenues for financing the budget, getting Nigeria out of recession and financing the diversification agenda. And this is why the work that Kachikwu is doing is so important.

- Namor is a public policy analyst

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Lake Chad Basin: Humanitarian Bomb or Demographic Dividend?

Abimbola Akosile examines the development potential in the Lake Chad Basin and the roles the youth can play, as captured in arguments and suggestions by various stakeholders, especially the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) West and Central Africa region

T

he Lake Chad Basin (LCB), which comprises four countries namely Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, has long captivated and eluded the attention of development practitioners.

For some, this sub-region is now a slow, simmering humanitarian explosion in the making; while for others, it presents an opportunity for action, to materialise what the Africa Union in its roadmap coins “the Africa We Want�, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ultimately show some of the poorest and most neglected youth in the world, that ‘Youth Matters’.

Demographic Context The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) agrees with the latter camp and argues that it is a matter of demographics. In an argument spearheaded by the Regional Director for the UNFPA West and Central Africa region, Mr. Mabingue Ngom, the agency shows how the huge youth bulge in these countries offers a unique opportunity for countries to capitalise in the available work power and reap the Demographic Dividend.

In order to better understand the reasons why the LCB situation stirs such opposing views, there is need to look at the geographic context, environment, economic and security of the region.

Lake Chad Basin The Lake Chad Basin is part of what is called the Sahel, to the south of the Sahara Desert, encompassing an area of more than 2.3 million square kilometres. Owing its name to a vast lake with its origins in the mountains/forest of Central Arica Republic/The Congo, the lake attracted and served populations from surrounding countries, acting as a trade and exchange pole uniting peoples from the North and South of the Sahara. Over the years, a combination of climate change and uncontrolled population growth has reduced the water basin to barely ten per cent of its 1960s levels from 25,000 square kilometres to about 2,000 square kilometres today, while the population grew four to six-fold.

Besides traditional economic activities like fishing, animal husbandry, agriculture and trade, are the emergence of new economic resources, oil, petrol, uranium and industries, attracting newcomers; all compounding to create a demographic, geo-politic and economic crisis, with the ensuing tensions.

In view of the economic importance of the lake’s water body, a six-member “LCB Commission� is in place comprising the above four countries plus Libya, Egypt and the Central African Republic. However the current focus of the discussion is on Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

Conflict Impact According to experts, the ever-diminishing resources are at the origin of communal and cross-border conflicts among the four countries since the 1980s, the most notorious being the Darak region between Cameroon and Nigeria.

Since 2002 the crisis rose to new heights with the emergence of the insurgent group Boko Haram lurking in the region recruiting disenfranchised young people and creating havoc that has captured the headlines in the last few years. The ensuing insecurity affects in excess of 25 million people with over 2.7 million displaced. Of these, only 14 per cent have reportedly found shelters in official displaced camps, the remaining scattered among host communities putting further pressure on scarce resources.

Despite efforts invested by the Governments of countries surrounding the Lake Chad, the increasingly indiscriminate insurgency is having strong effect beyond the region and is negatively impacting human security. It is devastating communities, destroying public infrastructure, triggering humanitarian crisis

On the bank of shrinking Lake Chad

including severe food insecurity, malnutrition and health crises, and is in breach of numerous fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law.

This is already reversing decades of development progress and preventing countries from reaping the social and economic benefits of the demographic dividend offered by their bulging youth populations.

Next Steps On the one hand, for those seeing a looming humanitarian crisis, the solution would call for a purely humanitarian and security/political solution. Going this route would focus interventions on providing immediate life-saving assistance, extending IDP and refugee camps, and escalating a military action against Boko Haram.

UNFPA and a few others, argue that the root causes of this crisis is a population growing at alarming rate that outpaces Governments’ ability to provide quality social services like health and education, and for the labour market to absorb new potential entrants.

Lack of job opportunities render the fast growing youth population vulnerable to extremists’ false promises, drug-lords, guns business and human trafficking. The population growth rate in this sub-region is among the highest in the world,

SOURCE: WWW.FAO.ORG

ranging from 2.5 per cent in Cameroon to 4 per cent per annum in Niger.

Just as in other African countries, the subregion also saw marked reductions in infant mortality. However, unlike elsewhere and contrary to conventional classic demographic transition theory, a corresponding reduction in fertility did not occur, with Niger and Chad still registering 6 to 7 children per woman. This phenomenon is attributed to one of the highest rates in child marriage in the world, coupled with a perceived preference for large families.

A closer look however, points to the weak status of women in society and to a poor or no access to family planning. Girls married before the age of 15 and 18 face tremendous family and societal pressure to “produce� babies, causing a high incidence of fistula and other hidden morbidities among women.

Such a complex problem calls for an inclusive solution, that brings together development, humanitarian actors with affected communities to design a comprehensive programme that includes immediate humanitarian assistance while addressing long-term development issues.

Because of the fundamentally cross-border nature of the basin population’s social and economic structures, the crisis calls for a regional, holistic and long-term approach to tackle the challenges

posed to livelihood and the stability of states in the Lake Chad Basin. Young people can play a catalytic role as agents of Action for Positive Change.

Governments will have to make strong investments in human capital through a rebooting of the education and health sectors, but also in the creation of employment. Education will need to match the business sector needs and include vocational training skills to stimulate entrepreneurship. Creating an enabling environment for an educated and healthy young people will avert catastrophic consequences and pave the way for the LCB countries to reclaim their image and space on the world stage. Immediate and right policies and actions to capitalise from the high youthful population in the LCB can be a strong contributor to the African Union goal of the “Africa We want�.

It is largely the lack of opportunity and hope that renders young people vulnerable to recruitment by extremists; they also fall prey to unscrupulous middlemen with false promises of a rosy life in Europe, thus risking their lives across the Desert and the Mediterranean sea.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

RANDOM THOTS Lucrative Vocation

Trust Nigerians to see the opportunity Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂĄ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ this reporter has heard more than ďŹ ve people trying to make subtle enquiries about big government oďŹƒcials in their Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ’Ă™Ă™ĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă—ilar: they are looking for the big scoop to Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŞĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ě‹ corruption agencies in order to eventually obtain the coveted ďŹ ve per cent cut of any loot recovered from a corrupt government oďŹƒcial.

Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ up after the federal government recently announced the seizure and eventual conďŹ scation of some proceeds of corrupt acts involving huge sums of money

Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĚżÍšË›Í™Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ͖͔̿͒ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Í’ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ ÞÙÚ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ě‹ĂŒĂ–Ă™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜Ă“tiative of the government.

There were reports that the $9.8 million loot came to light through the whistleblowing of a relative of the concerned ÞÙÚ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?portedly refused to help the relative who needed some minor ďŹ nancial family support; a classic case of pay-back time.

Now that the government has openly admitted the role of whistle-blowers in the discovery and conďŹ scation of ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ě‹ĂŒĂ–Ă™ĂĄĂ?ĂœËœ

and many ďŹ lthy rich government ofďŹ cials are now busy looking over their Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ element of witch-hunt and malicious reĂ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ù×Ă? ÖÙÙÞ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ëœ there is no denying that the anti-corruption war has assumed a new positive diĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? ʨà Ă? ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž cut on any recovered loot is also a huge pull factor. The icing on the cake is the pending Whistle-blowers Protection Ă“Ă–Ă–Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁË› Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂ“ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙÙÎ ÞÓ×Ă?Ă? are coming again...simple truth -Abimbola Akosile

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ëš

The Police are also change agents!

Can the Police Really Enhance Whistle-blowing?

Some analysts have called on members of the Nigeria Police to join the fight against corruption in the country, adding that their active involvement in whistle-blowing on official corruption can help unravel massive looting and allow the federal government to recover looted funds hidden around the country. The argument is based on the fact that the Police are usually involved in the movement of large sums of cash around Nigeria. Given the general public perception of the Police as a very corrupt organisation, do you think the Police can really enhance the whistle-blowing process in the country?

Abimbola Akosile

THE FEEDBACK

* To say that the police are corrupt is an understatement. Police can and will never enhance whistle-blowing in the anti-graft war. It will amount to using thieves to chase thieves. In fact, the whistle-blowing in the fight against corruption should seriously be on the police.

- Mrs. Rosemary Nwaebuni, Asaba, Delta State

Yes, they can:

8

No, they cannot:

8

Others:

5

Radical tip:

Add bankers too!

* The Police cannot in any way enhance whistle-blowing but ordinary citizens, who mingle freely with all the strata of the society, can. They have since lost the confidence of the public in information management and largely compromised their professional integrity.

- Mr. A. Abba, Financial Consultant, Kaduna

Total no of respondents:

21

Male:

16

Female:

5

Highest location:

Lagos (7)

* If they are guaranteed a cut from the recovered money, I think they will participate actively.

- Mr. Duru Nnamdi, Abuja * Police cannot enhance the whistle-blowing process, except those at the top are weeded out, as charity begins at home, and then government equips them with the necessary working tools and incentives to meet the contemporary challenges, backed by relevant laws to protect them from bias.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * No, the Nigeria Police personnel of today are avaricious, corrupt, fraudulent and often unreliable.

Evidence abound of their compromising acts including escapes from police custody, extortions, abetting electoral malpractices, robberies, murder, kidnapping, colluding with some criminal lawyers to subvert justice e.t.c. These disqualify our Police from such a sensitive and trust-dependent responsibility as whistle-blowing.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * It cannot happen in Nigeria.

- Mr. Gboyega Ojuolape, Abuja * The Nigerian Police is patently corrupt and we all know it. However, self-interest is a strong motivating factor. If an individual policeman knows he can get a cut of the recovered loot, he’ll be ready to support the policy.

- Mr. John Ogunsemore, Lagos State * Yes, the Police have successfully moved monies from one location in Nigeria to another during emergency, elections e.t.c. They are familiar with the civil society terrain and are the best bet

for collecting, sieving and transmitting vital information to the appropriate quarters. Whistleblowing requires genuine confidentiality and full protection against evil looters. The Police have been dependable all along. We must cash in on this vital virtue for best results.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos * First, let me say that the Nigeria Police impressed me this (last) week. I was personally informed via SMS of the Valentine Day’s counter-terrorism training. Sequel to this, I make bold to say the Nigeria Police Force is in a position to enhance all citizen-oriented programmes of government, whistle-blowing included.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Resources, Apo, Abuja * Very impossible.

- Miss Nana Opoku, Lagos State * All Nigerians must be recruited into the on-going war against corruption as ‘Ethics Marshalls’. The public perception of the Police is unpleasant, yet it is a strategic public institution. The police could be cultivated to curb corruption since corrupt public officials usually employ them as security details in the safeguarding of slush funds. The Police must be reformed and personnel welfare given priority. Government must also ensure that the whistle-blowing incentive applies to police personnel who demonstrate the needed courage and patriotism.

- Amb. Rufus Aiyenigba, Director-General, Pro-Nigeria Group (P-NG), Abuja * That is practically impossible.

- Mr. Ferdinand Mbagwu, Owerri, Imo State * The Nigeria Police can enhance whistle-blowing

with two conditions; firstly, the institution should be properly standardised with strict adherence to its principles. Secondly, their arrears and allowances should be paid on time. Unfortunately, the police too are very corrupt. The populace has lost confidence in them. The Federal Government should take proper measures on that. God bless Nigeria!

- Mr. Ayoola Imran, Ogbomosho South, Oyo State * I don’t think the police can enhance whistleblowing. They will use it to witch hunt innocent people, and they are never thorough.

- Mrs. Bridgeta Affiah, Warri, Delta State * I think Nigeria Police can do it if the Federal Government restructures the institution and improves their welfare with all emoluments including robust health care programme, housing and good compensation in case of permanent disability/death during active service.

- Mr. Oyekanmi Oladele, Lagos State * The Police Force are labelled as corrupted among the security agencies but there are good ones among them that are fit for EFCC work.

For effective performances, we need proactive action of the EFCC to fight corruption seriously because our selfish leaders have drained the treasury. We must support PMB in fighting corruption so that we can move forward.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Only a new breed of Nigeria police would make the most of this, as our current policemen are acutely corrupt and would graciously abuse this opportunity.

- Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * Yes, the Police can enhance whistle-blowing in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, if they are successfully empowered by the relevant authorities. The Police are actively involved in movement of cash around the country and possess vital information. The five per cent cut of any recovered loot is a powerful incentive, but the identities of any police whistle-blower must be protected, just like any other citizen.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * The Police can only kill and destroy whistleblowing. In fact I pray that there can be a way to distance the Police from this juicy programme.

They are too greedy to be trusted with anything in connection with money and should be left alone with their normal duties.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * Change begins with me; change begins with the Police too. I believe in the ability of the Nigeria Police Force to fight corruption through whistle-blowing. We have competent hands in the Police force who are God-fearing and can effectively and efficiently help curb the menace of the chronic corruption in Nigeria.

- Mr. Samuel Akaahenda, Makurdi, Benue State * The Police can help but I do think bankers have a great role to play also. Many of them (bankers) are disgruntled, under pressure, overworked and have knowledge or may be those handling the accounts holding these corrupt monies. If their confidentiality can be assured and the government can show Nigerians that those who blew the whistle on the Andrew and Dieziani cases have been paid the five per cent promised, then we will have a wave of new banker whistle-blowers.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

Next Week:Next Week: Can Nigeria Achieve Local Food SuďŹƒciency in 2017? ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŞĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ě‹ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ě‹ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÙÙÎ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ͱ͎ͯ;˛ ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ åÓÞÒ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;â Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă‘Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ‹Ă— Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÙÙÎ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂœĂ?ËÖÓÞã˛ Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÙÙÎ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ͱ͎ͯ;ˣ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Í°Íą Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ͱ;̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@ yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive. comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Í°

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯʹ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Bumper harvest in onions; a big step in local food sufficiency

Use Recovered Loot for Specific Social Service Delivery, CISLAC Urges FG As NGOs advocate transparency, open information

Abimbola Akosile and Funke Olaode The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the Federal Government to apply the various monies recovered from corrupt past office holders for improved social service delivery in specific areas.

The non-governmental organisation, in a release issued by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), described the recent reports of actual figures being recovered from corrupt past office holders as heart-warming.

CISLAC recalled that although the current administration has reported success in the recovery of proceeds of corruption, details on exactly how much and from whom have been sketchy and the availability of the funds for budgetary allocations had been doubtful in spite of them being mentioned in budget speeches. “We recall the experiences with similar recoveries in the past, such as the Abacha loot, in which the funds were not deployed in manners that the impact was neither felt by citizens nor was it possible to demonstrate that it was actually used for the benefit

of Nigerians. This informed the famous phrase of ‘re-looting the loot’ used by many to indicate that the recovered loot were indeed also stolen by the then political establishment.

“Nigerians suffered poverty, deprivation and neglect while these officials carted away the humongous sums of monies that are presently being reported stashed away in scandalous places. CISLAC therefore advocates that, in addition to ensuring that the recovered funds are transparently and accountably managed, they should be ploughed into sectors that deliver direct social services to the teeming masses in a measurable way.”

The organisation recommended that the monies be deployed to address the educational, health and water needs of the people, in a systematic, strategic, and dedicated manner.

“The past practice of injecting looted funds through the broad budget cycle has proved to be ineffective. The Executive should liaise with the National Assembly to ensure that special supplementary approval is obtained for the expenditure of recovered monies”, it added.

CISLAC suggested that a Specialised Service Delivery Account domiciled with the

Central Bank be established into which all the recovered funds are deposited. “This will be managed by an Ad-Hoc Multi-Stakeholder Management Committee made up of designated technocrats from the focal ministries and volunteers from relevant Professional Bodies, the Media, Civil Society and the Anticorruption Agencies.

The duty of this Committee is to appraise specific project proposals from the focal ministries to ensure relevance, efficiency, maximum impact and that projects can be completed within specific time-lines. They would also monitor funds disbursement from the account and report back to Nigerians. This will ensure efficiency without creating another agency that would constitute a drain pipe to already scarce resources”, Rafsanjani added.

According to CISLAC, “We believe that this would ensure that the funds are not only applied to real and tangible people-oriented projects, but that the spending can be tracked and the impact on the lives of the people measured.

The organisation commended the efforts of the

anti-corruption agencies in bringing about these results, applauded the members of the judiciary whose rulings contribute to these recoveries, and also commended the role of citizens in blowing the whistle even in the absence of a Whistle Blowers Act to protect citizens.

“Thus, we call on the National Assembly to quickly pass the Whistle Blowers Act to enhance the fight against corruption. We call on all stakeholders not to relent in the fight against corruption by ensuring that through the rule of law, looted funds are recovered and brought back into the national treasury and deployed to offset the social and welfare deficit of Nigerians”, it added.

Meanwhile, representatives of government bodies, civil society, the private sector and media from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria converged on Ghana recently to examine the challenges posed to Africa by non-disclosure of Beneficial Ownership Information of companies towards establishing a legal system that collects and publishes crucial corporate information.

The two-day workshop tagged ‘Supporting New

Beneficial Ownership Transparency Champions’, was spearheaded by three not-for-profit organisations: Integrity Initiative (GII), Transparency International (TI) Secretariat, CISLAC, Nigeria and Transparency International (Kenya) with funding from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID).

There, international experts who shared their expertise on relevant issues such as beneficial ownership registers, extractives, open data, open contracting and procurement, tax and illicit financial flows deliberated on why all hands must be on deck.

The workshop held within the framework of a Transparency International project, sought to support the realisation of commitments made by the governments of Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria at the UK Anti-Corruption Summit in May 2016 on establishing public beneficial ownership registers was declared open by the Vice-President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Having realised the damage of non-compliance of commitments of the countries involved, participants led by

the conveners of the workshop, Linda Ofori-Kwafo (Ghana), Rafsanjani (Nigeria) and Kenya’s Elizabeth Munyefu , recommended that entities doing business (including financial institutions, real estate developers and professional bodies commit to an increased transparency and business integrity by unveiling their Beneficial Owners.

It also suggested that African countries strengthen the capacity of their institutions, particularly financial institutions, revenue authorities and other public sector organisations responsible for the different levels of negotiations in the extractive sector and in public procurement to ensure there are clear plans to manage corruption, tax avoidance, tax evasion and other financial abuse risks.

Participants also urged their respective government entities charged with the responsibility of managing the register to keep Beneficial Ownership information current while the African Union Commission must expeditiously develop a road map and action points for the implementation of the key recommendations of the High Level panel on Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) from Africa.

ITF Expresses Commitment to Reducing Unemployment, Youth Restiveness in Nigeria Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has reiterated its commitment to reducing unemployment and youth restiveness in Nigeria, adding that as part of its strategies to achieving this, the Fund is determined to empower the youths by

creating jobs and reducing poverty nationwide.

Director General of the Fund, Sir Joe Ari, who disclosed this during a Security Awareness Training for the staff members of the Fund, added that with the upsurge in cases of kidnapping and ethno-religious clashes across the country, it has become

imperative to train the staff members of the organisation in basic security strategies. The DG, who was represented by the Director of Information and Communication Department, Dickson Onuoha, noted that the workshop was informed by previous encounters where officers’ of the Fund were

abducted, adding that ITF was taking pre-emptive measures to forestall similar occurrences in the future.

He added that the staff members of the Fund were its most prized asset, and being a highly mobile organisation with its officers always on the move, makes them vulnerable

and potential victims of abduction and the mental torture left in its wake.

Also speaking, the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Ibrahim Danmusa, who assured that the programme would be useful to staff when faced with security threats, described the Fund’s initiative

to organise the training as a laudable one that should be emulated by similar corporate organisations.

He said the training will afford the staff members the basic knowledge and strategies to adopt in the face of threat to their lives and properties in the course of their duties.

35

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯʹ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We urge you, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to look into the law and come up with a proposed amendment to enable you hold those who are stealing government money in custody for a longer period.

If you can steal billions of naira and then you spend only one week in EFCC custody and you go home, more people would be encouraged to loot and steal more” - MEMBER OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ANTI-CORRUPTION AND FINANCIAL CRIMES, SENATOR ISA MISAU, SPEAKING IN ABUJA

Corona Urges Schools to Complement Missing Values in Students Blessing Abah

UNICEF Decries Child Recruitment, Urges Greater Action Abimbola Akosile The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF has decried the trend where tens of thousands of boys and girls under the age of 18 continue to be used in conflicts around the world, even though over the past 10 years, more than 65,000 children have been released from armed forces and armed groups.

Speaking as global leaders gathered on Tuesday in the French capital on the anniversary of the Paris commitments to end the use of children in conflict, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said, “[It] is not only about looking back at what has been accomplished – but looking forward to the work that remains to be done to support the children of war.”

Adopted 10 years ago, the Paris commitments, together with the Paris principles and guidelines, lay out guidance for protecting children from recruitment and use by armed forces or armed groups, and assisting their release and reintegration, with other vulnerable children affected by armed conflict in their communities.

According to UNICEF, exact data on the number of children used and recruited in armed conflict is difficult to ascertain because of the unlawful nature of child recruitment.

But estimates indicate that tens of thousands under the age of 18 are used in conflicts worldwide.

For instance, since 2013 an estimated 17,000 children have been recruited in South Sudan and up to 10,000 have been recruited in the Central African Republic (CAR). Similarly, nearly 2,000 children were recruited by Boko Haram, in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, last year alone, and there have been nearly 1,500 cases of child recruitment in Yemen since the conflict escalated in March 2015.

An African child soldier There has also been progress: since it was adopted, the number of countries endorsing the Paris commitments has nearly doubled from 58 countries in 2007 to 105 at present, signalling an increasing global commitment to end the use of children in conflict.

Globally, more than 65,000 children have been released from armed forces and armed groups, including 20,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo); nearly 9,000 in the Central African Republic; and over 1,600 children in Chad.

Seeking to build on the current momentum,

www.cnn.com the Paris International Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Children in Armed Conflicts is urging for unconditional release of all children – without exception – and putting an end to child recruitment.

It is also calling increased resources to help reintegrate and educate children who have been released, and urgent action to protect internally displaced children, child refugees and migrants.

“As long as children are still affected by the fighting, we cannot give up the fight for the children,” Lake added.

Top officials of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State have urged school authorities across Nigeria to seize the opportunity of spending greater hours with their various students to complement the missing values of their lives.

The school’s Vice Principal, Pastoral, Mr. Paul Obah, made the call during Corona’s 23rd annual inter house sports competition held on the school’s campus in Agbara recently At the well-attended forum, he said: “It is the business of the school to educate the society. The impact a school has on a child is much because the student stays in the boarding school for three months, goes for few weeks holiday and comes back for another three months’ learning.

“Invariably, the student spends complete nine months of the three terms in the school. The student only spends three months in a year with the parents”, Obah added.

According to him, the teacher is expected to continue with the child from where the parents stopped at home. “What the school should do is to build on what the home has done,” he said.

Painting a scenario of how a day student wakes up in the morning, dresses and go to school at 8 am to return home at 4pm and proceed for lesson from 4 to 6pm without time for sporting activities, he maintained that it’s the business of the school to ensure that what the curriculum provided is not just reading and writing, but sport should be inclusive.

“Education should not be English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology alone; education also has to do with values, talents and sports.

The home cannot do it all. Most times, it’s what the school is able to do in the life of the child that sustains him.

“You cannot blame the parents who want the child to make A1 parallel; it’s the school that should bring the balance. The student can finish with A1 or first class and be unable to fit into anywhere in the society. With his first class degree, yet, he doesn’t have good relationship with others, lacks empathy and has no good contribution to the society.

“A child may have a first class degree and not be able to relate with people, because the child has no knowledge of what is happening around him”, he added.

Obah, who noted that sport was key to learning, disclosed that with the march past by participants, teachers present were able to have a little understanding of what the Chinese culture was all about, and what the Yoruba, Edo and Hausa do in marriage.

He said: “Our mid-term started today and parents are not rushing to leave because increasingly we are getting to the level where we are able to achieve this healthy competition among students. It is fun and also a sport day. I tell people that winning is not everything, we have fun and winning is a bonus.”

Meanwhile, at the inter house sports event where nine students from other schools in Lagos and Ogun competed, Crane House came first with 43 gold medals, 20 silver and 21 bronze medals.

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 23, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Buhari’s Vacation: The Hurdles to Curbing Medical Tourism While President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has tried to curb medical tourism by discouraging its officials from accessing healthcare abroad, his own trip to London for medical reasons has undermined Nigeria’s healthcare system. Martins Ifijeh writes

W

hen President Muhammadu Buhari-led government last year declared that it would discourage medical tourism through revatilising the country’s healthcare system and putting stringent measures in place for government officials to travel for medical treatment abroad, except extremely needful, there were mixed feelings from Nigerians.

For some, the declaration was not new, as previous administrations had made same statements without following them to the letter.

The government of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and that of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan made same pronouncements. But no desired outcome. Medical tourism even soared higher during the latter.

For others, it was an opportunity for President Buhari to write his name in gold in the healthcare sector of the country, as it was believed that curbing medical tourism would mean the government would have to place priority on revamping the healthcare system to a world class status, and in return mean that the supposed money spent in other countries by Nigerians for medical treatment will be spent in Nigeria, thereby positively impacting the economy.

But like the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, who told Americans during his campaign that the country would not be involved in World War 1, because he reasoned that voters wanted the United States to remain out of the conflict, then quickly made a volt face immediately after winning the election. He went ahead to Congress to get an approval of declaration of war with Germany and its allies.

Like Wilson, Buhari has directly broken his declaration of discouraging government officials to access healthcare outside Nigeria, thereby laying bare reasons why other Nigerians, especially government officials must not take his pronouncement seriously, even though experts believed Nigerian doctors can compete anywhere in the world if the right facilities and enabling environment are provided.

No wonder the Vice President, Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, described as a ‘national shame of immense proportion’ President Buhari’s decision during his first medical trip to the United kingdom when he became President to treat Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) infection, even though, according to him, there exist over 250 ENT specialists and professors in Nigeria, well as a National Ear Centre located in Kaduna State that could tackle even the most complicated ENT cases.

He said he was very “constrained to state that the President’s foreign medical trip flies in the face of the federal government’s earlier declaration of her resolve to halt the embarrassing phenomenon of outward medical tourism, which as at the end of the year 2013 had led to a humongous capital flight of about $1billion dollars, particularly from expenses incurred by political and public office holders (and their accompanying aides), whose foreign medical trips (most of which are unnecessary) were financed with tax payers’ resources.

He believed President Buhari would have showed leadership by insisting that all his medical treatments and that of his Executive Council members would be done within the country, as this could have given him the opportunity to curb medical tourism in the country.

“Mr. President has lost a golden opportunity to assert his change mantra through a clear demonstration of leadership by example, by

President Buhari

staying back to receive medical treatment in Nigeria and thereby inspiring confidence in Nigeria’s health sector which currently boasts of medical experts who favourably compare with medical experts anywhere in the world, if not even better,” he said.

Enabulele, who argued during the President’s first medical trip last year, said what he would have done since he had said he was poised to curbing medical tourism, was to had urgently invited a consortium of Nigerian trained ENT specialists to Abuja to re- evaluate and treat him, or on the alternative, “if it is determined that the medical expertise is not available in Nigeria (and I doubt this), any identified Nigerian trained ENT specialist practicing anywhere in the world should have been invited to Abuja, for the sole purpose of re-evaluating and treating him.”

He added that if the first two options were not realisable enough due to unavailability of health facilities/equipments, then the President would have used his current medical situation, though unfortunate, to commence the federal government’s plan to re-equip Nigerian hospitals with modern state-of-the art health facilities, by ordering for the needed medical equipment to enable the locally available Nigerian trained ENT specialists attend to him, and thereafter use same facilities to attend to other Nigerians with similar conditions.

Enabulele had advised that if the President receives treatment within Nigeria, it would be a win-win situation for the country, “as Mr. President will not only get managed with the imported medical facilities and expertise (if indeed needed); he would save Nigeria (currently going through a socio-economic turmoil) the capital flight that would result

from his foreign medical trip. It will also help to improve the state of healthcare facilities and medical practice in Nigeria (particularly through technology transfer).”

Apart from President Buhari’s treatment for ENT infection in the UK last year, he has since gone back for another medical vacation since January 19th, where he had earlier revealed he would be staying for 10 days within which he would have a medical checkup. Upon the exhaustion of the 10 days, he further wrote to the National Assembly for extension, as he needed time to perfect his medical diagnosis. His Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the extension was necessary to allow the President complete the series of medical tests recommended by his doctors and get the results before heading back to Nigeria.

However, his recent trip has again called for question over his government’s efforts towards prioritising healthcare in the country and making the sector a world class. This is even as reports suggest over N1.3 trillion was being spent on medical tourism abroad last year, where as the country’s entire health allocation in the 2017 budgetary allocation remains a paltry N304 billion, prompting analysts to say if truly the government invest in healthcare and provide all necessary funds, there would be no need for the President or any other Nigerian to travel abroad for medical treatment.

No wonder the Senator representing Abia North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, during a debate last week on the 2017 annual budget by the lawmakers, said the treatment of the President abroad was detrimental to the development of the health sector in the

country.

Ohuabunwa argued that rather than embark on medical tourism to foreign countries, the federal government should budget more funds for the health sector, such that him and other Nigerians would not have to travel abroad for treatments the country has expertise and facilities for Ohuabunwa advised: “A lot is being expected of us as Senators. We are leaving our country to go on medical vacation. These countries we go to have spent so much to put their health sector in place. Unfortunately, what we have for the health sector is a far cry from what it should be “It is not about allocation alone. What about implementation? What was the level of implementation of the 2016 budget? We need to emphasise the issue of budget implementation before we approve the 2017 budget. The government should be talking about creating entrepreneurship centres in all the 774 local government areas in the country if we want to create jobs,” the senator added.

With the country’s health allocation placed at N304 billion for over 180 million Nigerians, it would mean the government would spend just N1,688 on the health of each citizens for 2017, an amount stakeholders say would not be enough to tackle even 25 per cent of the healthcare needs of an average Nigerian for the year.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has stated that Nigeria needs to spend at least N6,000 per Nigerian this year if it must make strides in the health sector.

It also believed for Nigeria to attain its goal of being a medical hub for its citizens and neighbouring countries, the health sector must be well funded to achieving it.

37

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 23, 2017

HEALTH

SDG: Ensuring Healthy Lives and Promoting Wellbeing UK-based Clinical Pharmacist, Adaku Efuribe warns that the health of Nigerians may be at risk due to poor chronic disease management, lack of education on healthy lifestyle, poor selfcare, among others According to the World Health Organisation, “Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health.

It moves beyond a focus on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions’ The table above shows that Nigeria’s population in 2015 was over 182 million, it is now a well-known fact that the population keeps growing while the available healthcare facilities keep dwindling.

Health promotion strategies will go a long way to ensure healthy lives and wellbeing of the citizens. In order to achieve this, education and public health campaign strategies must be adopted to foster healthy living lifestyles, exercise, cutting down on alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, banning smoking in public places as passive smoking is equally dangerous.

A lot of Nigerians are known to ignore the early warning signs of ill health, a great percentage of the populace do not seek medical intervention in good time and always wait for the last minute. This may be due to ignorance, nonchalant attitude towards healthcare and religious influences.

Evidence has shown that lifestyle advice (practicing healthy living tips) and self-care will go a long way in managing certain disease conditions. For instance, longterm conditions such as heart failure, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc.

Cancer awareness is another area most people need more information on. Evidence has shown that the risk of having some cancers can be prevented by adopting a healthy living lifestyle, also some cancers can be better managed if symptoms are reported at the early stages for instance prostate cancer which affects men.

According to prostate cancer experts, the men who are most likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer are older men, black men and men with a family history of the disease.

The question is this, are people aware of those early symptoms or alarm symptoms to report immediately to the doctor in good time, as early intervention will help save lives?

In some developed countries which have organised healthcare systems like the United Kingdom, citizens are invited by way of letters being sent out to their home address at routine intervals or yearly for people to attend their GP Surgeries(medical centre) for routine tests and check-ups, for instance there is the over 60’s health check.

Also when men attain the age of 40 they are invited for prostate screening and other appropriate tests.

Women are encouraged to attend routine cervical smears,

to help nip cervical cancer in the bud, just to mention a few.

According to the World Health Organisation, ‘’An overall working definition of integrated service delivery is the management and delivery of health services so that clients receive a continuum of preventive and curative services, according to their needs over time and across different levels of the health system.”

For health, care and support to be ‘integrated’, it must be person-centred, coordinated, and tailored to the needs and preferences of the individual, their carer and family. It means moving away from episodic care to a more holistic approach to health, care and support needs that puts the needs and experience of people at the centre of how services are organised and delivered.

The United Nations recognises number of pharmacists as important for wellbeing.

The density of pharmacists will now be taken into account in measuring the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. One of the targets under this goal is to “substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and Small Island developing states.”

There is need for more Integrated healthcare in Nigeria where every member of the healthcare team ReDoctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, physiotherapists, Dieticians, community healthcare workers and other healthcare professionals work together to contribute their own quota to excellent health promotion and healthcare delivery.

For instance in the UK, pharmacists undertake medicines optimisation/ medicines use reviews especially for patients taking medication for long term to help with chronic disease management, aim is to optimise therapy, reduce disease burden and improve the quality of life for those patients.

Medicines use review is an essential tool used to optimise therapy, identify possible adverse drug reactions, contraindications and make recommendations for start/stop treatment especially for elderly patients with long term conditions.

Evidence has shown that there is greater medicines adherence and concordance if patient’s gain full understanding of the indication/ rationale for their medicines and they understand the dosage regimen.

It seems the expertise of pharmacists are not fully utilised in Nigeria for modern

healthcare delivery strategies.

The status quo must change if we have to move forward and develop our healthcare system as attainable in other countries.

We do not have enough doctors in Nigeria to serve our ever growing population; the need for integrated healthcare cannot be over emphasised.

Healthcare professionals should engage in CPD-continuous professional development to attain the

much needed clinical skills to function effectively in their chosen area of competence.

The elite class in Nigeria seems to have access to good healthcare by way of private treatment, but what happens to the masses and those who cannot afford a square meal a day let alone afford private care. As our public hospitals are not equipped fully, there is a surge in medical tourism where Nigerians have to pay for exuberant health

treatments abroad in places like UK, India, and Spain to mention a few.

This is just a minute part of the populace who can raise enough funds to foot these medical bills, also popular people aka ‘celebrities’ seem to have access to raising funds for their treatment abroad, there is a rising case of kidney disease where people seek treatment abroad and pay millions of naira.

This is a call for the Nigerian

Government to promote integrated healthcare, invest more on public health campaigns, health promotion strategies, disease preventative measures, awareness creation on healthy lifestyle and self-care to help tackle the health issues bothering the citizens in other to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.

Efuribe, a Clinical Pharmacist/ Independent Prescriber, writes from the United Kingdom

‘Women with Endometriosis 5,000 Children Immunised More Likely to Suffer in Free Eye Screening in Miscarriage’ Kwara Martins Ifijeh Women who suffer from endometriosis are more likely to experience miscarriage, while 40 per cent of women with infertility have endometriosis, the Lead Medical Consultant, Endometriosis Support Group of Nigeria (ESGN), Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, has said.

He said even though a number of women with the scourge suffer infertility, it does not follow that they are bound to be infertile.

Ajayi, who stated this during ESGN’s ‘Cocktail Night with the Stars’ in Lagos recently, as part of activities to mark this year’s Endometriosis Month, said it was advisable that before the health condition affects fertility, affected women can freeze their eggs, such that when they are ready to get pregnant, they would only refer to their frozen eggs.

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus.

According to Ajayi, who is also the Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, he explained that most women suffering from the condition often go through symptoms such as painful periods, pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation, cramps one or two weeks

around menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods, infertility, pain following sexual intercourse, discomfort with bowel movements and lower back pain that may occur at any time during menstrual cycle.

He said one of the unfortunate experiences with endometriosis was the fact that it is usually misdiagnosed, adding that “diagnosis is actually very easy. And this is why we have continued to raise awareness on the scourge.

“It is usually misunderstood and misdiagnosed, yet it is treatable. That is why we are raising awareness so that women, especially adolescents will know they need not go through the pain and discomfort resulting from the condition,” he said. He explained that the aim of this year’s campaign was to bring awareness to the society, especially adolescents.

According to the organisers, the awareness campaign will start with a walk in Abuja on March 2, another walk in Lagos on March 11, and a host of other activities, and then will be crowned up with the Endo Gala Night March 19.

Among celebrities present at the cocktail event were Nollywood actors and actresses, including Hon. Desmond Elliot and Yvonne Jegede.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin About 5,000 children between ages zero to five years have been immunised in the free eye vision screening exercise put in place by the Kwara State government in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

Already, five immunisation centres have been earmarked for the exercise in the state so as to assist the children in checking their eyes and get them immunised against eye diseases.

They are Children Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, Ilorin, DHC Afon, UITH Permanent site, Oke Ose, Ilorin, UITH Maternity Clinic at Amilegbe, Ilorin and Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, Ilorin.

The wife of the state governor, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin recently during the campaign tour and assessment visit of the exercise at Specialist Hospital, Centre- Igboro in Ilorin South Local Government Area of the state, said the free eye screening exercise would go a long way in detecting eye diseases among the children.

She also advocated for enforcement of free eye screening law to ensure all mothers take their children to health facilities for vision screening before enrollment in government schools.

The First Lady, who said

the campaign was embarked on to influence immunisation on children, as well as vision screening, added that all ministries in the state would be made to key into the programme.

She also explained that recently, over 200 blind citizens were empowered and N150,000 cheques given to each of them to help in their trade.

Also speaking at the event, an Ophthalmologist with University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Dupe AdemolaPopoola, explained that the state government had enacted law that makes vision screening compulsory for children zero to five years. She said that because of the effort of the state government, a foundation; the USAID has shown interest in the project where they donated some equipment worth thousands of dollars to the state. Ademola-Popoola pointed out that a survey of 100 blind people carried out in the state suggested that, seven out of 10 were blind from childhood, while being hidden in that condition, till they are old enough to come out to beg for a living.

She therefore said that, about 2, 500 children had so far been examined and some referral have been made to General Hospital in the state while four children were however, diagnosed with blindness due to premature birth.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 23, 2017

38

HEALTH HEALTH

HEALTH MATTERS

goketakinrogunde@gmail.com

By Goke T. Akinrogunde 07036777348; 07029126776

Getting Pregnant: The Male Factor

O

more days to the day of sperm collection for analysis. *Normal sperm count should be greater than 20millon per milliliters. *Volume must be up to 2.75ml per ejaculation. *More than 50 per cent must be motile. *More than 50 per cent must have normal form.

It should be mentioned that abnormal sperm count analysis in the first instance is not enough reason to sentence the concern to a diagnosis of male infertility, without another repeat and if necessary a second repeat of the semen analysis.

Various corrective approaches to overcome sperm counts related problems are available and offered readily at the fertility centers and other not-so-specialised centers in the country.

ne clear thing is that getting pregnant is a case of “it takes two to tango”. The tango dance is a once popular native Central American dance that is danced close up by a male and a female

companion.

As such, getting pregnant requires a reproductive healthy male and female. My concern today is about the reproductive health of the male partner. An effective reproductive functioning in the male presupposes the ability to be able to manufacture an adequate amount of healthy and effective sperm cells in the testes and an enduring ability to effectively deposit the semen into the reproductive tract of a woman during sexual intercourse.

On the first part, only about 10% of the ejaculate during the climax of man’s sexual activity is made up of sperm cells (spermatozoa); the rest 90% is made up of the alkaline fluid, which contain nourishment for the sperm cells and also provide a medium for the fast moving spermatozoa (sperm cells) to swim towards fertilising the egg in the female’s reproductive tract.

Sperm cells are produced in the two testes while other organs like the seminal vesicle and the prostate contribute to the watery component of the semen. From the foregoing, any development that will lead to an inadequate production of good quality sperm cells will invariably results in infertility or subfertility.

Similarly, inability to effectively deposit the pre-formed semen into the woman vaginal canal, as it is the case in the ‘impotence’, will also be considered as a factor in male infertility to say the obvious. In the same vein, the testes located inside the scrotum require an appropriate temperature that is a little lower than the core body temperature for effective production of spermatozoa in adequate amount. Hence, it is known that in men who have a history of non-descent of the testes into the scrotum by the age of two, the tendency to developed male infertility later in adult life is very high.

Contrary to the wide belief, however, the effect that a tight-fitting pant will have on sperm production (spermatogenesis) in man is almost inconsequential, since this has been proven not to lead to any significant rise in temperature inside the scrotum.

Congenital problems Usually, testes descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum just before birth in a normal termed baby. But in some very rare cases the testes never developed or descend at all! Un-descended testes will not be able to produce spermatozoa. These are examples of

Males should be involved in the pregnancy process

congenital factors, that is, problems that developed with conception and during pregnancy. There are others e.g. chromosomal problems like Klinifelter’s (XXY) syndrome and Supermale syndrome (XYY); however, elaboration on these not so common cases is beyond the intended purview of today’s publication.

Hormones – particularly FSH, LH and Testosterone – play important and complex interdependent roles in the production and maintenance of the spermatozoa. Such that an unbalanced production in any of these hormones might invariably lead to low production and guarantee less survival of the sperm cells.

Sexually transmitted Infection Another common cause of infertility in male is a past history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) with gonococcus and Chlamydia, among others. These can lead to painful ejaculation and blockage of the tubes through which the semen transverses from the storage place, at the head of the testis called the epididymis,en-route the connecting tube, called the vas deferens, to the urethra i.e. the tube inside the penis, through which the semen, and also urine, eventually passes to the exterior. Consequently, these conditions can cause very low sperm count (oligospermia) or no sperm cell in the ejaculated fluid (azoospermia) due to the blockages.

Fortunately, some cases, certainly not all, of low sperm count that is due to previous STI are known to respond to medication, after appropriate semen culture and sensitivity tests have been carried out. Others may have to make do with the now available advanced assisted reproductive technologies.

Surgical Problems Serious past surgical condition such as Torsion of the testis can also compromised the integrity of the testis in future, leading to inadequate sperm production and childlessness. Torsion as the names implies is a condition, not uncommon, where the testis is twisted on itself causing an excruciating abdominal and testicular pain that is sudden in onset and could be quite distressing.

It requires immediate medical intervention via surgical operation to save the situation especially the ability to procreate in future.

Hormonal Imbalance Another factor that can lead to low sperm count is unbalanced hormonal interplay in the production of sperm cells and their nourishment.

Problem with the sperm cells Structural abnormalities in the sperm cells are also important determinant in male infertility.

The normal structure of a sperm cell is made up of an ovoid head, which contain the genetic materials, a body and long propelling tail that assists with its unprecedented fast track movement.

Interesting to note here is that the sperm cell is the fastest living object known to man. A very important investigation to assess male infertility is the sperm analysis/count.

Semen Analysis Usually, sexual abstinence is advised three or

Artificial Intrauterine Insemination This involves the artificial collection of semen which is then directly introduced into the partner’s womb, thus improving the chances of the sperm making it to the egg, after having by-passed the hostile vaginal environment, where most of the sperm cells usually perished. This procedure readily overcomes the disadvantaged situation in men that have low sperm count. In azoospermic husbands i.e. those having zero sperm count, a donor, who is usually unknown to the couple, can donate the sperm.

Intracytoplasmic Injection (ICSI) Another very effective procedure that compensates for low sperm count in men is the advanced form of In-vitro fertilization (IVF), called Intracytoplasmic Injection (ICSI). This procedure, which is now readily available in some fertility centers in Nigeria, involves the harvesting of egg (ovum) from the woman, collection of semen from the man and the injection of a sperm cell into the ovum, thus achieving fertilization outside the body with the subsequent introduction of the resulting embryo into the womb for implantation and pregnancy to occur.

Microsurgeries I should also add that numerous microsurgical procedures are also available in some good centers within and outside country, where male with redeemable infertility benefits immensely from.

This may involve surgical repair of blocked tubes in male reproductive tract that areknown to be responsible for some cases of azoospermia and oligospermia, possibly resulting from a past sexually transmitted disease. Similarly, direct microscopic guided sperm aspiration from the storage point in the epididymis with subsequent intrauterine insemination can also overcome some cases of infertility due to no sperm cell seen in semen, which is due blocked tubes in those men.

Make NHIS Act Mandatory for All Employers of Labour, Oceanic Health Tells FG

FG Reiterates Commitment to Deliver Quality Healthcare Services

Martins Ifijeh

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Oceanic Health Management Limited, Dr. Charles Onwuzuluigbo has called on the Federal Government to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act mandatory for employers of labour of five staff and above to access health insurance.

He said despite all the government has done to see that health insurance was available to all, what is still missing was the fact that some employers of labour have still not keyed into the scheme and the benefits that follow.

Speaking during the health management organisation’s 10th year anniversary in Lagos

recently, Dr. Onwuzuluigbo said for government to adequately achieve this, it should ensure its hospitals were equipped with the needed personnel and facilities so that lack of access to healthcare will not be the issue.

“Something should also be done about the informal sector, which remains an untapped sector for health insurance.

We know government has put various initiatives in place to bring them into the fold, like the community health insurance scheme, and a lot of other informal sector schemes presently ongoing, but there still remain an apathy,” he said.

A Board Director, Oceanic Health, Dr. Abdul Wahab Ibraheem said ten years was a milestone for the HMO,

as it has grown better and stronger when compared with the humble days of the organisation, adding that its mandate of making healthcare more accessible and affordable to Nigerians has been achieved, and was still being achieved.

According to him, “the government has done well with the various efforts at making health insurance available to all, and in the next five to ten years more people would have ended up embracing the fairly new scheme in the country,” he said.

He encourage Nigerians, both poor and rich to take advantage of the enormous benefits of health insurance, adding that, “for now health insurance is somewhat limited to the formal sector. The informal sector has not yet keyed into it.

The federal government has reiterated its commitment to work with the National Assembly to provide quality healthcare service to the citizenry.

This was revealed by the Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, while presenting the Ministry’s 2016 budget performance and also defending 2017 budget to Joint House Committees on Health Institutions, Healthcare Services and HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Adewole expressed his determination to work with the National Assembly towards achieving quality healthcare to all Nigerians, adding that the ministry was ready to

provide detailed information on how the 2016 budget of the ministry was executed.

He said the ministry had two working documents National Health Act and National Health Policy, guiding the activities in the Health Sector.

Adewole said, “I am delighted to inform the Honourable members that the National Health Policy 2016 had been passed by Federal Executive Council and to me it is an important document that would guide all we shall do in the health sector.

“Two things are happening concurrently, we have the National Health Act passed by National Assembly, we have National Health Policy and both of them would translate

into new era in the health system,” Adewole said.

Speaking on residency training, the minister said that the committee inaugurated recently on residency training had submitted its report and the ministry would soon come out with the white paper on residency training.

The Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services Hon. Chike Okafor, Chairperson, House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Benty Apiafi and the Chairman, House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM), David Emmanuel Ombugadu, expressed their willingness to work with Federal Ministry of Health to improve the health of all Nigerians.

39

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBURARY 23, 2017

HEALTH

Hope for Pregnant Women in Nigeria As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Pregnancy Week despite the country’s poor maternal health indices, MTN Foundation, through its Maternal Ward Support Project, hopes to change the narrative as it supports the effort of the government. Martins Ifijeh writes While many couples suffer infertility in Nigeria but continue to nurse hope at getting pregnant someday, those who have been lucky at pregnancy seems to nurse growing fear over whether they will deliver safely or not, especially when considering maternal and child health indices in the regions they live in.

For instance, pregnant women in developed nations like the United States, Germany and Canada, where maternal and newborn deaths are barely at the minimum, often have little fears to contend with, as there exists high possibility that they would most likely deliver their babies safe and sound, with their own health also intact.

But the same cannot be said of a developing nation like Nigeria where maternal and newborn deaths still remains the highest in Africa, and just second to India globally, leaving pregnant woman at the mercy of what the country’s healthcare offers.

In fact, India and Nigeria, in all the almost 200 nations of the world, accounts for one third of the global maternal and newborn deaths in 2013, according to a maternal health advocacy platform, www. maternalhealth.org On specifics, over 52,000 Nigerian women die yearly due to pregnancy complications, delivery or post delivery complications, amounting to about 143 women dying in the country on a daily basis, according to a report by the United States government in 2016. Making Nigeria one of the worst places in the globe to give birth.

Maternal death is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.

According to a 2015 report from the WHO, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth everyday. And even more specific representation is provided

by United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), which reports that: “Every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 children under five and 143 women of childbearing age, making it the country with the second largest contributor to under–five mortality and maternal death rate in the world. Also, for every 10 minutes, one woman dies on account of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria.”

Additionally, death of newborn babies in Nigeria is said to represent a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under five years. The majority of these deaths reportedly occur

within the first week of life, mainly due to complications during pregnancy and delivery, reflecting the intimate link between newborn survival and the quality of maternal care.

With Nigeria still lacking behind in solving its poor maternal and child health issues, even as it failed to meet the just ended target given in the Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5), experts have identified lack of access, affordability and availability to quality healthcare; lack of awareness by the citizens on family planning; and apathy among Nigerian women to patronise skilled healthcare (including skilled birth attendants) as the major causal factors for the abysmally poor maternal and child health indices in the country.

It is in tackling this and changing the country’s narrative over maternal indices that the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, has called for collaborative efforts toward tackling the issue head on through the government, citizens, well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations.

According to her, “no woman deserves to die during childbirth, as the process itself should be a source of happiness and not sadness to the society. With the establishment of quality healthcare facilities and the citizens’ willingness to patronise them, the maternal and newborn health indices will greatly improve.

“The lives of our mothers and their children are of great importance to us. The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, remains of great concern to everyone who cares.

As the world marks the Pregnancy Week, we want to encourage our pregnant and nursing mothers to take very good care of themselves. They should register in health centres nearest to them for adequate care and regular check up by qualified medical personnel.”

Ugboma stated that the MTN Foundation has continued to champion causes to support the reduction of maternal deaths in the country through its Maternal Ward Support Project which will cut across several states in the nation.

“At MTN Foundation, we are committed to complementing government’s efforts in reducing maternal child mortality ratio. This informs our decision to invest in the revamping of some maternal wards in General Hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“We believe that Nigeria can overcome these challenges with the support not only of public institutions but also of public spirited individuals and private organisations; if we all show our commitment,” she said.

The first phase which has six beneficiary states including Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, Abia, Cross River and Oyo

Pregnant women

have been completed. A total of 24 selected hospitals in these states benefited this time.

For instance, General Hospital, Shargari, (Sokoto), General Hospital, Gwadabawa (Sokoto), General Hospital, Lapai (Niger), Jubrin Mai Gwari Hospital, (Kaduna) and General Hospital, Tabuwal (Sokoto) have taken ownership of the maternal wards equipped and renovated by the Foundation. Others include the General Hospital Kafanchan (Kaduna), Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan (Oyo) and Ring Road State Hospital Ibadan (Oyo).

Ugboma explained that the hospitals were equipped with

ultra-modern executive beds, incubators among other facilities, and were renovated to create a beautiful ambiance.

The modernised wards would contribute significantly to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality rate in the state and the nation as a whole.

“Each of the wards is equipped with 20 hospital beds with cardiac rest, 20 standard hospital mattresses, 20 standard hospital bed pillows, 10 four-way foldable ward screens, 20 metal bedside cupboards, 20 visitors’ chairs, 10 drip stands, 20 hydraulic over-bed tables, 10 height adjustable baby cots and two

Carl Novel baby incubators,” she said.

The Foundation hopes to commence the second phase very soon with six other states benefitting from it.

“It is heartwarming to note that beneficiary states thus far have shown their commitment and desire to pull their people out of the doldrums of maternal mortality as they continue to drum their support for the Foundation’s initiative,” she noted.

For the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal who spoke through his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale Shuni, proximity to accessing care is

the most attractive incentive of the Foundation’s gesture.

“The Foundation, has brought healthcare closer to our people, as pregnant and nursing mothers in Shagari Local Government Area will not have reasons to travel as far as Sokoto capital to access healthcare thus minimising the stress and rigour that usually come with such journey for the mother as the government.

We thank MTN Foundation for being a great friend and for bringing a world class international standard maternal ward to the grass root local government,” he said.

Confirming the essence of closeness to care, the Medical Director at the General Hospital, Lapai, Niger State during the unveiling of the maternal ward at the hospital said, “most of the pregnant women go to other health facilities to have their delivery and along the line some may have complications before they come to the general hospital. Some cases get to us at a very critical stage, but we have always tried our best to address the situation, unfortunately, some of these cases may become fatal. But now, that will be reduced greatly with this facility.”

Aside the facilities provided, advocacy and education are very key to reducing maternal mortality. According to Dr. Funmi Soneye, a Peadtric Surgeon at the University College Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, the mothers also needed to be well educated

Niger to establish another FG to Increase Support for school of nursing People Affected by Leprosy Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger state government is to establish another school of nursing in Kontagora to bring the number of such educational institutions in the state to three.

The two other schools of nursing are located in Minna the state capital and in Bida town. Already advertisement for the employment of management staff for the Kontagora institution has been published in the state Newspaper The Weekly Newsline.

Commissioner for Information Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa said in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna on Tuesday that the establishment of the school of Nursing Kontagora would not affect the existence of those in Minna and Bida towns.

Vatsa said government’s intention was to widen the opportunities available to the people of the state seeking to take to nursing and midwifery as a profession “ It is untrue, baseless and unfounded the claim that the school of Nursing Bida will be moved to Kontagora rather

government is establishing the new school of Nursing in Kontagora in addition to the existing one in Bida to boost healthcare delivery through manpower development”.

“The plan to establish the second School of Nursing in Kontagora has been in the pipeline before now” adding that “there is nothing wrong in having two Schools of Nursing in the State considering the premium the present administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello place on Healthcare service delivery at both secondary and primary levels”.

Vatsa added that the number of applicants seeking admission into the three middle cadre health training institutions in the State as well as the school of nursing had made it justifiable to establish another school of nursing in the state. The commissioner dismissed as unnecessary the apprehension by some people that government would move the school of nursing from Bida rather government would renovate it to make it meet the standard for the accreditation of it’s programmes.

Kuni Tyessi, in Abuja The Federal Government would work with the Federal Capital Territory administration to increase support to the people affected by leprosy in the FCT and also to work with related stakeholders to support people affected by the disease across the Nigeria.

The Minister of health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole revealed this yesterday while on a visit to Yangoji Leprosy Community, Kwali Area Council, Abuja, as part of activities to mark 2017 World Leprosy Day. Prof. Adewole said that federal government would work with stakeholders to provide health facilities and other consumables to the people affected with leprosy in their various communities.

In his words, the Minister said; “ I know there are other leprosy communities that are in serious state of disrepair, I will certainly get in touch with the Minister of FCT so that together we can visit Dakwa community in FCT to access how we can support them.”

“I want to assure you that the real message we want to

let the whole world know is that Leprosy does not kill, Leprosy is preventable, it is treatable and it is curable”.

Adewole explained that the theme of this year’s World Leprosy Day “Zero Disability among children affected by Leprosy” was actually borne out of the need to prevent children from being infected with leprosy. He said that since leprosy was preventable and treatable, if anybody noticed any child with such symptoms, he/she should quickly report to the relevant authority for treatment.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Persons Affected by Leprosy, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Nasir, urged Government at all levels to support people affected by leprosy with basic health and social amenities.

“We hereby call on Government and other partners at Federal, States and Local Levels to come to our aid.

We also call on all Nigerians to see us as equal and part of the society. We need all the support to enable us actualize our full potentials towards national development”, he appealed.

40

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍąËœ 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Survey Highlights Effects of Unemployment, Poverty on Society Obinna Chima The latest public opinion poll results released by NOIPolls have revealed that majority of Nigerians cited the level of unemployment and poverty as the two top reasons for the spate of kidnappings in the country.

Greed was also mentioned by 15 percent of the respondents as another major reason why people choose kidnapping as their source of revenue. Additionally, the survey showed that 60 per cent stated that kidnapping was very prevalent in Nigeria and 43 per cent said they had

heard about some kidnap cases in their locality in the last three months further buttressing its prevalence. Interestingly, a minor five per cent claimed that there hasn’t been any case or incidence of kidnapping in their neighbourhood. To provide a brief insight into the outcomes of the various kidnap cases reported in the country, a large proportion (87 percent) of the respondents who specified that they know a victim personally said that the victim was rescued while 35 percent disclosed that a ransom was paid before the abductors released the victims.

Also, 16 percent indicated

that the kidnappers were only arrested while eight per cent confirmed that the perpetrators were both arrested and prosecuted. “This indicates the need for more vigilance and alertness on the parts of individuals while the security agencies improve on their methods of tackling such cases. “Our results also show that Nigerians have high expectations for the security agencies in handling kidnap cases as almost seven in 10 respondents (69 percent) mentioned that they would alert the security agents if they suspect any kidnapping scene,� it added.

Firstbank Introduces Firstlounge Nume Ekeghe FirstBank Nigeria Limited has stated that convenience, ease of banking and comfort are the key defining features in its partnership with First Street to redefine airport experiences of its customers and other travelers. This, it said was as a result of the launch of its travel and business lounge – FirstLounge.

The lounge located on the landside of the MMIA (pre-security) will be officially unveiled this Thursday, and it is a dedicated value-adding service initiative tailored to ease both travelers and non-travelers the stress of waiting on long queues and the endless search for comfort and convenience while at the airport. “FirstLounge is also designed

to make available lifestyle banking services such as issuance of international cards for use abroad, settlement of last minute airport-related or personal fees via bank transfer or activation of digital banking channels and withdrawal and transfer of last minutes cash via dedicated ATM points to wards and family members before travelling among many others,� it added.

Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications for FirstBank, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney stated that, “As a key driver of innovative change and in line with our commitment to convenience and ease of banking, FirstBank remains committed to leveraging evolving technology in delivering lifestyle banking services and products to travelers even as we enable

the development of the nation’s travel and tourism industry.�

Also speaking, the Chairman, First Street Limited, Mr. Richard Akerele stated that FirstBank was continuing its heritage of being first and leading the way in Nigeria with new innovative ideas and exemplary customer service. This New lounge will not only raise the bar of standard operations in our airports but provide efficient banking services to existing and new customers in a comfortable and secure state of the art environment. The lounge will offer interactive internet hardware and software facilities , high speed internet for last minute communications, with light meals, snacks, a variety of beverages served by well trained staff in an air conditioned and quiet environment’.

FCMB Gives Out Car, Other Prizes in Promo Samuel Precious Onyekachi was a proud winner of a brand new Hyundai Veloster car, courtesy of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited’s ‘Flexx’ promo.

She emerged at the draws ceremony held at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, recently. The event was part of the bank’s activities to celebrate this year’s Valentine Day. According to a statement from the bank, among other fantastic prizes doled out to the hundreds of students who graced the colourful and fun-filled event, another set of 100 winners

received smart phones, while 20 others were beneficiaries of bursary awards to the tune of N50,000.00 each.

The promo, which ran for nine months, was among the benefits to customers that opened FCMB’s youth-centric banking product, known as Flexx account. To participate in the reward scheme, all a Flexx account holder was required to do was to maintain an average balance of N10,000.00 monthly within the promo period. The bank had in July last year, unveiled the FCMB Flexx Hub, an exclusive banking arena for

its youth customers who hold the Flexx account. It presently has Flexx Hubs at MediLag and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna state, with plans to open additional ones in campuses across Nigeria this year. The Flexx proposition is targeted at young people who are actively seeking platforms that allow them express their uniqueness, while building skills for financial success. It is designed to meet the overall financial needs of young people within the age range of 16 and 25 years, where and how they want those needs met.

UPMFB Disburses N920.2 Million The Enugu based Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank (UPMFB) owned by the Catholic diocese of Enugu said it made a total disbursement of N920,150,162 to a total of 4,145 poor individuals and groups in 2016. This, exceeded its micro loans target for the year by N82,634,794.

In a statement, UPMFB’s Head of Credit, Mr. Charles Udeani, said that out of the N920.2million disbursed, a total of 1,703 female beneficiaries received N500.4million while a total of 2,442 male beneficiaries received the remaining amount of N419.8million. Udeani further explained that out of the total disbursement, the sum of N204,586,048 went to 981

rural dwellers spread across many local government areas in Enugu State.

The bank’s Head of Credit said the bank disbursed N523,757,434 of the N920.2m to 3,944 active poor persons, as micro loans, exceeding its target for micro loans disbursement in 2016 by N82,634794. Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank’s micro loan disbursement target for 2016 was N441,122,640.

A total of 2,333 active poor male beneficiaries received the sum of N272,858,256 of the micro loans, while 1,611 active poor female beneficiaries got the sum of N250,899,178 of the micro loans in the year ended.

To step up its action of extending the federal government’s

financial inclusion policy to the unbanked people, especially active poor people in the rural areas, the Umuchinemere Procredit Micro Finance Bank said it also embarked on vigorous sensitisation of members of the public across all its areas of operation, in addition to its introduction of new products and rendering of financial services that meet the contemporary times needs of the active poor people for their up lift out of poverty.

They included the leasing of micro, small, and even medium scale enterprises equipment of different types and sizes to promote and encourage entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation, as well as steady extension of its operations to the rural areas.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(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

12,251,895.85

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,612,243.68

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,654,268.86

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,774,684.47

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,705,049.41

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

6,242,932.95

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

2,537,883.55

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,424,953.01

--Other Assets Net

-9,738,841.27

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,580,594.55

--Currency in Circulation

1,825,664.51

--Banks Reserves

4,415,126.62 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % )

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯͲϹ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY 21, FEBRUARY 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $53.88 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $53.49 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

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͺͻ˜ ͺ͸͹͵

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

22-Feb-17

21-Feb-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

168.99

168.99

0.00%

2,879,675,346,370.95

9.20

18.36

5.07

4.73%

3.85

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

129.99

125.00

3.99%

1,030,703,824,431.12

4.03

32.22

3.42

2.77%

6.29

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

23.72

24.01

-1.21%

698,107,571,193.28

4.90

4.84

1.74

7.46%

1.42

04 Zenith Bank Plc

14.80

14.70

0.68%

464,668,108,032.80

3.91

3.79

0.98

12.16%

0.67

05 Nestle Nigeria Plc

576.00

599.99

-4.00%

456,570,001,152.00

8.81

65.37

2.64

5.03%

14.47

06 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

370.01

370.01

0.00%

204,730,348,913.13 -44.58

-8.30

2.64

4.30%

0.52

6.84

6.88

-0.58%

197,867,325,956.04

2.59

2.64

0.56

8.04%

0.45

47.00

47.00

0.00%

186,612,421,115.00

0.03 1,607.40

2.62

2.77%

4.46

9.99

9.85

1.42%

183,312,016,637.85

0.68

14.77

0.31

6.21%

0.29

39.00

39.90

-2.26%

177,641,170,590.00

-9.39

-4.15

0.83

7.69%

0.88

11 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.75

4.76

-0.21%

172,327,750,029.50

1.75

2.72

0.51

12.63%

0.40

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

16.55

16.55

0.00%

165,500,000,000.00

2.04

8.13

1.18

0.60%

1.41

07 Access Bank Plc 08 Presco Plc 09 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 10 Lafarge Africa Plc

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

30.69

32.30

-4.98%

116,109,361,912.50

0.69

44.34

1.75

0.16%

12.38

14 FBN Holdings Plc

3.17

3.27

-3.06%

113,788,078,150.64

0.21

15.28

0.21

4.73%

0.18

15 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

275.90

275.99

-0.03%

99,488,232,785.80

19.32

14.28

1.10

2.61%

5.37

16 Guinness Nig Plc

64.88

62.03

4.59%

97,702,025,637.44

-3.06

-21.22

0.95

4.93%

2.48

17 Total Nigeria Plc

273.01

273.01

0.00%

92,692,856,719.37

38.02

7.18

0.34

5.13%

4.07

6.19

6.19

0.00%

74,280,000,000.00

1.03

6.03

0.52

8.08%

1.19

53.00

53.20

-0.38%

69,031,498,459.00

3.31

16.03

0.45

6.51%

1.60

106.50

106.50

0.00%

68,222,873,659.50

-0.05

0.73

2.07%

3.07

4.95

4.84

2.27%

59,571,363,525.30

-3.15

-1.57

0.23

15.15%

0.37

22 International Breweries Plc

15.70

15.70

0.00%

51,719,713,696.00

0.02

696.79

1.94

1.59%

4.71

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

38.39

38.39

0.00%

50,674,800,000.00

-2.95

-13.03

0.43

3.91%

2.67

24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

17.80

17.98

-1.00%

46,711,421,928.60

-1.19

-14.92

0.11

11.24%

0.47

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

44.18

44.18

0.00%

42,143,743,800.00

4.82

9.16

6.41

0.23%

2.61

0.74

0.77

-3.90%

28,653,538,094.50

-0.47

-1.59

0.55

0.00%

0.39

18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 19 Forte Oil Plc. 20 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc 21 Oando Plc

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 27 FCMB Group Plc

1.30

1.30

0.00%

25,743,524,015.30

0.61

2.12

0.16

7.69%

0.14

12.65

13.30

-4.89%

24,298,934,495.55

3.37

3.75

0.32

7.91%

0.32

29 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.82

0.82

0.00%

23,749,320,267.44

0.39

2.12

0.16

19.51%

0.13

30 Sterling Bank Plc

0.75

0.75

0.00%

21,592,813,594.50

0.29

2.61

0.20

12.00%

0.26

29.60

29.60

0.00%

20,720,000,000.00

2.28

12.96

3.11

3.89%

12.11

32 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.40

3.40

0.00%

19,998,338,263.00

0.76

4.46

0.55

4.12%

0.70

33 Diamond Bank Plc

0.85

0.85

0.00%

19,686,330,622.80

-0.29

-2.90

0.09

0.00%

0.09

34 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

7.35

7.35

0.00%

19,473,372,078.30

0.85

8.65

1.04

7.48%

2.63

35 Wema Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

19,287,233,040.50

0.06

8.39

0.38

0.00%

0.41

14.75

14.75

0.00%

17,639,178,198.00

-2.98

-4.94

0.63

2.03%

2.01

37 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

9.00

9.00

0.00%

16,903,818,360.00

0.50

18.02

0.60

14.44%

1.65

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.50

1.50

0.00%

15,750,000,000.00

0.28

5.38

0.79

3.33%

0.75

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

13.88

13.88

0.00%

13,880,000,000.00

5.69

2.44

0.97

0.72%

0.37

40 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.04

1.09

-4.59%

10,787,654,084.48

0.42

2.48

0.49

11.54%

0.58

41 Unity Bank Plc

0.79

0.79

0.00%

9,234,576,974.18

-0.10

-7.71

0.14

0.00%

0.11

42 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.00

1.00

0.00%

7,930,197,658.00

-0.40

-2.47

0.16

16.00%

0.24

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,940,150,705.00

-2.93

-0.17

0.04

60.00%

0.07

44 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

45 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

46 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

4.15

4.28

-3.04%

5,215,212,728.90

0.22

18.96

0.47

2.41%

0.49

47 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.60

0.60

0.00%

4,158,122,688.00

0.22

2.69

0.14

8.33%

0.41

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.45

2.45

0.00%

3,979,335,937.50

0.15

16.21

0.49

8.16%

0.66

49 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

1.90

1.99

-4.52%

3,265,624,990.50

0.30

6.35

0.77

36.84%

0.09

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.00

1.00

0.00%

1,500,000,000.00

0.24

4.25

0.23

5.00%

0.23

28 U A C N Plc

31 Cap Plc

36 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

TOTAL

8,152,595,366,820.27

TOTAL MARKET CAP

8,738,456,388,440.85

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

93.30%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 21-Feb-1

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

25,251.63 8.74

25,249.74 8.74

-0.01% -0.01%

104.65 8.15

104.71 8.15

0.05% 0.05%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 22-Feb-17

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open 21-Feb-1

Guinness Nig Plc Nigerian Breweries Plc Oando Plc Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Zenith Bank Plc

Close Change % 22-Feb-17

62.03 125.00 4.84 9.85

64.88 129.99 4.95 9.99

4.59% 3.99% 2.27% 1.42%

14.70

14.80

0.68%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open 21-Feb-1

Unilever Nigeria Plc U A C N Plc Continental Reinsurance Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited Nestle Nigeria Plc

Close Change % 22-Feb-17

32.30 13.30 1.09 1.99

30.69 12.65 1.04 1.90

-4.98% -4.89% -4.59% -4.52%

599.99

576.00

-4.00%

Market closes with a diffident 0.01% loss Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017 ended on a flat note as the stock market closed fairly red. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance and Oil & Gas (Save Consumer Goods).

Furthermore, trading activities decreased in volume as 118.46m shares worth of N1.80 billion in 2,579 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from 131.16m shares worth of N2.75 billion in 2,740 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Zenith Bank Plc, United Capital Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc, while Zenith Bank Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today falls by 97.88% to US$55.83 per barrel.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed relatively negative with 0.01% (-1.89) decrease to close at 25,249.74 from 25,251.63 the previous trading day. Market capitalization depreciated in tandem to N8.74 trillion from N8.74 trillion of prior trading day. In contrast, the Thisday BGL 50 Index sustained its increase of 0.05 to 104.71 from 104.65 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.15 trillion from N8.15 trillion of the previous trading day.

Market breath closed positive today as 8 stocks gained on the bourse while 19 stocks declined, leaving 51 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack was Guinness Nig. Plc with a gain of 4.59% to close at N64.88 per share. It was closely followed by Nigerian Breweries Plc with a gain of 3.99% to close at N129.99 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: N.E.M Insurance Co (Nig) Plc, Oando Plc and NPF Microfinance Bank Plc among other. On the decliners’ list, Unilever Nigeria Plc led with a loss of 4.98% to close at N30.69 per share. It was closely followed by UACN Plc with a loss of 4.89% to close at N12.65 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: United Capital Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc, UACN Property Development Co. Limited and other.

Topping the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list is Guinness Nig. Plc as it emerged as the day’s toast of investors with a gain of 4.59% to close at N64.88 per share. It was followed by Nigerian Breweries Plc with a gain of 3.99% to close at N129.99 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Oando Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Zenith Bank Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Unilever Nigeria Plc lead the pack with a loss of 4.98% to close at N30.69 per share.

It was followed by UACN Plc with a loss of 4.89% to close at N12.65 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Continental Reinsurance Plc, UACN Property Development Co. Limited and Nestle Nigeria Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

42

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

MARKET NEWS

Transcorp Hotels Posts Marginal Increase in Profit After Tax Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transcorp Plc has posted a profit after tax of N4.095 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, showing an increase of 17 per cent above the N3.497 billion recorded in 2015. Also, the directors recommended a dividend of 40 kobo per share.

The audited results showed revenue of N15.312 billion, compared with 13.979 billion in 2015. This was driven by certain key events including visits by very high profile guests, many foreign heads of governments and representatives of various consulates. The hotel hosted number of annual general meetings (AGMs) several bluechip companies and also recorded visits by the CEOs of world

T H E

football governing body (FIFA) and many Fortune 500 CEOs and their equivalents. The company’s revenue also improved due to aggressive business development through market segmentation and competitive rates for rooms, food and beverage and corporate events.

Cost of sales stood at N3.889 billion, compared with N3.362 billion, while gross profit before increased from N10.617 billion to

N I G E R I A N

N11.421 billion. Administrative expenses, impacted by the high inflationary trend that characterised the year, rose jumped from N5.943 billion to N7.323 billion.

Net finance cost moderated from N594 million to N575 million.

Consequently, profit after tax improved from N3.497 billion to N4.095 billion. Hence, the directors recommended a dividend of 40 kobo.

Transcorp Hotels recorded

STO C K

also some achievement in 2016.

For instance, for the fourth year in a row, the hotel emerged as the proud recipient of five prestigious awards at the 23rd World Travel Awards: Africa’s leading business hotel, Nigeria’s leading business hotel, Nigeria’s leading hotel; Nigeria’s leading hotel suite (the presidential suite) and Nigeria’s leading MICE hotel. The World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally

E XC H A N G E

as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Transcorp Hilton Abuja also clinched the 2016 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choic awards for hotels (the highest honour to be given by TripAdvisor), ranking first out of 64 hotels in Abuja based on the reviews and opinions of the global travel community.

43

˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Top Services Limited REIT Woos Investors with Dividend Joshua Odebisi Top Services Limited, which is has floated a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) to raise N20 billion from the capital has said investors will receive dividend at the end of the current financial year.

The TSL REIT initial public offering opened on February 1. There are 20 million units of N100 each at par.

Speaking at the ‘Fact behind the offer’ presentation

at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recently, the Managing Director of First Ally Asstet Management Limited, which is the fund managers to REIT, Mr. Winston Osuchukwu declared that “in the first year, a dividend will be declared.”

“We will definitely pay dividend to shareholders of the company at the end of the current financial year, but I don’t know how much that will be paid; but we will definitely pay dividend,” Osuchukwu said.

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

Osuchukwu said the funds raised from this offer would make possible the purchase of various retail commercial properties, located in the South West of Nigeria.

According to him, the TSL REIT will invest in retail related real estate assets that have established occupancy levels. He noted that the fund does not intend to take on projects at the development or construction stage and has identified four malls that will constitute

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 21-Feb-2017, unless otherwise stated.

the initial investments.

The identified malls are: Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall, Surulere, Lagos State, Apapa Mall, Apapa, Lagos State, Cocoa Mall, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State and Akure Mal, Akure, Ondo State Giving reasons to invest in the REIT, Osuchukwu cited the stable and regular income distribution from diversified portfolio of real estate and real estate related assets, giving pension fund administrators access to retail related real estate in a tradeable vehicle

(usually only available via private equity funds) and existing long term leases with tenants.

Other reasons to invest in REIT, according to him, are: REIT allow for diversification of an investment portfolio thereby reducing risks, deposit of pre-executed agreements with the Custodian by the sponsor prior to the offer. He encouraged other fund managers to take advantage of the opportunities available in the REIT market through

product innovations that meets investors’ needs and appetite.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema, the facts behind the offer was designed to enable the sponsors to provide information on the offering to the key stakeholders in the market.

“It shows the confidence the Sponsors and fund managers have on our platform as a mechanism to bring issuers and investors together,” Onyema said.

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 126.59 126.85 -0.42% Nigeria International Debt Fund 217.10 217.49 0.79% 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 -1.36% 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 17.74% 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 12.03 12.40 -2.54% ARM Discovery Fund 284.06 292.63 -1.08% ARM Ethical Fund 21.82 22.48 -2.34% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.68% 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 106.51 107.25 1.36% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.70% 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 2.18 2.24 0.45% Paramount Equity Fund 9.47 9.71 1.16% Women's Investment Fund 86.36 88.57 2.08% 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 17.26% 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 1,114.76 1,115.82 2.23% FBN Heritage Fund 108.93 109.64 -2.39% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 15.82% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $105.93 $106.64 1.82% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $105.65 $106.36 2.24% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 112.22 113.77 -0.37% 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 0.93 0.94 -0.53% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.62 2.62 2.07% 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 2,167.68 2,192.79 -1.89% Coral Income Fund 2,159.71 2,159.71 2.63% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.28% 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 1.69 1.71 0.60% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.55%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 0.99 1.01 0.42% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,016.99 1,016.99 1.41% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 9.56 9.65 -1.03% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.90% 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 1.09% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.41 10.44 0.02% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 15.10% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 108.98 109.90 7.05% 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 1.47% 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 1,808.89 1,818.50 -1.23% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 152.63 152.63 -0.86% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.74 0.75 -3.25% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 189.84 189.84 1.58% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 126.59 128.21 -2.50% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.43% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,198.79 7,280.03 -5.09% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.12 1.13 7.50% United Capital Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 18.25% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 -1.41% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.78 9.95 2.46% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.09 11.18 -3.22% Zenith Income Fund 17.09 17.09 6.51%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 124.62

1.01% 0.52%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.76 70.18

7.86 71.50

-11.55% -7.39%

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

2.38 4.81 11.29 14.08 123.93

2.42 4.89 11.39 14.28 125.93

-13.21% -31.40% -5.82% -11.65% -4.55%

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.

44

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017 T H I S D AY

RC 2974

nigerian agip oil company limited Operator of the NNPC/NAOC/OANDO Oil Joint Venture.

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FLOWLINE REPLACEMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN NAOC LAND & SWAMP AREAS OF OPERATION (NipeX Ref.00000100) 1.

INTRODUCTION Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) intends to put in place open contracts for the Flowline Replacement Activities within NAOC Land &Swamp Areas of Operation for the period of three (3) years

c) If you are not listed in a product/service category but you are registered with DPR to do business, contact NipeX office at 30, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi Lagos with your DPR certificate as evidence for verification and necessary update.

NAOC therefore uses this medium to inform suitable and reputable Companies having requisite experience and resources for the execution of project of this magnitude to register or update their registration with NipeX for consideration in the subject opportunity.

d) To initiate the NJQS pre-qualification process, access www.nipexng.com to download application form, make necessary payments and contact NipeX office for further action

2.

SCOPE OF SERVICE Activities requested: This shall include but not limited to: a. Mobilisation to site. i.Mobilisation of functional materials, equipment and qualified personnel t o site b. Carry out detailed verification to ascertain the actual extent of pipes to be replaced as a result of damage/corrosion of the facility. c. Carry out bush clearing of the existing ROW where applicable d. In line with HSE Oil recovery crew, ensure cleaning and containment of crude in the affected area if polluted where applicable to ensure that repair operation is carried out safely. This shall include: i. Create containment pit, personnel egress, cleaning and foaming of affected area around the ROW with fire retardant chemical foam to provide a safe zone for hot work and repair operations. General clean up, containment and crude recovery is usually carried out by HSE-EQC e. Excavation to expose affected section of the facility when corroded and buried. f. Gas testing prior hot work and continuous gas testing (if necessary) g. Stringing of pipes along the identified section on the ROW h. Welding of the strung pipe i. Carry out NDT (X-ray) of all welded joint in accordance with standard j. Carry out flushing and hydrotest of welded section prior tie-in k. Carry out Tie-in activities (Golden Joints) l. Priming and wrapping with polyken tape/shrinkable sleeves (as may be applicable) m. Ditching and laying of flowline in ditch where applicable in accordance with NAOC standard. n. Backfilling o. Site restoration p. Demobilisation i. Submission of As built and alignment drawing (3 hard copies) 3.

e) To be eligible, all tenders must comply with the Nigerian Content requirements in the NipeX system.

4. NIGERIAN CONTENT Bidders are invited to express complete understanding, willingness and commitment to develop in-country capability and capacity for related items in compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD Act, 2010).

Pursuant to the above, bidders' submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria defined in the NOGICD Act provisions and Schedule.

Only bidders whose submissions are in compliance shall proceed to the next stage of the tendering process

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS a) To be eligible for this tender exercise, interested Contractors are required to be pre-qualified in the 3.05.01 – Steel/Piping/ Mechanical Services)category A-Din NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) database. All successfully pre-qualified suppliers in this category will receive Invitation to Technical Tender (ITT).

The following are some information/documentation that will be required for submission at the ITT stage: 1. Demonstrate that the entity is a Nigerian Registered Company, or Nigerian Registered Company as the contracting entity in genuine alliance or joint venture with foreign company with details on scope and responsibilities of parties for this work. Such companies must show evidence of joint venture binding agreement duly signed by the CEO of both companies including evidence or plans of physical operational presence and set-up in Nigeria 2. Nigerian Content Plan with detailed description of the role, work scope, manhours and responsibilities of all Nigerian companies and personnel that are involved in executing the service; 3. Details of Company ownership and shareholding structure with certified true copies of CAC forms CO2 and CO7, including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence of entity's incorporation; 4. Supplier's sourcing strategy/plan for this scope of service; and evidence of source of products, materials etc.; 5. Current and in-place organization structure with detailed experience and skills of key management personnel with names; 6. Evidence (personnel list and positions with organization chart to substantiate) of percentage of management that are Nigerian nationals and the percentage of the total workforce that are Nigerians; 7. Detailed training plan for the service; 8. Detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities & infrastructure (assets, equipment, storage facilities etc) in Nigeria to support this contract or submit a credible and verifiable plan towards setting-up; 9. Details of the applicant's relationship with local suppliers and service providers (e.g. in the management of the logistic, personnel);

b) To determine if you are pre-qualified and view the product/service category you are listed for: Open www.nipexng.com and access NJQS with your log in details, click on continue Joint Qualification Scheme tool, click check my supplier status and then click supplier product group.

NOTE: Only Nigerian Companies are qualified for this service. · Bidders shall be requested to provide evidence to show their compliance with the above listed requirements at the ITT stage. · Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a “FATAL FLAW.”

5.

CLOSING DATE Only tenderers who are registered with the relevant NJQS product/service category,3.05.01 – Steel/Piping/Mechanical Services)category A-D. as at 15th of March,2017, being the advert closing date, shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

Please visit the NipeX Portal at www.nipexng.com for this Advert and other information.

6.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This advertisement of “Tender Opportunity” shall not be construed as a commitment on part of NAOC, nor shall it entitle Applicants to make any claims whatsoever and/or seek any indemnity from NAOC and/or any of its Partners by virtue of such Applicants having responded to this Advert The contract is proposed to commence in the Q3 of 2017.

Seven contracts (Four for Land and Three for Swamp) will be awarded at the end of the tender exercise to the lowest responsive technically qualified applicants.

The contract will be progressed through the NipeX system.

MANAGEMENT

T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

45

46

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017 T H I S D AY

RC 2974

nigerian agip oil company limited Operator of the NNPC/NAOC/OANDO Oil Joint Venture.

TENDER OPPORTUNITY PROVISION OF EXTERNAL PAINTING / PROTECTIVE COATING SERVICES ON NAOC LAND / SWAMP PRODUCTION / PROCESS FACILITIES NIPEX TENDER NO: 3100129 1.

INTRODUCTION Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) intends to put in place an open contract for external painting / protective coating services on NAOC Land and Swamp Production / Process Facilities.

Contractor shall take coverage of all costs and expenses for all services provided hereunder for the duration of the contract.

The proposed open contract shall cover a period of two (2) years plus one (1) year optional extension.

NAOC through this Tender, announces to interested reputable Nigerian Companies and NJQS prequalified Companies in line with Clause 3 (2) of the NOGICD Act 2010' of the defined scope of services as hereunder outlined: 2.

SCOPE OF WORK This shall include but not limited to the following: ·

Provision of services for external painting / protective coating services on Land / Swamp production / process facilities. Facilities under this scope include pressure vessels, utility vessels, flare systems, process skids / piping, platforms, risers, oil storage tanks, manifold skids, pump skids, fire fighting facilities etc.

·

Contractor shall perform external painting / protective coating services on call-off basis and services shall include but not limited to surface preparation, painting application, quality control, quality assurance and project management system in full compliance with Company's specifications.

·

All activities under the scope of this project shall be carried out in full respect of Company's HSE and security policies.

·

Contractor shall provide all materials, personnel, equipment / tools / instruments, logistics and technical assistance required for the services in accordance with Company's requirements.

·

Contractor shall continuously apply the approved quality control / assurance plan for the project throughout the duration of the contract in order to ensure that KPIs conditions are met.

3.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS a) To be eligible for this tender exercise, interested Contractors are required to be pre-qualified under Product Code 30506 – Surface Treatment, Sandblasting, Painting, Coating and Fireproofing, Categories A, B, C & D in NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) database. All successfully prequalified suppliers in this categories will receive Invitation to Technical Tender (ITT). b) To confirm if you are pre-qualified and view the product/service category you are listed for: Open www.nipexng.com and access NJQS with your log in details, click on continue Joint Qualification Scheme tool, click check my supplier status and then click supplier product group. c) If you are not listed in a product/service category but you are registered with DPR to do business, contact NipeX office at 30, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi Lagos with your DPR certificate as evidence for verification and necessary update. d) To initiate the NJQS pre-qualification process, access www.nipexng.com to download application form, make necessary payments and contact NipeX office for further action. e) To be eligible, all tenders must comply with the Nigerian Content

requirements in the NipeX system.

4.

NIGERIAN CONTENT Bidders are invited to express complete understanding and willingness to comply with provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content development (NOGICD) Act 2010. Consequently, bidders' submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria defined in 'The Act'.

The documentation for evaluation shall include, but not limited to the following: a. Demonstration that entity is a Nigerian registered company as defined in the NOGICD Act 2010 by providing details of Company ownership and share holding structure with clear certified true copies of bidders' Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) forms CO2 and CO7. b. Nigerian Content Plan that demonstrates the full utilization of Nigerian labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and manhours in order to achieve the minimum target as set out in the requirements of the NOGICD Act 2010. Where in-country capacity is inadequate, propose innovations to bridge the gap. c. Current and in-place organizational structure with detailed experience and skills of key management personnel with names. Provide evidence (personnel lists and positions with organizational chart to substantiate)of percentage of management that are Nigerian nationals and the percentage of the total workforce that are Nigerians. d. Where the bidding entity lacks capacity, genuine alliances with multinational companies for the purpose of technology transfer shall be encouraged. The alliance/joint venture shall be executed with binding Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by chief executives of both entities stating clear work-share ratio among the parties and time frame for growth or transfer to be achieved. e. Evidence that engineering services shall be performed in Nigeria with a clear demonstration of local office address (not P. O. Box) with verifiable evidence of staffing levels; this will be supported by full description of Nigerian office to domicile engineering. f. Detail past/present commitment to staff training and development of Nigerian personnel. g. Furnish detailed training plan for the service. h. Specific to this project, provide evidence (personnel list) of percentage management that are Nigerian nationals and of the total workforce that are Nigerians. i. Provide evidence to show that a minimum of 50% of the equipment to be deployed for the work is owned by the Nigerian subsidiary if international or multinational company is working through the Nigerian subsidiary including equipment list. j. Bidder's sourcing strategy/plan for this scope of service; and evidence of source of products, materials etc. with details of the applicants relationship with local suppliers and service providers e.g. in the management of logistics, personnel etc. k. Evidence of the address and location where procurement and project management activities will be coordinated in Nigeria. l. Detailed specific programmes in place to transfer technology and skills to Nigerian businesses.

NOTE: Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a “FATAL FLAW.” NOTE: Only Nigerian Companies are qualified for this service. · Bidders shall be requested to provide evidence to show their compliance with the above listed requirements at the ITT stage.

5.

CLOSING DATE Only tenderers who are registered with the relevant NJQS product/service category, 30506 – Surface Treatment, Sandblasting, Painting, Coating and th Fireproofing, Categories A, B, C & D as at 16 of March, 2017 being the advert closing date, shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

Please visit the NipeX Portal at www.nipexng.com for this Advert and other information.

6.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This advertisement of “Tender Opportunity” shall not be construed as a commitment on part of NAOC, nor shall it entitle Applicants to make any claims whatsoever and/or seek any indemnity from NAOC and/or any of its Partners by virtue of such Applicants having responded to this Advert.

MANAGEMENT

T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

47

48

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Kim Jong-Nam Killing: Senior North Korea Diplomat Named As Suspect Malaysian police have named a senior North Korean embassy official they want to question in connection with the killing of Kim Jong-nam.

Hyon Kwang Song is one of three more North Koreans being sought. One of the others is a state airline employee.

Police also confirmed Mr Kim, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, died after two women wiped a toxin on him at Kuala Lumpur airport.

North Korea’s embassy in Malaysia angrily denied the claims.

In a statement, it said the fact that the substance was on the hands of the women proved it could not have been a poison and called for the immediate release of the “innocent females” and a North Korean man.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur earlier on Wednesday, Malaysian Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar said they were looking for three North Koreans in addition to the

previously announced suspects.

One of them is Hyon Kwang Song, 44, the second secretary of the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The others are Kim Uk II, 37, who works for Air Koryo, and another North Korean Ri Ju U. Mr Abu Bakar said they had written to the North Korean ambassador to Malaysia asking him to allow police to interview Mr Hyon and the other two men, who are believed still to be in the country.

If the ambassador does not co-operate,“we will compel them to come to us”, he said, without giving details.

Four other North Koreans named earlier in the case are thought to have left Malaysia already.

The police chief also said security had been stepped up at the morgue where Mr Kim’s body is being kept after an attempted break-in earlier in the week.

“We knew there were attempts

by someone to break into the hospital mortuary. We had to take precautions,” he was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying.

Mr Abu Bakar also confirmed widely reported details of the 13 February killing.

A leaked video of the incident shows a man resembling Mr Kim being approached by one woman at Kuala Lumpur airport, before another woman lunges from behind and grabs his face.

‘They knew it was toxic’ Mr Abu Bakar said the two female suspects had wiped a toxin on Mr Kim’s face with their bare hands“and after that they went away”.

Indonesian authorities have said that one of the women, Siti Aisyah, had thought she was taking part in a TV prank, but Mr Abu Bakar said the women had clearly been “instructed to clean their hands”and knew the

substance was toxic.

He added that the women practised the move several times beforehand in shopping centres in Kuala Lumpur.

Authorities are still waiting for the results of the post-mortem examination of Mr Kim’s body, and are seeking his family members to provide a DNA sample.

North Korea has demanded that Mr Kim’s body be returned to

them, and has angrily objected to Malaysia conducting an autopsy of the body.

Malaysia has cited the need to carry out an investigation as Mr Kim died on their soil.

Relations between the two countries have become strained over the incident, with North Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia saying he did not trust the police investigation and Kuala Lumpur recalling its envoy in Pyongyang.

The Gambia Arrests ex-Intelligence Boss Linked to Abuse Police in The Gambia have arrested the country’s former head of the national intelligence agency and his deputy, both accused of overseeing killings, kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, torture and rape during their time in office.

Spy chief Yankuba Badjie and director of operations Sheikh Omar Jeng were detained on Monday and being investigated for potential abuses of power, spokesman Foday Conta told the DPA news agency on Wednesday.

The arrests were part of new President Adama Barrow’s attempts to re-establish democracy in the small West African nation, a police spokesman said.

Badjie took over at the intelligence agency in 2013, with Jeng as his deputy.

According to rights group Human Rights Watch, the state intelligence as well as government paramilitary forces targeted journalists, political opponents and the LGBT community over a period of two decades under the rule of longtime President

Yahya Jammeh.

In January 2015, the former government was also accused of forcible disappearances of friends and relatives of coup plotters, including elderly people and at least one minor.

Barrow has released dozens of opposition activists from prison since replacing Jammeh last month.

Jammeh caused weeks of political impasse by refusing to accept the result of the December presidential election.

International pressure, including the threat of a regional military intervention, led Jammeh on January 21 to finally accept his election defeat and fly into exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Hundreds of thousands welcomed Barrow’s return to Gambia days later.

Barrow has pledged to reverse Jammeh’s repressive policies and promised to keep The Gambia in the International Criminal Court and rejoin the Commonwealth.

Two of the wanted men are Kim Uk II (left) and Hyon Kwang Song (right)

AFP

Turkey Reverses Female Army Officers’ Headscarf Ban A ban on female army officers in Turkey wearing the Muslim headscarf has been lifted by the government.

The military is the last Turkish institution to see the ban removed. It has long been seen as the guardian of Turkey’s secular constitution.

Wearing headscarves in public institutions was banned in the 1980s.

But Turkey’s Islamist-leaning President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, argues that the ban is an illiberal vestige of the past.

The issue has been contro-

versial in Turkey for many years.

Secularists regard the headscarf as a symbol of religious conservatism and have accused President Erdogan of pushing an Islamist agenda, converting many public schools into religious ones as part of his pledge to raise “a pious generation”.

Over the past decade the ban has been removed for schools, universities, the civil service and in August for the police.

The BBC’s Mark Lowen, in Istanbul, says the secular side of Turkey now feels largely ostracised, accusing Mr Erdogan of

governing just for his conservative, religious support base.

The conservatives respond that they were long seen as second-class citizens and the headscarf is an expression of individual liberties.

Our correspondent says that Turkey’s religious-secular divide is as old as the republic itself, but is now arguably deeper than ever.

The new rules apply to regular women military officers, noncommissioned officers and female cadets. They will be allowed to wear a headscarf under their caps or berets as long as they are the

same colour as their uniforms and are not patterned, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

The military’s opposition to the government’s move has been weakened after President Erdogan’s supporters increased their authority over the armed forces following the failed 15 July coup last year.

The changes will come into effect once they are published in the official gazette.

Turkey has had a secular constitution with no state religion since 1920.

Most people in Turkey are Sunni Muslims.

Mohamed Abdullahi Inaugurated Mexican Man Kills Himself after Being Deported as New Somali President from US Somalia’s new President, Mohamed Abdullahi, has been inaugurated in the capital Mogadishu, promising to restore dignity to the troubled Horn of Africa nation but warning it will take another two decades to “fix” the country.

“Multiple challenges are ahead of our government.

Therefore, I am telling people that because of the limited resources we have, our achievements will be limited,” said Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, on Wednesday at the ceremony.

“For the past 26 years there have been conflicts and droughts, so it will take other 20 years to fix this country.”

The dual US-Somali citizen and former prime minister was sworn in at a ceremony held in the highly secured airport zone to avoid an attack by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has threatened a “vicious war” against the new government.

All major roads and streets inside and outside the capital were blocked and commercial flights were cancelled for security reasons.

A Mexican man has apparently taken his own life just half an hour after being deported from the United States.

Guadalupe Olivas Valencia, 45, jumped from a bridge at the border after he was deported for the third time.

He was found unconscious next to a plastic bag with his belongings and died in hospital a short while later.

His death came as the Trump administration issued new guidelines to widen the net for deporting illegal immigrants from the US. Witnesses said Mr Olivas was

shouting that he did not want to return to Mexico and seemed to be in severe distress.

He jumped off a bridge just yards from El Chaparral, the main border crossing point between the US city of San Diego and Tijuana in Mexico.

Local media said a plastic bag like those US Customs and Border Protection authorities put migrants’ belongings in was next to the man.

Mexican migration officials said it was the third time Mr Olivas had been deported from the US. He died of a heart attack and

concussion sustained when he hit the ground.

Mr Olivas was a native of Sinaloa, one of Mexico’s most violent states and the stronghold of the cartel formerly led by jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Many Mexicans cite high levels of violence as a reason for leaving their homeland for the US. The US government released two memos on Tuesday aimed at speeding up the removal of illegal immigrants from the US. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the US, many of them

from Mexico, and Mr Trump made immigration and border control a key part of his electoral campaign.

Earlier this month, a Mexican woman who had lived illegally in the US from the age of 14 was deported back to her home country despite protests.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security chief John Kelly are travelling to Mexico later on Wednesday.

They are due to meet President Enrique Pena Nieto on Thursday for talks about border security, law enforcement cooperation, and trade.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

49

NEWSXTRA

Osinbajo Withholds Assent to Four Bills, Senators Protest Again, Senate suspends plenary, to pass 2017 budget in March Omololu Ogunmade ËØÎ Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË About 72 hours after acting President Yemi Osinbajo assented to seven bills, the acting president yesterday returned four bills to the National Assembly after withholding his assent from such bills.

In four separate letters respectively addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Osinbajo stated different reasons he chose to withhold his assent from each bill.

The four bills are Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (Amendment) Bill 2016; Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) (Amendment) Bill 2016; Dangerous (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Assent to National Lottery (Amendment) Bill 2016.

On the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (Amendment) Bill 2016, Osinbajo said he opted to withhold his assent because “the concerns surrounding board composition, funding arrangements, limitation of liability of funds and proposals to increase levels of uncollateralised loans from N5,000 to N250,000.”

He also said he withheld his assent from Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) (Amendment) Bill 2016 because of “the concern regarding modalities for the communication of asset forfeiture orders.”

The acting president also

explained that he failed to assent to Dangerous (Amendment) Bill 2016 because of “certain words and phrases utilised in the draft bill that may be inconsistent with the Principal Act (for example Section 6 of the bill with Section 21 of the Principal Act) and the spirit behind the proposed amendments.”

In the same vein, he said he withheld his assent from Assent to National Lottery (Amendment) Bill 2016 because the “rationale for withholding assent to the bill is the existence of pending legal challenge to the competence of the National Assembly to legislate on the matter.”

But the decision of the acting president was accompanied by protests from some senators who accused the presidency of undermining their legislative powers by failing to assent to bills they passed as one of the senators reminded his colleagues of Senate’s power to override the president’s veto.

However, Saraki said issues raised by the senators were noted as he promised to forward the returned bills to the National Assembly’s legal department for proper legal advice on the bills to enable them know the way forward.

Meanwhile, the Senate again suspended plenary yesterday for another two days following reports by chairmen of the sub-committees of the Appropriation Committee that the ongoing budget defence was characterised by monumental flaws which they said made it impossible for

Obanikoro Files Suit Challenging Property Seizure by EFCC Davidson Iriekpen A former Minister of State of Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Lagos over the seizure and detention of his property.

Obanikoro and his family are seeking a court’s declaration that the forceful seizure of their personal effects constitutes a gross violation of their rights.

The applicants include Obanikoro’s wife, Moroophat; his sons, Gbolahon, Babajide and wife, Fati.

The applicants are praying the court for an order, setting aside the forceful detention of their properties on June 14, 2016.

They are demanding an “unreserved public apology,” as well as N100million as general damages against the commission.

The applicants also seeks an order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining or harassing them or entering their premises again to seize their property.

EFCC claimed that Obanikoro received suspicious payments from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through companies linked to the family.

For instance, the commission said about $1 million was transferred from the ONSA to Mob Integrated Services on March 18, 2015.

But the family, though their lawyer, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the documents and properties seized by the EFCC had nothing to do with the ONSA. They claimed that the commission violated Regulation 13 of the EFCC (Enforcement Regulation) 2010 which provides that it shall “apply and obtain” a court order to enter and search any premises.

However, EFCC has urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that it acted in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Justice Abdulazeez Anka has fixed March 28 for ruling.

them to meet the deadline for the conclusion of the budget defence.

The senators also said the failures of heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to personally appear before the respective committees to present details of disbursement of funds and expenditure in the 2016 budget as well as non-availability of breakdown of proposals in 2017 budget and other inherent flaws made the budget process complex and complicated.

However, Saraki in his

remark, said the heads of the agencies must appear before the committee today and tomorrow to make necessary submissions meant to aid the completion of the budget process at the nick of time.

He also said the leadership of the National Assembly would meet the acting president later in the evening (yesterday) over emerging challenges on the budget.

Also, the Senate had threatened to ensure zero allocations to MDAs whose heads fail to appear before

relevant committees today and tomorrow to present their budget details.

According to Senate’s spokesman, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the decision had become compelling in view of the parliament’s commitment to pass the budget second week of March.

The Senate will resume plenary on February 28.

However, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said while the National Assembly can override the veto of the acting president

on the bills, it was necessary that members are aware of the reasons for the rejection.

Briefing journalists after plenary, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak, said the acting president had already assented to seven bills from those sent to him, but returned four.

“The Committee on Justice and the relevant committees would look at the reasons proffered by the Acting President,” he said.

Namdas also announced that the house would not sit today, to allow committees continue the 2017 budget deliberations.

MEETING FOR SECURITY

R-L: Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Commander of the United States-Africa Command, General Thomas D. Waldhauser; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symingtom; and others in the delegation during the Acting President’s meeting with the visiting US-Africa Command at the State House in Abuja....yesterday ˛

Nigeria to Issue Green Bonds in April FEC approves revised National Policy on Environment Tobi Soniyi ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government is finalising arrangements to issue the nation’s first green bond in the first quarter of this year.

The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, stated this while answering questions from State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Green bonds enable capitalraising and investment for new and existing projects with environmental benefits.

The Sovereign Green Bonds project is part of a strategic process by the federal government to add to the nation’s funding options to stimulate the rebound of the economy and offer the vast majority of Nigerians a new alternative.

Mohammed said the bonds had attracted much interest with people bringing their technical supports.

According to her, with the arrangements in place, international green bonds may be issued by the end of the year.

She said: “The green bond is very much on track for issuance in the first quarter of this year.

We have had so much interest and people are actually bringing in technical support.

“This is the sovereign green bond and I think that is very important to note because what we want to do again is taking the NDCs and bringing it to life.

“It is not just a document we signed. It is taking projects out of there that will rely on resources coming from the country.

“To do that first we have to make sure it has integrity but by the end of the year, we can talk about issuing green bonds that are international.

“We already had indications from the stock exchange in the UK, China, who issue most of the green bonds in the world today over 400billion, they will be happy to come in our direction and do so.

“This is finding additional funding and focusing on better on looking at low emission projects and so it is important to see the Ministry of Power involved, Agriculture, FCT coming up with the transportation programme and the environment coming up with something on deforestation.

“So look out for the green bonds, by the beginning of April we should have it.”

Also yesterday, the council approved a Revised National Policy on Environment just as it held a valedictory service for the Minister of Environment,

Amina Muhammed, who is leaving the cabinet for the position of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General.

Muhammed said the policy looked at “all the different inter-sectoral issues that we have whether it is with water, health, power or agriculture and bring them in to have a multi-sectoral response.”

The minister noted that the policy was first formulated in 1991 and last revised in 1999.

She said: “It has become imperative that we’ve this new policy framework because what we really wanted to do is to capture some of the emerging issues that have come since then as regards environment.

“These concerns such as climate change, coastal erosion, desertification, erosion, pollution and insecurity which have been exacerbated by the struggles for environment resources, we see this in country at all levels.”

Mohammed said the new policy framework put in place a much better opportunity to engage with states, local governments and communities and executing the priorities of the change agenda.”

She also spoke on the dumping of waste in Delta State saying that government had last Tuesday sent a team to the place.

The outgoing minister said the team had secured the site to ensure no more waste was dumped there.

The former minister said government would investigate how the waste was dumped there and by who to ensure that it did not happen again.

Asked what the country stood to benefit from her appointment as Deputy Secretary General of the UN, she said the country would be able to benefit from some of the UN resolutions which the country had signed.

Mohammed said her being at UN would give Nigeria an edge at getting solutions to some of the challenges the country faced.

She said that in the next two weeks or so, the UN Security Council would be visiting Nigeria.

Adding that, “When it does, we will be showing the officials exactly what the president has been highlighting and the nexus between poverty, conflict and climate change. They will visit the north east and they will see some of the root causes of our young people being dragged to a life of terrorism.”

She said the UN has institutions that would help in tackling the problems of malnutrition on children, maternal health and other health challenges the country was grappling with.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

PDP Crisis: I’ll Quit Office after Convention, Sheriff Vows Accuses Makarfi of reneging on agreement Caretaker c’ttee replies Okorocha Onyebuchi Ezigbo ËØÎ Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has urged all those itching to get rid of him to wait for the national convention to vote for a new leader of the party.

Sheriff said prior to the declaration of the Appeal Court, both himself and the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had reached an agreement that whatever is the verdict, that no one would do anything further to destroy the party.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, he pleaded with the governors and those who are opposed to his emergence as national chairman not to do anything that would further divide the party, adding that he understands that most of them have spoken out of anger.

Sheriff said: “I am not here to remain as national chairman. As soon as we hold our national convention, I’m leaving. I will make sure that we do a credible convention, and that we elect leaders that are accepted by the grassroots, that is our mission.

I will do that by the grace of God,” he said.

Sheriff, who spoke during a solidarity visit by some PDP leaders from the South-west led

by Chief Makunjuola Ogundipe,

pleaded with all agitated members to allow peace to return to the party.

He assured that before Friday, he is going to reopen the national secretariat having transmitted all necessary court documents to the security agencies to effect its re-opening.

He said his remaining days at helm of affairs of the PDP are to work hard to reconcile the party and to reposition it to its pre-1999 position.

“I plead in the name of God, let’s bring peace to PDP. Let build this party. If you want us to change something, wait for the convention and vote for the person you like, and Nigerians and the world will see that you are validly elected by the PDP. “Yes our governors are very important, they are leaders of this party in their own right, they don’t have to divide the party. I will not come down to the level of Ayodele Fayose, I beg him to respect PDP, whatever he said about me posterity will judge him.”

He said he would devote more energy and time to the rebuilding of PDP. On the fall-out from his victory at the Appeal Court, Sheriff said he and Makarfi sat down before the ruling and agreed that they would both abide its outcome in order to let the party move forward and end the crisis.

Also yesterday, a founding member of the PDP and a

member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Professor Tunde Adeniran, canvassed for the return to dialogue and adoption of political solution to finally resolve the dispute in the party.

Meanwhile, the national caretaker committee and Sheriff have given divergent has interpretation to ruling of

the Appeal Court on the party’s leadership crisis.

While Sheriff interpreted the court verdict to mean that he and his National Executive Committee who have not resigned their position are to return to their offices, the Makarfi-led, caretaker committee said that Sheriff must allow the status quo ante as at May 21, 2016.

In a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye, the faction said the status quo implied by judgment is that “the full National Working Committee (NWC) elected at previous conventions before May 21,2016 and not the cronies that Sheriff single-handedly appointed and who are parading around

as officers of the party” Adeyeye also used the opportunity reply to the statement credited to the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, on the PDP crisis, saying that his attempt to exonerate the APC from complicity over last Monday’s action of the security agents has only exposed their guilt.

PEER REVIEW TOUR FG Approves $40m to Construct Nigeria-Cameroun Court Restrains Stella Oduah from Border Link Bridge Operating Company’s Accounts in 21 Banks

Chief Executive Officer of Build Africa, Lynda Edwards (left), with the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Kanana Genesis Primary School in Msambweni, Kenya....Tuesday

Tobi Soniyi ÓØ ÌßÔË

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the contract for the construction of a Cameroun-Nigeria border link bridge at Ikot Efiem.

The Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced this yesterday after the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council meeting at which the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, presided.

He said the construction work would gulp $38 million ,while $1.9 million would be spent on consultancy service The minister explained: “This was done under the African Development Bank procurement guidelines.

“We presented a memo to construct the CamerounNigeria border link bridge at Ikot Efiem, under the African Development Bank support for improving relationship between Cameroun and Nigeria post the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement over Bakassi.

“And council approved that bridge. It is part of the link road between the Enugu-

Abakiliki Highway which is already completed and part of larger Lagos-Mumbasa Highway.”

He said the project would improve relationship between Cameroun and Nigeria after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment over Bakassi.

Fashola also said the council approved N32bn for the resuscitation and completion of the Kaduna Eastern bypass road.

According to him, the contract which was started in 2002, was initially planned to have been completed within three years; but 15 years after, it remained uncompleted.

He said: “The project was first awarded in 2002. It was N12 billion. We have had to get approval for N22 billion verbatim and so, that takes that project cost now to N32 billion.

“The contractor was paid N5.5 billion in 2002. If we had paid the contractor N11 billion then when exchange rate was N109, it would have fetched us $96 million. If you multiply $96 million today even at the official, rate of N305 to a dollar, is now N29 billion.”

Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained Senator Stella Oduah and Sea Petroleum and Gas Company Ltd from making any withdrawals from their account and those of three other companies domiciled with 21 banks.

The other companies include: Sea Shipping Agency Ltd, Rotary Engineering Services Ltd, and Tour Afrique Company Ltd. The court made the order over an alleged indebtedness of the defendants in the sum of about $16.4 million and N100.5 million.

The court also ordered the said commercial banks harbouring the assets of Oduah and the four companies to sequestrate their indebtedness as at November 2016.

The court ordered that same should be kept in an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Federal court, pending the determination of the suit filed before the court to recover the debt.

The order of the court was sequel to an affidavit deposed to by business manager of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Akinsanya,

filed and argued before the court by its counsel, Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN).

In the affidavit, Akinsanya averred that on October 8,2012, the bank granted a lease /Cabotage Vessel Finance Facility (CVFF) to Sea Petroleum and Gas Company in the said sums, to finance one unit 5,000 MT tanker vessel.

He averred that the loan was secured by an unconditional personal guarantee of the companies director, Oduah.

He averred that same was supported by a statement of her net worth, legal mortgage of two properties worth N135 billion, and a power of Attorney of the tanker vessel in favour of Sterling Bank.

Also in support was a fully executed standing payment order and tripertite remittance agreement between First Bank Plc, Sterling Bank and Oduah.

It was further averred that between June 27, 2013, Sea Petroleum Company requested and was granted additional facilities in the sum of about $450,000 for post delivery expenses,

He said also granted was about $993,000 to meet the requisite conditions in securing the release of the tanker.

He averred that upon the persistent failure of the defendants to liquidate their indebtedness, Sterling Bank instructed its counsel to recover

the debt.

He averred that in spite of several reminders and demands, the defendants failed to liquidate their indebtedness which has culminated in the sum of $16.4 million and about N100.5 million as at November 2016.

Explosion Rocks NLNG Pipeline An explosion yesterday rocked a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

The affected pipeline is located in Rivers State, said a statement by the company.

The NLNG, according to The Cable, said it was investigating the cause of the explosion and also noted that there’s been no report of injuries and casualties thus far.

“An explosion occurred in the afternoon of February 22, 2017 on a section of the Right of Way housing two gas transmission pipelines, one of which belongs to Nigeria LNG, about three kilometres from Rumuji in Rivers State,” the statement said.

“The underlying cause of the incident is still to be determined.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

“Emergency response procedures were immediately activated and the relevant authorities notified. Communities closest to the area of the incident have been advised not to approach the site in the interest of safety.

“Other measures and engagements have also been initiated to ensure that the situation does not escalate. In the meantime, investigation into the incident is ongoing.”

The NLNG has said it will make available further updates in due course.

51

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Shettima Arrives Norway as UN, Three Countries Hold Donor Conference on N’East  UN: Nigeria seeks $1bn to provide aid to millions Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday night arrived Oslo, Norway, where he is expected to speak as the United Nations and Government of Norway, Germany and Nigeria jointly host a two-day donor conference on the humanitarian crisis arising from the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and other communities within the Lake Chad Region. Shettima left Abuja on Tuesday morning and was received at night in Oslo by Norwegian officials coordinating protocol, according to the governor’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, who accompanied him on the trip.  Tagged: ‘Oslo conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad’, the conference is scheduled to hold today and tomorrow with donors from different countries expected to make financial commitments needed by humanitarian agencies to increase aid and rebuilding of livelihoods for victims of attacks in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroun. UN envoys, humanitarian workers from the USAID, European Union and other parts of the world and foreign ministers of the three host countries are expected to grace the event. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Godfrey Onyema is leading federal government delegation while Shettima was invited given that Borno State

is worst affected by insurgent attacks.

The governor is scheduled to address some participants tomorrow before joining a panel to discuss ‘Response and Recovery towards Durable Solutions.’  The Borno State governor is speaking alongside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi; the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon; Mr. Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council with Mr. Bill Swing of the UN International Committee on Migration expected to moderate the panel.

The panelists are expected to “focus on the role of international partners in supporting returns, modalities of forging closer links between emergency response and long-term recovery, ensuring greater involvement of national and local authorities in assisting families restart their lives and that the particular needs of women and girls are addressed.� According to concept note on the conference, In Nigeria alone, 26 million people live in areas affected by Boko Haram attacks with 10.7 million people in need of life-saving assistance in the most affected areas in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. “The Boko Haram insurgency and its spill over into neighbouring Cameroun, Chad and Niger have caused the

Global Trade Eyes $1tn Annually as WTO Endorses Trade Facilitation Agreement Enelamah assures on benefits to Nigeria James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The global trading infrastructure received a landmark push yesterday as the first multilateral deal- the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) came into force after being approved by two-thirds of the 164-membercountries of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The WTO Director General, Roberto Azevedo, said the agreement would boost global trade by up to $1 trillion annually, with the biggest gains going to the poorest countries.

He said: “The impact will be bigger than the elimination of all existing tariffs around the world.�

The entry into force of the agreement, seeking to quicken the movement, release and clearance of goods across borders, ushers a new phase for trade facilitation reforms all over the world and creates a significant boost for commerce and the multilateral trading system as a whole.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, who was at the historic event, embraced the agreement.

He said: “This is indeed, a major milestone in the multilateral trading system and ties into our Ease of Doing Business

agenda. As countries proceed to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), Nigeria would like to see a WTO that is more supportive of domestic policy reforms in developing countries like Nigeria and particularly supportive of the private sector and business to drive growth.�

The TFA is expected to improve the country’s access to the international market, make it competitive and boost the acceptance level of Made-inNigeria goods across the world among other benefits.

Nigeria had on January 20 ratified the TFA when it deposited the instrument of acceptance with WTO DG, Roberto Azevedo, in Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Also, Rwanda, Oman, Chad and Jordan submitted their instruments of acceptance to bring the total number of ratifications over the required threshold of 110.

Essentially, the full implementation of the TFA is forecast to slash members’ trade costs by an average of 14.3 per cent, with developing countries having the most to gain, according to a 2015 study carried out by WTO economists.

displacement of over 2.3 million people in the region, of whom 1.77 million are internally displaced in Nigeria, while some 201,600 Nigerian refugees have sought asylum in Cameroun, Chad and Niger. The refugee-hosting countries also have sizeable IDP populations (Cameroun: 198,889; Chad: 103,876; and Niger: 121,391). Conflict continues to cause new and secondary displacement. Access to food and basic services is considerably limited and often result in negative coping mechanisms.

Livelihoods, including from cross-border trade, continue to be severely constrained, and the social cohesion among

communities has been badly damaged. The situation is further compounded by the fragile socioeconomic context of the Sahel, which includes chronic poverty, harsh climatic conditions, poor infrastructure and limited access to basic services�.  The conference aims increasing international commitment to addressing humanitarian needs and rebuilding of livelihoods and to deepen cooperation on addressing the problems. A joint outcome is expected at the end of the conference tomorrow.  Meanwhile,  as relief organisations increase response to the humanitarian emergency in the North-east, timely donor

support amounting to a little over $1 billion is required to sustain life-saving assistance to millions people devastated by Boko Haram-linked violence, the United Nations relief aid wing has said. “If the resources do not arrive in time, one in five children suffering sever acute malnutrition could die,� said Peter Lundberg, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria in a press release issued yesterday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “The likelihood of a child with severe acute malnutrition surviving is nine times less than

a properly nourished child,� he added.

According to OCHA, the eight-year-long conflict has left some 8.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in the worst-affected states of Nigeria’s north-east. In the coming months, around 5.1 million people will face severe food insecurity in the region, where some 1.8 million people have been displaced and millions are exposed to violence and abuse. “Food assistance alone will cost $1 million a day to avoid famine in a region where 450,000 children under five will suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year,� said Mr. Lundberg.

RUBBING MINDS

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Minister of State for Agriculture ,Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri ; Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; and the Minster of State for Health, Mr. Osagie Ehanire, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja....yesterday

Ë›

EFCC Recovers 17 Vehicles from Ex-Customs Boss, Dikko Inde Armsgate: Metuh knows fate Feb 23 Paul Obi Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday recovered 17 exotic vehicles in a warehouse of the former Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, located at Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna Town, Kaduna State.

According to EFCC Head of Media and Information, Wilson Uwujaren, “the recovery was sequel to an intelligence report the commission received that stolen money and property suspected to be proceeds of crime were being warehoused at the former customs boss’ premises. “Upon receipt of the intelligence, a team of operatives from the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC were deployed to carry out the investigation on the matter. “On arrival at the location, two individuals who were identified to be the custodians of the property Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe, were presented with a search warrant,� Uwujaren said.

He stated that “in the course of

the search, a total of 17 vehicles among which are brand new cars, shuttle buses and SUVs were found in the premises. “Consequently, the vehicles and the two individuals were conveyed to the commission’s zonal offices in Kaduna and Kano respectively. Investigation revealed that the warehouse in question actually belongs to the former customs boss.

Particulars of the vehicles recovered included among others: Black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number WBAFR7108BC262936.

Ash colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number KMHTC6AD4CU056038, Dark Blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386.

Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080, Black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661, Black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number

WBA3A91040F268895, Silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018, Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.

The two suspects arrested are in custody assisting the EFCC in investigation.

Meanwhile, former Public Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, will know his fate on February 23, 2017 as to whether the Federal High Court Abuja will release his international passport for him to seek medical attention outside of the country.

Metuh, who is standing trial along with Destra Investment Limited on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, will also know whether the court will grant his prayers urging the court to subpoena Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), from whom he is accused to have received N400million while he was National Security Adviser, as he would not be able to proceed with his defence, without Dasuki

taking the witness box.

Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel for Metuh had on May 23, 2016 through a previous application dated May 16, 2016 made a similar application seeking the permission of the court to allow his client “travel to the United Kingdom for five weeks to attend to his failing health�.

The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, however dismissed that application.

At the sitting today, Ikpeazu in moving the application, argued that “this application is distinct� from the earlier one, noting that, “this is a prayer for variation in bail condition�, and “bordered on the life and health of the defendant.�

He further argued that it wanted the court to subpoena Dasuki, because “without his testimony the entire defence has no foundation to rest and we didn’t go to NSA to remove money from them�.

Justice Abang, however asked him if he had called all the other witnesses the defence had forwarded to the court to which Ikpeazu answered, “No, I have not�.

52

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Five Persons Killed, Others Wounded in Owerri Bank Robbery Amby Uneze ÓØ áÏÜÜÓ About five persons including three policemen and two bank customers lost their lives in a broad-day light bank robbery in one of the new generation banks yesterday along Wethedral Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

However, one of the suspected armed robbers was also gunned

down in crossfire with security men attached to the bank before others escaped with unspecified amount of cash.

An eyewitness told THISDAY that the gunmen numbering about 12 who operated in three SUVs, trailed a bank customer who was going to lodge some amount of money in the bank.

Apparently acting on a tip-off

Kidnapping: Six Special Courts Created in Delta To ensure speedy trial of kidnappers, six special courts have been created in Delta State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said.

Governor Ifeajyi Okowa made the disclosure yesterday (22/02/17) when the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Mr Adamu Abubakar paid him a familiarization visit in Asaba.

According to the governor, “we are aware that all over the country today, the issue of kidnapping is becoming a challenge; there is no doubt that in this state, we are tackling the challenge.”

“A lot of kidnappers have been arrested and I have been informed that six special courts have been created by the Chief Judge to try kidnappers who have been arrested,” he said, adding, “such was done to ensure a speedy trial because, we have a robust law to deal with issues that concern kidnapping and those who assists them.”

On the issue of herdsmen menace, Governor Okowa observed that it was a national challenge that requires national

solution, noting that the Police was doing a lot in checking criminal activities in the state.

While assuring that his administration would continue to support the Police and other security agencies in the state, Governor Okowa reiterated, “for effective check on criminal activities, it is important for the government to have good relationship with the Police which we are doing.”

He also, used the occasion to state that his administration was on the verge to proffer lasting solution to the Ogbe-Ijaw/Aladja communal crisis that has lasted for years.

The AIG who was accompanied by top Police officers told the governor that he was on familiarization tour of the state, observing that Governor Okowa’s reputation of assisting the Police to carry out their functions was legendary.

He however appealed for structures to be erected for the Police at the buffer zone in the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijaw communities to ensure that the area is secured.

Two Expatriates Abducted in Kaduna John Shiklam ÓØ ËÎßØË A German Professor of Archaeology, Peter Breunij, and his colleague, Johannes Buringer, have been abducted by gunmen at Jenjela village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kagarko shares boundary with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and there had been repeated cases of kidnapping in the area in recent times.

Prof. Breunij is said to be the leader of a four-man team from the University of Frankfurt, Germany, working in Nigeria in collaboration with the National Commission for Museum and Monuments and other institutions on the relics of Nok culture in Nigeria.

The kidnappers however did not take along with them two ladies who are members of the team.

An eyewitness who was part of the team working with Germans said the incident happened when they resumed for work a site at Jenjela village and had started suddenly five gun men appeared from the bush and ordered them to lie down.

“They started coming one by

one, the first two with machetes, then others came with heavy guns.

“There were many people at the site who were working there, so they ordered us to lay face down and started shooting into the air in order to scare people,” the eye witness who pleaded anonymity, said.

The eyewitness added: “It was at that point that they asked the professor and his associate to follow them and they led them to the other side of the road.

“They made them to cross the road to the other side from where we were and began to lead them further into the bush.”

The eyewitness added that it was after the abductors had crossed to the other side of the road with their victims that they got up from the ground to watch was going on.

However, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Aliyu Usman, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), couldn’t immediately confirm the incident when contacted, saying he would get back.

He did not call back at the time of filing this report.

and as soon as the customer got to the bank, the bandits opened fire on his car, killing him instantly.

The source added: “One of the vehicles conveying the armed robbers drove into the bank with the victim, while others parked outside. After shooting the victim, they opened the trunk of his car to collect the money when security men engaged them in a shootout.

“Those outside the bank

started shooting to scare away passersby, while those inside the bank shot their way out after killing three security men and a bank customer who attempted to run out of the bank premises.”

An official of the bank, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that, “we were in the banking hall when we heard sporadic gunshots and locked down the building to prevent them from gaining entrance to the bank hall but one of our staff who

walked out was shot severally and is in critical condition now.”

The scene of the crime was condoned off later by armed policemen who took over the premises, while the bodies of the victims, including that of the suspected armed robber have been removed.

Meanwhile when contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident but added that it was not a bank robbery

as insinuated.

According to him, “It was not a bank robbery but a bank customer was robbed in the front of the bank and the security men attached to the bank engaged the gunmen and shot down one of them, while others fled.”

The police spokesman who was also silent on the death of policemen attached to the bank, added that the police is on the trail of the fleeing armed robbers.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT Seventeen suspected criminals including two suspected Boko Haram members being paraded by the military in Lokoja..... yesterday

Police Insist 23 INEC Officers, Six Police Officers Compromised in Rivers Rerun Elections Dele Ogbodo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Nigeria Police Force yesterday insisted that the 23 officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the six police officers indicted by the investigative panel set up by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to unravel the malpractices that characterised the Rivers re-run election were compromised.

Reacting to INEC’s report which also indicted the police in the election, which was

published yesterday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP, Jimoh Moshood, said the panel did a thorough job in their investigation.

He said police identified and had proactively taken action against the six police officers who were indicted by the investigative panel report to have compromised, engaged in serious misconduct, misused of fire arms, and for other conducts in violation of the electoral act and other enabling laws during the Rivers rerun election.

Moshood said: “They were arrested, investigated and subjected to internal disciplinary measures, after being found guilty were dismissed from the Force and paraded before the media on January 6, 2017 and are awaiting prosecution.

“Twenty-three INEC Electoral Officers and two administrative officials who were indicted by the panel were arrested, investigated and total sum of N111, 300,000 confessed to have been collected from the the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike was

recovered from them.”

The statement further read: “Consequent on the conduct of the Rivers Rerun Election of 10th December, 2017, and the attendant irregularities and violence witnessed during the election, the Police acted promptly by the setting up and inauguration of a joint Investigative Panel, made up of senior police officers and Officers of Department of State Security Service (DSS) by the IG on the 22nd December, 2016.”

Customs Invades Sango Rice Market, Seize 1,870 Bags of Rice Eromosele Abiodun The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) yesterday swooped on the popular Sango market and confiscate about seven truckload of rice, and 43 kegs of vegetable oil allegedly smuggled into the country.

The action got the traders angry prompting them to immediately mobilised to barricade the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, leaving motorists trapped in the ensued confrontation between the officers of the Nigerian Police and the traders.

The customs estimated the value of duty payable on the

items at N12.44million.

Eyewitnesses told THISDAY that about four people were injured in the fracas, which lasted for several hours and saw thousands of businesses grind to a halt.

However, the customs claimed that there was no attack and no casualty during the operation.

The aggrieved traders, who displayed placards contained several abusive inscriptions against the customs, alleged that the customs officers arrived the market in the early hours of yesterday and forcibly broke into shops and warehouses and took away about 15 truckloads of rice, including their personal

belongings such as money and other items.

According to eyewitnesses, the customs officers came in five Toyota Hilux fully armed and masked with soldiers to carry out the operation.

The market leader, Alhaja W. Salako, said: “This is very unfair. The customs came into the market at mid-night and broke into our shops carting away about 15 trucks of rice and monies. We are not happy, and that is why you see people protesting. We will make sure that we resolve this issue with customs. The harassment is getting too much.”

Not even the intervention of the Area Commander of Police,

Sango Command, Fayoade Adegoke, with heavy presence of policemen, and the presence of the Chairman, Ado Odo Ota Local Council Chairman, Prince Oladele Adeniji, could calm the aggrieved traders who parked tens of trucks to block the major expressway.

Commuters were left stranded and forced to trek from Sango to the tollgate end of the state before they could get buses to their workplaces.

The spokesperson of the FOU of customs, Jerry Attah told THISDAY that the officers did not break into the shops, but only packed less than half of the bags of rice loaded outside in thousands.

53

T H I S D AY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

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54

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Africa Wants 10 Spots in Expanded FIFA World Cup Africa will be looking to double the number of places it has at an expanded World Cup, the continent’s football association presidents have told soccer’s world governing body FIFA. Africa wants at least 10 spots in the 48-team World Cup that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed from 2026 as the continent gave a ringing endorsement to the expansion plans.

“All associations back the idea to expand the World Cup and there is the hope that Africa can have 10 places in future,” South African FA chief Danny Jordaan hinted yesterday.

That would be double the five places the continent has at the next two finals in Russia next year and Qatar in 2022.

Europe is seeking a minimum of 16 places, up from 13, and wants its sides to be separated in the 16 opening round groups of three teams, with the top two advancing to a 32-team knockout phase under plans approved by FIFA last month.

Asia is expected to get between eight and nine places, compared to 4-1/2 now, and South America, which has 10 member countries, a total of six, also up from 4-1/2.

The CONCACAF region, made up of the Caribbean, Central and North American countries, would get 6-1/2 places, compared to 3-1/2, with Oceania, the small Pacific Islands confederation, having one automatic place at the finals instead of 1/2.

Inter-continental playoffs between countries with 1/2 a place would determine the additional spots at the finals.

The final allocation of places

must be passed by the FIFA Council.

The subject of the expanded World Cup featured prominently at a three-day summit between FIFA chief Infantino and more than 50 presidents of the African FAs. The talks were behind closed doors but FIFA officials told Reuters yesterday that Infantino had outlined plans for an expanded World Cup and new development assistance for member countries.

It is the first time a summit of this type has been held, giving Africa’s FA representatives informal contact with the FIFA leadership, including the world governing body’s recently appointed General Secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura.

“It has been a very good idea and a chance for the associations to also speak directly to the FIFA leadership about their issues and concerns,” said Ahmad, the president of the Madagascar Football Federation.

Ahmad, who uses just one name, is running for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against long-standing incumbent Issa Hayatou of Cameroon next month.

The summit comes three weeks before the CAF elections in Addis Ababa on March 16 and the FIFA event in Johannesburg has been dominated by intense lobbying, delegates said.

“Most of the business at this summit is actually outside of the conference room, in the corridors and the hotel lobby as different candidates try to persuade associations to vote for them,” said one African FA chief, who asked not to be named.

C H I N E S E S U P E R L E AG U E

Ideye Joins Mikel in Tianjin Teda Brown Ideye has become the latest Nigerian to head to the Chinese Super League after joining Tianjin Teda.

The 28-year-old has left Greek club Olympiakos to sign a three-year deal.

He will play alongside Super Eagles team-mate John Mikel Obi and Gabon international Malick Evouna.

Chinese Super League clubs are on the hunt for new players ahead of the start of the new season next month.

Tianjin Teda finished 11th in the Chinese Super League last season.

Ideye scored 28 goals in 65 appearances for Olympiakos and won the 2016 Greek championship - his first league title in Europe.

Ideye moved to Greece in August 2015 from English club West Bromwich Albion.

He was West Brom’s thenrecord club signing when he joined them in 2014 from Dynamo Kiev, but failed to justify the huge price tag.

Rangers players celebrating the 2-1 win over Lobi

NPFL: Rangers Put Life Back into Title Defence Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers left it very late yesterday to see off Lobi Stars 2-1 in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Rangers had Bobby Clement to thank for the winner on the stroke of full time.

After their weekend activity in the CAF Champions League in which they scraped past Algerian side JS Saoura to reach the next round, the Flying Antelopes were less than convincing once again.

There were no starting places for Godwin Aguda and Fortune Omoniwari in the Rangers line-up while Lobi coach Evans Ogenyi listed forwards Kingsley Eduwo and Anthony Okpotu.

Daniel Etor made amends for an earlier miss when he benefited

from a defensive error to score for Rangers 21 minutes into the contest.

Fifteen minutes later Etor turned from hero to villain when he upended Okpotu in his box, leaving referee Olayombo Oluwabonmi with the simplest task of awarding a spot kick.

Eduwo’s kick from 11 metres was saved by Rangers goalkeeper Nana Bonsu but the Lobi striker volleyed in the rebound before defenders of the champions could make any attempt to clear the ball.

That was the much the first half produced at a ground Rangers faithful now call The Cathedral.

The restart had Rangers pouring forward in search of a goal just to ease their worry of remaining in the bottom-four. The Flying Antelopes just could not conjure anything.

Ten minutes to time, Lobi’s Chinedu James got his marching orders for a second booking, thereby handing Rangers the numerical advantage.

Right at the death, Clement popped up with the winner with a fine headed goal off an Osas Okoro assist.

Rangers have taken their points to nine after seven matches and that lifts them from bottom spot to 16th position.

Former champions Kano Pillars ended their poor away form by scoring their first goal on the road in 467 minutes in the NPFL. Amos Gyang earned Pillars a 1-1 draw at Rivers United after Godbless Asamoah had given the Port Harcourt club the lead in the first half.

Pillars finished the last five

minutes of the game with 10 men after Chris Madaki was sent off for a second yellow card.

Wikki Tourists needed an Nnaemeka Anyanwu screamer on 70 minutes to put away 3SC and earn the full points with a 1-0 win.

A stoppage time goal in the first half by Destiny Ashadi made sure Katsina United edged Federation Cup champions FC Ifeanyiubah 1-0 at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium in Katsina. The win lifts Katsina United to sixth place with 13 points, seven behind table-toppers Plateau United.

RESULTS Wikki 1-0 Shooting Katsina 1-0 IfeanyiUbah Rivers 1-1 K’Pillars Rangers 2-1 Lobi

Sunshine Stars’ Players Vow to Boycott Matches over Unpaid Salaries James Sowole in Akure

Ideye Ideye made his international debut for Nigeria in August 2010 and has scored six goals in 27 appearances for the Super Eagles.

In 2013, he helped Eagles clinch their third African Cup of Nations title in South Africa, scoring in the 4-1 semi-final victory over Mali.

The players of the Ondo State sponsored Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure yesterday vowed not to honour any Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) match any more until their outstanding salaries were paid by the state government.

The players who for the second consecutive day have continued their protest at the Ondo State Governor’s Office in Alagbaka area of Akure, are alleging that the administration

of Olusegun Mimiko ending today had not paid their salaries in the past seven months.

However, the Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency, Mr. Folayemi Joshua, admitted that the outgoing government made efforts to address the issue.

“We have been appealing to the boys because we understand the players had a good reason to fight but the outgoing governor is already looking into the issue.

I am very sure before the end of today something positive would definitely come out,”

Joshua stressed.

The Captain of the team, Sunday Abe, who spoke with journalists, declared that the protest would be ongoing until the government solved the salary issue.

He said, “We are still not paid.

They said we should wait and we have been waiting. We are not going to honour any match again until we are ‘settled’, “ players leader insisted.

The club which is currently occupying 15th position on the Nigeria Professional Football League 2016/2017 Season has

not been impressing their fans with their performance since the commencement of the league season.

The Akure-based team is scheduled to host Rivers United Football Club on Sunday in Match-day 10 clash but the players are insisting that they would not play the match until the issue on their salaries was resolved.

But it was gathered that if the players’ salaries were paid, it will be a morale booster for the team which could consequently lead to better performances.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS 2 0 1 7 N PA L AG O S P O LO

Fifth Chukker Edge Centaurs in Majekodunmi Cup Lagos Fifth Chukker lived up to their rating as favourites as they out-galloped Lagos Centaurs 14 - 13 in the GTBank-sponsored Majekodunmi Cup as the 2017 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament hits the homestretch.

In the Low Cup, Lagos Balmoral International defeated Lagos Caverton Sao Polo at the two-phase tournament.

Lagos Eat N’ Go and Kano Nakudu also enjoyed wins over Ibadan Eleyele and Lagos Lintex 8 ½- 8 and 6 - 4 ½ respectively.

In the Majekodunmi Cup, the battle between Fifth Chukker made up of Babangida Hassan (+3,) Adamu Atta (+3), Santiago Cernadas (+6) and Manuel Crespo (+7) and Centaurs which featured Bode Makanjuola (+1), Bashir

Dantata (+3) Leroux Hendriks (+5) and Tom De Bruin (+7), lived up to expectations with top-class goals coming from different angles.

Centaurs lead after the opening chukka 4-2. They began the match on a three-goal handicap difference.

Unsurprisingly, Crespo, the 2016 MVP, influenced the game such that fifth Chukker took control of the game 6-5 by the end of the second chukka.

The tie was turned on its head again as Centaurs led 10-7 going to the fourth chukka but it didn’t take long before Fifth Chukker regained control which they maintained till the end of the match despite a spirited fight-back from Centaurs to end the clash with a goal difference.

The Balmoral versus Sao Polo clash started on a topsy-turvy

note as Baba Dangote (+1) first shot was fouled off target. Isa Kwame (+3) however failed to convert the resultant penalty from 40 yards for Balmoral, who also had Luqman Adebayo (+1) and Kabiru Saidu (+2) on parade.

It was the turn of Sao Polo’s hit-man Ahmadu Umar (+3) to fluff his own 40 yards penalty to

highlight a tough opening chukka.

The first goal did not come until 12 seconds to the end of the chukka with Kwame breaking the deadlock.

Kwame made it 2-0 with another 40 yarder before Rotimi Makanjuola (+1) halved the deficit for Sao Polo who also featured Seyi Oyinlola (0) andAbdulrahman Mohammed (+3).

Kwame was on hand to score

his and Balmoral’s third for a 3-1 lead but Mohammed kept Sao Polo on their heels by scoring to end the second chukka 3-2 advantage Balmoral.

In the first match of the day, Murtala Aliyu scored twice in the last chukka to give Kano Nakudu a 6 - 4 ½ win over Ibadan Eleyele who at a point were leading 4 ½ - 3

in the final chukka.

Lagos Eat N’ Go were relieved to see the seconds ticked away in their nervy 8 1/2 - 8 win over Lagos Lintex. Yemo Alakija’s low shot proved to be the winning goal as Lintex scored the last three goals of the match through Abba Dantata (twice) and Jamilu Umar but was late to turn around the match.

Okoku to Sustain Charity Work with GTCF Femi Solaja Former Green Eagles star, Paul Okoku has pledged to sustain the charity works being spearheaded by his NGO, the Greater Tomorrow Children Fund.

Speaking during the maiden football tournament that the GTCF organised for Internally Displaced Persons camps in Abuja, the former Flying Eagles midfielder said he was moved to give back to the less privileged persons in the society in order to bridge the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

While hinging the success of charity bodies on contributions and support from members of the society and corporate organisations, Okoku, who won a silver medal at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, urged kind-hearted Nigerians to join the GTCF to alleviate the suffering of poor Nigerians.

“Our foundation remains committed to alleviating suffering of the masses and that explains why we take our time to reach those who are feeling the full impact of deprivation like persons living in camps for internally displaced ones.

“Of course, we need the support of kind-hearted Nigerians to fulfill and sustain the legacies that we stand for and hope for a better society for everybody. We would not give up, neither are we going

to rest on our laurels. It is just the beginning of what we know will be a fruitful charitable work for deprived ones”, added Okoku.

Meanwhile, the former WAFU cup champion, during a visit to the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees, chaired by Hon. Mohammed Sani Zorro and Hon. Abbass Tajudeen, said the success of the event in Abuja would have been lost had the two members of Nigeria’s parliament not supported and graced the two-day event held at the Abuja National Stadium.

“We came to thank you for supporting this project, which would not have been the success it is if you did not believe in it. Thank you for believing in us and we hope that your door shall remain open to us when next we come”, said Okoku Responding, Hon. Mohammed Sani Zorro commended the GTCF for thinking it fit to spread its charity works to persons in the IDP camp, noting that such philanthropy would receive the full support of the parliament.

“We are very much happy with what you are doing and are proud to be tied to you in the execution of this project and hope that this relationship is sustained for the good of our society”, said Hon Zorro.

Ilorin Golf Club Plans Partnership with KWSG on Academy Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The management of Ilorin Golf Club has finalised arrangement to partner the Kwara State government in the setting up of a golf academy in Ilorin.

The newly re-elected Captain of the club, Alhaji Mustapha Malik, disclosed this in Ilorin over the weekend while speaking with journalists.

Malik said that the golf academy which will be almost cost free to its students would be for future professional golfers after enrolling at the academy from the age of seven.

The captain also disclosed that during his tenure, he and his management team would

introduce the young children to join the game of golf and register with just a token of N10,000 membership fee as against the current N150.000 now being charged to at the club.

He explained that the club will also purchase about ten golf kits and hire them out to the young kids at a cost of just N100 per game which is meant for those between the age of 17 and 30.

Malik also announced plans by his leadership to revive the Kwara Open Tournament as the management of the club is already in talking terms with the Kwara state government which will be the major sponsor of the tournament.

Manchester United players celebrating the 1-0 defeat of St Etienne… yesterday

Man Utd Cruise into Europa Last 16 Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored but was then forced off with a hamstring injury as Manchester United cruised into the Europa League last 16 with a 1-0 win at St Etienne yesterday.

That completed a 4-0 aggregate victory in the last 32 tie, although United finished the match with 10 men after Eric Bailly was dismissed for two yellow cards in quick succession.

Manager Jose Mourinho will face an anxious wait ahead of Sunday’s English League Cup final against Southampton at Wembley to see if his Armenian playmaker is fit.

Mkhitaryan has been involved in five goals – scoring three and creating two – in his last six games and would have been a likely starter at Wembley.

Despite leading 3-0 from the first leg at Old Trafford last week, Mourinho showed how highly he values success in this competition – which offers a route into next season’s Champions League to

the winners – by picking a strong starting line-up.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba were restored to the starting line-up after making a decisive contribution off the bench against Blackburn in the FA Cup on Sunday – the Frenchman teeing up the Swede to score the winning goal.

There was none of the early match defensive jitters from United, and centre-back Bailly in particular, that had brought a rebuke from Mourinho following the first leg in which he accused his players of not having been focussed enough.

And it took just 16 minutes for United to extinguish any fanciful hopes the hosts might have harboured of mounting a memorable comeback – when the opening goal came, it was almost too easy.

Juan Mata used Daley Blind as a decoy to make space for himself down the left and his pinpoint

cross was met by Mkhitaryan, dissecting the home centre-halves, to flick past the helpless Stephane Ruffier in the home goal.

By then the visitors had already established control of the ball in midfield and looked comfortable spraying it around patiently.

Mourinho was forced into an early change as Mkhitaryan seemed to tweak his hamstring and was replaced by Marcus Rashford on 25 minutes.

United looked by far the more dangerous of the two sides but St Etienne did sound a warning from a set-piece seven minutes from the break as Jordan Veretout picked out Loic Perrin, only for the captain to head straight at Sergio Romero, celebrating his 30th birthday.

It was, at least, the Ligue 1 side’s first effort on target over the two legs.

Roared on by a passionate home crowd at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne played

with energy at the start of the second half but it was United who should have doubled their lead as Marouane Fellaini fired into the side-netting when well placed.

Things got interesting just after the hour mark as Bailly was sent-off for picking up two bookings in three minutes – the second when he clearly won the ball in a challenge with Romain Hamouma – much to Mourinho’s obvious annoyance.

Mourinho had to quickly rejig, with centre-back Marcus Rojo replacing Mata and United shutting up shop.

St Etienne were reduced to Florentin Pogba, Paul’s brother, trying his luck with a volley from 30 yards that sailed wide, summing up their impotency in front of goal over the two legs.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sevilla 2-1 Leicester Porto 0-2 Juventus

CRSG Honours Ekpo Duke with Tennis Tournament Bassey Inyang in Calabar A four-day Tennis championship to honour a former Nigerian star player, 88 year-old Etubom Charles Ekpo Duke, has flagged off at the Calabar Sports Club. The tournament is sponsored by the state government and its Sports Commission Addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the event, Chairman of the Sports Commission, Orok Duke, said the commission and Governor Ben Ayade’s administration would always remember the state’s legends in sports, especially

when they are still alive.

Duke said his commission was committed to support sport activities and appealed to individuals and organisations to sponsor sports for the development and employment of teeming youths.

Duke said cash prizes would be awarded to those who excelled, and sundry prizes given to participants in the primary and secondary schools’ categories of the tournament.

In his address, the State Director of Sports, Dr. Jude Amadi, who described tennis as one of the best sports in the world, said

the tournament was mooted to discover young talents who would represent the state and the nation in future.

Amadi charged the athletes to ensure they made the cut so as to be chosen to represent Team Cross River in upcoming sporting activities in the state.

Earlier in a goodwill message Etubom Duke, said he appreciated the gesture done to him by the state sports commission and Calabar Sports Club by organising the tournament in his honour.

He charged stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians to

encourage kids to play tennis.

The octogenarian who is a legend in the game in the country also promised to do his best to encourage tennis in the state.

Former President, Calabar Sports Club, Eteidung Umo E.Umo-Otong, said he was pleased with the state government’s attitude of grooming primary and secondary schools students in order to nurture fresh tennis players from the grassroots level.

Umo-Otong, said that the students should continually participate in sporting activities that would no doubt reduce redundancy and idleness.

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Thursday, February 23, 2017

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MISSILE SOKAPU to Kaduna Govt “It was under a curfew and the heavy presence of police that Goska was attacked last December. It was also under a 24-hour curfew that some youths were killed in Zangon Kataf in January. People stayed indoors, markets and schools were shut.

The victims of the violence were further punished while the killers roamed freely.

It became very difficult for many to feed their households” – Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) on the curfew declared after the latest killings.

olusegunadeniyi the verdict

A

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

An Innocent Man!

humourous man who always introduced himself as “I am Innocent”, the late veteran journalist, Mr. Innocent Oparadike was also very humble; despite his incredible reach and network. And he had great affection for me. That was why the news of his death hit me very hard as I recall several interactions I had with him over the years.

It is, however, a shame that only few members of Oparadike’s generation of journalists wrote books to share their varied and rich experiences.

For instance, the tribute he wrote to General Ibrahim Babangida last year was more than a thank you message to one man; it was in several respects a compelling story of Nigeria and the promise of what can be. It was on how, in 1985, General Babangida “brushed aside threats, blackmail and high level conspiracy” to appoint him Editor of the ‘New Nigerian’, making Oparadike the first and only southerner (and Christian) to edit the once-powerful national newspaper with regional bent.

For the benefit of members of the Twitter generation who may not know what ‘New Nigerian’ means, it was one of the biggest newspapers of the past, with head office in Kaduna. But in reality, ‘New Nigerian’ was more than just a newspaper; it was perhaps the most formidable platform for promoting and defending the agenda of the Northern establishment before and after independence.

That was what made the appointment of an Igbo man as editor quite remarkable but there were also twists in the tale.

I am reproducing Oparadike’s recollection, with the kind permission of The Guardian newspaper where it was first published, as I bid him goodnight: ================================ The story actually started in 1982. Chief MKO Abiola, Publisher of the ‘Concord’ Newspaper had directed that all political stories be cleared with me. Some of the editors of the individual titles resented this directive. One of them told the publisher that I was using the position to enrich myself. Chief Abiola ordered an investigation. The outcome reinforced his faith in me. He promoted me from Chief Political Correspondent to Group Political Editor. When I got to know of the investigation, I felt like a victim. I used this as an excuse to accept an offer to be the pioneer editor of a new newspaper to be based in Kaduna, known as the ‘Democrat’.

Courtesy demanded that I informed a publisher who had treated me as his kid brother not only that I was moving, but also why. Chief Abiola apologised for doubting my integrity but asked me to see the brighter side; the outcome reinforced his faith in me. He advised me against taking up the Democrat job. He said it was a ploy to get me out of the system.

He revealed that the Northern establishment had asked him to fire me but he refused. He warned that by taking the appointment, I was making myself vulnerable. He said they would use and fire me. Unfortunately, I had given my word to the prospective employers who took me on a facility tour prior to making

Oparadike me an offer.

My stay at the ‘Democrat’ was brief. The first rescue mission of General Muhammadu Buhari spelt the death of the Democrat as unknown to me until then, its continued survival was dependent on the NPN (National Party of Nigeria) remaining in power. I became a columnist in the weekly paper, receiving a hefty salary I didn’t earn. I felt obliged to resign and I did. Members of the Board of Directors couldn’t believe that a Nigerian with a young family (I wedded Lady Esther in 1983) would resign for not earning his pay. Just as I was to leave Kaduna for Lagos, I saw an advertisement in the ‘New Nigerian’ for vacancies that included Editorial Board Members and Deputy Editor. I settled for member, editorial board, but someone persuaded me to go for Deputy Editor and I did.

Professionals were hired for the recruitment exercise. Given my qualifications and experience, I really had no competition in both the written and oral tests. But I had an intrinsic disability.

I was a Christian, Southerner and Igbo. Some hawks among the ‘New Nigerian’ stakeholders wanted to use the name of General Buhari to deny me the position. Unfortunately for them, I knew Alhaji Maida Wada, his Press Secretary, from our days at the News Agency of Nigeria where we were both pioneer staff. I told Mallam Maida what was going on and he asked General Buhari who reportedly retorted, “What is my business with who becomes the Deputy Editor of ‘New Nigerian’?”

Mallam Maida came to Kaduna to tell the New Nigerian Management to do the needful and leave General Buhari out of the internal politics of the newspaper house. So, I became the Deputy Editor of the ‘New Nigerian’ in 1984. My editor, Mallam Bukar Zarma was a brilliant young banker who transitioned to Editor, in the New Nigerian tradition that began with Mallam Adamu Ciroma, the venerable newspaper’s first Nigerian Editor and later, chief executive.

My relationship with Zarma was a bit tricky at first. I was a professional journalist. He was

a new entrant. I was also more experienced and probably older in age. With time, he understood that I meant well and had no designs on his job. He gave me ample room to perform which was smart of him, as he earned more discretionary time.

Unfortunately, there were people in-house who resented his superimposition on them. They fought him to a point he needed to disengage.

I became acting editor. Those who ousted the substantive editor had sought to recruit me into their group but I told them about my loyalty to my boss. They resented my being at the mantle of office they had successfully fought for. I became the new target.

Meantime, General Ibrahim Babangida had emerged as new leader following the overthrow of General Buhari in August 1985. As he assumed power, he had Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe as his deputy. We learnt that they had decided to make Mohammed Haruna the Managing Director and me, Editor.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information, a gentleman from a powerful family in Kano, had the duty of communicating this. Rather than do this, he allegedly convinced Mr. Mohammed Haruna to accept the position of Editor (in the interest of the North) while they looked for a suitable Northerner to appoint as MD. After acting for six months, the Board had to decide to confirm my appointment or revert me to my substantive position. It chose the second option. But there was a problem. Mohammed Haruna was then at Columbia University. So they came up with the brilliant idea that I continued to edit the newspaper, which they acknowledged I was doing well, but the name on the imprint would be Mohammed Haruna’s.

I felt very sad that bigotry could descend to this level. I wrote back to say that what they asked me to do was unlawful and unjust, therefore impossible for me to accept. They decided to recall Mohammed Haruna and summoned me to a meeting and ordered me to withdraw my letter where I had stated that members of the Board were, as individuals, decent persons but as a collective a disgrace to human decency. I went to the Board room,

reaffirmed what I had written and walked out on them.

Leaving the board room, I went to my office, picked my bag and left the premises.

I was simmering. I was sad. I was confused. I couldn’t go home, because I didn’t know what to tell my expectant young wife. I decided to visit an army general friend of mine living in Kaduna. I knew him in Rotary Club and saw in him a decent Nigerian. Luckily, he was in: General Mohammed Inna Wushishi, the Chief of Army Staff in the President Shehu Shagari administration in the Second Republic.

The General was surprised to see me at that time on a working day. He wanted to know if anything was the matter. I told him I was out of job. I narrated to him what had happened. He asked me how I felt. I said sad.

Sad that a body of eminent Nigerians would judge somebody for a position not based on competence on the job but on extraneous factors such as geography, faith, tribe and tongue.

That day as I walked in, there was somebody who was sitting quietly, apparently reading the dailies. He was not introduced to me, so I just greeted him and sat down with my host to converse. At some point in the conversation, the person asked our host for the use of his phone.

When told that the phone was by his side, he asked for permission to use the phone inside.

This visitor was also a General, somebody I already knew by reputation but was yet to meet. General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau was this visitor. He finished his conversation, came out and went back to what he was doing earlier without saying a word.

Soon after, I took leave of my host. I actually went back to Lagos that same day but not the way I imagined; for after whiling away time, I forced myself to go home. But before I could open my mouth to explain why I was home so early, I was told that my office had been calling me. I was told that I was required that evening in Lagos by Dodan Barracks, but that I should first see the Honourable Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh. I packed an overnight bag and with Mohammed Haruna went to Lagos.

Continued on page 14

Aso Rock Watch

L

ightening, according to a popular adage, does not strike twice. Given my experience, I hope and pray that proves to be true in the case of our country. President Muhammadu Buhari, who left Nigeria more than a month ago for what was initially coined as a ten-day vacation before it became an indefinite fullscale medical mission, has officially told Nigerians he needs to spend more time in the United Kingdom to attend to his health.

To be sure, President Buhari has done all that is demanded of him by the Constitution.

He has even taken the extraordinary step of allowing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,

who is acting in his stead, to sign Bills into Law. So, there is no vacuum as far as the leadership of our country is concerned.

However, as the Yoruba adage says, what follows six is more than just seven. Therefore, while President Buhari may have fulfilled the letter and spirit of the law, he cannot legislate over politics and human behaviour; especially when he is thousands of kilometers away from home.

For that reason, I am keeping watch of developments within the federal government as we enter another delicate intersection in the political history of our beloved country.

Watch out for this page!

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