Friday 21st April 2017

Naira Extends Gains as Dollar Glut Hits Market CBN revises documentation requirements to boost trade

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku in Lagos and Obinna Chima in Washington D.C. The naira sustained its momentum on the parallel

market yesterday, appreciating significantly by N20 in one day to close at N380 to the dollar, stronger than N400 to the greenback at the close of trading the day before.

Similarly, the local currency firmed up on the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the market yesterday, trading at between N376 and N378 to the dollar in Lagos, Abuja

and Kano.

The gains were largely influenced by increased dollar liquidity in the economy, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sustains its intervention

in the foreign exchange (FX) market.

The CBN pumped a total of $380 million into the market between Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

It also simplified the documentation process for small and medium sized businesses to enable them Continued on page 11

MNJTF: A Divided Boko Haram, Boost to Our Counter-insurgency Operations... Page 50 Friday 21 April, 2017 Vol 22. No 8037. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

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Chief Executive, Africa Regions, Standard Bank Group, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II; former Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Atedo Peterside, his wife, Dudun; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Yinka Sanni, during the send-off dinner held by Stanbic IBTC for Peterside in Lagos yesterday. Peterside resigned from Stanbic IBTC to take up his appointment on the board of Standard Bank Group Limited and Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

Citing Double Standards, PDP Says SGF, NIA DG Should Have Been Arrested Demands independent probe

panel as Magu meets Osinbajo Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Citing double standards, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has rejected the three-man investigative panel constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke, adding

that both men should have been arrested by the law enforcement agencies.

Lawal and Oke were suspended by the president on Wednesday for the alleged mismanagement of the funds meant for humanitarian aid in the North-east and the discovery of N13.3 billion in an apartment in Ikoyi by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC), respectively.

Continued on page 10

Fayose Questions Buhari’s Absence at State Functions... Page 10

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Petroleum Oil and Gas Limited, Mrs. Winnie Akpani; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Managing Drector/CEO, Providus Bank, Mr. Walter Akpani; and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, at the commissioning of Providus Bank’s head office in Lagos State… yesterday

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PAGE TEN

FG Arraigns Justice Ngwuta for False Asset Declaration Judge pleads not guilty, gets bail on self-recognition Alex Enumah in Abuja The federal government yesterday arraigned Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on an amended eight-count charge of false asset declaration.

He however pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was granted bail on self-recognition.

Justice Ngwuta was one of seven judges whose

homes were raided by the Department of State Services (DSS) last October for alleged corruption.

He was earlier charged for money laundering and passport fraud charges but has not been arraigned.

During yesterday’s arraignment at the tribunal, his counsel, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) had moved an oral bail

application on his client, following his plea.

Agabi, in arguing the bail application, urged the tribunal to grant Justice Ngwuta bail on self-recognition.

Counsel to the government and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Umar Muhammed did not oppose the application.

Consequently, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar granted

the bail application as prayed.

In the amended charges, the federal government dropped two charges from the initial 10-count charges filed against Justice Ngwuta.

The prosecution dropped the charge of non-declaration of 22 plots of land at Chief Igwe Uga Avenue, Abakaliliki by the Supreme Court justice.

According to the amended charges, he was

alleged to have failed to declare a parcel of land and property to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016.

The government further alleged that Justice Ngwuta also engaged in the purchase and sale of rice, palm oil and other related products while being a justice of the Supreme Court within the same period.

The Director of Public

Prosecution said, in addition to the plots of lands and other business activities, Justice Ngwuta also owns five cars which he failed to declare.

The alleged offences, according to prosecution, were contrary to Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 23(2) of the same Act.

Fayose Questions Buhari’s Absence at State Functions Alleges surrogates governing on his behalf Victor Ogunje in AdoEkiti Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has questioned President Muhammadu Buhari’s persistent absence from state functions, especially the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings, demanding to know if the president is now governing the country by proxy.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Fayose, who is known to be a rabid critic of the administration, said yesterday that Nigerians are regaled everyday

with directives from the president without seeing him at any function.

“Everyday, what we hear is president said this, president said that without seeing the president in any official function and one is prompted to ask: where is the president?”

Fayose said it was becoming obvious that a cabal is exercising the powers of the president.

“I saw the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal on television responding to his suspension and what came to my mind was that there could actually be

many presidents operating in the Buhari presidency.

“Perhaps, it is for this reason of the possible existence of governments within the government of the Buhari administration that confusion pervades the polity, with the president himself writing a letter to the Senate to clear someone of wrongdoing and the same person being suspended three months after on the basis of the same allegation.

“It is also for this reason that the president nominated Ibrahim Magu to the Senate for confirmation as EFCC chairman and

the Department of State Services (DSS), an agency under the presidency wrote the Senate not to confirm him.

“Most importantly, the president did not attend the FEC meeting last week and the meeting did not hold this week under the flimsy excuse that Easter break stalled it.

“How could the Easter break which ended on Monday be responsible for the inability to hold the FEC meeting on Wednesday? Definitely, there is more to this than meets the eye.

“It has therefore become necessary that Nigerians

hear the voice of their president and see him physically, not through surrogates or the cabal operating behind the scene,” the governor said.

Speaking further, the Ekiti state governor, who described the president as the face and image of a nation, urged Buhari to hold regular media chats through which Nigerians can ask questions and offer suggestions on the country.

“Since his first and only media chat was held in December 2015, Nigerians have not had the opportunity to see their president address them directly and this

is not the best approach to governance in a democracy,” he said.

Since the president returned from his medical vacation last month, he has not left the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and has delegated several officials to represent him at several functions.

His absence at the FEC meeting last week and its postponement on Wednesday once again fuelled speculations about his health.

The president was last seen at the mosque in the Presidential Villa last Friday, where he attended the Jumat service.

during his visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the president’s media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, who spoke on what actually transpired, described the reports as “unfair and uncharitable”.

He stated that witnesses to Oke’s visit to the vicepresident on the fateful day and his own personal account clearly indicated that the DG did not cry as widely reported in the social and some traditional media.

Shehu, who narrated how the incident happened, said: “The widespread reports that Oke of the National Intelligence Agency had cried are unfair and uncharitable.

“Witnesses to his visit to the vice-president and his own personal account, said that Oke arrived to a swarm of journalists which he wanted to avoid.

“He asked his driver to make a quick turn and instead, he headed to the Glass House, the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS).

“From there, he put a call to the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and requested that he help to clear the journalists so that he can make a quiet entry to the VP’s office and that is what happened.

“In an SUV with

darkened windows, no one could have seen an occupant crying.”

Osinbajo on Wednesday had met separately with Lawal and Oke, barely an hour after the announcement of their suspension.

The closed-door meeting was in connection with the work of the panel set up to investigate allegations of misconduct against both of them.

The SGF refused to comment on the outcome of his meeting with the vice-president.

CITING DOUBLE STANDARDS, PDP SAYS SGF, NIA DG SHOULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED The president also set up a panel to be headed by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, with the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), as members to investigate both men.

Reacting, the opposition party said while Nigerians may see the action as signposting a new commitment by Buhari to fight corruption without fear or favour, the PDP sees it as “another ruse to deceive Nigerians and dress up the failed anticorruption war in a new garb”.

In a statement issued by the spokesman of the caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye, the party said that it has no confidence in the three-man probe panel, because its members are in the same cabinet with the SGF and are most likely to be biased.

It said the present situation amounts to the government being a judge in its own case.

“We do not believe that justice can be served that way. We are at a loss why the president would set up a panel comprising members of his cabinet to investigate other senior, very powerful members of the same government.

Where is the transparency in that?” PDP asked.

According to the party, the Senate had recommended the

resignation of the SGF in December 2016, after its investigation into contract awards for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North-east and had asked Buhari to prosecute him.

“But in a swift reaction, President Buhari, in a letter dated January 17, 2017, discredited the Senate recommendations and refused to sack or prosecute Mr. Lawal and instead cleared him of all wrong doing.

“In this context, we are alarmed at the suspension of the SGF at a time that Nigerians and the international community are excitedly enjoying the theatre of the absurd playing out with the recovery of huge sums of money without owners.

“Now, the APC-led federal government has suddenly realised the corruption allegation levelled against the SGF; and instead of arresting and detaining him as the government has been doing to PDP members and other Nigerians, he was suspended and a committee set-up to investigate him.

This is to say the least, double standards.

“Not that we doubt the integrity of the vicepresident (for whom we have the utmost respect) and other panelists, but it appears the matter is being settled within the government closet without the transparency,

independence and impartiality necessary in a situation like this.

“Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to have been done. This is especially important given the fact that we recently travelled down this road when the president asked the attorney general to investigate the SGF (on this same matter) and (Ibrahim) Magu, the acting Chairman of the EFCC. “That investigation cleared the SGF of all wrong doing in the grass cutting scandal.

“It is amazing that the president who swiftly accepted the recommendations of the attorney general would now suddenly set up another panel comprising the same attorney general to investigate the matter again,” the party stated.

PDP said it was pertinent to know if the “president has now realised that the initial investigation by the attorney general was not thorough or a cover up to protect a fellow cabinet member.

“If that is the case, then the president needs to come clean with Nigerians by formally repudiating and rejecting the report. He must then tell Nigerians why the author of such a dastard, useless and worthless report should be included in the new panel.

“Against this backdrop, we are constrained to

express our lack of confidence in the new panel headed by the vicepresident.

“Instead, we demand an independent commission of inquiry comprising eminent Nigerians of proven records of integrity, independence and competence.

“This is the only way by which we can have confidence that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted and by which the president also can reassure the general public that there are no sacred cows in his government for whom there are different sets of rules.

“The present situation amounts to the government being the judge in its own case. We do not believe that justice can be served that way,” said the party.

As the PDP reacted to the investigative panel set up by the president, activities in the Office of the SGF ran smoothly yesterday despite Babachir’s absence.

However, Magu was seen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, entering the vice-president’s office.

When he was asked by State House correspondents if he had come to brief the vice-president on the cash discovery in the Ikoyi apartment, he said he was there for the assets recovery meeting.

Meanwhile, the presidency yesterday condemned news reports alleging that the suspended DG of the NIA had cried

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STARTERS

Two-Minute Briefing NEWS MNJTF: A Divided Boko Haram, Boost to

Our Counter-insurgency Operations The emergence of Musab Al- Barnawi’s faction from the Islamic State-affiliated terror group Boko Haram factional leader has been described as a boost to the Lake Chad Basin Multi-National JointTask Force’s (MNJTF) counterinsurgency operations.

Page 50

H I S D AY

APC Postpo nes National Caucus, NEC Meetings

Meeting with governors shelve d

Onyebuchi

Ezigbo in Abuja

PROMOTING NIGERIA’S BLUE ECONOMY‌

Buhari Sack s NEXIM Boar d, Appoints Maza Maza, New MD, Ogunbiyi, others

Three Killed in

by Suspected Benue after Attack Herdsmen George

EDs confirmed for rural electrifi cation agency

Olawale Ajimotoka n in Abuja

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TO SEND EMAIL:

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15

OST OF ESSE NTIAL DRUG S

The tax on import ed drugs is unhelp ful

Letters to the Editor BENUE WAGE

EDITORIAL

THE HIGH C

ith a circular titled “Import Adjustm ent Tax�, the Federal Ministry of Finance recently directed the introduct ion of 20 per cent tax on medicament imported in This means pharmaceutical the that for every sector. products, a minimum dutyimported drugs and allied made payable of to the treasury 20 per cent would be Customs Service. through the Nigeria Unfortun not only led ately, this developm to ent has essential drugs,an astronomical rise in the prices of it has also led across the country. to a deluge of fake drugs This is that should task the Federala worrisome developm ent other critical stakeholders. Ministry of Health and It is notewort Nigeria (PSN) hy that the Pharmaceutical Society of Importers of and the Association of Pharmaceutical Nigeria (APIN) government have called to these stakeholdrescind the decision. The on the federal argument of ers is that in 2013, Nigeria THE GOVERN had agreed to abide by the OBLIGED TO MENT IS WELFARE OFIMPROVE THE recommendation of an ECOWAS NIGERIA committe N T H I S DAY CITIZENS BY EDITOR that drug importati e DEPUTY EDITORS IJEOMA NWOGWUGW THAT THEY ENSURING U

HAVE ACCESS within the African on MANAGING

˜

DEPUTY MANAGINGDIRECTOR ENIOLA TO ADEQUA sub-region BELLO DIRECTOR TE CHAIRMAN should

EDITORIAL AND HEALTH MEDICAL BOARD OLUSEGUN attract a zero EDITOR NATION’S FACILITIES per CAPITAL ADENIYI cent duty. Against

neighbouring African countries the background that tax regime plus are operating lower port this zero we support the position charges on drug T H I S DAY N E W S PA The main challenge of PSN and APIN. importation, EDITOR-IN-C PERS LIM ITED GROUP EXECUTIVE HIEF/CHAIRMAN of our country been the inability NDUKA DIRECTORS over the years

OBAIGBENA

the rural dwellers, to ensure that our citizens, ˜

has ˜ JEOMA ˜ GROUP FINANCE NWOGWUGW have access especially DIRECTOR U care. And with DIVISIONAL to basic primary DIRECTORS

health market owing the high cost of essential ˜

ANTHONY ˜ DEPUTY DIVISIONAL OGEDENGBE drugs obvious that to the rise on duty of imported in the DIRECTOR

SNR. ASSOCIATE the lives of many

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR endangered.

DIRECTORS poor Nigerian drugs, it is

CONTROLLE We RS

˜ s are greatly Buhari to direct therefore urge President

˜

GENERAL MANAGER

Muhammadu the relevant ˜

authorities to

GROUP HEAD

halt this DIRECTOR,

PRINTING

PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO first name.surnam e@thisdayliv e.com

counter-productive policy so medicament could be made that enough drugs and need them at available for affordabl citizens who Going by provision e prices. s of section the governm 17 of our Constitut ent Nigerian citizensis obliged to improve ion, the adequate medical by ensuring that they welfare of have access to that has consisten and health facilities.

For primary health tly promised Nigerian a government s access to care services, way to go. Making this cannot drugs which are not be the right Nigeria more expensive manufactured of the high exchange than they already in are as a result rate will amount for majority of our people. to a death sentence

A

s things stand, ensuring that the most effective way of quality effectively delivered health care services are to majority is by allowing of Nigerian the public to to essential s drugs at minimum have access preventable cost. Without diseases will that, By allowing continue the public unfettere to kill in Nigeria. drugs at affordabl e prices, some d access to essential squandered in medical tourism of the billions of To the extent every year will naira be saved. have built their that health is wealth, most countries economies around systems. Unfortun healthcare delivery ately, while ruling elite are members of the Nigeria ever quick to medical treatmen travel abroad for the best treated at home, t even for common ailments greater majority there is little or no considera that can be delivery system who depend on the neglectedtion for the at home. That the “import is the only way healthcare adjustment to explain tax� on While we are not opposed essential drugs. tion drive of to the revenue the current generaadministration, unhelpful because this policy is people. Besides, of its implications to the health of the policy directive World Trade runs contrary our Organisation to the not more than (WTO) recomme five per cent ndation of way of fast-track duty ing the achievemon medicament as a affordable universal ent healthcare and of global vision of We hope that eliminati the authoritie redress the s will look into ng diseases. situation. the issue and

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

After numerous

BILL: THE F

RAUD IS STILL

comm t an offence Po ce prosecutor Sergeant Ibrah m Abu razaak Tsanyawa sa d the offences comm tted were n contravent on of Sect ons 95 397 327 of the Pena Code and app ed for a summary tr a of a the offences Accord ng to h m the accused comm tted another offence by attempt ng to stab her brother w th a kn fe say ng that the brother had ear er stopped her from stea ng a she-goat and a hand-pushed truck be ong ng to the fam y Umm was a eged to have

proceeded to her mother s bedroom and ntent ona y set tems n the house on f re the court heard The accused dur ng her arra gnment p eaded w th the court for en ency stat ng that she regretted her act ons She prom sed that she wou d not engage n s m ar c t acts n the future On hear ng the charges and the p ea by the accused the mag strate ordered that Umm be remanded n pr son custody The court ad ourned the matter to May 16 for tr a

NA RA EXTENDS GA NS AS DOLLAR GLUT H TS MARKET

17

Group Politic s Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.so niyi@thisday live.com 0803314613 9 SMS ONLY

ALITY F OCUS

A founding mem time ago fores ber of the Peoples Dem Party. He was aw the impending colla ocratic Party, Long ers Anyanw pse of the party however pers u, a long the former rulin uaded by . He left the party, repo g party. Now what he the late President Umar to form the Accord Yar’A warned again rts Segun Jam st years back dua to return to es o say that has come to some members the Peoples haunt of Democratic have yet to Party come

to terms with the loss of the election to the 2015 presidential Congress is All Progressives While everyb understatement. certainly not After boasting an ody got rule Nigeria that it would for many years, carried away of the PDP the shock routing by the by a surprise to the APC must have come PDP succes many supporter as s, Anyanwu But not to Chief Longers s of the party. discovered founding member Anyanwu that a of the party. everybody would not last the party got carried While success, Anyanwu away by the PDP discovered would not knew that it longer. He that the party last longer. was He a matter of time. He knew knew that it was time. He knew a matter of soon bust.

Were those the bubble would the bubble as gifted as leading the would soon foreseen the Anyanwu, they would party bust. Were tsunami that have those leadin What Anyanwu hit them g the did not foresee in 2015. was the way however, gifted as Anyan party as and manner and how devastatin it would take wu, they g it would the PDP is would have be. Today almost foreseen the it have suddenly dead as those leading tsunami that become the Within the party, the crisis undertakers. hit them in the loss of power that 2015. is still reverberat followed members are ing. While Senator Ali broadly divided between Modu the Ahmed Makarfi Sheriff and those Senator groups, within these there are divisions two groups those who believe that as well. There are to the inevitable the party should salvaged and Anyanwu made . It was at this point force and thosebuilt to become a formidablbe PDP. He found up his mind to leave that left to die and who believe that it should e his way into the another party was not fashionab be the APC rise from its be allowed le or politically when it ashes. Also to do so. to in the PDP sympathisers expedient are A graduate they willl stopwho want the party dead APC of History and Science of and Political That the PDP at nothing to achieve the this. later capped University of Calabar quagmire has found itself in this political Administrationit up with a Master of who the party grew been long in the making.

Public As was Imo state from the same university political strangeand became almost unwieldy, , he and Natural commissioner for Agricultu together; the bedfellows started mingling Resources. re party soon the chairman He situation which lost direction, and coordinatwas appointed implementation left the founding a or of the state relegated to committee fathers the backgrou programme of the Anyanwu nd.

Surein last position January 2014. That was P members of was one of the foundatio he the for the APC. held before he left the the n helplessly as party in Imo state. He PDP watched strange people Anyanwu believes know the ideology who did not that the PDP be allowed and the party take to should over the systemmanifesto of the president that die naturally. To him, it. He was the and bastardise so Yar’Adua whothe party ever produced best that at a point worried and disenchan was was able to ted Delta crisis when he end the Niger anymore he without shooting left the party couldn’t take it no life lost. a gun with cord Party (AP), a party to found the AcThat politician based loosely whose ideology on that of the widely accepted s think differently is the Accord is now PDP. He said even though Party’s ideology express doubts nationalism, was based about this assertion.many may on Anyanwu.... do so is another patriotism promotion of national Why they knew matter. and shunning PDP would explode unity, accepted belief But and clannish of all primordia is that while one generally sentiments motivated some may taken over the that have suddenlyl there was nothing by be by patriotism greed, others are motivated much he Anyanwu is Party aimed PDP. According to him, . not your idea could do.

Accord at That is why standing still ethnic nationalitbringing people of different mill politician. of a run-of-the Anyanwu is and resting - could ies together. happy that the issues, theHe talks tough; and the on your laurels is not a member Despite founding tougher need precipitate a swift tumble, tougher when the leaders of the PDP at the he was soon persuade his own party, Anyawu politics with Anyanwu he talks. Discussin to constantly time of the party move if the hence the drawn with g A former is like are at daggers gramophone. by late President d to return to the one He has all the turning on a contested commissioner in need arises.

PDP his disposal So where will another.

Umar Musa who promised Imo State, he information the National the next political Yar’Adua as an active at of the reform and To him, certainly Publicity Secretary process participan crisis occur? the party. Anyanwu PDP a new deal for about and is very emotional and t in the the momentin the recent past. To which is re-inventinot in the APC, was in the process believed that Yar’Adua a party him, from what is happenin passionate Sheriff was ng itself and challenges that of this party by Governor brought into g in He watched as facing the come heads-on, the the hawks when he died. He finest was a rising political star the polity. s Ayodele Nyesom Wike a path which take over the and all sorts Fayose and he said, the PDP had and among actors in the of and manner the party Ekiti refused Anyanwu PDP. respective and Rivers beliefs is that One of Anyanwu to follow. To take over the of , the you don’t succeed system; he people gradually by ’s Anyanwu ly to feather their political states in the 2019 APC will have a clean was mortified! standing election as sweep nest, But will crumble in one place or else in politics a crisis. knew that the stage was set for options for the people there are no viable the ground beneath your to chose.

As to his own According feet. He said Acting Feature to him, when that other only time will ambition, Anyanwu s Editor: Charles you options left, believes tell even as you may as have no has it that the rumour Ajunwa Email: he may be eyeing well bow mill in Imo state. charles.ajunwa the governors hip @thisd

WEEKENDFILE Fashion on the Street

WEEKEND WEEK LY PULL OUT

What informed your choice of Olajumoke, the bread seller as the face of this year’s edition of St. Eve African FashionWeek?

We chose Olajumoke because of her street to stardom story. Remember that she is known as the bread seller.

Page 27

BUSINESS Ibru Family Pushing Hard to Buy Back

T H I S D AY

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ACTING EDITO R CHARLES 19 Group Busine AJUNWA / charle ss Email chika.a Editor Chika Amanze-Nw s.ajunwa@t manzenwach achuk hisdaylive.c

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Quick Takes

APM Termin als

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L-R: Chief Executive Officer of APM Chairman, APM Terminals, Mr. Terminals Apapa, Chief Ernest Morten Engelstoft; Chief Shonekan; when Portfolio Engelstoft visited Officer, APM Terminals Nigeria ‌recentl , Mr. Peder Sonderga y ard and

Ëž ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă• Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?

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CITYSTRINGS A Poet’s Resurrection

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CEO Meets The Chief Executive Stakeholder OďŹƒcer of APM met with the Terminals s on the Nigeriaentire Apapa team of the , Mr. Morten Engelstoft market, update company to meet with customer hear more them s to talk about on APM Terminals plans Addressing and future the sta in Lagos he stated business. create a company that his priority that is an attractive “We need to was to be place to work. people and able to attract the best people people, hold on delivering a better who are motivate d to engage to the best performa we have the component nce. As we are building and thereby a new on how future, we have the employee we can make certain strategy, to deliver successfu that in the s in the lly,â€? Engelstoft company that are necessary management said. While complem and and commitm sta of APMTerminals enting the Africa’s largestent to serving Africa’s Apapa for their dedication largest economy container continue to and West provide the terminal, he said the company right environm to work and would succeed. He said Nigeria ent for the right people of APM Terminals remains an ’ operation and Nigeria has growth plan. important part a middle class significant growth potential and with the expandin by 2050 – that’s overall population that will g larger than the United States.reach 400 million

Air Peace Resum

Air Peace has es announced the Abuja Flight out of the Nnamdi s resumptio from Wednesd Azikiwe Internatio n of all its flights into and nal Airport, ay, April 19.

Abuja starting Corporate Communi A statemen t issued by cations air travellers the carrier’s for keeping Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah faith with the sacrifice to commended ensure repair airline of the bad portions and making a huge Abuja airport. of the runway the Minister The airline also praised the of the of State for speedy completio Aviation, Sen. federal government and “We are pleased n of the repair work Hadi Sirika for ensuring on the to announce out of the Nnamdi resumption runway of the facility. of all our flights Azikiwe Wednesday, into and April 19. The International Airport with federal governme traďŹƒc on March eect from 8 to enable nt shut the facility diverted all Abuja-bou a six-week repair nd flights to of its runway to “We considere the and Kaduna d down the airport the decision of the federal International Airport. for quick repair government high safety to shut of its runway standard safety our esteemeds of our flight operation in tandem with the s. At Air Peace, guests is our not comprom the first “Although the ise on that for any reason. rule of business. We do decision to shut costs, for us, nothing comparesthe facility to traďŹƒc came our numerous guests and the with safety. We are also with huge a lot of sacrifice aware that entire travelling public wish to commendto enable the repair of the runway had to make the airline said. them for their understan possible ding and cooperatiand on,â€?

The Ibru family AVIAT ION has expressed airline, leaving its willingnes s as sole owner. the Ibru family indicated Contractors, to buy back Aero which it lost interest to The airline set Managem to Asbuy the airline. But The source ent Corporat the Ibru

by AMCON was taken over said also hinted of Nigeria (AMCON ion the federal when it could to be making family is government that not offset the ) owing the airline’s moves to buy back offered credit huge indebtedn to Arik Air, which the airline to banks. was recently secured from Oceanic facility it willing to ess taken and is over by pay about Bank and later A source with 50 per international AMCON to two the Ecobank, which absorbed cent of the total airlines debts assets industry, who the aviation the airlines declined.to buy, but defunct and liability of the AMCON, which was owed to THISDAY disclosed this Oceanic bank. put at about N35 Aero billion.

THISDAY willing to sell said AMCON is owed Contractors was initially “We have Group Comm over inside Aero gathered from that family or anythe airline to Ibru CHC by the Ibru family source that have indicated 18 people and ends Dana’s other interested Helicopters Kaduna Integrity First buy party at a good of Canada. Capital, which was appointed Services Aero, but the interest to But CHC, service delivery Group (KIP) has commend price. to oversee the some years Ibru family wants to sale of relinquished ed Dana Air ago, hinted as the airline and its contribution to the for good its stakes in that about 18 the airline responsib settle. First Capital recommences nation’s the from le for the According to flights to Nigeria’s aviation industry, Nigeria and companies sale said overseas have capital, Abuja.

Ladan, “the a letter signed by KIP Kaduna Chairman, Abdullai Continued Air for its contributIntegrity Group wishes on page 20 to appreciat Umar ion to peace, the renovatio 40 e Dana tourism n of the Abuja for your contribut and Kaduna and security during airport. We we are exceeding ion to towards the success thank you ly grateful.’’ The of Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzu Accountable the exercise and o while Manager of and service Dana delivery said, reacting to the award for of “We excellenc appreciat thank Eromosele the Kaduna T H e ing our award-wi Abiodun I S DGroup Integrity Minister of AY ˞ FRIDAY State for Aviation,nning service. We is a critical , APRIL 21, also thank the the aviation 2017 Hadi Sirika The Executive agencies for the conduct determinant in MARIT IME for walking raising the bar were resolved of internatio Secretary of federal governme the Nigerian trade and impacts and ensuring the talk, nal Shippers’ Council and understan on-time, and Acting our amazingFeatur that issues ing the developm nt are facilitat- economie on national (NSC), Hassan ding. Kaduna guests fores ent of the TTPs s.

Bello, has stated State; Onitsha,Anambra appreciate them theirEditor people are peace-lov to boost support Charle s that Enugu quality, cost The availability, Email for their hospitalit Ajunwa Jebba,Kwara State; trade local and internatio and Kogi states ing charle to and and Abuja we also nal transport efficiency of State; Lokoja, s.ajunw kick-start the on Wednesd in the country. y.’’ ‘We will commenc will State; a@thisdayli Kogi ay and will operate services influence Lagos to Abuja e flights Shedding more Transit Parks planned Truck Afor, Ore, Ondo State; Obollove.com five daily flights light on the the trading environm (TTPs) to be Enugu State. return services at 7.02am, 12.40pm, project at the from in eight locations sited ent and 15.03, 16.11 the competit at 9am, 10.45am, just The conclude and facility iveness across eight Enugu 18.00 and 14.25pm, 18.00pm states of the of export ness incubationhas in-built busi- Bello, International Trade d goods on the federatio and 19.55pm.’’ Fair, international said: “A Truck TTP is a transport n. the micro, smallcenters to boost is Transit Park market as well as the infrastruca public rest ture develope and medium cost of imported goods. enterpris area d located by es (MSMEs) the road, designed the NSC to In this off facilitate trade as well temporary to provide the Nigerian Shippers’ regard, in the country as other recreation “April 19 was and ensure the due Not less than al facilities. drivers. rest location for truck serves as an agent for Council safety of lives date to conclud the highway economic It is primarily on opportun development 15,000 job s. intended for short-term ities will be open the airporte and The eight locations tions in the costthrough intervencreated when the project safety on our program based identified as economic becomes fully and also longer-term breaks cargo transport moderation and operation of work. parking services in Here we are, he according the construct ally viable for facilitator al, hall dropped high-use transport in positive impactissues resulting to the into corridors ssilence to achieve a we set out of the project. on inflationar include: Portion of the TTPs trend in the as celebrated pin-drop.� y target and The country.�

Taiwo we achieved actress, In his presentat which Lagos State; Novo Creek, tion’s NSC, Ajai-Lyce is the naBello, who the target� tt, took ion on the Port stage Ogere, Ogun was represent Economic the ic and Regulator “Econom started to title:to ed and the represent Regulation and by the Deputy Director, read Simpson poem a SojiTrucking Effective ative oftitled Public tion’, which the ‘Nigerianis In Ngeria,� Private Partnership (PPP), he observed aredefine themselv urged Meditations Mr. es and moveNigerians to that, “Transport habits and is a living away Minister practices

Enugu, Kog Transit Parki States to kick-sta rt NSC’s Tru s ck

CITYSTRING S

Ëž ĂœĂ™Ă”Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÍŻÍłËœÍŽÍŽ ÍŽ Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ?

he hall dropped into pin-drop silence as celebrated actress,Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, took to the stage and started to read a Soji Simpson poem titled ‘Nigerianisa- tion’, which urged Nigerians to redefine themselves and move away from habits and practices copied from their British colonial masters. Page 40

INTERNATIONAL Policeman and Attacker Killed in Paris

T

from Continued of State, testament copied from colonial masters. on page 20 their British Senator HadiAviation to “Let us be not Anglicise Sirika. true Nigerians genius; an Soji Simpson’s , she was done,d Africans,� a line read. indication the crowd cheered When of what was and applause. with vibrant a glimpse of Ajai-Lycett what could his was the never met Soji Simpson, first play she but a collection have been. It is she returned took part about him from England. “And in when will sit well of poems which I’ve heard for the last mysterious 43 years, about disappearance,� his pleasure as for individual does not buy she said.

But she it cuts across into oblivion.the idea that he has diverse genres evaporated increasingly “As I get older, it ballads, sonne - odes, lyrics, because we clear to me that we becomes don’t die, are spirits.�

Soji Simpson to the breadt ts, speaking was a Nigerian in 1939. He writer born was one of Simpson’s h and depth of his generatio the shining lights of craft A thespian, n, in the field of creative art. wrote over poet, and playwright.

70 while he was poems between 1958 Simpson and 1961 a student Academy and King’s at the Lagos Baptist also wrote a collection five plays College, Lagos. He of poems which (Too Much The Vogue, individual Too Soon, will sit well pleasure as Voice, and If I forget Thee, His for genres (odes, it cuts The Mirage), Master’s lyrics, ballads, across diverse performed all of which ing to the sonnets), speakby were breadth and troupe foundedNeighbourhood craft. It should depth of Simpson’ Players, a Neighbourhood and directed by also make s classroom its way into him.

Players, as The a worthy collection 1966 and 1968, the which closer scrutiny.� also performed ran between deserving by other writers.

So, to launch He was also plays written He used to the book memory of a journalist Soji Simpson, and revive the . Late Simpson of the 70s’ write a column called was organised a in the Daily ‘Voice 1968 and 1973. at the Musonpoetry recital Express between dozens of readers, including Centre and seum, Onikan, But, one were invited evening in Ajai-Lycett, Lagos, aged to read poems Simpson mysteriou been seen August 1974, poetry “We at Diamond 35. He has from Meditatio and breathe since. Yet, Soji and sly vanished not and was rehearsin he remains life into it ns. that the significan Publications are family, a devastati annotating by compiling to friends grateful some of ‘Behold my g Rasheed Gbadamowhile he t work ng loss. book titled Decades after, represents was Redeemer’ si’s ‘Meditations’. his poems into a his younger not stillborn,�that Meditations at the National play, Simpson, publishers tive Accordin brother, Officer the an Chief educationist Mu- decided g to the of Femi “Meditat of the book, Diamond Idowu, said Diamond Publicatio Execuand writer, to unearth Publications, has Simpson’sions is a living Simpson’s that it was at the recital. “We arens, Lanre testament manuscrip genius; not to grateful t of and a glimpse of an indication of what Soji misadventure. aborted through negligenc In a sense what could was love; e or we are celebratin have been. love for diligence, It is for enterprise g love for talent, , love for industry, love love for the

L-R : Mr. Sobo

Onasanya, Dr.

Terror Attack A terror attack last night in the French capital, Paris has claimed the life of a policeman, injuring two others.The French police also said the gunman was later killed in the shooting incident had occurred along the Champs-ElysĂŠes shopping boulevard in central Paris.

Page 47

SPORTS NFPL: Maikaba Delighted with

A Poet’s Res urrection

Forty-three years after he the Muson Centre recen vanished, friends and tly to bring him back to family of Soji Simpson life, writes gathered at Solomon Elus oji

Folarin Williams, Mrs.

Chika Balogun,

Bashorun Jaiye

FRIDAY APRIL

Randle, Mr.

21, 2017 Ëž T H

Lanre Idowu

I S D AY

and Mr. Femi Simpson,

INTERNATIO

presenting

‘Mediations ’

Policeman and NAL Attacker Killed in Paris Terror Att ack

Okechukwu Uwaezuoke with agency reports

email:foreigndesk@

47

CHANGE OF

thisdaylive.com

I formerly known NAME and addressed as MISS ADENUSI ADEKEMI BALIQIS known and addressed as MRS ARIYO ADEKEMI BALIQIS. All

Police authorities

meanwhile called on the A helicopter known and addressed public to avoid A terror attack as the area and HAMILTON, central Paris, flying low over lights flashing have launched OLADELE. I apparently part TAIWO French capital, last night in the anti-terror and heavily armed hereby add of Paris has claimed investigation. Given an a follow-up police my the life of a policeman, operation, was police cordoning off the area spate of recent the spotted be known down after what has mass attacks by a Reuters injuring two others. The HAMILTON, and addressed as been described French police also by so-called Islamic State, claimed TV channel BFM reporter. French a major exchange TAIWO OLADELE as HELEN. said the gunman Islamist footage broadcas t militancy has of fire nears a was later killed Marks and Spencers of the famed the shooting incident in issue in the become a front-burner de I BARR Arc store. along the Champs-Elyshad occurred polls in most tightly-contested of Triomphe and top half Champs-ElysĂŠes, a hub for The JOMBO OMOFUNMILEWA JEROME recent memory. tourists the Champsfrom across the ĂŠes shopping I formerly known boulevard in ElysĂŠes world, has and addressed packed with central as OMOFUNMILEW as police vans, been seen as a potential long OMOFUNMILEW A single gunman Paris.

A ADEJOMBO NAMES OF APPROVE EDOR or target, according to the brandishing a Kalashniko ADEJOMBO. A JOMBO or FUNMI BBC. BGM-AFRICA D GLADIATORS FOR and addressed as v had opened addressed as OMOFUNMILEW ENTERPRISE MRS ENIYOME fire on policemen ARUWA. THE MANSION on a foot patrol ADEJOMBO. A JEROME (BOOT-CAMP) before being killed, I formerly known citing the local reported BBC and addressed as I newspaper Le MISS DARAMOLA formerly Parisien.

MOJIRIAYO ATOYEBI, known and addressed as BUKOLA I ONAOLAPO OYEBIMPE formerly known The incident and addressed led to the as MOHAMMEand addressed evacuation and as MRS BENSON addressed D ISMAILA MOJIRIAYO BUKOLA. whole of the sealing off of the All former ONAOLAPO as DAGUNDURO, addressed Champs-Elysees, OYEBIMPE. All MOHAMMEas BAYERO TANKO with police vehicles lining up D. All former near a point half way up I formerly known avenue around the the George as MISS ALEX and addressed I formerly known Shots, BBC further V station.

EBERE NDIDI as ABDUL FATAIand addressed I formerly were heard around reported, ADESHINA known and addressed 21:00 (19:00 addressed as MRS GMT) in or as MARY ODUFA NZELU EBERE addressed near the Marks PATIENCE. Spencer store, AKPURI & as leading to tourists ADUNGBENIMO.ABDUL FATAI addressed and passers-by All former as IRENE MARIAM hastily from the moving away ODUFA. A police source location in panic.

I formerly known also said there I formerly known had been two assailants, as OKWOCHE and addressed and addressed as MISS UKHURHEBO GODWIN told Reuters that and a witness WONAH I formerly known R JULIANA OYHAMENDA of a car at the one man got out and addressed and addressed EKUNDAYO now as STELLA NKECHI scene and began as OKWOCHE GODWIN ROGERS. shooting with IJEOMAH as MRS ELENBALULU a machine gun.

All former This occurred JULIANA OYHAMENDA addressed as STELLA just days ahead EKUNDAYO. of France’s presidential NKECHI All JOHN. election, candidates made as I formerly known and addressed I in a TV appearancetheir last pitches as AJALA formerly known before Sunday’s OLAYINKA as and addressed poll.

OMOTOYO SI MARTHA OGBEMUD I formerly known and addressed IA as JULIET known and addressed as AJALA OLAYINKA OLAMILEKA MICHAEL addressed as N. All MS. MARTHA I formerly

CHANGE OF NAME

ASIRUWA.

All

former

KERENHAPPUCH

YOHANNA.

It is with a deep sense of loss but with gratitude to the Almighty,that we announce the

SAYLING TO

ELYSIUM OF

,

from the rece pt of the app cat on sub ect to appropr ate documentat on Furthermore author sed dea ers are expected to subm t returns to the CBN n comp ance w th the 48-hour t me ne “A author sed dea ers are therefore adv sed to take note and br ng the c rcu ar to the attent on of the r customers � t added It sted the rev sed mport documentat on as fo ows B of Lad ng Cert f cate of Or g n (former y Comb ned Cert f cate of Va ue of Or g n) Commerc a Invo ce Ex t Note (former y Ex t Gate) Form M Pack ng L st S ng e Goods Dec arat on and Product Cert f cate Rev sed export documentat on accord ng to the centra bank nc ude B of Lad ng Cert f cate of Or g n Commerc a Invo ce S ng e Goods Dec arat on N ger an Export Proceeds Form C ean Cert f cate of Inspect on (CCI) and Pack ng L st

OF TOMORR OW?

Implosion Anyanwu, th e Man Who To say that some members of the PDP’s Implos Foresaw ion Peoples Democratic Party have yet to come to terms with the loss of the T 2015 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress is certainly not an understatement. After boasting that it would rule Nigeria for many years... Page 17

,

stab ty of the f nanc a system and growth of the economy Desp te a do ars pumped nto the market by the centra bank the accret on of N ger a s externa reserves rema ned undented r s ng by $279 m on to $30 586 b on as of Wednesday from $30 307 b on two weeks before A so fo ow ng the federa government s b d to create the enab ng env ronment for do ng bus ness n N ger a the centra bank yesterday announced the reduct on of documentat on requ rements for mports and exports The t me ne for process ng the N ger an Export Proceeds (NXP) Form was a so rev sed The CBN stated th s n a c rcu ar s gned by ts D rector Trade and Exchange Department CBN W D Gotr ng It sa d the t me ne for process ng Form NXP by author sed dea ers sha be a max mum of 48 hours

THE LEADERS

W

PERSON

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Paramole

bet for host ng fe than do the puffy gas p anets orb t ng other stars “The temperature s very m d and s m ar to what earth exper ences today that means the potent a for qu d water on the p anet s surface �

They sa d astronomers had found rough y 20 earth-s zed p anets that m ght support qu d water add ng that many are so far away that t wou d be a cha enge to get to know them To date more than 3 500 exop anets have been d scovered n over 2 600 p anetary systems

ON

POLITICS

MATELOT

An exop anet or extra-so ar p anet s a p anet that orb ts a star other than the Sun Over 2 000 exop anets have been d scovered s nce 1988 Spec f ca y 2 098 p anets n 1 342 p anetary systems nc ud ng 509 mu t p e p anetary systems ex sted as of March 24 2016 The sc ent sts sa d “The o nt exerc se revea ed a sma d m star c rc ed by a sma tubby p anet near y seven t mes more mass ve than Earth and probab y made n good part of rock “Such rocky wor d seems a better

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planned meeting The All Progressives earlier scheduled with its governors Congress to hold (APC) has put on hold the national following the inability yesterday caucus and National Executive state chief executives of most the Committee (NEC) meetings to Abuja for the event.to make it scheduled for The Bauchi April 24 and State governor, 2017 respectively 25, Mohammed .

Abubakar had In a statement the National said National Publicity issued by its Odigie-OyegChairman, Chief John Bolaji Abdullahi, Secretary, Mallam the meeting un, informed him of last Monday. cancelation of the party said the Oyegun the due to unexpectedtwo events was governor had asked the Bauchi developments. to help remind The APC statement colleagues in the North-east his read: “The national caucus about and NEC meetings the meeting whose of the APC agenda had to do with the scheduled for moves to reconcile Speaker, House of April discontented 24 and 25, 2017 Representatives, been postponed.respectively have the meeting members ahead of and Director General, Hon. Yakubu Nigerian Maritime Dogara; Vice-Presid conference on of the national “The postponem Administra Maritime Administra caucus ent ent is due to and NEC. tion in Africa, tion and Safety AgencyYemi Osinbajo; Minister of unexpected developmen It held in Abuja‌ (NIMASA), Dr. Transportation, ts. New and was learnt that the governor dates for the yesterday Dakuku Peterside, Rotimi Amaechi; his aides who meetings will during the opening communicated were already be on their of the in to Abuja yesterday THISDAY also due course.â€?

Godwin Omoigui to turn had party leadership gathered that the trip back mid way during the following has also shelved a the meeting. the cancellation of

POLITICS Anyanwu, the Man Who Foresaw PDP’s

Kano Magistrate Remands Woman for Insulting Her Mother

mport e g b e tems and ncreased both the amount and number of sa es to BDCs Accord ng to a source at the centra bank the na ra s expected to apprec ate further when the BDCs get another tranche of $20 000 from the CBN today Ana ysts had r ght y forecast that w th the forays by the CBN n the var ous segments of the market the na ra wou d strengthen aga nst the greenback and other convert b e currenc es th s week F nanc a Der vat ves Company L m ted yesterday sa d that the na ra wou d strengthen further on the para e market “ n the days to come�

CBN spokesman Mr Isaac Okorafor recent y assured FX end-users that the centra bank wou d susta n ts do ar n ect on n the market He a so asked market part c pants to ab de by the ru es to ensure the preservat on of the externa reserves

21, 2017 Ëž T

Davidson Iriekpe

daylive.com,

enue State has a wage bill billion (N4.2 of billion for state N7.8 billion for local and unfruitful attempts governments), N3.6 wage bill, the in northern to reduce the the largest governor’s Nigeria. tution of a 10-member latest effort was In ascending salary verification the constie believed and with a charge figures for civil order, these are the to ascertain committee some states servants wage (youth) were many of us the the state. The assassinations. across the country: happy. We grew bill for committee had authentic wage bill of The same elite Yobe, N1.3bn; up believing as Chairman Mr. Tertsea perpetrate these using the youth Sokoto, N1.6bn; Kebbi, N1.02bn; this and Ikyaabo Taraba, N1.85bn; promise of hope saying as a to members were Terhemen Jato as Secretary.

Plateau, N1.7bn; children in these atrocities do not involve Adamawa, Wondoo Atikpo, Other their own acts as they Nasarawa, N2.45bn; sort of assurance and some N1.9bn; Iorpenda Tarnguhar, Jeremiah Ikuba, or America Ekiti, N2.6bn; Niger, N2.1bn; getting proper are in far-away Europe Regina Kogi, N3.2bn; tomorrow. Little of a better Pa, Orindia that it was a Kwara, N2.8bn; will come back training after Kaduna, N3.5bn; Shie and Philip Are, S.U. Ikomon Peter did we know fantasy and which they to N3.7bn; Ondo, Nongo. fallacy to Osun, N3.6bn; Inauguratin only the gullible.

The instrument take the places of their N3.8bn; g the committee, Kano, They (the elite) be believed by Benue, parents�.

N4.5bn; Oyo, urged its members consciences Governor Ortom the elite to keep of poverty has been appealed N5.3bn; Ogun, N4.2bn; Bayelsa, by used by to explore the and Lagos, N6bn; Rivers, number (BVN) hope in order giving us what I described to our populace under not just the youth but bank verification N9.1bn.

N7bn to give them the whole as false ‘control’. The Benue State, to guard againstand other ICT related measures governance are not conditioned minds and the overall room to carry on with future multiple country, is up one of the poorest states to ask questions of most youths individual Nigeria control of the payments to not interested in the public servants. as we know there with economic and they are economy. in governance the South-west to expose the He only the leadership it today has been heavyweigh a people vulnerable . Being poor syndicate within also charged them ts in makes class of yesteryears shaped by counterparts. like Lagos and other oil-producin to succumb believed to the question: the civil service immediate gains It will interest be behind the to the allures and this begs what has happened g and the perceived State which of ghost workers for possible of tomorrow� ‘peanuts’ has more than you to know that Kano to sanctions the “leaders syndrome comfort the offered by the ? and submit Benue State twice the population months. has happened The question does not elite to commit They also orchestrate its report in with 44 local end to of atrocities. three governments, T wage bill of political It’s been eight could the youths the old-long saying but at what to occupy the N2.1bn for local stillHhas I SaD AY ˞ FRIDAY months already also what minds of the and economic drama have learnt while Benue government During this, APRIL leaders they and keep them with no result. people and stands workers intervening have had. Not from the crop of 21,period, the 2017 away from Governor Samuel tall at N3.6bn. wage bill has from the view so that they do the main issues youth sucked the state this over-bloated Ortom was point of setting much if you look at it not that there was months of federal result morality the first to dry, questions. The become articulate enough so fraud in the is diminishing good examples. As a allocation, budgetgulping eight education system to ask in office. Benue system on his admit first tranche the ill-ways and so is the support and first day is in a shambles of of their leaders as youths are copying health sector. by ghost workersState’s wage bill is obviously to over N32bn Paris Club debt refunds lack of punitive which is encouraged the system is The deplorable amounting bloated being suffered state of towards a solutionsince time immemoria by have a backlog and still counting. As I practices. Some measures to deter bad the elite, who by l, but efforts write, we leadership have been, have the resources,only the poor while familiar book for state civil of unpaid salaries for five their place in youths today, instead of to fly abroad of lamentation at best, drawn from a would not hesitate servants contributing taking to s. the local governmen and almost a year months to national development, are being detention wouldget medical treatment; for those of even those in also want to Usha Anenga, t. the very same used for destructive activities checkups and elite. They are uanenga@y probably jump fly abroad for medical by malpractices ahoo.com An old Chinese bail. and other vices used in electoral proverb has and snatching which include to plant a tree it that the of ballot boxes, thuggery is 20 years ago best time now. blackmail and but the good even time is Omale Omachi Samuel, Abuja

The so ar system

A mag strate court s tt ng n Kano pres ded over by Ha ya Umma San Kurmawa yesterday ordered the remand n pr son custody of a 20-year-o d young woman Umm Abdu ah for a eged y verba y abus ng her mother The charge sheet read n an open court sa d Umm hur ed verba abuses at her mother add ng that Umm on March 4 2017 at Badawa quarters comm tted the acts of cr m na nt m dat on ntent ona nsu t m sch ef and attempted to

News Editor

n.iriekpen@this

Uwaezuoke

NHRC Prob es During 2015 Hate Speech, Electoral Violence Polls

Wth a circular titled “Import AdjustmentTax�, the Federal Ministry of Finance recently directed the introduction of 20 per cent tax on imported medicament in the pharmaceutical sector. pharmaceutical sector.

This means that for every imported drugs and allied products... Page 15

brah m Shua bu n Kano

FRIDAY APRIL

Email davidso

Okechukwu

AFRICOM headquarters The emergence in Stuttgart (Germany) and believed to be was monitored Barnawi’s faction of Musab Al- the US the son of the at slain which State-affiliated from the Islamic in LagosConsulate General Office Boko Haram founder Mohammed he said also terror group Yusuf, whose by local bears the Haram factional Boko deputy the group’s name Islamic State This corroborate The conference, journalists. leader has been current leader in West Africa – “a name it described as d General Shekau Waldhauser’s Tuesday, was which started last doesn’t deserve.� a group would Shekau had pledgedused to be. the first of its Chad Basin boost to the Lake held On the fears on be defeated the effect that statement to the kind Multi-National allegiance between the in near future. the AFRICOM of the operations the sustainability was US AFRICOM to the so-called Islamic Task Force’s Joint and 49 working towards (MNJTF) African military in the event (IS) group in State dwindling Re-iterating the insurgency operations. counterof “African March 2015. leaders.

Major-General months later, But Adeosun international support, solutions to African problems,� peace to the nation,need for lasting This was disclosed Adeosun in August he also stressed which implies explained that the need for the year, last by the MNJTF attributed the boost reducing commander, Major-Gener the continent’s government to to the Syria, the IS based in Iraq and MNJTF, like other similar tenuous link reach dependence the out to population subsisting al Lamidi the announced outfits on the continent, Adeosun, in on to dissuading with a view Al-Barnaw sect’s two rival between as the leader is basically external support by developing briefing held telephonic press factions. of its ‘West Africai self-reliant but benefits new would-be the local military’s “The split yesterday.

Al-Shabab province.’ additional from recruits.

The briefing, operations in is assisting the On the Al-Shabab capacity. support from which was He specifically “He has been a way,� he hosted by the the in Somalia, insurgency cochallenging the US and the others. called for the said. military,�

Al-Barnawi, US Africa Command it would are not necessary. “The fears Soubagleh Lieutenant-General involvement of the academic (AFRICOM) Adeosun recalled, be confirmed commander communit disclosed that (from outside) “What comes terror Thomas Waldhauser , General Boko had been critical of the about the Boko Haram the organisatioy, civil society is an additional Haram leader group sect, support,� and the indiscrimina African Union Shekau’s stronghold in has no more religious ns, the media and he said.

Mission in Somalia te targeting of (AMISOM) institution, country and the East African other fellow Muslims and Lieutenant-G among assured that stakeholders had vowed eneral concentrate Osman Noor the in this in to Soubagleh, was endeavour. Somalia yesterday at the held on fighting his faction’s efforts the Christians Chiefs of Defenceend of the African well as as the governmen Conference at the military t and the . Al-Barnawi, meanwhile, is

Directors, Dr. Bala Services) and Bello (Corporate services in line Stella Okotete President Muhammad trade policy. with government Odia u Buhari has (Business Development). reconstituted as Executive Bala Bello takes the Okoh in Makurdi Buhari has Director (Corporate of the Nigeria top management Emmanuel over also Services). Alozie Export-Impo Moore Abolo. from the appointm approved Mac and “Unfortunately, ent of some motorists (NEXIM), following the rt Bank Three persons Mr. Rotimi The new board Thomas removal the appointments, according were yesterday were fighting with the youths of Bashir Wali, and executivea were appointed as non-executiv feared dead to statement, are who was the which led to serious in with immediate management for directors. e between Fulania renewed clash policemen pandemonium until managing director of the acting effect. Abba Rural Bello is a member Electrification bank.

Furthermore, A statement issued residents of a Tiv herdsmen and youths,� came and dispersed the the statement The ChairmanAgency. yesterday by of Chartered Institute of stated that Director of Press the eyewitness Bankers is of Nigeria. Until Igba Uke villagecommunity at Tse not who did in the Office Umaru Maza of the board confirmed the president had since want his appointmen the appointment Maza, while 10 kilometres near Ikpayongo, concluded.his name mentioned Secretary to the Governmen of the he was an Executive t, the Managing from Makurdi, of Saleh t of the North-east Dunoma as the Federation (SGF), Director of Benue State capital. the Managing Director Mrs. Damilola Director is of the and North-west Confirming the announced the Bolaji Adebiyi, Bank Federal Airports at Unity Dr. report, Ogunbiyi According to since 2015.

Authority of Sanusi Mohamm . Nigeria (FAAN); a source, the Police Public Relations the state Abubakar Abba appointment of suspected herdsmen NEXIM is responsible Captain Mukhtar Bello as the new Officer managing Ohiare has (PPRO), Moses ed Usman had been as for the as invaded confirmed promotion of Tse Igba Uke Yamu, who director. the Executive appointed Nigerian the Director-General of a diversified the crisis in a Also appointed export Electrificatio Director (Rural Civil Aviation Ikayongo and village close to said statement, are two Executive base through the provision Authority two persons killed two persons.

(NCAA) n); Muhamma finance, risk bearing of This led to d A. Akinkotu and Captain Fola C. one was criticallywere killed, while some youths and advisory Wasaram as Executive as injured.

Ikpayongo mounting the in Managing Director (Technical Services) The statement Director a roadblock and Yewande of Nigerian Airspace Managemen read: along the federal Agency (NAM highway, leaving report that suspected “We got t motorists stranded, herdsmen attacked Tse igba while Uke village, killed passenger lost his life due to a one Sunday Kachuwa fracas. the Zongu and injured Aliade.

According to deposited at the The corpse was Tobi Soniyi General Hospital “some youths an eyewitness, while the injured is set up to investigate federal highwaybarricaded the treatment. undergoing The National today (Thursday) at Ikpayongo She said the the complaints.

Human Rights Ovrawah noted “Youths at Ikpayongo commission Commission toDprotest the that substantiated ready to investigate killing of twoT H I S was (NHRC) has blocked the road in protest persons AY ˞

Monitoring in the complaints complaints of hate speeches of the killing and received 153 complaints said it with the aim village, a few kilometres at Tse Igba killed Í° the commission, election-relat and of bringing a passengerÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ speech and election-relate on hate culpable Mr. away from those subjected ed violence would be Tony Ojukwu, assured Ikpayongo by to justice.

He added that in the process.� during Nigerians Fulani herders. that the commission to public hearing the 2015 general d violence policemen have She said the commission “The incident across the states would be bold been drafted election.

The commission to restore normalcy would indicted of the federation to enable and courageous as it where necessary, Wednesday night happened on at the has also always area. persons defend exercise the duty said its to been in naming investigation and up till mid day today (Thursday) themselves. seek team and recommendi According to her, The police spokesman across the country would travel punishmencriminal indictment, ng nobody could the investigations for prosecution those found say anything, however hearings to carry out would have a enjoined youths t and accountabili culpable the non-challan of hate speeches positive influence not to on the petitions. public if it finds evidence attitude of governmen ty the forthcoming and election-relate t law into in violence. their hands as take the A statement by d indicating t propelled 2019 general election. that any youths to take according to him, “the command She said the to the street. said the Acting the commission in hate person was involved He also investigation frowns at Executive Secretary become necessary speeches and jungle justice.� had on hate stated that the complaints Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, , related electionspeeches in view the inaugural meetingdisclosed this at 2015 violence in relation to the clamour for the establishmeof the related violence and electionelections, as spread across nt of the six of a committee well as other an Election Offences Commission geo-political subsequent elections. zones of the In his remarks, . the Project country.

Coordinator He said the investigation and Director, s would take place between April 24 and 27.

EDITORIAL The High Cost of Essential Drugs

A new y d scovered p anet s tt ng n a so ar system ust 39 ght years away has been dubbed one of the best targets for f nd ng a en fe sc ent sts have sa d A team of sc ent sts that d scovered the exop anet were quoted by the USA Today on ne news as say ng that the p anet LHS 1140b s be eved to be a rocky “Super-Earth�

Accord ng to the sc ent sts the exop anet s ts r ght n the m dd e of ts so ar system s hab tab e zone – the orb ta reg on where t s ne ther too hot nor too co d for qu d water to ex st

50

NEWS

MNJTF: A Di vid Counter-insur ed Boko Haram, Boost to Our gency Opera tions

TIAMIYU AYOBAMI

ODEBISI

8 April, 1956 - 17 March, 2017 Since buried according to muslim rites

ur Boje Esq. 40 DAYS FIDAUPRA FRArthPyrat DA YERS YS es’ Cap’n PORTS Signed:

Final Funeral

NFPL Ma ka Akwa United’s Win over MFM ba De gh ed w h Head Coach of Akwa United HeadCoachofAkwaUn tedFC FC, Abdul Abdu Akwa Un ed s W n ov e MFM

Maikaba, has expressed his delight with Akwa United’ s victory over MFM w thAkwaUn tedsv ctoryoverMFM FC in midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Page 55

takes place on 22

Ceremony

April, 2017 at Ogbom

osho, Oyo State

G w

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12

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

13

14

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

COMMENT

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

THIS EMPTY LIFE Tola Adeniyi contends that life is all sound and fury which signifies nothing

I

am not going to talk about heroic figures whose names have continued to resonate in public discourse and in spaces far beyond their places of birth. This piece is not about the lives of legendary names like the great Nnamdi Azikiwe, the sage Obafemi Awolowo, the titan Sir Ahmadu Bello, the immortal Nelson Mandela, the enigma Michael Jackson or the most recognisable face on the planet, the unstoppable Mohammed Ali. These were individuals, and a lot more whose deeds on earth impacted greatly on their communities and perhaps the world at large. These were individuals who are probably being mourned today by people who never had anything to do with them when they were alive and also by people who were not even born when these giants loomed large.

I am talking about ordinary men and women, you and I who also have been privileged to taste the surface waters of this planet. You get wiser by the day and you realise that all the gra-gra and the I-am-theworld attitude is all sound and fury which signifies nothing. At the end of your short journey [at most 120 years] on this planet you find that you just have to disappear, and with that disappearance all your vanities vanish. You discover, that is if you can from your grave, that it is only members of your immediate family, and probably a friend or two from way back in school, and one or two old men or women you had had time to assist that would mourn you for any considerable length of time.

Majority of your old school mates, your town’s people, and many from your local government if ever your fame had extended beyond your village while alive would ever remember you beyond the first year of your demise.

It is all about the emptiness of this life, the ordinariness of each and every one of us, and yet while we still breathe we assume that we are the greatest thing that ever happened to human kind.

You may want to cast your mind back a little as I am about to do now and think of many of your old classmates, former girlfriends and boyfriends, former colleagues at work, former teachers and bosses and the many ex-this ex-that who have passed into the world beyond.

How many of them do you remember? How many of such people ever cross your mind? How many of them are spoken about in daily conversations?

Examples are uncountable. There was a Professor B. O. O. Osuntokun, DSc in Medicine, former Chief Medical Director at the University College Hospital Ibadan, a great scholar by any standard in the world. Ask some staff of the University College Hospital if they ever heard of his name, you would be shocked that they would draw blank. So many of such exemplary professors who performed extraordinarily as teachers and researchers who are today remembered and missed perhaps only by members of their immediate families.

Professor Dapo Adelugba, great actor, great literary critic, great teacher, and generally was a great man. He was my teacher. He passed on a couple of years ago. But mention his name in the streets of Ibadan or even in Ijesaland where he hailed from…. And this was a man that beautified the pages of the Daily Sketch and other leading papers of his day with pungent and scholarly reviews…

We had Professor Oyin Ogunba, Professor Yinka Adedeji [Africa’s first professor of theatre studies] and other egg heads. I am not sure if the department of English University of Ibadan where Ogunba was king or the theatre arts department where Adedeji was HOD for several years has anything to commemorate their contributions.

Quite a number of my close friends have passed. Professor Femi

IF DECENT PEOPLE WHO LIVED CLEAN AND HONEST LIVES ARE HARDLY REMEMBERED DESPITE THEIR HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, HOW MUCH LESS YOU ROGUISH POLITICIANS AND DARE DEVIL ROBBERS AND KIDNAPPERS WHO ARE HIDING BILLIONS OF STOLEN MONEY

Sonaike, a town mate and classmate in the Secondary School went on to the US to obtain a PhD after a brilliant career in the Daily Times. He was my bestman as I was also his. Eleven years since he left it is only his immediate family members, a few of his students in UNILAG, LASU, and University of Texas who bear his image in their hearts.

Ibukun Falope was about to be robed as Bishop. Lovely and jocund fellow, Ibukun, his wife, Professor Badejoko and this writer were struggling over a bounteous piece of smoked fish at the wake of Princess Funmi Fagbamiye’s mother only a few years ago. Less than three months thereafter he was pronounced dead. All his aspirations, his great vision for his Church, and other services he was to render to his flock and society at large went with him. It is his wife and children and grandchildren who can best tell what befell them.

Playwright, economist and cultural ambassador Rasheed Gbadamosi who was a Commissioner in Lagos at 29 and with all his accomplishments joined the league. In a few years to come, his name would only be mentioned in passing.

Ebullient Oluwole Awolowo an icon of Awo dynasty left about four years ago leaving behind a life full of life. His memory now belongs to his immediate family members and close circle of friends.

Oluwole Apagun, distinguished architect and Golf promoter worked his ass out to leave a legacy at the Golf Recreational Resort in Abeokuta. It was his corpse that came out afloat as his prize! I mentioned his name to someone who has lived in Abeokuta these past 12 years. “I never heard of his name’ she said shrugging her shoulders as if no one with such name ever existed!

There was Chief Olusegun Olusola famed creator of the soap The Village Headmaster, a great cultural icon, an ambassador and the promoter of African Refugee Foundation. There was Professor Ayodele Awojobi DSc, there was the great Babatunde Jose Africa’s greatest media manager of all time and of course there were Sambo Tawaba, Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Do you remember them? How many former governors are remembered?

How many former ministers, commissioners, chairmen and managing directors of big corporations are today remembered?

This is what is going to happen to you and I and all of us who spend day and night worrying and bothering about this empty dream called life. We must pass our examinations. We must take university degrees. We must marry. We must get the best jobs and acquire the best property. We must ride the best cars and wear the best dresses.

Very good ambition to have.

Beyond all of that is the tall ambition to be the biggest, tallest, largest, most beautiful, most prosperous, most popular, most successful individual in the community. And for some, in order to be all that is to kill or be killed. Much of rat race and the desire to be celebrated and remembered as hero and the best the community had ever produced in the hope that your name will be out there for ever.

Life does not work that way.

If decent people who lived clean and honest lives are hardly remembered despite their huge accomplishments, how much less you roguish politicians and dare devil robbers and kidnappers who are hiding billions of stolen money? You will die, perish, and be remembered only with the stench associated with your villainous name!!

SEXUALISATION OF CHILDREN: MATTERS ARISING (2)

Providing children with the information they need about their bodies and relationships does not amount to sexualising them, argues Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi

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ny parent would agree that they have primary responsibility for talking to their children about sex and related matters.

Sonnie’s position is that it is only parents who have this responsibility. This is where I disagree.

Parents do not bring their children up in isolation. Children spend long hours outside of the home in school, and even when they are home, parents are either too busy, too prudish or in too much denial to have these conversations. We go to great lengths to teach our children right from wrong, yet we have to contend with peer influences, social media, popular culture, raging hormones and other forces that are not always within our control.

If we are concerned about what goes into the sex education curriculum in our children’s schools, we can get involved and ensure that we know what is going on. What we cannot afford to do is throw the baby out with the bathwater. Providing our children with the information they need about their bodies, relationships and decision-making in order to

protect them from sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and unwanted pregnancies, does not amount to ‘sexualising them’ as the Sonnies of this world are claiming. What we are doing is being responsible, proactive and realistic.

Sonnie is part of a global, ultra conservative network that is ideologically opposed to any discussion about sexuality. As far as they are concerned, any mention of ‘sexuality’ is about homosexuality, and ‘family planning’ means abortion. Whether we like it or not, our children are exposed to situations or people who will take advantage of their innocence if they do not have the tools to understand what is happening to them and around them. When someone tells a young girl who does not know any better that she cannot get pregnant if she does not have an orgasm, you can just imagine the fate of millions of girls who have fallen victim due to ignorance and misinformation.

I do not wish to be on the same page with Sonnie, in fact, we are not even reading the same book. What I am asking is that Sonnie should continue reading his book and not attempt to burn mine. He also does not have the right to change the title of my book.

One of the most outlandish claims that Sonnie made

in his article is about the proposed Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB) which is currently being considered at the National Assembly. Sonnie and others in his camp are so rabidly opposed to the bill that they are trying to sabotage it. They claim that (here we go again) the bill will promote abortion and homosexuality.

There is a draft copy of the GEOB available online.

Sonnie should point out which sections of the bill are about abortion and homosexuality. The bill does mention the rights of women to ‘Family Planning’, and I suppose this is a red flag to Sonnie’s bull. There are a lot of careful negotiations currently going on around the bill to ensure that it takes into consideration cultural and religious sensitivities without totally jeopardising the interests of those it seeks to protect.

The sanctimonious hysteria of people such as Sonnie does not help.

Sonnie Ekwuwosi, please stop the bullying and misinformation. I do not claim to speak for all Nigerian women, but regardless of our age, education, social status or geographical location, many of us understand what it means to live as women in a fundamentally patriarchal society. You don’t. Leave Nigerian women, their lives and bodies alone. Every

day, women and girls are raped, abused, excluded from decisions which affect them, are denied access to healthcare, education, inheritance, credit and basic amenities.

We need the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill to create a level playing field and to ensure that women and men, girls and boys, can live lives of dignity and respect in this country. The GEOB will ensure that our political, economic, cultural and social systems are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of women. None of our developmental goals as a nation will ever be achieved if women are left behind. We will no longer sit in silence while our children are abused and we lack the capacity to change the story. We will work with men who are our husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, who understand what needs to be done, and who are true supporters of promoting the dignity of women.

As for the THISDAY Editorial Board, you might want to do something about the dinosaur that keeps thumping its tail at your board meetings.

Adeleye-Fayemi is a gender specialist, social entrepreneur and writer. She is the founder of abovewhispers.com, an online community for women

15

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EDITORIAL THE HIGH COST OF ESSENTIAL DRUGS The tax on imported drugs is unhelpful

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ith a circular titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Import Adjustment Taxâ&#x20AC;?, the Federal Ministry of Finance recently directed the introduction of 20 per cent tax on imported medicament in the pharmaceutical sector.

This means that for every imported drugs and allied products, a minimum duty of 20 per cent would be made payable to the treasury through the Nigeria Customs Service. Unfortunately, this development has not only led to an astronomical rise in the prices of essential drugs, it has also led to a deluge of fake drugs across the country. This is a worrisome development that should task the Federal Ministry of Health and other critical stakeholders.

It is noteworthy that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN) have called on the federal government to rescind the decision. The argument of these stakeholders is that in 2013, Nigeria had agreed to abide by the THE GOVERNMENT IS recommendation of an OBLIGED TO IMPROVE THE ECOWAS committee WELFARE OF NIGERIAN that drug importation CITIZENS BY ENSURING within the African THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS sub-region should TO ADEQUATE MEDICAL attract a zero per cent duty. Against AND HEALTH FACILITIES the background that neighbouring African countries are operating this zero tax regime plus lower port charges on drug importation, we support the position of PSN and APIN. The main challenge of our country over the years has been the inability to ensure that our citizens, especially the rural dwellers, have access to basic primary health care. And with the high cost of essential drugs in the market owing to the rise on duty of imported drugs, it is obvious that the lives of many poor Nigerians are greatly endangered. We therefore urge President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the relevant authorities to halt this

Letters to the Editor

counter-productive policy so that enough drugs and medicament could be made available for citizens who need them at affordable prices.

Going by provisions of section 17 of our Constitution, the government is obliged to improve the welfare of Nigerian citizens by ensuring that they have access to adequate medical and health facilities. For a government that has consistently promised Nigerians access to primary health care services, this cannot be the right way to go. Making drugs which are not manufactured in Nigeria more expensive than they already are as a result of the high exchange rate will amount to a death sentence for majority of our people.

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

BENUE WAGE BILL: THE FRAUD IS STILL ON

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enue State has a wage bill of N7.8 billion (N4.2 billion for state and N3.6 billion for local governments), the largest in northern Nigeria.

In ascending order, these are the figures for civil servants wage bill for some states across the country: Kebbi, N1.02bn; Yobe, N1.3bn; Sokoto, N1.6bn; Plateau, N1.7bn; Taraba, N1.85bn; Adamawa, N1.9bn; Niger, N2.1bn; Nasarawa, N2.45bn; Ekiti, N2.6bn; Kwara, N2.8bn; Kogi, N3.2bn; Kaduna, N3.5bn; Osun, N3.6bn; Kano, N3.7bn; Ondo, N3.8bn; Benue, N4.2bn; Bayelsa, N4.5bn; Oyo, N5.3bn; Ogun, N6bn; Rivers, N7bn and Lagos, N9.1bn.

Benue State, one of the poorest states in the country, is up there with economic heavyweights in the South-west like Lagos and other oil-producing counterparts. It will interest you to know that Kano State which has more than twice the population of Benue State with 44 local governments, still has a wage bill of N2.1bn for local government workers while Benue stands tall at N3.6bn.

Governor Samuel Ortom was the first to admit that there was fraud in the system on his first day in office. Benue Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wage bill is obviously bloated by ghost workers since time immemorial, but efforts towards a solution have been, at best, drawn from a familiar book of lamentations.

s things stand, the most effective way of ensuring that quality health care services are effectively delivered to majority of Nigerians is by allowing the public to have access to essential drugs at minimum cost. Without that, preventable diseases will continue to kill in Nigeria.

By allowing the public unfettered access to essential drugs at affordable prices, some of the billions of naira squandered in medical tourism every year will be saved.

To the extent that health is wealth, most countries have built their economies around healthcare delivery systems. Unfortunately, while members of the Nigeria ruling elite are ever quick to travel abroad for the best medical treatment even for common ailments that can be treated at home, there is little or no consideration for the greater majority who depend on the neglected healthcare delivery system at home. That is the only way to explain the â&#x20AC;&#x153;import adjustment taxâ&#x20AC;? on essential drugs.

While we are not opposed to the revenue generation drive of the current administration, this policy is unhelpful because of its implications to the health of our people. Besides, the policy directive runs contrary to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) recommendation of not more than five per cent duty on medicament as a way of fast-tracking the achievement of global vision of affordable universal healthcare and eliminating diseases.

We hope that the authorities will look into the issue and redress the situation.

After numerous unfruitful attempts to reduce the wage bill, the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest effort was the constitution of a 10-member salary verification committee with a charge to ascertain the authentic wage bill of the state. The committee had Mr. Tertsea Ikyaabo as Chairman and Terhemen Jato as Secretary. Other members were Wondoo Atikpo, Jeremiah Ikuba, Iorpenda Tarnguhar, Regina Are, S.U. Ikomon Peter Pa, Orindia Shie and Philip Nongo.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Ortom urged its members to explore the bank verification number (BVN) and other ICT related measures to guard against future multiple payments to individual public servants. He also charged them to expose the syndicate within the civil service believed to be behind the ghost workers syndrome for possible sanctions and submit its report in three months.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been eight months already with no result.

During this intervening period, this over-bloated wage bill has sucked the state dry, gulping eight months of federal allocation, budget support and first tranche of Paris Club debt refunds amounting to over N32bn and still counting. As I write, we have a backlog of unpaid salaries for five months for state civil servants and almost a year for those of the local government.

Usha Anenga, uanenga@yahoo.com

THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW?

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e believed and many of us (youth) were happy. We grew up believing this saying as a promise of hope and some sort of assurance of a better tomorrow. Little did we know that it was a fantasy and fallacy to be believed by only the gullible. They (the elite) appealed to our consciences by giving us what I described as false hope in order to give them room to carry on with governance and the overall control of the economy.

Nigeria as we know it today has been shaped by only the leadership class of yesteryears and this begs the question: what has happened to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;leaders of tomorrowâ&#x20AC;?? The question does not end at what has happened to the old-long saying but also what could the youths have learnt from the crop of leaders they have had. Not so much if you look at it from the view point of setting good examples. As a result morality is diminishing as youths are copying the ill-ways of their leaders which is encouraged by lack of punitive measures to deter bad leadership practices. Some youths today, instead of taking their place in contributing to national development, are being used for destructive activities by the very same elite. They are used in electoral malpractices and other vices which include thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes, blackmail and even

assassinations. The same elite using the youth to perpetrate these atrocities do not involve their own children in these acts as they are in far-away Europe or America getting proper training after which they will come back to take the places of their parentsâ&#x20AC;?.

The instrument of poverty has been used by the elite to keep not just the youth but the whole populace under â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;controlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The minds of most youths are not conditioned to ask questions and they are not interested in governance. Being poor makes a people vulnerable to succumb to the allures of immediate gains and the perceived comfort the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;peanutsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offered by the elite to commit atrocities.

They also orchestrate political and economic drama to occupy the minds of the people and the youth and keep them away from the main issues so that they do not become articulate enough to ask questions. The education system is in a shambles and so is the health sector. The deplorable state of the system is being suffered by only the poor while the elite, who have the resources, would not hesitate to fly abroad to get medical treatment; even those in detention would also want to fly abroad for medical checkups and probably jump bail.

An old Chinese proverb has it that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago but the good time is now.

Omale Omachi Samuel, Abuja

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

STATEMENT TO THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE AND SHAREHOLDERS ON THE UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2017.

CONSOLIDATED & SEPARATE STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED & SEPARATE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Three months ended 31 March, 2017

Three months ended 31 March, 2017

Group March

Company March

March

Group

Company

March

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

N'000

N'000

N'000

N'000

N'000

N'000

N'000

N'000

Gross Earnings

2,113,241

1,856,577

472,037

448,821

Investment income Fee and commission income Net trading income Net interest margin Net operating income

1,057,822 407,806 2,452 373,969 1,842,050

947,547 550,888 2,171 260,729 1,761,335

86,369 228,117 314,486

63,335 379,625 442,959

265,673 5,518

95,242 -

157,552 -

5,862 -

Other income assets held for trading Total Revenue

2,113,241

1,856,577

472,037

448,821

Personnel expenses Other operating expenses Depreciation and amortisation

(300,536) (392,866) (24,399)

(226,201) (206,162) (20,621)

(102,105) (120,599) (16,828)

(90,791) (64,244) (12,429)

(717,802)

(452,984)

(239,532)

(167,463)

18,033

-

-

-

ASSETS

Financial assets: - Loan and receivables - Available for sale

Intangible assets Trade and other receivables Dividend receivable from Deferred tax assets

TOTAL ASSETS

48,179,083 47,977,037 53,230,144 44,945,935

18,747,028 18,689,964 17,344,401 16,803,664

21,455 4,307,168 -

22,661 4,337,298 -

209,363 21,455 910,327 472,652

105,257 22,661 620,022 3,572,652

666,283

656,967

334,367

334,367

168,379,950 160,692,959

45,418,775 48,586,585

LIABILITIES Income tax expense

(223,270)

(283,784)

(37,201)

(56,272)

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

1,172,169

1,137,842

195,304

225,087

Other comprehensive income, net

Other liabilities Deferred tax liabilities

-

-

-

-

-

9,120,866 1,821,768 219

1,194,419 1,210,598 -

1,610,585 1,173,397 -

TOTAL LIABILITIES

-

7,869,399 2,045,038 219

155,418,679 146,455,027

37,838,138 38,217,103

SHAREHOLDERS FUND

551,170

15,851

(2,996)

Share capital

(184,551)

15,851

(2,996)

953,291

211,155

222,091

the period

1,172,169

1,137,842

195,304

225,087

1,723,339

953,291

211,155

222,091

20

19

3

4

Total comprehensive income

BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD

LEO OKAFOR

3,000,000

3,000,000

3,000,000

Retained earnings Other reserves

11,418,447 13,246,278 (2,140,787) (2,691,957)

3,925,050 (28,024)

6,729,746 (43,875)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS FUND

12,961,271 14,237,932

7,580,637 10,369,482

168,379,950 160,692,959

45,418,775 48,586,585

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S FUND

3,000,000

17

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.soniyi@thisdaylive.com 08033146139 SMS ONLY

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Anyanwu, the Man Who Foresaw PDP’s Implosion A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Longers Anyanwu, a long time ago foresaw the impending collapse of the party. He left to form the Accord Party. He was however persuaded by the late President Umar Yar’Adua to return to the former ruling party. Now what he warned against years back has come to haunt the party, reports Segun James

T

o say that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party have yet to come to terms with the loss of the 2015 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress is certainly not an understatement. After boasting that it would rule Nigeria for many years, the shock routing of the PDP by the APC must have come as a surprise to many supporters of the party.

But not to Chief Longers Anyanwu a founding member of the party. While everybody got carried away by the PDP success, Anyanwu discovered that the party would not last longer. He knew that it was a matter of time. He knew the bubble would soon bust. Were those leading the party as gifted as Anyanwu, they would have foreseen the tsunami that hit them in 2015.

What Anyanwu did not foresee however, was the way and manner it would take and how devastating it would be. Today the PDP is almost dead as those leading it have suddenly become the undertakers.

Within the party, the crisis that followed the loss of power is still reverberating. While members are broadly divided between the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and those Senator Ahmed Makarfi groups, there are divisions within these two groups as well. There are those who believe that the party should be salvaged and built to become a formidable force and those who believe that it should be left to die and another party be allowed to rise from its ashes. Also in the PDP are APC sympathisers who want the party dead and they willl stop at nothing to achieve this.

That the PDP found itself in this political quagmire has been long in the making. As the party grew and became almost unwieldy, political strange bedfellows started mingling together; the party soon lost direction, a situation which left the founding fathers relegated to the background.

Anyanwu was one of the foundation members of the party in Imo state. He watched helplessly as strange people who did not know the ideology and the manifesto of the party take over the system and bastardise it. He was so worried and disenchanted that at a point when he couldn’t take it anymore he left the party to found the Accord Party (AP), a party whose ideology is based loosely on that of the PDP. He said the Accord Party’s ideology was based on nationalism, promotion of national unity, patriotism and shunning of all primordial and clannish sentiments that have suddenly taken over the PDP. According to him, Accord Party aimed at bringing people of different ethnic nationalities together.

Despite founding his own party, Anyawu was soon persuaded to return to the PDP by late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua who promised reform and a new deal for the party. Anyanwu believed that Yar’Adua was in the process of this when he died. He watched as the hawks take over the party and all sorts and manner of people gradually take over the system; he was mortified! But

While everybody got carried away by the PDP success, Anyanwu discovered that the party would not last longer. He knew that it was a matter of time. He knew the bubble would soon bust. Were those leading the party as gifted as Anyanwu, they would have foreseen the tsunami that hit them in 2015.

Anyanwu....knew PDP would explode

there was nothing much he could do.

Anyanwu is not your idea of a run-of-themill politician. He talks tough; and the tougher the issues, the tougher he talks. Discussing politics with Anyanwu is like turning on a gramophone. He has all the information at his disposal as an active participant in the process and is very emotional and passionate about what is happening in the polity.

He was a rising political star and among the finest actors in the PDP. One of Anyanwu’s beliefs is that you don’t succeed in politics by standing in one place or else the ground will crumble beneath your feet. He said that

standing still and resting on your laurels could precipitate a swift tumble, hence the need to constantly move if the need arises.

A former commissioner in Imo State, he contested the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the recent past. To him, from the moment Sheriff was brought into the party by Governors Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike of Ekiti and Rivers states respectively to feather their political nest, Anyanwu knew that the stage was set for a crisis.

According to him, when you have no other options left, you may as well bow

to the inevitable. It was at this point that Anyanwu made up his mind to leave the PDP. He found his way into the APC when it was not fashionable or politically expedient to do so.

A graduate of History and Political Science of the University of Calabar who later capped it up with a Master of Public Administration from the same university, he was Imo state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources. He was appointed the chairman and coordinator of the state implementation committee of the Sure- P programme in January 2014. That was the last position he held before he left the PDP for the APC. Anyanwu believes that the PDP should be allowed to die naturally. To him, the best president that the party ever produced was Yar’Adua who was able to end the Niger Delta crisis without shooting a gun with no life lost.

That politicians think differently is now widely accepted even though many may express doubts about this assertion. Why they do so is another matter. But one generally accepted belief is that while some may be motivated by greed, others are motivated by patriotism.

That is why Anyanwu is happy that he is not a member of the PDP at the time when the leaders of the party are at daggers drawn with one another.

So where will the next political crisis occur?

To him, certainly not in the APC, a party which is re-inventing itself and facing the challenges that come heads-on, a path which he said, the PDP had refused to follow. To Anyanwu, the APC will have a clean sweep in the 2019 election as there are no viable options for the people to chose.

As to his own ambition, Anyanwu believes only time will tell even as the rumour mill has it that he may be eyeing the governorship in Imo state.

18

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Ajimobi, Restoring Oyo to Its Past Glory Over the decades, Oyo State, the capital of the defunct Western Region, has lost its shine due to neglect by successive governments. But Governor Abiola Ajimobi is determined to reverse the misfortune, writes Moshood Oderinde

W

hen Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Isiaka Ajimobi, was elected senator to represent Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy in 2003, he came to the Senate with an intimidating track record from the private sector and distinguished himself in the Senate. When he resumed as governor at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on May 29, 2011, he added his experience in the Senate and Oyo State has been the better for it. In Nigeria, good governance is a scarce commodity; it has always been in short supply. You do not need to be an expert or a rocket scientist to know. But Ajumobi , through a visionary, purposedriven and people-oriented leadership, has given governance a breath of fresh air.

Administering a state like Oyo, which was the political capital of the defunct Western Region which had the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as premier, is not an easy task, as Ajimobi himself admitted. However, in spite of all the inherent challenges, which include the state’s large landmass and decaying infrastructure, Ajimobi has made great progress and is gradually repositioning the state by modernising the state, while also proudly protecting its ancient heritage.

Ajimobi, a prudent financial wizard, who spent over 25 years in the private sector, upon assuming office in his first term on May 29, 2011, knew that the state needed to be redeveloped with a reformist mindset in order to remove the toga of antiquity and to also provide a conducive environment for businesses to operate in the state. To realise this objective, the governor developed and launched an urban renewal programme, meant to modernise major cities in the state such as Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomosho, etc.

Part of the urban renewal plan included the relocation of markets and street traders from the streets in Oyo state to new markets built or reconstructed by the administration. This decisive action ensured that the state, particularly its capital city, Ibadan, looked cleaner, brighter and safe from all forms of dangers associated with street trading.

Furthermore, traffic flow has improved tremendously.

Ajimobi’s achievements in road infrastructure are unprecedented in the state history. In addition, some of the bridges, which collapsed during the August 2011 flood disaster, have been re-constructed.

One of the reconstructed bridges, which has since been commissioned, is the Awolowo/Bodija/Secretariat bridge.

Other road projects done or ongoing by the Ajimobi administration are the flyover at Mokola, Ibadan; motor garages at Temidire on Ibadan-Ife Road and Podo and the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road.

The Ajimobi administration is at present dualising two major roads in Ibadan, the Ibadan Interchange-Challenge-New Garage-Interchange Road and the Onireke-Jericho-Eleyele-Dugbe Road, with spurs to Aleshinloye as well as entry roads to Oyo, Ogbomoso and Iseyin.

These are aside the Ijokodo to Apete and associated bridge works; Ikoyi Express junction to Taki Palace to Ogbomoso Grammar School roads, which are in progress.

But it is not only in the area of road infrastructure that the Ajimobi admin-

Ajimobi....changing the face of Oyo

istration has excelled. The state government is also meeting the needs of Oyo state indigenes through the provision of essential social services and welfare packages such as the employment of over 20,000 youths under the Youth Employ-

Despite his landmark achievements however, Ajimobi, has not flaunted his impressive achievements in the media. The governor prefers to go about quietly with his transformation of Oyo state. But his giant strides have not gone unnoticed, especially by the people of Oyo State, the beneficiaries of his good governance.

ment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O), the purchase and distribution of 1,000 units of tricycles named “Keke Ajumose” and the provision of “Ajumose” buses to transport workers to and from their offices free of charge.

The governor also recently acceded to the request of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state by reappointing teachers as Education Secretaries for the 33 Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities.

As a people-oriented governor, Ajimobi has disbursed N356m with no interest to traders in the state. The government has equally resuscitated the Asejire Waterworks which had been abandoned by previous administrations for the last 17 years, thus confirming the general feeling that he is a listening governor.

The Ajimobi government has also provided free health services to more than 300,000 people through the free health mission programme. In its quest to make the health facilities functional, the state government procured and distributed equipment to 42 public health facilities spread across the state. The governor has also approved an increase of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) of health workers in the state to demonstrate his commitment to

the welfare of the workers.

Despite his landmark achievements however, Ajimobi, has not flaunted his impressive achievements in the media.

The governor prefers to go about quietly with his transformation of Oyo state.

But his giant strides have not gone unnoticed, especially by the people of Oyo State, the beneficiaries of his good governance. They rewarded him in equal measure by voting him in for a second term, a feat no civilian governor of the state has achieved since 1979, when the country returned to democratic governance. Breaking this “so called jinx” of one-tenure by previous civilian governors of Oyo State has not only cemented his place in the state’s history, but has also proved how popular he is across the state.

Alongside his very competent team, Ajimobi has, within the space of over six years, changed Oyo state from a sleepy ancient territory to a bubbling state, providing a suitable environment for businesses, while also catering to the needs of her citizens. Ajimobi’s foray into the politics of Oyo State has redefined and realigned the state’s politics in a breathtaking and progressive manner.

The aroma of his legacies will hang in the air long after he leaves office as governor.

Oderinde wrote in from Ibadan.

19

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŻË&#x153; 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

͡ Ë&#x153; Í° ÍŽ ÍŻ Íľ NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

NIBOR

15.3333% 17.0332%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

20.1621% 23.1621%

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH

13.0970% 14.0684%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

15.7898% 19.6644%

EXCHANGE RATE ͹͎ͳË&#x203A;ͳ͎˚˚ͯ ĚŠ ĚŠ

Quick Takes APM Terminals CEO Meets Stakeholders

The Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer of APMTerminals, Mr. Morten Engelstoft met with the entire Apapa team of the company to hear more on the Nigeria market, update them on APM Terminals plans and meet with customers to talk about future business.

Addressing the staďŹ&#x20AC; in Lagos he stated that his priority was to create a company that is an attractive place to work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to be able to attract the best people, hold on to the best people and people who are motivated to engage and thereby delivering a better performance. As we are building a new strategy, we have the component on how we can make certain that in the future, we have the employees in the company that are necessary to deliver successfully,â&#x20AC;? Engelstoft said. While complementing the management and staďŹ&#x20AC; of APMTerminals Apapa for their dedication and commitment to serving Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest economy and West Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest container terminal, he said the company would continue to provide the right environment for the right people to work and succeed. He said Nigeria remains an important part of APM Terminalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; operation and growth plan.

Nigeria has a significant growth potential with the expanding middle class and overall population that will reach 400 million by 2050 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s larger than the United States.

Air Peace Resumes Abuja Flights

GOOD TO TO SEE YOU

L-R: Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals, Mr. Morten Engelstoft; Chief Portfolio Officer, APM Terminals, Mr. Peder Sondergaard and Chairman, APM Terminals Apapa, Chief Ernest Shonekan; when Engelstoft visited Nigeria â&#x20AC;Śrecently

Ibru Family Pushing Hard to Buy Back Aero Contractors Ëž Ă&#x2122;ĘĽĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?

Chinedu Eze The Ibru family has expressed its willingness to buy back Aero Contractors, which it lost to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) owing to the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s huge indebtedness to banks.

A source with the aviation industry, who disclosed this to THISDAY said AMCON is willing to sell the airline to Ibru family or any other interested party at a good price.

AVIATION The source also hinted that the federal government offered Arik Air, which was recently taken over by AMCON to two international airlines to buy, but the airlines declined.

Aero Contractors was initially owed by the Ibru family and CHC Helicopters of Canada.

But CHC, some years ago, relinquished its stakes in the

airline, leaving the Ibru family as sole owner.

The airline was taken over

by AMCON when it could not offset the credit facility it secured from Oceanic Bank and later Ecobank, which absorbed the assets and liability of the defunct Oceanic bank.

THISDAY gathered from inside Aero source that First Capital, which was appointed to oversee the sale of the airline hinted that about 18 companies from Nigeria and overseas have

indicated interest to buy the airline. But the Ibru family is said to be making moves to buy back the airline and is willing to pay about 50 per cent of the total debts owed AMCON, which was put at about N35 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have over 18 people that have indicated interest to buy Aero, but the Ibru family wants to settle. First Capital responsible for the sale said Continued on page 20

Enugu, Kogi States to kick-start NSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Truck Transit Parks Ëž Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? ÍŻÍłË&#x153;ÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă?

Eromosele Abiodun The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, has stated that Enugu and Kogi states will kick-start the planned Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) to be sited in eight locations across eight states of the federation.

TTP is a transport infrastructure developed by the NSC to facilitate trade in the country and ensure safety of lives on the highways.

The eight locations identified as economically viable for the construction of the TTPs include: Port Novo Creek, Lagos State; Ogere, Ogun

MARITIME State; Onitsha,Anambra State; Jebba,Kwara State; Lokoja, Kogi State; Ore, Ondo State; ObolloAfor, Enugu State.

The facility has in-built business incubation centers to boost the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as other recreational facilities.

Not less than 15,000 job opportunities will be created when the project becomes fully operational, according to the facilitators of the project.

The NSC, which is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Port Economic Regulator and the representative of the

federal government are facilitating the development of the TTPs to boost local and international trade in the country.

Shedding more light on the project at the just concluded Enugu International Trade Fair, Bello, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Truck Transit Park is a public rest area located off the road, designed to provide temporary rest location for truck drivers. It is primarily intended for short-term safety breaks and also longer-term parking services in high-use transport corridors.â&#x20AC;?

In his presentation on the title: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Economic Regulation and Effective Trucking In Ngeria,â&#x20AC;? he observed that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transport

is a critical determinant in the conduct of international trade and impacts on national economies. The availability, quality, cost and efficiency of transport services influence the trading environment and the competitiveness of export goods on the international market as well as the cost of imported goods. In this regard, the Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council serves as an agent for economic development through interventions in the cost moderation and cargo transport issues resulting in positive impact on inflationary trend in the country.â&#x20AC;?

Bello, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Continued on page 20

Air Peace has announced the resumption of all its flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja starting from Wednesday, April 19. A statement issued by the carrierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah commended air travellers for keeping faith with the airline and making a huge sacrifice to ensure repair of the bad portions of the runway of the Abuja airport. The airline also praised the federal government and the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika for ensuring speedy completion of the repair work on the runway of the facility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pleased to announce resumption of all our flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport with eďŹ&#x20AC;ect from Wednesday, April 19. The federal government shut the facility to traďŹ&#x192;c on March 8 to enable a six-week repair of its runway and diverted all Abuja-bound flights to the Kaduna International Airport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We considered the decision of the federal government to shut down the airport for quick repair of its runway in tandem with the high safety standards of our flight operations. At Air Peace, the safety our esteemed guests is our first rule of business. We do not compromise on that for any reason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although the decision to shut the facility to traďŹ&#x192;c came with huge costs, for us, nothing compares with safety. We are also aware that our numerous guests and the entire travelling public had to make a lot of sacrifice to enable the repair of the runway possible and wish to commend them for their understanding and cooperation,â&#x20AC;? the airline said.

Group Commends Danaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services

Kaduna Integrity Group (KIP) has commended Dana Air for good service delivery and its contribution to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aviation industry, as the airline recommences flights to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital, Abuja.

According to a letter signed by KIP Chairman, Abdullai Umar Ladan, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Kaduna Integrity Group wishes to appreciate Dana Air for its contribution to peace, tourism and security during the renovation of the Abuja and Kaduna airport. We thank you for your contribution to towards the success of the exercise and we are exceedingly grateful.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo while reacting to the award of excellence and service delivery said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thank the Kaduna Integrity Group for appreciating our award-winning service. We also thank the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika for walking the talk, the aviation agencies for raising the bar and ensuring that issues were resolved on-time, and our amazing guests for their support and understanding. Kaduna people are peace-loving and we also appreciate them for their hospitality.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We will commence flights to Abuja on Wednesday and will operate five daily flights from Lagos to Abuja at 7.02am, 12.40pm, 15.03, 16.11 and 18.00 and return services at 9am, 10.45am, 14.25pm, 18.00pm and 19.55pm.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;April 19 was the due date to conclude and open the airport based on our program of work.

Here we are, we set out to achieve a target and we achieved the targetâ&#x20AC;?

Minister of State, Aviation

Senator Hadi Sirika.

20

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD IBRU FAMILY PUSHING HARD TO BUY BACK AERO CONTRACTORS interested parties are coming from Nigeria and overseas and there are a lot of buyers. The Ibru family is willing to offer up to 50 percent of what the airline owed,â&#x20AC;? the source said.

The source said that right now AMCON has the controlling share of the airline and if the Ibru family after negotiation agrees to pay 50 percent of the debts; which means that it has merely offset part of the debts of the airline and this may not have anything to do with the shareholding, but with such payment, the shareholding could be renegotiated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they pay there will be a restructure of the share capital, but AMCON will still own the capital but it will remove the receivership of the company, then the Ibru family can get an investor who will now buy AMCON shares. The initial debt (about N15 billion) owed AMCON was converted to shares; that is why the Corporation has controlling share, but the second debts amounts to about N20 billion and it is still there,â&#x20AC;?

ENUGU, KOGI STATES TO KICK-START NSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRUCK TRANSIT PARKS Glory Onojedo explained that as part of its ports economic regulatory duties, the NSC is to liaise with the host state governments of the TTPs to ensure the provision of the infrastructure and other facilities on the project sites. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far, Kogi State Government has allocated about 45 hectares of land at Ohono village along Lokoja-Abuja highway for TTP project, while Enugu State Government has allocated about 50 acres of land at Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area for TTP project. Kaduna State Government is developing TTP projects at Mararaban Jos, Tafa and Buruku for heavy duty trucks, as two locations have been procured while the third one is expected soon, â&#x20AC;&#x153;he said.

According to Bello, the TTP projects will be delivered through public private partnership, which entails mobilising private sector resources for national development, adding,

NEWS

Customs Rakes in N14.3bn in Three Months Eromosele Abiodun Despite the downturn in the economy, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja, Lagos, has announced revenue of N14.399 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017, compared with N11.1 billion earned in the corresponding period of 2016. This represents an increase of N3.258 billion when compared to the Q1 of year 2016.

Controller of the command, Francis Allanah, who disclosed this in a statement, said the command collected a total of N55.5 billion from January to December 2016.

This figure, he added, surpassed the envisage revenue target with a whopping N15.5 billion, and also exceeded the total collection of 2015 by N12.8billion. Allanah said he and officers in his command would continue to do their best to surpass targets set by customs high command and boost the revenue of the federal government.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The year 2017 is just three months old, notwithstanding the harsh economic realities, by dogged determination, quality leader ship, and commitment by motivation of our officers and men, the MMA command is poised to do more going by revenue figures already collected for the first quarter 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clearing agents and importers who work within the Airport can testify to our adherence to and insistence on professional conduct as stipulated by Customs guidelines/ regulations. We have made remarkable strides in the areas of revenue generation, anti-smuggling, discipline,

enforcement, trainings, officersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; welfare amongst others.â&#x20AC;?

He added that through inhouse training and re-trainings, officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service at MMA have become more professional and unbeatable. Maximum revenue, he stressed, has therefore been collected on all dutiable items be they exports or imported

cargoes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only last year, two aircrafts imported by yet to be identified importers, were seized by the command under his watch. The aircrafts have been handed over to the Nigerians Air Force to strengthen it on the fight against insurgents especially in the North-East and South-South regions of the

country. And a total of eight cartons of phantom drone are seized during the period under review. Huge sums of various currencies have also been seized from currency traffickers by the command and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary action.

Allanah added that the command does not tolerate any act of indiscipline, adding that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;By his avowed commitment to enforcing laid down rules by the Customs management board, the resultant rise in revenue profile is, without an iota of doubt, a result of his strictness and incorrigibility attitude to act of indiscipline.â&#x20AC;?

A WARM HANDSHAKE

L-R: Deputy Managing Director WEMA Bank Plc, Ademola Adebise, presenting a plaque to Principal, Federal Government College, Enugu, Mrs. Funmilayo Alfred, during a Financial Literacy Day event held at the school â&#x20AC;Ś recently

Nigeria to Participate in Global Robotic Olympics Emma Okonji Nigeria will be participating, alongside 149 nations in the first global robotic challenges billed to hold 16-18 July 2017 in Washington D.C, United States.

Founded by philanthropic inventor, Dean Kamen, to inspire a passion for science and technology leadership and innovation among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than two billion youths, the First Global Robotic provides the framework for an

olympics-style robotics event that drives home the importance of obtaining the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills needed by future leaders to overcome the greatest challenges facing the entire world.

Kamen, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;By engaging the students of the world in a collaborative competition to help solve the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most pressing problems, First Global inspires students to learn the skills they will need to make

the discoveries their parents and grandparents would consider miracles, fantasies, or just plain science fiction.â&#x20AC;?

National Coordinator of the programme in Nigeria, Mrs. Remi Willoughby, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to fully address the evident deficit in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in our educational system. Research has shown that children will rather take courses in arts and commercial subjects than these ones. Un-

fortunately this is not helping us. The government needs to find a way to encourage more students to take these courses in the secondary and tertiary institutions.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking further, Willoughby said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have gathered some of the best students in robotics to represent Nigeria in Washington. These students were picked based on their interest and performances in past competitions in Nigeria and internationally. We look

forward to an exciting outing.â&#x20AC;?

Managing Director, Aramex Nigeria and co-sponsor of the First Global project in Nigeria, Faisal Jarmakani described the opportunity as timely.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria needs to find its place on the global map of technology in developing countries. Without any doubt this competition will dictate the future of technology advancement and we are seeing it happen in our very own eyes.â&#x20AC;?

Group Business Editor

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;äĂ?Ě&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x; AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă?

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Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;

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Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?

Senior Correspondent

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Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Labour) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Maritime) Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Energy) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital) Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; (Money Mkt) Reporters

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Adopt e-Governance for Economic Emancipation, Forum Tells Govt Emma Okonji Governments at all levels in Nigeria have been advised to adopt e-governance strategies in order to effectively serve the citizens, particularly the poor and most vulnerable.

Technology experts at the 67th edition of the Digital Jewelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Information Value Chain Forum, which held in Lagos recently, gave the advice, and insisted it would enable the federal, state and local government authorities to effectively reach out to their citizens and free them from poverty.

The forum also urged citizens

to be involved in the design and use of public services to improve their well-being, and stressed the need to increase public access to the internet and promote digital literacy.

The discussion, which focused on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology in Government: Lagos State as a Case Studyâ&#x20AC;?, was led by Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, OlufemiOdubiyi, while, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Digital Jewels Limited, AdedoyinOdunfa, delivered a presentation on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology in Government: A Game Changer?â&#x20AC;?

Odubiyi said that a major

purpose of the Lagos Smart-city project was environmental security and the state government had recorded several logged incidences with the numbers on the increase. He explained that the Smart-city project involved â&#x20AC;&#x153;laying fibre optic cables across the state, and building a metronetwork where parastatals are connected.â&#x20AC;?

The commissioner described the Smart-city project as a transformation to be achieved through technology to ease the way of doing business, adding that it involved stationing of security cameras around the state which would bring

together â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;force-respondersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

He however cautioned about the threat of cyber-security breaches to the critical infrastructure in the cyberspace around the city. He said the use of technology would make reporting of security incidents easy to reach and promote access to major stakeholders in the government. On the deployment of technology, Odubiyi urged private individuals to partner government on the use of technology to ease the way security incidents were reported as well as enhance exposure to capacity development and training.

In her intervention, Odunfa declared that though Nigeria had the highest level of internet penetration in Africa, it was not among the top 10 e-governance countries in the continent, according to the UN eGovernment Survey 2016. She counselled that there was quite a lot Nigeria could explore and achieve with the use of technology.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology can be used not only to facilitate integrated policies and services that will allow access to a range of public services but to also improve standards of living through online service delivery which come in various forms.

21

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͯ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Experts Challenge Nigerian Banks on Institutional Relevance Raheem Akingbolu Banking and communications experts have called on Nigerian banks to change their priorities and prove their institutional relevance by contributing to the economic development of the Nigerian ecosystem.

The call was made during a topical discussion at the first edition of BRANDish Meeting of Minds held in Lagos with the theme: “What Nigerian Banks Should Do Differently”.

In their x-ray of the banking industry, the discussants submitted that the current modus operandi of Nigerian banks is not in sync with the society in which they operate, as they do not promote entrepreneur-

ship which is needed for the development of the country.

In his paper at the meeting, Founder and CEO Proshare Nigeria Limited, Femi Awoyemi, pointed out that Nigerian banking system cannot give what it does not have because the system was designed to be exploitative rather than developmental. He stated that these banks operate within “policies that are not in tandem with the wishes and needs of Nigerians.” Hence banks target their best services at the “25% of Nigerians that have been empowered to be valuable to the banks.”

Suggesting ways forward for Nigerian banks, the discussants led by Awoyemi called for

transformation of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Awoyemi, who is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, said CBN should be upgraded from being a “mere senior banker to the banks”.

According to him, Nigeria needs a CBN that will “allow disruption in the sector with policies that will make banks development oriented.”

As a matter of urgency, it was suggested that Nigerian banks should be more customer centric by investing in consumer insight which would enable them know more about their customers, communicate better and be able to tailor their services to meet customers’ needs. The discussants noted

that failure of the banks in their customer insight and market understanding duties is part of the reasons why Ponzi schemes such as MMM are thriving in Nigeria. These schemes they said have better understanding of customers and speak the language that resonates with them.

To help bridge the communication gap, a former Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, (APCON), LoluAkinwumi advised that banks should start optimising their retail delivery and simplify their business and operational models. According to him, the lacuna between the banks and their customers is evident in bank advertisements which

portray and celebrate bank executives rather than communicate specific service offerings and benefits to customers.

In addition, banks were advised to desist from the current trend in which they tend to reap from where they did not sow. Speaking on the regrettable trend, President, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, Sola Salako, slammed Nigerian banks saying they rarely lend money to SMEs but start knocking on their office doors when they make it big. “Banks look for their money in government circles.

So they care less about the other customers. They are concerned about the macro

and don’t understand the micro economics. But when you finally grow the business, they start knocking on your door and you wonder where they were when you were struggling to build the business. Let’s say the bitter truth, our banks are not responsible corporate citizens,” she said.

The discussants also tasked Nigerian banks to start preparing for the future of banking without a banking hall. They predicted that with the current global trend and evolving technology, the brick and mortar bank will not be “relevant to the upcoming generation, as brick will cease and banking will become a game of clicks.”

Google to Organise Techmarkers Conference for Women Ugo Aliogo As part of activities to commemorate the month of International Women’s Day, Google Nigeria is hosting one out of 19 global Women Techmakers summits the only one in Africa, to celebrate the achievements of women and encourage diversity and inspire more women to take active roles in the technology space.

Speaking at the media briefing in Lagos at the Google office, the Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Southern Africa, MichAtagana, said the focus of the conference was aimed at examining how young women are working to improve technology and those who are indicating interest to drive technological innovations in the continent, thereby providing a platform for them to begin a technology revolution.

She explained that building the capacity of women technology makers is the key for Google, stating that

last year’s conference was an eye opener because it provided the opportunity to teach young women, interact with them as part of measures to build their capacity in the technology space.

“Capacity building is very important for us at Google and there are many ways we work in doing that. If you look at the attention that has been brought to Africa in the last three years, you will realise that technology is a huge part of what we do in the continent. Technology schools are becoming more crucial in the today’s world.

The world is gradually moving into a technology driven environment,” she noted.

The summit, which is tagged; ‘Tell Your Story’ is expected to attract 300 women chosen from 700 applications. The summit would provide the opportunity for participants to listens to leading women in the technology sector in Nigeria.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Manager, Corporate Affairs, NICON Insurance Ltd, Mr. Ken Boyo; Customer Loyalty Officer, Miss Colette Ukamaka; Managing Director NICON Insurance limited Mr. Bayode Samuel; Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai; Deputy General Manager Corporate Affairs, NICON Insurance Ltd, Mr. Kunle Adewale; and Head Customer Loyalty, NICON Insurance, Mrs. Ogechi Iwuh, during a courtesy visit of NICON Insurance team to the Army Headquarters in Abuja…recently

Samsung Begins Pre-order Initiative for Galaxy S8, S8+

Nigerdock Rebrands its Training and Development Academy to Boost Local Capacity

Emma Okonji

Ejiofor Alike

Samsung Electronics West Africa has said that the 8th generation of its flagship Galaxy S Series, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, will be available for pre-registration in Nigeria, this April. The devices will, however, be available in the Nigerian market from the 5th of May, 2017. Successors to the S7 and S7 Edge, Samsung S8 and S8+ come with the most advanced Samsung technology, pushing the boundaries of traditional smartphones with seamless hardware design and a variety of new service offerings.

Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Paul Lee, said the new Galaxy S8 and S8+ were packed with the most

refined experience to-date by combining the latest technology to deliver world-class quality and user experience.

“The new Samsung S8 and S8+are packed with a plethora of features that have set a new standard for the Samsung Galaxy series. The Infinity Display and bezel-less design form a smooth, continuous surface with no buttons or harsh angles. The result is a truly immersive viewing experience without distractions and makes multi-tasking more convenient,” Lee said.

Samsung, he added, “places a high premium on security in order to protect content in the devices. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ provide heightened security and privacy, with

biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanner, iris scanning technology,and facial recognition so users canquickly and effortlessly unlock their Galaxy S8 or S8+, offering users more authentication options that can be used interchangeably.”

The Galaxy S8 has a 5.8inch display screen, while the Galaxy S8+ has a 6.2-inch screen. They also both feature Super AMOLED display, allowing for clearer videos and images with a resolution of 2960 x 1440 (Quad HD). Both devices are also water and dust (IP68)-resistant. Users do not have to worry about getting the device damaged when dropped in water, as deep as 1.5 metres, for up to 30 minutes.

In line with its commitment to enhance Nigeria’s local capacity and provide competent indigenous workforce for the energy services sector, Nigerdock has unveiled its re-branded Training and Development Academy.

The fully-equipped academy, which offers the highest quality and competence needs-based training for its workforce and clients in the sector, is a globally recognised centre that has been training tradesmen and professionals for over three decades, recording over 6,000 trainees in various skills.

Some of the skills include: project management, quality assurance, occupational health and safety, welding, fitting,

painting and coating, machining, lifting, rigging and scaffolding among others. Representatives of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW), International Oil and Gas Companies (IOCs) as well as business partners, who graced the occasion, commended Nigerdock for its consistent efforts to bolster local content and put Nigeria on the global map in the terms of complex oil and gas projects delivery.

While unveiling the re-branded academy, formerly known as Nigerdock Training Centre, the Group Corporate Affairs Director, Jagal, Joy Okebalama, noted that by re-branding the centre, the

company will be able to replicate its excellent quality footprints in the industry.

According to her, it will also be able to increase its accreditationportfolio, enable partnerships with relevant public and private organizations, arm Nigerian youth with skills for employment and life and will ultimately be franchised across Nigeria with the bid to offering internationally accredited qualifications in various disciplines.

She explained that the training centre recorded a landmark achievement in 2012 when it was adjudged most suitable to develop and deliver bespoke training programmes in different skillsets lacking in the Oil and Gas sectoron the back of the Chevron DSO Project in Nigeria.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

AIR WATCH

Ethiopian Introduces Latest Airbus A350 to Abuja Route Stories by Chinedu Eze

Ethiopian Airlines newly acquired Airbus A350 landed at the newly reconstructed runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday, a day before its official reopening of the nation’s busiest airport.

The airline said the newly acquired Airbus A350 would be dedicated to the Abuja destination.

The airline said it decided to start its flight to Abuja Airport with its latest technology and the most modern Airplane in the world, the Airbus A350-900 because of its close relationship with its passengers in Nigeria.

It said the state of the art airplane would start the scheduled service on the Addis Ababa Abuja route. Following

this move, Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked: “As a veteran Pan African airline, it has always been our source of pride to connect our beloved continent Africa together and beyond.

Our presence in Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s, same time the Federal Republic of Nigeria got independence from foreign colonisation. We have always given our best to Nigeria at all times, both at good and challenging times, and we have been part of Nigeria’s historic growth and always consider ourselves as vital partners in the history and growth of Nigeria as a country.

“The A350 is yet one of the landmarks in our 70 years proud history; providing exceptional levels of luxury and reliability

for a totally unique passenger experience. Hence, with the reopening of Abuja Airport, the extra features of our game changing fleet, Airbus A350, will be awaiting for our esteemed Nigerian travellers. We shall continue to avail critical air connectivity options and connect African countries together and far beyond.”

Ethiopian currently operates 20 weekly flights to four Nigerian cities; Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano; offering hassle free connectivity to its worldwide network spread in five continents. It is to be recalled that Ethiopian has been the first in Africa to own and operate the A350 in African skies. Among a total of 14 orders, Ethiopian currently has three of them in operation.

NCAA Moves to Strengthen Economic Regulation The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it has taken a bold step to strengthen its Economic Regulation through training and adequate exposure of the staff.

The first step in this direction was the training of staffers of the Directorate of Air Transport Regulation (DATR) from across the country by officials of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The ICAO Resource persons were Mr. Peter Lawani and Mr. Antonion Combes . The four days exercise ended recently at the Authority’s Headquarters Annex Training Hall.

In his remarks, the Director General of the NCAA, Capt.

Muhtar Usman who closed

the workshop, declared that it would foster economic development of the aviation sector. The Authority said in addition, it is to reinforce NCAA resolve to reposition the Department and staff that would carry out these responsibilities in line with ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs). “This training is one of the Four-Point Agenda that the Director General enunciated earlier in the year in his world press conference.

These Four –Point Agenda are sustenance of zero accident, reviewing and strengthening economic regulation, improved consumer protection and continuous prioritisation of staff training,” NCAA said in a statement.

Usman expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to benefit from the constant support of ICAO where and when required. In their response, the team leader said that ICAO was open to offer assistance to Nigeria and NCAA in particular whenever such was needed.

NCAA explained that the ICAO Air Transport Bureau is responsible for developing, promoting and disseminating policies and guidance materials on economic regulation and liberalisation of international air transport.

At the end, Certificates were presented to the 50 participants and souvenirs to the facilitators by the Director General, Usman.

Airbus, Global Deans, UNESCO to Reward Spectacular Engineering Works Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer, and the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC), have launched the call for nominations for the 2017 edition of the “Airbus Diversity Award”.

This award aims to shine a light on successful projects which have encouraged more young people of all profiles and backgrounds to study and succeed in engineering. The award was developed and funded by Airbus in partnership with the GEDC, the leading international organisation leaders of schools and colleges of engineering. For this fifth anniversary edition, the award will be placed under UNESCO patronage.

Statement from Airbus said the long term goal is to increase diversity among the global community of engineers so that the engineering industry reflects the diversity of the communities it supports, with diversity recognised as a driver for innovation and growth.

“At Airbus we know that a

diverse and inclusive culture is an asset”, said Jean Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President Engineering Airbus Helicopters and patron of the award. “It boosts the innovative mind-set that underpins the vast technological advances happening in aviation and aerospace today.

We are committed to developing the next generation of engineering talent and are proud to partner with UNESCO and engineering schools around the world to achieve that.”

“We need more young people from every background and of every profile to acquire the skills the world needs to solve our greatest global challenges, as well as realise the potential of new opportunities”, said Flavia Schlegel, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences. “So I am excited to bring UNESCO’s support to this valuable partnership”.

Last November, the Airbus Diversity Award went to Dr Yacob Astatke, from Morgan State University in the USA,

for his impressive introduction of technology and training initiatives across universities in Ethiopia to improve the delivery of engineering education in Africa.

“In 2017 we invite everyone working to improve diversity in engineering education around the world to put their successful projects forward, to share their good ideas and innovative approaches and to inspire others to do more on this critical issue”, said Peter Kilpatrick, McCloskey Dean of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, USA, and GEDC Chair.

Entries for this new award will close on July 10, 2017 with the winning project to be announced at the GEDC Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada in October 2017. Entries can be made online by any individual or team working with or in an engineering college/faculty, whose project has demonstrated tangible results in bringing more diversity among engineering students and/ or graduates.

What Next for Kaduna Airport after N3.2bn Makeover

Kaduna airport

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Anuforom: Accurate Weather Predictions Have Improved Flight Safety in Nigeria Immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Anthony Anuforom, in a valedictory interview, enumerated the milestones achieved by the agency in the last 10 years, attributing improved flight safety to strict adherence to the agency’s weather forecasts. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts: Can you give a summary of what you met on ground when you were appointed the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the challenges and what you were able to achieve at the end of your tenure?

Well, it was in 2007 that I got appointed as a DG for the first term for five years which was in 2007 to 2012. Of course, after the first term, I got reappointed for a second tenure, that is 2012 that ended this year. When I came on board, the first thing I did was to set up a plan to rebuild the infrastructure for weather prediction. Of course I was actually a director of applied meteorological services in NIMET from inception. Remember we were a department of the Ministry; that is, the Department of Meteorological Services in the Ministry up until 2003 when the Act setting up NIMET was passed into law and then signed by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. So when I started, having done about five years or so as director, the problems were not strange to me at all. I was part of the setting up of the agency from inception; after we metamorphosed from department to parastatal. So the problems were a bit familiar.

What were the problems? One was the problem of infrastructure and when I say infrastructure I am not talking just about buildings because we are a scientific organization so our house is an operational and a scientific organization. And so we had a problem of infrastructure; that is instruments and equipment for measurement of weather. And of course, I first of all did an assessment because at that time, from 2003 to 2007, I was not the boss, so I went back to the fundamental things.

Looking at the NIMET Act, our most fundamental work is to observe weather, record the data and issue weather forecast and predictions for all sectors of the economy. So I had to go back to that fundamental function of observing weather. To observe weather, we need our observatories, our synoptic stations.

At that time I inherited 36 synoptic stations.

So the very first thing I did was assessment of their capacities to do that fundamental job of observing the weather and recording data. When I did the assessment, which is in terms of instrument availability. In other words, we measure certain variables. What are the instruments for measuring them? Are they available in all the 36 stations? If they are available, are they functional? So when I conducted that survey, I found out something that was really shocking. What I found was that out of the 36 synoptic stations or weather observatories across the country, only four scored above 50 percent, the highest score was 64 percent and that was very, very worrisome.

So we now set out to address that issue, get the synoptic stations working so that we can measure weather variables.

It may also interest you to know that in each synoptic station, there are 13 weather variables measured, each one is measured every hour of the day and in some cases every hour of the day at night; that is, for the 24 hours stations. So we got to work, we started to rebuild to make instruments available for weather observation. Having done that, we now went out to expand the number of stations and today we are leaving behind 54 weather observatories across the country. We not only reinforced them in terms of making instruments available; we also re-instrumented them as it were and also expanded the number.

So, that is the first thing we did.

Two, we had challenges of manpower and personnel. The staff morale was generally

Anuforom

low and the workers had no self-esteem. I am sorry to say this. Because when you come to the aviation parastatals they were looked down upon because their salaries were very poor, and you could see it in their dressing, the type of car they had for the few that even had cars. So I now took up the challenge of getting them better salary package and today we are enjoying relatively better salary package. The NIMET salary package was upgraded and better than what we have in the civil service.

Thirdly, to also increase staff morale and confidence, we had to re-train them, so we gave emphasis to training and re-training, with the result that within a short time, we were able to train and re-train many of our officers.

Many of these trainings were done overseas.

We contacted the factory that manufactured the instruments. Having conquered that; we also moved on to the issue of more hi-tech equipment because the one I told you about at the synopsis stations are basic instruments for measurement of operational purposes, like weather radar. Radar is sophisticated hi-tech equipment. We are able to procure six weather radars and were able to complete the installation of two in Port Harcourt and Abuja. We were working seriously to complete Yola and Maiduguri before the insurgency disturbed us and the Americans refused to

come back for safety reasons.

Although we are going back to that; in fact, NIMET team had travelled to restart the process of getting them back to work to now finish up the other locations in addition to the two that are already functioning. Then there are other instruments such as the wind shear alert system. At the time we came in only Abuja airport had wind shear alert system, today we have 13 wind shear alert systems in the airports. The last times was in Katsina that was commissioned on the 7th or 8th of January 2017. There are upper air stations. When we came in there was only one upper air station in Abuja, even that one was a donation from the European Union under a research programme. Today we have increased the number of stations on upper air stations from one to eight. In fact, we are modernizing those installed automatic hydrogen gas generators there. In the past we did not have thunder storm detectors, but now we have 20 of them across the country.

Integrated weather observing systems, we had none, today we have 14. The list can go on and on and on. These are the kind of things we have done in terms of hi-tech equipment. Air quality and Ozone monitoring equipment, it was zero, today we have five. Of course we have not talked about our weather research centre which everybody acclaims to

be world class.

Have you entered the DG’s office? Have you visited the instrument calibration laboratory?

Have you visited the central forecast office?

Have you visited the weather studio? These are world class facilities, and the combination of all these is that our aeronautical weather service is ISO 9001certified. Now we are ramping up to a newer version of ISO certification that is ISO 9001, 2000, we have started the process and very soon we are going to get that. We now looked at capacity for training, because the fundamental job we do is weather observation.

For you to do weather observation you need two years post secondary training at our MET school at Oshodi. Now if you go to the MET school at Oshodi, we have organized it with modern hostel and classroom facility there. The workshop and laboratories are world class; in fact somebody went there sometime and said even as a PhD student I didn’t get classroom facilities like these. We have done the hi-tech equipment like Doppler radar, wind shear alert system, upper air monitoring systems, instrument calibration laboratory and so on and so forth.

In terms of buildings, we have built modern classroom blocks with air conditionals with ICT room for students to use. The library Continued on page 24

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

ANUFOROM: ACCURATE WEATHER PREDICTIONS HAVE IMPROVED FLIGHT SAFETY IN NIGERIA I keep calling people to come and partner us. We are ready to partner with states. In every SRP we have presented, we invite commissioners responsible for agriculture, environment, health, water resources, we invite them over time. Many of them do attend, others may not respond, but those who started responding, they can see the result.

After 2006 prediction, Katsina state said okay let us try this people. They invited us to come and we did presentation. It was wow! You heard the testimony of the representative of Katsina state government today.

When we went there the presentation we made was that our predictions are 75 percent accurate. And they said, Okay, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s try them.

When the man was signing the MoU today, he said you told us that you are 75 percent accurate, now we know that you are 100% accurate. So you can see that gradually awareness, that consciousness is growing. I am sure that they will tell their neighbouring state, their neighbouring state will now tell another neighbouring state. And of course we are working with some international organizations like USAID, it is an NGO kind of arrangement, we are working with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), we are working with British American Tobacco, Nigeria foundation. We signed MoU with British America Tobacco not long ago in Lagos. So you can say that gradually the consciousness is growing. Initially, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t satisfied with the level of response but I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deterred because I knew that if you keep saying it one day, one person will listen to you. When you get one person, he becomes your apostle; he becomes the advocate for you. And that is what Katsina state is doing for us now. Katsina state is telling others, I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised that if by next week we are receiving invitations from states.

including e-library facilities, at the national weather center we also built a computer center there, we have an ultra modern computer center. So it is quite huge what we have done.

In 2011, we trained a total of 234 officers of the agency in various field and capacity building. In 2012, we had 420 trained, so this gives you an idea of what we are doing.

Looking at the investment on equipment and facilities, is there any hope of recouping the funds?

I will answer this question by quoting a statement often quoted by the World Meteorological Organisation, which is the authoritative organ for weather and climate issues. WMO has done an assessment and that assessment was done over 10 years ago, I said that for every one dollar we invest in building capacity for weather, climate services, the benefit is seven fold and I will tell you how. Remember I was careful to tell you that this assessment was done 10 years ago, now the issue of climate change with the attendant climate weather that is destructive is worse is today than what it was 10 years ago or 20 years ago when this assessment was done. If that assessment is done now the money you invest, if you invest some money in developing weather information to enable weather services provide early warning, such as the SRP we did today, it is huge, the amount of benefits you will reap. Imagine that using our Seasonal Rain Prediction (SRP), farmers are advised better on when to farm, imagine the huge losses in terms of crop failure, if you plant at the wrong time. You heard the man from Katsina State, the testimony he gave and there are many such stories. So by investing on all these money, we are now able to advise the farmer better and they make informed decision as to when to plant. They also make informed decision as to when to apply fertilizer, informed decision on how to avoid crop failure. So these are the benefits that we derive.

Coming to the aviation sector, to the glory of God, for the first 10 years, there is no single aviation accident or incident where weather is seen to be responsible. Where lack of weather information, or because we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know there will be storm and we flew into storm, there is none. So these are all the benefits that we are getting. Now coming back to the raw economics of it, part of NIMETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development programme and that is what I forgot to tell you. After sizing up all that conditions at the initial time, we drew up what we call five years strategic development plan of NIMET and that has guided everything we have been doing. From the five years strategic development plan we metamorphosed it or revised it to what we call NIMET (Impart/ impact) plan. Part of NIMET impart plan is commercialization because revenue from government was drying up. So we needed to do something to generate revenue. So we have a well- structured commercialisation initiative.

That is, we spread or diversify our revenue base. Presently, the bulk or our revenue, probably 90 percent comes from what we get from aviation. And even what you are getting from aviation is meagre compared to other agencies. I will give you an example; we get part of the landing charges collected

by FAAN, only 10 percent. The other one is on enroute and over flight charges. That one is collected on our behalf by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). The third one is the ticket sales charge collected by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Look at the meagre percentage compared to other agencies. So we cannot keep doing that, we said, okay, we can now venture into other sectors. We have the maritime sector.

We said to ourselves, we have many ships coming in and out of Nigerian ports and they need weather report. Where are they getting weather information from? They are getting it from their home countries. So we have now started the process of having a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIMASA so that we can give weather information and forecast to shipping lines. We started it long ago, we have perfected the MoU, we were to sign it since January this year, but for one reason or another it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite clicked. We are hoping that in the next few weeks NIMET

Anuforom

will finalise that. It is a process we started even before I became the DG because it was under my purview as director of applied MET services to do marine weather services. So that was what we started long ago, so we are hoping that when that clicks, it opens up a new revenue stream for us.

So, with everything we are doing, apart from the other deliverables and benefits in terms of disaster risk reduction, in terms of prevention of reduction in crop losses, in terms of improving agricultural productivity, the naira and kobo side of it, is getting more revenue from maritime services. So we are hoping that we will break into that area. All these investments are therefore quite beneficial economically.

Pilots and airlines are urging government to equip NIMET so that they would be able to predict weather on hourly basis in order to reduce flight cancelation due to sudden bad weather. Is this possible?

The weather forecast we give to the aviation sector s in accordance to international standards. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that aviation is probably one of the most regulated industries in the world. Our operations are as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO); we do our job in conformity with ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices (SRP). So whatever ICAO says we should do that is what we are doing. That is why we are able to earn our ISO 9001. In other words, you are doing it the way they said it should be done. Now on the issue of whether we can give weather prediction ahead, yes, of course. In addition to those forecasts, when there are impending adverse weather we give out the information with sufficient insight, at times up to 24 hours or 12 hours.

During the Christmas period in 2016, for instance; there were some days when the dust haze was really bad. It affected me personally.

I wanted to travel on December 23; it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work because of dust haze. I had to wait till 26 but the haze was still there so we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t travel. So I decided to hit the road to travel

to the east. Because there are facilities for instance, the dust affecting us is generated in Niger and Chad, mainly from Niger and the air blows it south ward to us. We have facilities, satellite receiving stations to tell us when there is uptake of dust from Niger, now when there is that uptake from the wind trajectory and speed you can estimate when it will hit Maiduguri, Kano, or Katsina or Abuja. So, at times, this comes up to 12 time and we issue such alert. So apart from the forecast we issue weather alert as well.

Are you comfortable with the application or the usage of your weather forecast, because it is like there is a lot of ignorance apart from the aviation sector where there is a lot of experience and emergency and it is imperative, what about other sectors?

One of the things we had learnt over the years is how do people begin to believe us?

How does the farmer begin to believe that you can tell him when the rains will start and it would start? How does the farmer believe that you can tell him if you plant now, your crops will die? So we have been singing that for a number of years. Gradually, of course, for us to make them believe us, we have to show them that it is correct. So you see here that now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been able to achieve that level of accuracy, so people have that confidence. We go to WMO, WMO have 191 member states and territories. Of course I am a member of the executive council, 37 of us.

That is the experience everywhere, especially in less developed countries. In Europe and America, the level of education is very high, their attitude to science is better. They have better science culture than we do, so for them it is given, in fact they spend money to get weather forecast. But this one we are begging people come and take, over there people pay huge sums of money.

We therefore have to generate that confidence and as today I can tell you that it is getting better and better. If you go and check our previous SRP presentations and my speeches,

How do you go about getting the predictions of each part of the country?

In this prediction you cannot have one side-fits all, what happens in South-West maybe totally different from what happens in North-East or North-West. So all those geographical variations are there, but overall the earliest, if you look at the executive summary, it shows you where we are expecting the earliest on set which is already February in the South-South around Bayelsa coastal area. We have been expecting early cases, some cases we expect normal onset dates, in other places we are expecting early onset because of the Sothern Oscillation, which is a phenomenon that drives much of the weather system around there, especially in the south.

Now, because of the enzo phase we are having which will persist within the first half of the year, we are going to have normal onset. But later the enzo phase will quickly change and will give us a condition where the rainfall will terminate earlier than usual. For instance, in Katsina the rainfall will terminate earlier this year. We have also predicted, you can see that we have early cessation in the north-western part of the country that is from Sokoto down to Potiskom, coming down to Jos is likely to have early cessation. Whereas smaller areas like the coastal areas experience late cessation and so on.

What is this year going to look like, is it that the dry season will be longer and the rainy season will be shorter?

That is exactly what I am saying; if you understood me. I said we cannot make a general prediction, it is not possible. So it depends on the area you are asking the question. From experience, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t answer that question, I would rather ask you if you are living in Jos or Port Harcourt. This is because what happens in Jos for instance may not be what happens in Enugu.

What will you say has been your greatest challenge?

My greatest challenge is to be able accomplish all that I set out to do. I accomplish quite a lot to the glory of God. One of my greatest challenges is that being perfectionist has enslaved me, by pursuing excellence by all means and at times it makes me to step on toes. So what is important is that we get there and when we get there even those toes that I stepped on, will be celebrating the most.

25

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As Auctioneers Declare War on Customs CG Eromosele Abiodun posits that the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, can avoid a battle on another front by harkening to the voice of Nigerian auctioneers over the plan to dispose of seized and contraband goods by e-auction After the uproar that trailed his approval of a grace period of one month for owners of all vehicles in the country whose customs duties have not been paid, to do so, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) is set to face another battle.

Reasons being that the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers (NAA), has threatened all-out war over plan by the NCS to auction seized and contrabands goods by electronic (e)-auction.

Although he has suspended his planned duty collection drive on motor vehicles suspected to have been smuggled into the country without duty payment, the NCS boss is still at loggerhead with the national assembly over his refusal to put on uniform of the customs service as its Comptroller-General.

As if the vehicle duty controversy was not enough, the NCS incurred the wrath of NAA, who has accused the NCS of trying to sell sized goods through the back door.

Stakeholders believe the leadership of the NCS is heading towards the wrong direction because of its desperation to drive the mandate given to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.

On appointment, Ali was given three basic tasks: go to customs, reform customs, restructure customs and increase the revenue generation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that is ambiguous, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that is cumbersome, â&#x20AC;?Ali told news men on assumption of duty.

This, analysts believe, may have forced the NCS leadership to employ measures it thinks will help to meet its set out targets.

The drive to meet its target has set the NCS leadership against major stakeholders in the maritime industry.

It is not just the NAA that is battling the NCS leadership, recently, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), threatened to shut down the ports over unfriendly policies by the NCS. In a bid to avoid a total shutdown of the ports, Ali paid an unscheduled visit to the secretariat of both association pleading for understanding and cooperation.

New Directive A week after the peace deal was reached with ANLCA and NAGAFF, the NCS came up with another directive that the NAA has vowed to resist.

The NCS had, in a statement, announced that it would soon commence the auction of seizure across its commands in the country.

The NCS said only tax payers with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) issued Tax Identification Number (TIN) will be eligible to participate in a new auction sales of seized items by the service.

This, it stated, is part of the guidelines contained in a new e-auction portal to be deployed for disposing of seizures that have undergone the process of court condemnation.

The portal, www.trade.gov.ng requires applicants to input recent passport photo with a payment of non refundable administrative fee of N1000.

It added that the e-auction portal is expected to reduce congestion in the various government warehouses and increase revenue from the sales.

Ali, THISDAY learnt, introduced the process as a way of enhancing transparency, reduce human contacts and ensure that only the highest bidders for any auctioned item takes it.

Aside the provision of TIN by prospective bidders, other terms and conditions include exclusion of customs officers and their families from participating in the bidding process either directly or by proxy.

The guidelines also indicate that auctioned items cannot be replaced or funds paid refunded

to bidders.

Successful bidders, THISDAY findings revealed, are expected to make payments within five working days as auctioned items whose winners fail to pay within the period forfeit the auctioned item to the second highest bidder.

Successful bidders will be given a period 14 days from the date of payment to remove the item bided for or forfeit it at expiration of the period.

Any auctioned item not removed from the warehouse within 14 days from the date of payment shall revert to its pre-bidding status which makes such item open for sale again.

Winners in the auction process are also expected to pay 25 per cent of the auction amount to the Terminal Operator with another 25 per cent of the auction amount to the shipping line operator. Owners of seized items are excluded from bidding for them but may however participate in the bidding of other items while owners of overtime items with evidence of payment of duty and other charges has priority over a successful bidder of the item provided the item has not been exited out of the Customs control.

Aside being transparent, the new method will also increase the amount of revenue government makes from auctions as bidding will be competitive and devoid of bias or favouritism.

Hitherto, the service had done auctions through issuance of documents to beneficiaries with which such beneficiaries approached the warehouses before making payments to designated banks.

This method was viewed as not being transparent as beneficiaries of the auctions were believed to have been selected through a noncompetitive process.

This new auction policy is coming 19 months after customs auctions were suspended following the voluntary retirement of the former Controller General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi.

There have been media reports that seized goods amounting to billions of naira that have been condemned through court processes are lying in the warehouses.

Confirming the development, spokesman for NCS, Joseph Attah, said the Comptroller General took time to entrench the new method that requires deploying of ICT, avoiding human contact and influences.

He said apart from increase of revenue for government, the online platform will ensure integrity of the process.

Attah added that the new system is undergoing a test run for applicant acceptability before it is open to the public for access and transactions.Billions of naira is expected to be generated from the sales which includes cars, trucks, tankers, leather and other items seized from smugglers who ostensibly wanted to evade duty payment.

President Buhari had approved the distribution of perishable items like rice, soap, clothes, vegetable oil etc to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the country.

NAA Rejects Policy But in a swift reaction, the NAA rejected the policy, threatening all-out war.

The NAA said the customsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; plan to unilateral conduct sales via e-portal is a violation of the law of the land and may lead to fraud and nepotism.

Secretary General of the association, Isibor Benjamin Abhulimen, who stated this in a chat with THISDAY, said NAA will not hesitate to take legal action against the NCS if it fails to reverse the plan.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is need to look into the Customs act section 191, which conflicts with the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Sales by Auction Law, cap 187 and CAP 12, Chapter 12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, have detailed interpretation of the Act of Sales by Auction. Bureau of Public Procurement Act, Part X â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Disposal of Public Properties. Section 54, 55 (5) (d) and section 56 (3)), that defines the role of an Auctioneer especially in the area of Disposal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Section 191 of the Customs act empowers the C.G customs to go about the business of constituting committees for onward disposal of overtime and contraband cargoes, however there is need to have a clear cut interpretation whether or not after the committee set up by the C.G of Customs, after they ensure forfeiture and carry out due diligence on Identification, Classification and Valuation, should they still be the ones to sell or not, or if at this point the services of an Auctioneer is required.â&#x20AC;?

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the general opinion, allowing the CG Customs to value and also be a sales man is likened to been a judge in your own case which creates a lot of room for blatant corrupt practices and leakages in revenue derivation and this also negates global best practices and the very essence of the establishment of due process which has a motto of transparency and accountability. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hiding under the guise of e-auction as an excuse to improve the mode of disposal still does not give the room for checkmating the excesses of the Customs, the body of auctioneers can pilot e-auction platform if the need arises and when there are proper legislation to carry out such. The NCS leadership should stretch out their hands to work with other professionals and toe the line of transparency, accountability and equity.â&#x20AC;?

He stressed that the body of auctioneers in the country will not sit and watch an agency of government take a unilateral decision that does not have any legal basis and no legal frame work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is obvious and very clear that the CG is acting without following due process and the law, because there is no existing legal frame work that enables the NCS to sell seized and contrabands goods by e-auction. Just recently the Committee on Customs in the National Assembly invited all stakeholders on the repeal and re-enactment of certain Laws and Provisions that will enhance the NCS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stakeholders represented expressed their different views and made useful contributions and notably on the agenda was the fact that there is a need for the CG Customs power over sales to be properly addressed, even in the SEMA Law it is noted that the CG appoints the committee for disposal and before disposal he has the option of appointing an agent to conduct the sale. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The definition of who the agent is according to the Nigeria Constitution and Law is the man so Licensed by the government to conduct such sales on her behalf and that person is the Auctioneer, this was part of the interpretation the body of auctioneers asked to be properly defined in the stake holders meeting at the plenary session of the Senate,â&#x20AC;? he added.

26

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WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

FASHION ON THE STREET

ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

21.04.2017

Fashion on the Street Evelyn Okere, founder, St. Eve West African Fashion Week and publisher of the quarterly publication, St. Eve Magazine, in this interview Mary Ekah, says that with Olajumoke, the bread seller turned supermodel, as the face of this year’s St. Eve West African Fashion Week and also a model for the event, the focus will be on discovering creative talents from the streets around West Africa and giving them a platform to shine and partners. They are going to win money to start up their brands. The first overall winner has a prize of N500,000 (five hundred thousand), the second overall winner has N250,000 while the third overall winner gets N125,000. We have to stop at these because we wanted to be as realistic as possible and with a show of this magnitude, we didn’t want to depend on the sponsors to get funds and so with the project running itself, we are depending on the proceeds from the sales of the forms to redeem the prizes for the winners.

What informed your choice of Olajumoke, the bread seller as the face of this year’s edition of St. Eve African Fashion Week?

We chose Olajumoke because of her street to stardom story. Remember that she is known as the bread seller. As we all know she is a representation of the street and all that it embodies. And also a lot of top designers/ models come from the street. In line with this we created the theme, ‘Fashion on the Street’.

So who else portrays this better than her and we felt that since Olajumoke came from the street to stardom, she fits prominently into our theme and as the pioneer of someone who went from grass to grace, she will help those who have lost hope to believe in themselves that they can also make it and become stars despite their challenges. So, Olajumoke is the face for this year’s edition of St. Eve African Fashion Week, which intends to tell the Nigeria story on one hand and the Africa story at the other hand, that Africa has the potential to develop. She gives the young people hope that they too can make it in their life's endeavours. That's why we came up with this new niche in fashion industry to make the young people know that they can be whatever they want to be if they believe in God and themselves. So we ask them to register en masse to be part of this iconic event and be crowned as a star. In God we trust to make it happen for them.

What are your expectations?

We want to let the world know that St. Eve African Fashion Week is at it again.

This is the fourth edition and we are bigger and better this year. We are making it more interesting and more interactive this year.

We want to create young entrepreneurs in the fashion industry, most especially, to give opportunity and platforms to those people that cannot have their voices heard in fashion and creativity, for them to be able to show the world what they have and also to begin to build big brands in the Nigerian fashion industry. You would agree with me that the Nigerian fashion industry is becoming very interesting. We are trying to tell the whole world that St. Eve is making it bigger and we are creating something new in the fashion industry now and so let the youths come out and participate, have the opportunity to grow their own talents. So this year we are making it more interactive. All you need to do is to get a registration form online with #5000 and you would be auditioned and if you are good with your creativity, we would give you and others who are also good, equal opportunity without being bias. Nobody is picking anybody to come and become a super star. Now we are having a project fame kind of project in fashion and we are doing it in five categories: photography, modeling, makeup artistry, hairstyling and fashion designing. The event is going to last for three days. On the first day, there would be opportunities for different speakers who would come and talk about entrepreneurship, hair styling, photography and other things. The second day would be when we would pick the winners and the third day would have awards and also fashion show by established designers.

Are you focusing on just the up and coming?

We felt that it was important to begin to train the new generation in the fashion industry. Everyone here will agree with me that the Nigerian fashion industry is growing tremendously, so this year we are saying all the young people, all the young at heart, who love fashion should come out and show their talents and we would give them the platform. So many people have had the dreams to have their collections on the runway and we are creating the opportunity

You are doing this for the fourth time, so what have been the challenges?

There has been a lot but somehow God has a way of assisting us to make things happen. We have been running things on our own finances and God has always made a way. We never had anything to start with but miraculously He just does things for us.

The biggest challenge is finance, which is where we need supporters, sponsors and partners. We really need companies to come up and support us on this venture. I mean, everyone is going SME now and this are people that do most of the employment and so the small-scale entrepreneurs could tackle the unemployment issue that we presently have in this country to a large extent. So it is important that we have a lot of sponsors assist in this project or ours.

Have you been talking to sponsors?

We have talked with a lot of companies and individuals but everybody is saying the recession and all that but we are hoping in God that we would get somewhere.

Okere

for everyone. So just for the minimum of #5,000, you would showcase your design, we would build and rebrand you even after the event and through this we would encourage the young entrepreneurs. We are also giving the opportunity to established designers to show the young ones the stuff they are made of. The show is just meant for designers alone but those who have creative tendency like those who make bags, shoes and all that can also participate. What we are looking out for particularly is creativity. We want creative people who can showcase the Africa craft and culture. So it is opened to a larger spectrum of people who are very creative for them to showcase their creativity.

How would you describe the previous editions of the St. Eve African Fashion Week? Were you expectations met?

When you start something, most people won’t really associate with you until you go on and on and begin to have a history. The past editions were good. We had the first one at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island while the other two were at Eko Hotel and Suits, Victoria Island. We have always picked choice areas for our fashion events.

The events were well attended and we really got kudos for the designers that we had.

It is like a learning stage but at the end of the day, you begin to get a grip of what you are supposed to be to the whole world.

Has the participation increased over the years?

Yes, of course it has. And now we looked at it and said look, every time we called established designers to showcase what they have but this time, let’s get the younger people. Nigeria belongs to the future – the economy of Nigeria and the industries belong to the future and who is the future, the

young people coming up. It could be a 14-year-old girl who is so talented and has that skill, we would bring her out and if you are 50-year-old and you think you have what it takes to be on the international runway, we are giving you that opportunity to come and show yourself.

How many participants are you looking at from the various categories you have mentioned?

A lot of people have registered already right now. So we can’t really say but we want the whole Nigeria to take part in the show and to take this seriously because we have something like Project Fame in fashion.

Like they have project fame for the next big movie star, and then project fame for the next big artiste. That is not the only people that matter in the society; we are the fashion designers who make the artistes look unique in their clothing for whatever event they want to attend. So we are looking at about 15,000 participants because this is a Pan-Nigeria and we are doing audition in every zonal area in Nigeria.

Are you looking at specific qualifications for one to be part of the show?

You don’t need to go to Harvard University but if you did attend Harvard University for Fashion and you want to come and showcase, that is fine. We are not looking for some form of measurement, school or beauty but if you have talent in any of the five categories, come and audition with us and we would give you the floor, we are unbiased. It is open for all and if you are the star, you would be made the star.

What is at stake for the winners?

They are going to win prizes and right now we are talking to a lot of sponsors

When is this year’s edition taking place and where?

It is going to hold from May 27 to 29 at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. It is going to be everyday of wow on the runway. I am calling on every one to come and see these young talents floating the runway and they would be amazed at what they have in stock.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a person that is so passionate about fashion. I started designing at a younger age. When my mother will cut out fabrics after making our Christmas cloths, I will join them together and make blouses. And when I wear them, my mother will think I took her money to buy new cloths, she wouldn’t know they were cloths I made from the pieces she cut out from making other dresses for us. So I am a fashion designer, a publisher, I’m a health expert; I am the creative director for Rose di Omimi, which is one of the St. Eve brands. I am just a simple person who loves to encourage people.

What advice do you have for young talented people, especially those who have passion for designing?

I bless God that there is a huge awareness for Nigeria now and Africa in general because of the new technology that is available to us now. We have the mobile phone and anybody can get whatever information they need from it. It’s a bit cheap in the sense that you can get any information just at the click of a finger. So you can’t hold down your dream now, you can be what you want to be but always go to the right way to be the best. Most people do things trying to cut corners. Don’t cut corners, if you want to be a good fashion designer, learn the way to be a fashion designer by creating a perfect finishing, so that we can meet up with the standard of the West. That is what it takes. If you have a dream, wake up from the dream and start planning on how you want to achieve the dream.

29/PERSPECTIVE

21.04.2017

The Yoruba Nation and Omoluwabi Renaming Proposal Tunji Olaopa writes on his fascination with Yoruba culture, politics, development and progress within the confines of Nigeria I have never hidden the fact that I am a proud Yoruba person who appreciates the cultural richness of the Yoruba people.

For instance, I have been fascinated, right from my youth, about the accommodating capacity and the republican pedigree of the Yoruba and how this was demonstrated within the tiny geographical confines of Aáwé. This, in a manner that brings to light the seamless interwoven matrix that Ali Mazrui calls Africa’s 'triple heritage' of the traditional, the Islamic and the Judeo-Christian. I have a strong belief that my ecumenical temperament derives from the Yoruba upbringing at Aáwé which enabled me to sample the best of Islam, Christianity and traditional cultural manifestations. My grandfather was a Christian, my grandmother a Moslem, and Aáwé was solidly traditional. It was therefore possible for me to connect with my Moslem cousins during Ramadan, attend church and appreciate the cultural essence of the Egungun festival.

This my fascination with the Yoruba culture has grown over time, sufficiently enough for me to follow avidly its underpinnings in the unfolding of Yoruba politics, development and progress within the confines of Nigeria. I am equally patriotic a Nigerian enough not to be assailed by the possibility of a dissonance between my Yoruba beingness and my nationality as a Nigeria. On the contrary, I am actually convinced that the Yoruba and their South-west configuration have a significant role to play in the transformation of the Nigerian governance framework. All my arguments for reform and restructuring have been directed towards enunciating this conviction of the indivisible relationship between the Yoruba and the future of Nigeria. Recently, I have reflected on the future of the Yoruba in Nigeria. This is why I became extremely interested and intellectually tickled when I heard a beautiful Ewi poetry recitation by Pastor Adekunle Steven Adedeji, popularly known as Kunle Omo Alaafin Orun.

Anyone hearing this poetry rendition, especially the first lines, and not familiar with the oeuvre of Omo Alaafin Orun would immediately put him in the same patriotic context with the great Ewi exponent, Lanrewaju Adepoju. That comparison would be both right and wrong.

It would be right because the recitation has the same scintillating vocal acrobatic flowing from a magisterial mastery of the Yoruba language, idioms and proverbs.

The comparison is equally right because both ewi poets are concerned with the state and future of the Yoruba people. But the comparison breaks down immediately the rendition proceeds to a certain point and it becomes obvious that Kunle Omo Alaafin Orun is a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor. This is not a bad thing at all. In fact, it just makes the poetry rendition all the more intriguing and compelling. It is a mesmerizing oral poem that demands reflection through its sonorous weaving of Yoruba history, research, Christian theology and Yoruba cultural evolution. In summary, Omo Alaafin Orun makes a case for an urgent change of name from “Yoruba” to “Omoluwabi.” He then went on to weave a historical trajectory that places the Yoruba at a Coptic juncture which made Yoruba historical origin entirely Christian, and the justification for a renaming.

Omo Alaafin Orun commences the poetry rendition with an elegant but insistent account of his research which, according to him, not only revealed that the concept of “Yoruba” did not emanate from the Yoruba themselves but is a name external to us. But more importantly, his research supposedly revealed that the term “Yoruba” came from a Hausa corruption—Yariba, as a shorter form of Yaribanza or a “bastard” or “sons of bastard.” This corrupted name has stayed with us for all of history, and, for him,

Megwara

Late Awolowo

has become responsible for our ill-fortune for that long too. The case is simple: a name is potent because it seems to outline a person’s or community’s destiny.

The Yoruba have a very strong belief in destiny, predestination and the significance of names and naming. Thus, the name a person bears becomes a signifier of the person’s lot in life. Thus, if a person’s lot in life has become terrible, one of the first places to commence a corrective measure is the name the person bears.

A properly researched history of the Yoruba, he argues, provides a different trajectory that could lead to the upturning of the Yoruba lot and transform our fortune as a people who have been blessed not only with a deep cultural heritage but who also have a deep and hitherto unknown connection to the God of Christianity. The proper history of the Yoruba, according to Kunle Omo Alaafin Orun, did not begin in Mecca. In fact, that revisionist tendency has an ideological content that is meant to exploit the Yoruba within an Arab/Islamic hegemony. On the contrary, the Yoruba migrated from Nubia via Egypt where they were integrated into a Coptic Christian practice left by St. Mark of the Gospel. The worship of the Orisa that now seems to mark Yoruba religion, for him, was a function of having lost the way and the light of Christianity when historical adversity drove the Yoruba from Nubia.

There is a possibility that this historically serious and theologically insistent poetry rendition could be dismissed by a lot of people. In fact, it was that dismissive and derisive tone that jumpstarted the long list of comments on the Ewi video on YouTube. But then derision is the wrong way to respond to such a carefully thought out appeal and admonition.

First, we need to get a clear picture of the message Kunle Omo Alaafin Orun threw out to us all: It seems we have been looking in the wrong places for the source of the Yoruba predicament. Why should

we not consider the source of our name?

And this is an inquiry that is consistent with Yoruba ontology too, especially with regards to names and destiny. A similar account of the Yoruba came from the allegation that Alaafin Aole placed a curse on the Yorùbá race. Why is this diagnosis and recommendation worse than that other? And this one came with a recommendation: Changing our name from Yoruba to Omoluwabi. This is a revolutionary recommendation, more so that it is linked to a theological background in Christianity. But this is not less inspiring even if it is spurious.

My response is: What’s in a name? In what specific senses does a name or naming constitute a signpost to destiny and predestination? What causal effect does name achieve especially as the Christian bible suggest of Abram/Abraham, Jacob/ Isreal or of Jabez renaming? To be mischievous, in what sense did the name “Wole Soyinka”, within the Christian or Yoruba thinking, contribute to the impeding or enhancing of Soyinka’s fame and fortune? My suspicion is that the Yoruba condition is deeper than a concern with the name we were given. If truly the name originated from an external ethnic caricature, then at the least, we owe ourselves the responsibility of tuning that caricature around. And that would be a really ironic success because a “bastard” would then have become a socioeconomic and political powerhouse in Nigeria. The way to get about this is not to change our name to Omoluwabi as if the mere fact of nomenclature is sufficient to transform centuries of economic and political anomalies.

Omolúwàbí is an ethical term that denotes someone whose character is so noteworthy that it becomes a reference for the entire community. The greater challenge than naming is the task of demanding the imperative of Omoluwabi from the Yoruba leadership in a manner that will reflect on the visioning the Yoruba nation require to surge forward.

Omolúwàbí has an underlying reform component. Robert Ingersoll, the American lawyer has this to say about Abraham Lincoln: “Lincoln was not a type. He stands alone—no ancestors, no fellows, no successors.” The same can be said about Nelson Mandela and Lee Kuan Yew. In the Yoruba ethical parlance, these are Omoluwabi leaders. But being an Omoluwabi comes with what Goethe calls “a never ending song”: “Deny Yourself!”

Denial is where the creation of the Omoluwabi personality comes from, and it is essentially the denial of oneself on behalf of others, especially those with whom one has significant connection, be it of family, ethnic, gender, cultural or nationality.

Noblesse oblige: Mandela gave 27 years of his life to ensure that South Africa has a chance to undermine the apartheid racial system. Lee Kuan Yew gave up the urge for greed and primitive accumulation to build a strong and modern Singapore.

Abraham Lincoln dedicated his entire legacy to keeping the United States united and stronger.

As a reform strategy, the Omoluwabi paradigm is especially demanded on the Yoruba leaders of thoughts and politicians in Nigeria today. And we have the great example of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a politician, who has a great reform mind and cultural sensitivity that enabled him to raise the bar of governance in the old Western Region. The question then is: What is the reform import of demanding that the Yoruba governors of the Southwest become Omoluwabi? It is the unfolding of this question in Yorubaland that carries the burden of the transformation of the Yoruba people and all our expectations in Nigeria. I have argued before now that the South-west constitutes a reform zone that carries the possibility of energising the restructuring of the Nigerian state.

And that puts a lot of responsibilities on the Yoruba governors, its critical elite corps, not minding whether they are PDP or APC or of non-governmental sectors.

Unfortunately, this is an imperative we do not seem to have taken to heart yet.

For me, the elites, especially those of the political class, of the South-west stand at the threshold of history of the type that great Ewi poem renditions can be made in the future. They all stand at the point of creating huge legacies that calls posterity to notice. And this is all the more so in a period where billions of naira keep surfacing in so many unlikely places. All this have raised a huge and seemingly insurmountable distrust in the heart of the people. The worry is this, would we not also get similar revelations about those who hold power today? There is only one antidote for political distrust. And that antidote is effective governance. The South-west has the human capital, the political goodwill, the resources and the signal of a great moment in history—Now! The tough challenge is jumpstarting a huge infrastructural agenda that will cancel out or at least ameliorate the infrastructural deficit that plagues Nigeria and aggravate her underdevelopment. This challenge goes beyond the invocations of religion or wishful thinking. It is something that needed to be done, and it seems to me that it will take the collective efforts of everyone, including the Ewi exponents like Pastor Kunle Omo Alaafin Orun. The greatness of the Yoruba nation can be sustained first through sincere concern, like the one expressed in the poem rendition; and then by thoughtful reform actions. We need to sing about these actions, and write about them and lobby our leadership to reflect and act on them.

It would then no longer matter, when we eventually get them to act, whether we still bear “Yoruba” or “Omoluwabi.” . Olaopa is the Executive Vice-Chairman Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy Email tolaopa@isgpp.com.ng

30/ NEWS

21.04.2017

Edo Widows Get Felix King’s Business Grant Mary Ekah They were bubbling with unspoken joy and great aspirations inside the Prestige Hotel in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as the Felix King Foundation handed off business grants and training certificate through its empowerment initiative to them. They were 96 in number and were widows who obviously were indigenes of Edo State. This time, the initiative was carried out in conjunction with the Edo State House of Assembly.

The empowerment initiative of the foundation has been doing mighty things in Lagos, empowering vulnerable widows, police officers’ widows and awards of scholarship to widows’ children, as well as food stuffs and beverages support to them.

Felix king, who presented the financial support to the widows, said that the foundation was in Edo State to give a voice to the challenges of widowhood in the communities and provide support for a better life for these widows through empowerment and skills acquisition initiatives.

The skills acquisition training and mentoring kick started the Edo State event, where the Deputy Speaker, Edo House of Assembly/Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Uyinwen Ativie and other professionals trained the 96 widows on several businesses including trade and farming.

L-R: Deputy Speaker, Edo House of Assembly Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, President, Felix King Foundation, Mr. Felix King, State President, All Widows in Edo state, Hon. Mrs. Abiiejuwa Omorejie and Speaker, Edo House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Justin Okonoboh at the event

At the presentation, King recalled that on June 23, 2016 in Lagos, the foundation began journey of faith anchored on its understanding of the challenges of widowhood in an environment like Nigeria where superstitions and weak laws of inheritance have through the years conspired to make life very tough for these widows.

He said, in subjecting widows to hardship and disinheriting them as is the practice in most areas, “We are trapped by the patriarchal dogma and superstition that tend to lower the status and welfare of widows in particular and women as a whole.”

As a prelude to the Widows in Farming initiative- WIFARM AID programme scheduled for launch later in the year, “we are

today providing business support grants and skills acquisition to 96 widows in Edo State at the ratio of three widows per constituency and the remaining numbers to be selected by Edo State widows’ Association,” King said.

He continued: “I believe, every woman deserves the right to liberty and the right to succeed. It is with this belief we will introduce the freedom campaign for widows using the #Abolishwidowsmaltreatment with the coin of liberty as a symbol.”

He however, appealed to all stakeholders to help ameliorate the situations of widows in the state, demanding that legislative arm of government should do a little more to end this menace. Meanwhile, King mandated the widows to utilise the funds appropriately.

Reckitt Benckiser’s ‘Clean Healthy Naija’ Initiative to Reduce Child Mortality Mary Ekah World’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, Reckitt Benckiser(RB) through its ‘Clean Healthy Naija’ initiative is poised to reducing child mortality in Nigeria and the world at large by battling preventable diseases like diarrhea, malaria, and many others. This will be in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 as the programme will improve public health and sanitation at the long run as well as end the menace of open defecation in the country.

Speaking during courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun recently, as part of activities marking the World Health Day, the company’s Senior Vice President for Africa, Mr. Ataur Rashid Safdar, who led the RB’s delegation for the courtesy visit explained that RB’s vision for Nigeria is where people are healthier and live better. Restating the company’s commitment to a clean and healthy Nigeria that will boost the capacity and productivity of the citizens, Safdar explained that the initiative under the “Clean Healthy Naija” programme encompasses a number of steps geared towards awareness creation, education and behavioural change to achieve a cleaner and healthier Nigeria. Sadfar

L-R: Mr. Rahul Murgai, Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser (RB) West Africa; Mr. Ata Rashid Sadfar, RB’s Senior Vice President for Africa; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Chief Olu Falomo, Chairman, Reckitt Benckiser West Africa at the event

also informed the Ogun State governor that the company will later in the year, inaugurate a world class redistribution warehouse as part of the new marketing strategy to distribute their products across Nigeria and West Africa.

Also, speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director, RB, West Africa, Rahul Murgai, said the company has been in the country for over five decades and described Nigeria as one of the most important growth markets and reference point for other African business develop-

ment growth strategies. Murgai maintained that celebrating the 2017 World Health Day in Ogun State is paramount to the company because the state remains the gateway to the nation and the West African sub-region. He reinforced the company’s commitment to Ogun State, where RB has invested in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and is now building a world-class warehouse that will increase the ability to service markets and create opportunities for employment in the state that will help further the economy.

Lite Gas Distributes Free Cooking Gas, Cylinders Lite Gas, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) brand of Gas Terminalling and Distribution Limited, a member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LPG Group (LCCI LPG Group), in partnership with the Lagos State government under the Eko Gas project, has distributed free 25 units of LPG cylinder bundle to the low income members of the Muslim Association of Nigeria, Suruelere, Lagos. Each of the 25 beneficiaries went home with a complete set of cylinder filled with cooking gas.

According to the CFO of Gas Terminalling, Mr. AbubakarFolami, Lite Gas extended the gesture to the beneficiaries and the Surulere branch of the association as part of its contribution to encourage the low income earners of the community to switch from the use of other dangerous and expensive energy sources to the much cleaner, cheaper, safer, efficient, affordable and readily available LPG otherwise known as cooking gas, and educate them on the fact that cooking gas is not only meant for the rich, but for every member of the community irrespective of their social class.

In his words, “The World Health Organisa-

Organisers handing over a cylinder to one of the beneficiaries during the event

tion (WHO) in its findings has said the use of fossil fuels like firewood, charcoal and kerosene are some of the causes of heart problems and cancer. So our mission here is to encourage people to switch to the use of a much cleaner fuel – that is, the LPG”.

He also mentioned the LCCI LPG group which Lite Gas is a member, has distributed for free, about 450 of such cylinders bundle worth over 6 million naira, and hinted the gesture is one of such several events of Corporate Social Responsibility that Lite

Gas would be embarking on.

As part of the organisation’s safety enlightenment campaign for the beneficiaries; who clearly are first-time converts to LPG usage, the Health and Safety Manager of Lite Gas, Mr. Micheal Olajide took time to demonstrate the process to assemble the complete set of the cylinder bundle and its use to the beneficiaries. He also took them through other best safety practices for general use of LPG for cooking. The chairman of the Lagos branch of the Muslim

Atiku Abubakar to Headline HOG Awards The Board of Directors and Custodians of the Hall of Grace (HoG) Awards have unveiled the awardees for the 2017 edition of the HoG Awards. Speaking at a press briefing recently, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Custodian of HoG, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa said this year’s awards ceremony would be absolutely unique one as the awards will for the very first time in its seven Atiku Abubakar years history give out an ‘All Time Award’.

“This year, we shall be giving out an ‘All Time Award’ and I am pleased to announce to you that the awardee or recipient of our All Time Award is His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria. For the first time there was a unanimous agreement by board members to honour him for his many strides in Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar is one name that resonates in Nigeria but only very few people know that he was actively involved in the quest to return the nation to democracy during the pre 1999 era. During his time as Vice President, he headed the economic team of President Olusegun Obasanjo-led federal government, during which time he helped establish bi-national ties that helped grow our GDP. Let me also mention that he was a major player in the botched third term agenda which would have spelt doom for our democracy as well as helping to save the democratic institution severally,” Ojenuwa said.

On other awardees for the day, he said since the 7th anniversary of the HoG Awards which is scheduled to hold on the 21st of May at the Civic Centre, Lagos was dedicated to celebrating democracy, the organisation has picked three governors, one from the North, another from the South and the third from the Central zones of the country who will also be celebrated for delivering dividends of democracy to the nation. Other awardees of the day include Wilma Aguele and Waheed Olagunju who will be honoured for their excellent strides in agriculture and in Bank of Industry.

Honeywell Harps on Quality Control in Business For entrepreneurs to excel and maximise profit, quality control must be adhered to strictly, Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola has said.

Jaiyeola who stated this in Lagos, at the 32nd Certificate Award Ceremony of the Honeywell Baking School, noted that business owners stand to gain a lot by emphasising quality in their processes, as this will impact positively on their businesses.

While listing empowering of bakers as part of efforts by the company to ensure adherence to quality control and success of small businesses, he said Honeywell Flour Mills recognises that Nigerian bakers need a broad mix of skills, as close to a decade, the company has committed resources to the training of over 416 Master Bakers from different parts of the country in a total of 32 Regular Courses and One Executive Course.

Jaiyeola said the company’s vision has always been to equip bakers and bakery owners with the most important resource of knowledge and skills required to run profitable operations and build enduring businesses. The vision, according to him, is driven by understanding of the impacts SMEs could have as engine of job creation and enablers of wealth distribution of which the baking industry represents, being one of the largest SMEs in terms of numbers and size in the country.

“In an increasingly competitive world, we believe improved quality of thinking usually provide the necessary competitive edge, an idea that opens new doors to success, a technique that solves a problem, or an insight that simply makes a sense of it all by being at the fore-front in the training of bakers in Nigeria,” he said.

He also urged the graduands to apply knowledge gained to distinguish themselves from the pack, saying, “let your distributors/vendors and consumers know you for quality and give them the confidence that you use Honeywell Superfine flour and Honeywell Composite flour and Honeywell Brown Flour, the best quality types of flour in the market”.

31/LIVING

21.04.2017

Fond Memories at Salem Mary Ekah While his colleagues are still begging to apply for paid jobs, Gideon Ekom is already running three companies. Amazingly, he achieved the feat just four years after graduation. Last week, the founder of Wear with Style perfumes (a perfume sales and distribution firm), Diplomatic Republic Entertainment-D.R.E (An entertainment outfit) and Under 30s CEO Naija (A media outfit celebrating young entrepreneurs) enthralled students of his alma mater the secrets of his resounding success.

It was at a parley between fresh and ex-students of Salem University, Lokoja. It was organised to inundate the freshers with the possibilities that lie ahead if they maximise their stay in the campus. Beaming with smiles, Ekom said: “This institution is not just an educational learning hub but truthfully a transformational, leadership training ground for optimistic, innovative, goal driven minds imbedded in the teachings of Jesus Christ.” He said he owes everything to the impeccable trainings received at the institution.

The training, he said, has allowed him to see the wisdom in hard work and jettison mediocrity.

Embrace Season 10 Committee 2017

“It’s not surprising that today I find myself so passionate about my engagements to the extent it has become a lifestyle,” Ekom said. “I charge every undergraduate student of the institution to harness this opportunity and fully get involved in its global leadership spiritual drive, for both their personal advancement and the society at large regardless of the challenges”, he added.

Godwin Awojobi, a senior software engineer with Biscom, believes the institution was a budding ground for his masterful performances in the corporate world. “Paired with academics, my degree played an integral role in the development and preparation of

my quantitative and qualitative skills both necessary tools for career success in information technology.

“Salem University has helped me grow my skill-set and put me in a position to succeed and also help others to succeed,” he noted.

Nnadozie Sandra graduated from the Microbiology department of the institution in 2014. She works as an Operations Manager in an International networking company. She said: “I studied under great tutelage of men and women who took their time to mould us into global leaders both in and out of the classroom.

“Through the effective leadership segments, seminars and programs held during my stay in Salem University I have been transformed from a shy, naïve and timid girl to a reserved, God-fearing, relentless, goal-oriented woman”, adding, “Salem University not only equipped me educationally but also spiritually and mentally and I was prepared to face the world and be a change agent anywhere I go.”

Edwin Kuzayat works with The Nigerian Bottling Company, Abuja. He has become such an indispensable staff in the firm because of the rigorous training he received in Salem University,

he stated. According to him: “I cannot stay out of my work place for half a day unnoticed; it is like I create a vacuum. That is what Salem University has helped build in me.” Andeley Naomi graduated in 2015/2016 from the department of International Relations and Diplomacy. She said she left the institution a transformed person.

“Salem University availed me the opportunity to come out of my shell, leave the little shy girl I was behind and become confident and bold, because I was a global leader.

“It provided a platform for me to lead and wear the shoes I otherwise would not have before I came to Salem. There was no room for mediocrity.

“I learned to make changes and not wait for change. I learned to be the change I want to see in the world. I learned to bring people out of the labour market and not to join the labour market. I learned that there is dignity in labour.

“The standard of academics in Salem University brought out the hard and smart working girl in me, it was not a merry-go-round experience.

We were drilled till the substance of excellence was found in us. I can confidently say I am sound in learning.”

Open House Returns with Second Edition, Begins April 29 Mary Ekah Following the success of the debut of Lagos biggest architectural weekend, British Council and Open House Lagos Board have announced the second edition of Open House Lagos this year, April 29 and April 30.

The first edition which took place in 2016 was the first of its kind in Africa. It recorded an outstanding success which was reflected by the extensive press coverage, over 1500 volunteer applications, positive feedback from the visitors and building owners as well as the number of buildings that signed on. This year, with 30 buildings and 12 tours spread across two days, Open House Lagos presents an opportunity to see, explore and learn about Lagos’ architecture all for free, hence, presenting a platform for Lagos citizens and tourists to find out more about issues that are relevant to their local area - from the design

of homes to the impact of climate change, and the role of architects and contemporary design in revitalizing a city.

Speaking recently in Lagos, the Director Arts, British Council Nigeria, Ojoma Ochai, the maiden edition of the festival was well received across demographics, by the media and people who are less knowledgeable about architectural designs and the built environment in general. “For us, this was an indication of a growing interest in this field and an inspiration to ensure a repeat of this festival and ultimately, its sustainability,” Ochai said.

She noted further that the continuation of the festival has been fuelled by the passion and drive of the Open House Advisory Board, the Open House team as well as the generous partners and collaborators and the willingness of the building owners to grant access to their buildings.

Open House Lagos tells the story of progressive growth of architecture in Lagos, exploring the

diverse historical buildings protected for years while unravelling contemporary designs.

Highlights of the event include: several fringe activities that create a nexus between the festival and the city’s creativity, access to some of the newest, most innovative constructions in West Africa and many homes of modern and classical architectural distinction, themed bus tours led by well-informed, trained tour guides and festival memorabilia including the limited edition festival guide.

Open House Lagos is part of the Open House Worldwide family brand which was created in 2010, connecting a community of over 30 cities who organise annual events with the same model, and an audience of over 1 million people who participate in Open House events across the globe.

The concept’s success is due to its acting as an exemplary model of engagement with a city’s citizen, and a step towards bridging the gap between experts and users.

First Massive Literati Encourages Youths to Take Over Mary Ekah A group of youths under the auspices of First Massive Literati are spearheading a crusade that may soon lead to the handover of the power to them by those they termed, “old leaders”.

This set of youths, who recently gathered at conference held at the University of Lagos, believe that in so many decades of leading the nation, these “old leaders” have not brought about the desired impact on the citizens but rather have made things difficult and even worse.

First Massive Literati, formerly known as National Youth Movement was formed to create a dynamic society built on the principle that a nation is strongest when its young citizens work together in unity to accomplish a better standard of living for all.

Speaking at the vent, the National Coordinator, James Useghan said that the statement that the youths are leaders of tomorrow is never going to come to existence if the young ones don’t take full responsibility and action to that word. He expressed the belief that very soon that statement will come to be.

“The event is the gathering of intellectuals and youths that are ready to take leadership responsibility in the country. A lot have been going on and right here and right now we are here to proffer solution, we have here people from different states representing, we want to take the bull by its horn. We are not fighting anybody; we just want to do what is right. We are preaching a just and an egalitarian society,

Guests and particpants during the First Massive Literati conference in Lagos

where our resources are meant to be used for the people.”

Useghan who said that although old leaders have tried their best in the past, noted that there was an urgent need for them to give a chance to the present day youths to take up the leadership of the nation for good.

“We appraise our old leaders in the sense that they fought for independence for us, they have tried their best but it is time they take a back seat and have the new fresh set of people to take leadership responsibilities in the country.

The older generation can be as guide to us but not technical political godfathers but they can always advise. What do we have when we have a man that is above 70 years ruling us? What

is the political age, what is the structure? Does Nigerians really have a structure they are working on? Or is it based on favouritism and nepotism?

These are some of the things we need to look at. So the gathering of the intellectuals is here to proffer solutions to all of these problems and we want like minds to come and share in this dream and vision,” he noted.

On how the gathering is going to translate to the change that the young intellectuals desire, Useghan said, ‘There is a time line and a target to what we are doing right now because we have a lot of associations and gatherings here and there but most of these associations have been bought over by politicians. It is high time we called a spade a spade so we have new set

of people that are taking over.”

He explained further that the gathering was made up of youths from about 12 different states in Nigeria, adding, “Some could not come because of financial issues, we are having financial issue because there is recession everywhere but the point is we have mobilised ourselves, as great intellectuals. Most of these youths belong to different associations in their various institutions, so we are going to spread our tentacles. We know it would be very difficult but we would try and use other medium to spread our message across to every youth.”

He added that the most populated set of people in Nigeria are the youths, noting that majority of the votes any politician will get are from the youths. “We must do what is right. Even if we are not given the mandate to register a political party, we must-have every right to detect the move of the society through our leaders. So as a movement, we are coming out very strong and the mobilisation is seriously underground. And we are starting from the grassroots, so believe me, it is going to work.”

On if the group is strictly focusing just on politicians and political affairs of the country he said, ‘Yes, we are focused more on political leadership. Now, if you ask me who a politician is, the dictionary defines it as someone who cares about the affairs of the people. So how I care about you matters a lot and that is where leadership comes to play but that is not happening in Nigeria. Even when the good ones are doing it they are not seen nor heard.

Eliel Group Introduces New Elevator Technology Godbless Eduviere In order to encourage competition and promote quality standards in the real estate sector, Eliel Jerahmeal Nigeria Limited recently partnered with Weiboelevator company to provide the best of Webber elevator brands to strengthen industry operation in African

region.

In a chat with newsmen in Lagos, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eliel Group of Companies, Mrs. Damilola Adefemi said that building construction in Nigeria requires first class equipment to meet world class standard and also to build trust and confidence among your clients.

“The only way real estate sector in Nigeria can make meaningful impact in nation building is by approaching building construction in the country with world class building equipment and this is the reason behind our franchise to market and sale Webber elevators, a modern technology equipment that promotes real estate operation. And

our company, ElielJerahmeal Nigeria limited has the exclusive franchise for marketing and sales of Webber elevators in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Ivory coast,” she noted, adding that “because of its technology build-up, Webber is a unique brand of elevators, escalators and others, which makes its operate more efficiently.”

32 / TRIBUTE

21.04.2017

Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo

The London-based Times newspaper writes on Governor of the Western Region of Nigeria, Adeyinka Adebayo, whose attempts to prevent the Biafran war failed, with devastating consequences

Late Adebayo

In 1966, six years after independence, Nigeria stood on a precipice. Adeyinka Adebayo had been the first indigenous Chief of Staff of the army as political unrest swirled around the country and the military was beset with revolutionary rumblings. Nigeria had been seen in some quarters as the “great black hope” of Africa, but it had just suffered two bloody and tribally motivated coups.

Adebayo had been fortunate to survive that period, during which several senior officers had been assassinated. Had he not been on a course at the Imperial Defence College in London at the time of the first coup, in January 1966, and staying at his cousin’s house rather than army quarters during that year’s counter-coup, or “July Rematch”, he would almost certainly have been among the fatalities.

The two insurrections unleashed the tribal discord between the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba peoples that had simmered in the six years since the British had departed. This unresolved discord led to tribal massacres on a large scale, which culminated in the country’s eastern region deciding to secede and form

the independent state of Biafra in May 1967.

As governor of the Western Region, Adebayo did his utmost to try to prevent Nigeria from using force against Biafra. In a broadcast shortly before the war began, he said: “I need not tell you what horror, what devastation, and what extreme human suffering will attend the use of force. When it is all over and the smoke and dust have lifted, and the dead are buried, we shall find, as other people have found, that it has all been futile, entirely futile in solving the problem we set out to solve.”

His words went unheeded. The Biafran war, which lasted for two and a half years, was at the centre of world attention. When war broke out Adebayo ordered all bridges into the west of the country to be destroyed to prevent the Biafran rebels reaching Lagos.

Britain, as the former colonial power, backed Nigeria, alongside the Soviet Union. The two countries’ weaponry would prove decisive in the conflict. France, which saw the struggle as the right of a people to self-determination, supported the Biafran underdogs. According to independent estimates, up to two million people, most of them children, starved to death.

Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was born in Iyin-Ekiti in the former Western Region of Nigeria (now Ekiti State) in 1928, the son of a public works employee. He joined the Royal West African Frontier Force, a forerunner of the Nigerian army, when he was 20, undergoing training in Ghana. He also studied in Britain at the Staff College in Camberley.

He rose through the ranks during the 1950s as Nigeria negotiated with Britain for independence, and he was appointed aide-decamp to Sir James Robertson, Nigeria’s last British governor-general. The interview process was unusual: Robertson invited Adebayo to spend the weekend with his family, quietly observed him, and at the end of the weekend told him the job was his.

He also served as a staff officer of the UN peacekeeping force during Congo’s postindependence crisis of 1961-63 and worked at the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union). He was straight-talking.

Ayedole Fayose, the present governor of Ekiti State, said: “He would always call a spade a spade and not mind whose ox was gored.”

After the civil war Adebayo became chairman

of the Committee for the Reconciliation and Integration of Biafra; in 1972 he returned to military duties. He retired in 1975 and was a founder of the National Party of Nigeria.

He is survived by his wife, Dupe, and 16 children. They include his sons Adedayo, who played rugby union for Bath and eight times on the wing for England in the 1990s; Niyi, who became governor of Ekiti state; Adesola, who served as Nigeria’s commissioner for works and transport; and Leke, an actor, writer and producer based in London.

In 1998 a biography of Adebayo was published, Onward Soldier Marches On. Three years later he apologised for his role in the 1966-71 military government. In later years he served on the Yoruba Council of Elders. Goodluck Jonathan, the president of Nigeria, appointed him pro-chancellor of the University of Ibadan in 2013, only to sack him two years later. “My prayer for you is that you imbibe the culture of civility in your future endeavours,” Adebayo responded.

Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo, Nigerian soldier, was born on March 9, 1928. He died on March 8, 2017, aged 88.

33/ XTRA

21.04.2017

Nwibe Urges Indigenes to Invest in Aguata Peace Obi The governorship aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Engineer Barth Nwibe has urged indigenes of Aguata Local Government Area to consider taking down some of their investments to the council as part of the measures in tackling the problem of underdevelopment and youth restiveness in the area. Speaking at the maiden edition of the Aguata Summit held in Lagos recently, Nwibe who attributed the menace of youth restiveness in the area to unemployment, disclosed that lack of public and private sectors investments in the area has left many youths in the area unemployed.

Delivering a paper titled, ‘The Menace of Youth Restiveness and Unemployment in Aguata’, Nwibe notes that with Nigeria's unemployment rate at 25 per cent, the menace of youth restiveness in the country is closely related to unemployment.

Enumerating some of the factors propelling underdevelopment in the area to include poor share of state and federal appointments, lack of reliable power supply, failure of apprenticeship system, poor politics and governance culture, the business magnate disclosed that securing power by the LGA would facilitate faster development of the area. Urging the indigenes to unite and shun money bag politics, Nwibe warned that development would continue to elude the LGA as long as her indigenes continue to indulge in

Engr. Barth Nwibe and Sir Chudi Iloh, at the Aguata Economic Summit event in Lagos...recently.jpg

mercantile politics.

"Let us agree to present our best and brightest instead of mortgaging our consciousness and vote on election day to the influence of money.

Come and support good people of Aguata who are contesting in the gubernatorial election in the state."

Speaking further, Nwibe told Aguata indigenes not to go on blind endorsement of candidates based on pecuniary measures. "If you continue with mercantile political culture you, will continue to get the kind of representation you have always got. You should interrogate all of us and find out the kind of life we have lived and if you

are convinced that there is possibility for us to make changes in our society, then you come and part of it. The most important thing is for an indigene of Aguata to emerge governor of the state from the forthcoming election. Let us resolve to do the right politics,” Nwibe said.

The Chairman, Aguata Summit, Dr. Uche Ifediba who described the summit as a nonpolitical family meeting said that the platform is a common front for the people tackle various challenges facing different communities in the LGA. "It is fitting that we, the people of Aguata have a vibrant platform to discuss the problems of our homeland and proffer solutions, hence this

summit. With the theme, "Aguataland: Agenda for Sustainable Development", Aguata must be set for greater progress."

Earlier in his welcome address, the President, Aguata Progressive Union (APU), Chief Odurukwe Godwin, revealed that the summit was provoked by the saddening underdevelopment in the LGA. "You look at the roads passing through the area, both state and federal, they are nothing to write home about. No higher institutions, no major federal or state presence, despite having very high sounding names in education, industry, politics, public and private sectors,” Godwin lamented.

Another gubernatorial aspirant under the umbrella of Progressive People's Alliances (PPA), Mr. Ezeemo Godwin, told THISDAY that the summit availed the people the opportunity to identify their problems and proffer solutions to them. "These problems include living in denial, not being united in pursuit of a common goal, not showing love for one, unnecessary friction and promotion of people who have got nothing to offer us.”

Ezeemo who said the way forward was for the people of Aguata to remain committed to their resolution to take power, come November 18, 2017 said the practical way to developing the LGA, "when they found themselves in political offices, they still need to think home and work hard towards representing people that elected them into office. They need to bring some development home and get things done.

Rosabon Offers Fleet Services to Corporate Solomon Elusoji In an attempt to help companies optimise fleet acquisition and management, Rosabon Financial Services has begun to offer “top notch and affordable lease and fleet management services”, according to a statement from the company.

According to recent statistics, companies in Nigeria, on the average, spend a minimum of N1.7 billion annually on fleet management and other corporate lease solutions and Rosabon is aiming to help companies cut spending on their logistics by partnering with corporate organisations.

“This relieves you of daily administrative headaches and costs, whilst leaving you with enough funds to reinvest into your company and grow your core business,” Rosabon’s Head of Communications, Kehinde Ruth Onasoga, said.

She said: “For over 23 years, Rosabon has successfully worked with reputable organisations

like Huawei, Exxon Mobil, Ericsson, Transocean Sedco Forex, Oando Plc, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Nigerian-German Chemicals Plc in this regard by leveraging current systems and infrastructure to manage their fleet day-in and day-out.

“No matter the size of your fleet (20 or 2000); our team of dedicated experts is ready to work with you on the development, implementation and maintenance of an effective fleet management program that will achieve your organization’s financial and operational goals. We make acquisition of these cars on behalf of our customers. No matter the fleet size nationwide.”

She explained that Rosabon takes care of all acquisition and maintenance processes and expenses, including: drivers, paperwork, record keeping, fuel management, license renewals, trackers, insurance, “getting the whole fleet for your business use, while your organisation pays an affordable amount monthly.”

She added that the most interesting part of this partnership is that, “Rosabon Financial Services, in addition, assumes all residual risks that come with running your fleet. This means that at the end of the tenor, we can either dispose of the assets or the client can buy them off.

“This helps to release our clients from the largest single source of uncertainty in operating the fleet - the issue of depreciating vehicle assets from your businesses.”

According to a statement, “like every standard operating lease, Rosabon helps clients secure a contract that allows for the use of an asset, but does not convey rights of ownership of the asset. We provide a unique opportunity for an operating lease which represents an off-balance sheet financing of assets, where a leased asset and associated liabilities of future rent payments are not included on the balance sheet of a company.

“With this arrangement, there is no gainsay-

Govt Urged to Partner Helping Hands International to Impact People at Grassroots Peter Uzoho A non-governmental and people-oriented organisation, Helping Hands International, has called on government to key into the skills acquisition programme of the organisation to impact the life of the people at the grassroot.

The organisation stated that the effect of the current recession on the common man in the country could be mitigated if government and those in public offices would partner with the organisation to give more opportunity for people to be trained in skills which they will use to sustain themselves.

Speaking on Monday at the Wealthplus Community, a summit organised by the organisation in Lagos to sensitise members and intending members on the workings of the organisation, Partner Helping Hands International and host, Amb. Divine Sajere, urged members of the legislature both at the state and federal levels to use the skills acquisition programme of the organisation as a veritable platform to deliver their constituency projects for positive results.

"All of us came from different constituencies and we have representatives at the two chambers of the National Assembly who collect money for constituency projects, but they don't bring the money home. As this organisation embarks on skills acquisition programmes, let these honourable men key into Helping Hands and use it as a platform to reach out to members of their constituents",he said.

"If they do this I believe the country will be better and the change we all are clamoring for will take place in no long time. Because if we can achieve what we have achieved presently

Partner H2i and Host, Amb Divine Sajere; Team Leader, H2i Lagos, Captain Awele Odiakose; and National Leader, H2i, Ms Orbby Agwuncha, (2nd,3rd and 4th left), flanked by other members of Helping Hands International (H2i) at the event in Lagos

when we are not doing it in conjunction with the government, then imagine what will happen when we have partnership with the government.

He explained that the skills acquisition is free and that people are hungry to acquire one skill or the other through the programme. "We have training in photography, cake making, make-up, fish farming, and many more, and all they need is just the support," Sajere added.

Earlier, Team Leader, Helping Hands International, Lagos, Captain Awele Odiakose, described the organisation as one that is out to transform lives in the society. She explained that the organisation works as an NGO where people come together to impact lives positively,

pointing that they offer a wide range of services covering humanitarian and free skills acquisition which she said was one area of the organisation that members are very passionate about.

She noted that the organisation understood that under the current economic situation in the country one stream of income was no longer enough, stressing that everybody needed extra income to survive.

"It's a beautiful platform where you can learn a skill and then empower yourself and then get something extra. Then you also have an opportunity to earn in the business because the organisation rewards you when your friends become members of the organisation as well," Odiakose.

ing that not having to spend a lot of money up front on fleet acquisition and management helps businesses manage their cash flow more effectively and expand speedily.

“Our operating lease packages are usually custom made to suit organization’s fleet needs and budget in a cost-effective manner by taking the stress of fleet management off them. This way, Organisations can focus on their core business and increase productivity and profitability.

“At Rosabon, we offer more than an affordable monthly rental, our support team follows through every step of the way. We also pride ourselves on offering lease solutions that help you maximize cost and increase efficiency throughout the lease cycle.”

The requirements for exploring this opportunity involves the prospective company sending in its profile, two Current Bank Account Statements, two Passport Photographs, Utility Bill, Letter of Intent and a Proforma Invoice.

Kleen Culture Finally Arrives Lagos Island Sunday Okobi Residents of Lekki Phase 1, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ajah and environs in Lagos State can now heave a sigh of relief as they now have access to premium laundry services with the expansion of Kleen Culture, a contemporary laundry and dry cleaning outfit in Lekki.

The company which recently launched its drop-off and collection centre on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, provides premium services for all residents of Lagos Island.

According to the owner of this new on-demand laundry pickup and delivery service facility, this is the third unveiled by the company since launching in Agege, Lagos in 2013, and “marking the beginning of a new stage of rapid expansion of Kleen Culture across Lagos.”

Speaking during the event, last weekend, the owner of the firm, Mrs. Bukola Adegbiji, who shared the company’s vision, described Kleen Culture as a premium, innovative laundry outfit committed to serving the needs of business professionals and residents in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and environs.

She stated that “Kleen Culture addresses the laundry challenges of everyone on Lagos Island, including parents, working professionals and students, among others with its time-saving laundry solutions, which provides pick and drop off options for busy professionals.

“Our value proposition is to provide to our customers consistent service delivery in a convenient and affordable manner providing the highest quality of service and care. We do not seek to be your regular dry-cleaners; we insist on the best quality of service, ensuring we surpass your expectations to keep you looking spotless and smelling fresh all day.”

34/ETIQUETTE

21.04.2017

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

What Your Posture Says About You (2) Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll like to continue this series on proper posture by answering most of the frequently asked questions on posture, shed more light on how to ascertain the correctness of your posture and proffering solutions to basic posture challenges.

Headaches Stiffness Fatigue Muscle atrophy and weakness Difficulty breathing Digestion issues Impingement and nerve compression

WHAT CAUSES POOR POSTURE? Over time, poor posture may be caused by habits from everyday activities such as sitting in office chairs, staring at the computer, cradling a cell phone, carrying a purse over same shoulder, driving, prolonged standing, caring for small children, or even sleeping.

WHY DO I NEED GOOD POSTURE? How you look and feel is directly related to your posture. Despite the importance of having good posture, most of us don't do anything to improve it.

We go about our lives with hunched backs and imbalanced hips, and deal with pain because we think it's normal.

Imagine a strong, powerful, confident person standing in front of you. What kind of posture does that person have?

Undoubtedly, the person in front of you is standing tall with an open chest and a head held high. It's a person who looks ready to take on the world.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF POOR POSTURE? Over time, poor posture takes a serious toll on your spine, shoulders, hips, and knees. In fact, it can cause a cascade of structural flaws that lead to back and joint pain, reduced flexibility, and compromised muscles, all of which limit your ability to burn fat and build strength. Others could include; Foot, knee, hip, and back injuries

TIPS TO ASSESSING your posture Wear something form-fitting and take two full-body photosâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one from the front, one from the side. Relax your

muscles and stand as tall as you can, feet hip-width apart. Then refer to the points below to diagnose your posture problems.

1. Look at your ear. If it's in front of the midpoint of your shoulder, your head is too far forward.

2. Can you see your shoulder blade?

That means your back is too rounded.

3. Look at your shoulders. One shouldn't appear higher than the other.

4. Check out your kneecaps. Do they point inward, causing your knees to touch when your legs are straightened?

5. See if you're duck-footed. Your toes will point outward more than 10 degrees.

SOLUTIONS TO BASIC POSTURE CHALLENGES 1 FORWARD HEAD The challenge Stiff muscles in the back of your neck.

The solution Moving only your head, drop your chin down and in toward your sternum while stretching the back of your neck. Hold for a count of five; do this 10 times a day.

2 ROUNDED SHOULDERS The challenge Weakness in the middle and lower parts of your trapezius (the large muscle that spans your shoulders and back) The solution Lie face down on the floor, with each arm at a 90-degree angle in the high-five position. Without changing your elbow angle, raise both arms by pulling your shoulders back and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for five seconds. That's one rep; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.

3 ELEVATED SHOULDER The challenge The muscle under your chest (running from your ribs to your shoulder blades) is weak.

The solution Sit upright in a chair with your hands next to your hips, palms down on the seat, arms straight.

Without moving your arms, push down on the chair until your hips lift up off the seat and your torso rises. Hold for five seconds. That's one repetition; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.

Check out your kneecaps. Do they point inward, causing your knees to touch when your legs are straightened? If yes, then you have a challenge of knocked knees

Can you see your shoulder blade? That means your back is too rounded

Look at your ear. If it's in front of the midpoint of your shoulder, your head is too far forward

Look at your shoulders. One shouldn't appear higher than the other

35/XTRA

21.04.2017

Doing Business with Naija Green Card Damilola Oyedele writes that a year since the launch of the Naija Green Card, its spread has shown its national acceptance among young people, as a tool to help cushion the effects of economic hardship

Daramola (left) with Tambuwal

Uchechi Nwosu (not real names) suddenly took ill at the village near Ado Ekiti where she was undergoing the mandatory one year national youth service. She needed emergency surgery, as her appendix was on the verge of bursting, but unfortunately doctors at the general hospital were on strike. Her parents, resident in Enugu quickly sent in some money, but she was afraid of patronising just any private hospital.

Enter the Naija Green card. Nwosu discovered that one of the most reputable private hospitals in Ekiti, Olives hospitable, was offering a whooping 30 per cent discount to the card holders. She was taken to the hospital, had the appendectomy done, with a short period of recovery at the hospital.

The Nigerian Student and Youth Corper Discount Card (NSYCDC) accessible to young people between the ages of 18-35, have been alleviating the effects of economic recession, and cushioning economic status since it was launched one year ago. Holders of the card benefit from discounts in various percentages, some up to 70 per cent on goods and services from merchants on the card’s platform.

At its inception in 2016, the card had a few hundreds signed on, it has now grown to 9000 card holders and about 10,000 partners across all sectors of the economy including healthcare, aviation, transportation, hospitality, merchandise, restaurants, leisure and entertainment and many others.

While it is a new development in Nigeria, it is very popular in different parts of the world like the United Kingdom, United States, China, Germany and other countries, where students enjoy discounts on every imaginable good and service.

Initiated in Nigeria by the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Concepts Ltd, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, said several tertiary institutions and the National Youth Service Corps have endorsed the card. This is in addition to some eminent personalities. For instance, the Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has enrolled Sokoto State students’ from Senior Secondary School Three (SS 3) to those in tertiary institutions and those undergoing the mandatory NYSC across the country, on the discount platform.

Daramola, a former member of the House of Representatives, in an interview with THISDAY said the decision of the Sokoto State government may have been borne out of a desire to alleviate the pressures of the existing economic recession among young people.

“When Tambuwal decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sokoto State government and Naija Green card to place its students from SS3 to youth corps members on the project, it is to tell the world that he does not want destitute, prostitutes,

Tricycle operator in discount platform

Daramola (left) with Atiku

fraudsters, and other preventable crimes among his youths, but a bunch of young people who are not under pressure. He does not want his youths to deal with the socio-economic pressures that are likely to push them off the cliff,” Daramola said.

He added that Tambuwal should be celebrated, not just for being reflective, but for taking a necessary step to safeguard the future of his state citizens, beyond the building of schools.

The discount card has also been endorsed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

“Atiku's endorsement of the card is very significant because it lends credence to the fact that we are doing something noble. If not, the Atiku we all know, with his political clout and global business network, will not dare touch it. He always says that he could not have been where he is today without the opportunities Nigeria gave to him. While we were making the presentation to him, at a point, he looked over to one of his aides and said, we need to sign this on, he mentioned one of his business interest. Atiku Abubakar endorsement will go a long way to assuage the fears of our cynical and skeptical society about the card,” Daramola said.

Arrangements are currently being put in place to ensure that students of the American

University of Nigeria (AUN) owned by Atiku are signed onto the platform.

The company is also in talks with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and several universities across the country, to enroll its members and students on the platform so they can benefit from the advantages it offers.

Beyond mitigating the effects of economic hardships for it students, enrollment on the platform also offers states, a credible database of that vulnerable segment of its society, which can be used for development planning.

“This platform also provides for state governments who are barely managing to give bursaries or support schemes in one form or the other, to use this as an opportunity because in the next one month this card will go fully integrated. It can be used as Point of Sales (POS) and other add ons. As a matter of fact, we are almost through with one of the banks. With this the card can be used for all transactions. As such the state government can put its bursary on it and this will enable it to profile those that are using the card, provide data on statistics of students the state has, determine how many students are graduating in one year, how many are offering one course or the other, and so on.

“Government can plan with the data

made available through the data generated as a result of its enrolments on the platform.

Beyond adding value to card holder's life, it also provides back end value, given through data we provide that, the state governments can plan with towards the development of their states,” Daramola said.

The card is however not elitist despite its growing popularity in major cities across the country. In Kubwa, an Abuja suburb, it is accepted by a buka where local foods are served, while in Calabar, it is accepted by a keke NAPEP tricycle operator.

“Let's say our SS3 card holder in Calabar must get to a location for an important appointment, only to discovered that the transport fare she has may not likely take her to the appointment and back to her destination. The card comes to the rescue, as definitely taking chartered or regular taxi is out of the equation.

Wouldn't our tricycle partner come handy?”

Daramola added.

In the next one year, Bridge Concepts projects five million card holders on its platforms, and is set to embark on a massive sensitisation tour at tertiary institutions across the country.

The initiative is a laudable one, which when embraced by governments and agencies, would serve to ensure young people have a sense of belonging.

36/COLLAGE

Celebrant,, Miss. Adebisi Salami,( middle),surrounded by her friends, during her birthday anniversary in Lagos... recently

L-R: Chief Tony Obinwa, Bashir Bada, Helen Bada and Eketa Folorunso Bada at the final burial ceremony of Mr Reginald Smith (Helen's father) in Ikorodu, Lagos...recently

21.04.2017

L-R: Baale of Dopemu, i High Chief, Shuaibu Afogunlowo; Olu of Agege Kingdom, HRM Oba Kamila Isiba; Alaige of Orile-Agege, HRM Oba Akeem Ambaliu Agbedeyi Baale of Keke Agege, High Chief Liadi Ajaguna; and the new upgraded Baale of Oko-Oba, Orile-Agege, High Chief Josiah Balogun,during the approval to part 2 Baales in Agege Local Council Development Area in Lagos... recently

L-R: General Overseer The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka; Pastor (Mrs) Joy Muoka; and Lagos State Coordinator of the Church, Pastor Amadi Chidozie, during the 2017 easter retreat programme in Lagos... recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Groom's Father, Mr. Oladipupo Odunewu, his wife Victoria; Couple Adebayo and Olayinka Odunewu; Bride's Parents, Mr. Joseph Sangodele and wife Magaret at the wedding ceremony of their children in Lagos...recently

L-R: Ekiti State Governor and Visitor to Ekiti State University, Mr. Ayo Fayose; Hon. Oladipo Adebutu; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and Chairman, Governing Council of EKSU, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, shortly after the governor was conferred with the institution's Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa), in Ado-Ekiti as part of its 22nd convocation ceremonyâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

L-R: Chief Counseling OďŹ&#x192;cer, Redeem Christians Church of God (RCCG), Prince of Peace Parish, Pastor (Mrs). Bola Koku; Pastor Incharge, Pastor Folusho Koku; Head of Admin & Human Resource, Island Maternity, Mrs. Funmi Adewoye; Chief Medical Director, Dr. Imosemi Donald; Apex Nurse, Dr. Gladys Kalesanwo; Head of CSR , Prince of Peace Parish (RCCG), Deacon Ola Awosemo; Members of the Parish, Deaconess Doris Ohanugo and Deaconess Funsho Ogboye, during a donation of hospital items to Island Maternity, by RCCG Prince of Peace Parish to mark the 10th year Anniversary celebration, in Lagos...recently KOLA OLASUPO

37/THISLIFE

21.04.2017

Francis Agumadu...before he took ill

Francis Agumadu...suffering Renal Kidney disease

UNIZIK Graduate’s Fight for Life

David-Chyddy Eleke met and spoke with Francis Agumadu whose dream in life is hanging in the balance as a result of illness which has sapped his family of all available funds, and has also left him in pain Master Francis Agumadu, a graduate of Surveying and Geoinfomatics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, aged 27 is one man who looked forward to life after school and hoped to commence practice in his area of training, but his dream was cut short, at least for now by what he describes a mysterious illness that have turned out to be renal kidney disease, which is also known as kidney failure.

First it was his father, Mr. Christian Agumadu, a native of Awba Ofemili in Awka North Local Government that called this reporter to arrange an interview with his son who needs help, later the son also called. Except for some signs of weakness in his voice, nothing else suggested that he was a totally bedridden person who could do virtually nothing on his own without assistance. Though he was not forceful in his speech, he spoke calmly in polished English that would convince anyone that he saw the four walls of a university.

Francis in an interview with THISDAY stated that his problem started in 2014 after he had graduated from the university and waiting to go for his one year compulsory youth service. According to him, he had fallen sick just about the time he was expecting his call up letter, and he had thought it be slight malaria. “I told my parents, and they took me to hospital where I was treated, but the illness persisted, leading to my shelving the

idea of going to service that year,” he said.

He said that his case later turned out to be kidney failure, and that since then, he has remained bedridden, just as his parents have spent a lot of money and sold their properties and also borrowed money severally to keep him alive. “My parents have sold everything they have. My father has sold all his inherited land, his car and any property that belonged to him that is worth anything. Same for my mother who has sold her wrappers, jewelry and others, but the painful thing is that they spend this money on me and I am not getting well at all.”

The frail and skeletally looking graduate of Surveying and Geoinfomatics continued, “I owe my parents everything, and wish I can get better to repay them for what they have done for me. That is why I made efforts to contact and speak with the press today. See my father and mother, their businesses have all failed, yet they need money for me to stay alive. To be alive today, I have to visit Enugu, two times a week for dialysis, and I have to be infused with a pint or two pints of blood each time I visit Enugu for dialysis.

“This is really costing my family a lot of money, my father sold the last piece of land where he would have built his own house in my village recently, just to help me get dialysis and blood for the next week, and as

I speak with you, the money has finished.

Apart from drugs, transportation and others, the dialysis and blood is N50,000 each time I go there, and I do so twice every week. The doctors have just confirmed to us that my kidney are at its last stage of functioning, and that would be the end for me, except I am able to get a transplant.

“That is why I am calling on Anambra people and Nigerians in general to help me to stay alive. We were told that the sum total of N11million is needed for the transplant, and that would be in India. I am calling on Nigerians not to abandon me please, they should come to my aid and help me live to practice what I spent years in school to learn,” he said in tears.

He was particularly pained that his friends and course mates have all moved ahead after youth service. He said his course was a professional course, and he was looking forward to practicalising what he had learnt by going into the profession immediately after service.

He fantasized about how he hoped that he would have joined the oil and gas industry at some point in his career, but regretted that all these were now pipe dreams.

As Francis granted this interview sitting at the balcony of their rented apartment in Awka, his mum who could not hold back tears broke down sobbing, but it took the courage

of Francis’ father, Christian who also spoke with THISDAY to order her to the room as he claimed she was a distraction. Speaking, Francis’ father said he was still in shock as to the reason for the illness, claiming it was not natural. He said they have tried to find out some of the causes of renal disease, but none of the causes seemed associated with his son, and believed that his enemies were just at work in his family.

“I am just pleading with Nigerians to come to our aid, so that my son can get a transplant in India. The cost has been put at N11million.This my son’s illness has turned me into a mad man, I have become shameless, as I have been collating phone numbers on well to do people in Anambra and have been calling and begging for help. I have called several people, including past governors, some I was able to speak with, others their numbers never connected or they did not take my call. But I cannot stop because the life of my son is involved,” Agumadu begged.

Agumadu, a once successful businessman, who travelled to Cameroon and other African countries to buy crayfish, which he supplied around Anambra State pleaded with Nigerians to please come to their aid, displaying test results and several dialysis reports conducted on his son. He begged interested Nigerian to reach him through his mobile line, 08062522367.

38/OPINION

21.04.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Buhari Has His Last Chance with 2017 Finally, we are in 2017. It is the year of fortune teller.

This year, President Muhammadu Buhari’s political future will be determined. The fulfillment or failure of the promised change will be the common factor.

But I think Buhari has a rare chance to improve his profile this 2017.

The capture of Sambisa Forest by the Operation Lafia Dole last December is a good chance for the president to improve his ratings.

But so much more will need to be done to consolidate on the gain.

Unexpectedly, counterterrorism experts have counseled us to be cautiously optimistic about seeing the end of Boko Haram so soon.

I cannot disagree based on my personal findings about insurgency, a research of many years.

Oh, and of course the fact that despite the claim by the military and the president that we’re seeing the end of Boko Haram militancy, the inability of the government to rescue the remaining kidnapped Chibok girls and a few comebacks we have seen of Boko Haram in Madagali, Adamawa State, and in some part of Borno State placed a direct question mark on the claim.

The president’s opportunity with the anticorruption campaign is another rare good chance to repair his image.

With his anti-corruption czar, Ibrahim Magu, who heads the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under public scrutiny for hobnobbing with someone being investigated for corrupt practices by the commission is too serious to be ignored by Mr. President.

The documents in circulation about the rent

Buhari

payment for his upscale mansion that costs $20 million a year by his good friend Air Commodore Mohammed Umar, and his freebie junket on airplane belonging to the later cannot be dismissed.

The president will do well to get rid of Magu with the New Year.

There are others in his cabinet that he can no longer keep, if he must increase his gains with Nigerians. One of such is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

Lawal has a reputation for arrogance and now he has added a badge of corruption with a contract his company got from the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE).

A Senate ad-hoc committee looking into the problems being faced by the Internally Displaced

Persons (IDPs) in the North-east had accused the SGF of several misdeeds including failing to account for N2.5 billion PINE funds and awarding contracts to his friends and cronies, some of whom turned around and paid kickbacks into his company’s accounts.

Honestly, the PINE fund is now another defence arms and equipment procurement managed by ONSA under President Goodluck Jonathan. PINE is another ground where vultures feast.

The next place where the chance is for Buhari is with his populist agenda to pay the poor. That social spending, if properly managed without scandal will help build a strong image for the president before the election year.

But I have a concern. While we have been told that the N5,000 monthly payout is now reaching the hands of the beneficiaries, the transparency around it needs more light. The goal of the government must also be clear to the beneficiaries as social benefits cannot be a lifetime for recipients.

In the United States where there are different types of social benefits, those in different categories understand the limitations and how things rotate from one generation to another.

For instance, once the government agency handling social benefits calculates that you have appreciable income, then you’re automatically replaced with another household with such need.

In Finland, where similar act is being carried out this year as a pilot phase for the jobless in particular, the government is clear about why unconditional money is being paid out to the unemployed.

The idea according to the government agency is to use the two-year trial period of the scheme

to eliminate the “disincentive problem” among the unemployed.

The government of Finland hopes people without job will have something in their hands to pursue job search and could pick up low- paying jobs without fears “of losing out something.” Ultimately they will climb from low-paying jobs to the high ones and become catalysts.

Behind that incentive is the truth that a jobless person in Finland may refuse a low-income or short-term job for the simple fear of having his financial benefits reduced drastically under Finland’s complex social security system.

So the Finish government is doing something to stimulate the unemployed people to go out and seek for jobs.

Now, if the idea behind Nigeria’s social benefit is simply political, it will run into a big ditch with no opportunity for Buhari to take the advantage to improve his profile.

It’s debatable but rolling out a national programme without clear coverage of all the states, even in a pilot phase is a precursor to failure.

The argument that some states do not have social register begs the issue for a programme that had been planned for implementation in the last 20 months.

In fact, the payouts should have been left for the states to manage using national fund with guiding rules or at best for each state to come up with their resident rules.

I could go on, but I seriously think Buhari has the opportunity to make the change happen this year with a robust economy and quick delivery of his plan for a truly new Nigeria, before 2018 comes and the hot wind of politics begins to blow Follow me on twitter:@adeolaakinremi1

Awakening the Giant: My Dream for Ebonyi State Willie Eleje Abili Feelers I have been getting since my article of 14th April 2017, as captioned above, are pointing to the fact that, having outlined the principles and motives of my dream the intentions of the vision were left too up my sleeves. So, with due respect to such feelings, I decided to do this sequel, beginning with a recap of my dream. My article attempted a synopsis, of states-man-ship, under Pharoah, of Joseph, who was a society man, though the secret one, whose name he knew not, unknown to his world which regarded him as a recluse. For, while the book of Deuteronomy makes reference to the bush of Joseph, the book of Genesis refers to his divine cup, his dinner at noon, his embalming, his bones (the stone of Israel), and jose-phines of fish ‘the commonwealth’, all of which would appear to be articles of his occultic faith, emanating from his learning and tongue of the ancient Egyptians. My synopsis further attempted to show in simple terms the head as man, and his date, the woman, as the ship of state, which is the people that should share equal opportunity and hope in their man’s dream, which is his mandate to govern by the law. A law of just end, that separates, not later than in eight years space of time, from the day of their enjoinment, the motive power unit, which is the head or man, from his date, the cargo unit, as the head and tail of state-ship. My article further submitted that, ceteris paribus, the means, in the first instance, of arrival, is usually just as, if not more important than the end that is arrived at last. It went on to illustrate that the head would usually be regarded as, in our contemporary parlance having gone ‘loco’, if his sophistry or inventions were ahead or behind his time, such that his date, the ship, would neither see with him nor key into his dream to result in locomotion of state, as progress on the water bed of gopher wood.

Gopher meant for building of the Ark. Ark as ship of state, of the nation building. Buliding Ark-tion, sometimes therefore, as implicit, is a co-join, meant for assassination of the head, as per ultimate price to enter ship, enterprise as the fare, affair of state. State ship, the date, of

Umahi

which man is fond, funding of what, how and when as state budget, taste bud, gets in tongues of fire a rev anew heat, internally generated, as energy given to ship, not receiver-ships of state fed, in rationing of accounts. Accounts made as economic cycle of cumulative causation of water currency of cash, as it were a water battery charger of decapitated head forecasted by handwritten promisory notes as oath of the office, taken by the king and ceaser of land of the Lord to ask, tax of males and labour of the mother as fee-males. It becomes a truth we can hold self-evident, that foregoing means would suffice for the head to say fare-well to ship of state, if indeed the man is an-dowry pay, meant as fare and the enterprise of his fiancée, the finance of affairs of state. But this would be by way of road and rail, which if seen without reasonable doubt in the pipeline of delivery as interest of the mother nation, in the first instance, a discerning date, i.e. her daughter, should be willing and ready to give her man a second instance of planning, organisation, directing, supervision, co-ordination, reporting and budgeting as another chance of administrative tenure. But then much of the vision upon my head in a dream for my

people were as earlier observed, left up my sleeves, with many issues therefore, requiring fuller consideration. So, let us go back to a brief consideration of those issues. Given a second chance of working farther afield together, our entire scope of work shall be captured in the acronym V-SHAPE of things to come, otherwise to be flagged off as Ebonyi V-5 Star Treatment Plan as follows: V-Vista, S-Security, H-Health, A-Agro-Industrilisation, P-Power and Transportation, E-Education. What do I mean by these, they are subject to questions and answers…but I see a grand, not grandiose urban area, where we shall try to demonstrate in modeling spaces that Abakiliki can be transformed from a ‘brown town’ to a reserved urban municipality with expansive dedicated parks and streets named after iconic figures befitting of an international city, I see a ‘Moshe Dayan Freedom Park’, ‘Biafra Heroes Square’, ‘Gbazue Agu-gbazue agu Roundabout’, ‘Mansa Musa Horse Race Course’, ‘Mmilicar Cabral Boulevard’, ‘Stahere Boys Scout Lane’, ‘Osei Tutu Drive’, ‘Ordorbro Close’, ‘Haille Sellasi Crescent’, ‘Uthman Dan Fodio High Street’, ‘Queen Sheba Veranda’, ‘Nduka Obaigbena Drive’, ‘Queen Moremi Civic Centre’, ‘Donald Trump Count-down City Clock’, ‘John Momo Conference Centre’, ‘Eze Agomeze Drive’, ‘Gary Igariwey way’…I see this done for inspiration of our youths, to earn from South-east social-activism and in the overall interest of our country. I see a mini ChampEllyses style autobahn heralding the new city from off Enugu-Abakiliki expressway. …I see a strategic partnership for international standard of hoteling to be named 1010 Havilah Special Guesthouse, Mega-Heliport and Menagerie… to consist of 10 super-deluxe singles totaling 100, facilitated by five reputable international hoteliers and local investors with express tramps to and fro Enugu Airport, Cameroun border and Cross River State via Itigidi… I see our modern city infrastructure and critical assets of state, completely secure and full-tamper-proof. We shall explore five-star partnership with Mossad Aliyah Bet, in collaboration, co-operation and synergy with nieghbouring states. I see a Tse tse fly conservation belt against herd Pastors

incursion,…I see a well trained equipped and mobilisable ‘Special Militia Volunteer Force’, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, CCTV Cameras ... I see a strategic business unit of the federation, with strong institutions, opportunities for economic prosperity and social inclusion... an ambience to conduce private human and material capital to the fullest extent.. in this wise, I see uninterruptible solar and wind incremental energy, inter/intranetwork of superlative macadamised and pave thoroughfare, complete street lighting, railings and full signages…I see light rail and tramps, with emphasis in opening up strategic opportunities in Ogoja-Cameroun axis… I see a seamless interface between our senatorial districts…I see opportunity in our relative challenge of arable land, internal capacity and IGR, through Public Private Partnership, fiscal intervention policy programming, comparative advantage in inter/ intra-competition and complementarity, in the enterprise of our people and in a visionary leadership…I see a Micro Small Medium Credit/ Grant Business Plan Evaluation and Monitoring Strategic Partners…a Full Business Cases of: ‘Akaeze Rice and Mutton Export Processing Zone and Strategic Grain Reserve’, ‘Abakiliki Mixed Farm and Muturu Cattle Ranch’, ‘Nkalagu Cement Factory’, ‘Uburu Table Salt Packaging’, ‘Lilypond Farms and Fisheries’…I see potable water resources, community health dispensaries and health education.. I see an ‘Academy of Intergovernmental Studies and Conflict Resolution’, ‘Aladin Hall Literary Schorlarship College, to be headed by a Principal Visiting Expert, where linguists, poets and philosophers can converge from west and central Africa to interact and inspire one another…

My dear Ladies and Fellow Grand Ebo-Knights.

As things begin to unfold, I see the name, ‘Grand Ebonyi Metropolitan State’, taking on our dear state. I See a giant awakened from slumber to a new day, I see rendition of key speeches in Igbo Meta-language and major dialects as well as translated to ancient and modern languages of Hebrew Greek Latin and English French Mandarin, respectively…I see jubilation, serenading hymns, buntings of flag and marvelous hallows of God’s name…

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

39

40

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

CITYSTRINGS

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

A Poet’s Resurrection Forty-three years after he vanished, friends and family of Soji Simpson gathered at the Muson Centre recently to bring him back to life, writes Solomon Elusoji

T

he hall dropped into pin-drop silence as celebrated actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, took to the stage and started to read a Soji Simpson poem titled ‘Nigerianisation’, which urged Nigerians to redefine themselves and move away from habits and practices copied from their British colonial masters. “Let us be true Nigerians, not Anglicised Africans,” a line read. When she was done, the crowd cheered with vibrant applause.

Ajai-Lycett never met Soji Simpson, but his was the first play she took part in when she returned from England. “And I’ve heard about him for the last 43 years, about his mysterious disappearance,” she said. But she does not buy the idea that he has evaporated into oblivion. “As I get older, it becomes increasingly clear to me that we don’t die, because we are spirits.”

Soji Simpson was a Nigerian writer born in 1939. He was one of the shining lights of his generation, in the field of creative art.

A thespian, poet, and playwright. Simpson wrote over 70 poems between 1958 and 1961 while he was a student at the Lagos Baptist Academy and King’s College, Lagos. He also wrote five plays (Too Much Too Soon, The Vogue, If I forget Thee, His Master’s Voice, and The Mirage), all of which were performed by Neighbourhood Players, a troupe founded and directed by him. The Neighbourhood Players, which ran between 1966 and 1968, also performed plays written by other writers. He was also a journalist.

He used to write a column called ‘Voice of the 70s’ in the Daily Express between 1968 and 1973.

But, one evening in August 1974, Soji Simpson mysteriously vanished while he was rehearsing Rasheed Gbadamosi’s play, ‘Behold my Redeemer’ at the National Mu-

Meditations is a living testament to Soji Simpson’s genius; an indication of what was and a glimpse of what could have been. It is a collection of poems which will sit well for individual pleasure as it cuts across diverse genres- odes, lyrics, ballads, sonnets, speaking to the breadth and depth of Simpson’s craft

Late Simpson

seum, Onikan, Lagos, aged 35. He has not been seen since. Yet, he remains to friends and family, a devastating loss.

Decades after, his younger brother, Femi Simpson, an educationist and writer, has decided to unearth Simpson’s manuscript of

poetry and breathe life into it by compiling and annotating some of his poems into a book titled ‘Meditations’. According to the publishers of the book, Diamond Publications, “Meditations is a living testament to Soji Simpson’s genius; an indication of what was and a glimpse of what could have been. It is

L-R : Mr. Sobo Onasanya, Dr. Folarin Williams, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Bashorun Jaiye Randle, Mr. Lanre Idowu and Mr. Femi Simpson, presenting ‘Mediations’

a collection of poems which will sit well for individual pleasure as it cuts across diverse genres (odes, lyrics, ballads, sonnets), speaking to the breadth and depth of Simpson’s craft. It should also make its way into the classroom as a worthy collection deserving closer scrutiny.”

So, to launch the book and revive the memory of Soji Simpson, a poetry recital was organised at the Muson Centre and dozens of readers, including Ajai-Lycett, were invited to read poems from Meditations.

“We at Diamond Publications are grateful that the significant work that Meditations represents was not stillborn,” the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Publications, Lanre Idowu, said at the recital. “We are grateful that it was not aborted through negligence or misadventure. In a sense we are celebrating love; love for diligence, love for talent, love for enterprise, love for industry, love for the

41

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

CITYSTRINGS We take it for granted when Soji was alive that Nigeria was destined for greatness – in fact it was already great; everything worked well and the future was bright. But today, the Nigeria we are dealing with is very different from what the likes of Soji Simpson and many others devoted their time, energy and effort to

arts, love for poetry, love for fatherland.”

One of the readers at the recital and the Chairman of the occasion was Basorun J.K. Randle, a seasoned Chartered Accountant who attended Kings College with Soji Simpson.

“We take it for granted when Soji was alive that Nigeria was destined for greatness – in fact it was already great; everything worked well and the future was bright,” he said.

“But today, the Nigeria we are dealing with is very different from what the likes of Soji Simpson and many others devoted their time, energy and effort to.”

The former Executive Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, was also one of the readers. He did not go to the same school with Simpson, but they both went to school on the same street and related closely. “Then, Soji showed deep genius and was a true academician, even at that age. And I must commend the Simpsons family – one that has produced many professors and successful people – for being still together. We know many families who scatter when a tragedy happens.” He read from Simpson’s ‘Hard Must He Work’.

The book was reviewed on stage by Mr. Kunle Ajibade, the Executive Editor of TheNews. He noted that the testimonies of those who knew Simpson intimately and the body of his work show that Soji Simpson’s presence made the darkest days feel clear, as a human being, a poet, a playwright, an actor and as a culture enthusiast.

Before he became a playwright, poetry was Simpson’s first mode of creative expression.

During his days at Lagos Baptist Academy and Kings College, he distinguished himself as a powerful debater and poet. According to his contemporaries, Basorun J.K. Randle, Chief Femi Robinson and Professor Ekundayo Simpson, he was a bookworm and ‘just’ loved books and would engage virtually anyone in all components of literature. He also had a riveting knowledge of history, both African and European, which enabled him to authoritatively quote, verbatim, resonant events together with precise dates that made him a champion in Inter-House and Inter-School debates. He was a great and spell-binding orator. He was always a threat to other schools at debates, because he would prepare his brief just like a lawyer.

He could recite by heart all 128 of Thomas Gray’s elegies.

According to Chief Robinson, Soji Simpson was an avid reader; he read all kinds of books. He stood out as a teacher among his contemporaries. He was also a keen sportsman, although he chose to socialise selectively, since solitude was more productive to him as a budding writer.

“The poems were not written in dense metaphors that are encased in complex layers of meaning,” Mr. Ajibade noted in his review. “This may be described by some lovers of high-brow poetry as juvenile because he was not fully formed as a poet when they were written; but they have literary strength and enduring values. In his poetry, sincerity and tenderness survive. There is a sense in which his publication, now, is a form of redemption. It is gratifying that we are remembering Soji Simpson today with a part of him that is not missing, a part of him that is a testament to his talents.”

Simpson was influenced by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats and William Blake, all romantic

Osoba reading from ‘Hard Must He Work’

Ajai-Lycett at the recital

Oba Gbenga Sonuga, Fadesewa of Simawa and his wife, at the recital

poets. He was also influenced by William Shakespeare, John Milton and Francesco Petrarca. He learnt his creative tricks and techniques from these masters. He untangled their lines, scrambled them, and adapted them. He imbibed many of the elements of romanticism as a literary movement – their focus on the writer’s emotion, celebration of nature, the idealisation of women and children.

“We can therefore argue that in this collection, he was more of a romantic poet,” Mr. Ajibade said. “He wrote passionately on love of women, hardwork,

time, the unstoppable cycle of human existence and stupidity, life after death, and on the challenges of Nigeria. He wrote about Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe; and as if he was predicting his own exit, he wrote about death in the prime of life. He also wrote on the complexities of life, on depression and dissolution, on the vagaries of nature, about the challenges of keeping New Year resolutions, and the difficulty of parting from our loved ones. He wrote on his strong faith in God; he wrote like a preacher about the importance of humility, he wrote to celebrate the birthday of his brother, Dayo;

he paid tribute to Tinuke, one of his sisters when she gained admission to Methodist Girls High School. He also wrote poems on his great affections for the arts.”

The compiler and annotator of the poems, Femi Simpson, told THISDAY that he hopes Meditations would one day find its way into the school curriculum. On the challenges he faced while working on the book, he talked about the dilemma of whether to present the poems chronologically or in categories.

“And then there was the problem of whether to retain the deviations of his spellings and the project’s funding,” he said.

42

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 Ëž T H I S D AY

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Internet Penetration in Nigeria Rises to 53% Obinna Chima Internet penetration in Nigeria has increased to 53 per cent, which is the highest in Africa.

Also, mobile subscription in the country has increased to 81 per cent, similar to Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, according to a report.

Jumia Nigeria stated this in the 2017 edition of its African Mobile Trends Paper. This was the third white paper presentation from Jumia delving into mobile trends across Africa and specifically Nigeria. The study took a look at the how the market had democratised mobile internet use, the consumer behaviors driving increased smartphone adoption and the role of mobile brands, mobile operators and m-commerce in creating a synergy of an enhanced customer experience.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile Africa Study was carried out in 15 African countries which generate more than 80% of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP - Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Senegal.

It showed that there are 960 million mobile subscriptions across Africa - an 80 per cent

penetration rate among the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population. Internet penetration is at 18% with 216 million internet users.

According to the report, about 71 per cent of website visitors on Jumia use their mobile phones. This was in comparison to 53 per cent of Jumia African customers. One of the main vehicles of this mobile trajectory was the increasing adoption of the smartphone device by consumers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As predicted in our 2016 report, smartphone adoption continues to rise in Nigeria. The mobile phone category continues to be the most popular among Nigerian shoppers on Jumia, both in terms of the number of items sold, and in terms of revenue generated. The sales of smartphones jumped up by 394% between 2014 and 2016, mostly driven by an increasing range of smartphones price points. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The average price for a smartphone on Jumia is $117, down from $216 in 2014. Correlating with this is a drop in the share of sales of basic feature phones from 6% in 2015 to 4% in 2016, even as the share of smartphones on the website increased.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 2016 Chinese mobile brands held dominance and played a major role in introducing smartphones with lower price points. Infinix, Innjoo, Tecno, Samsung and Yezz are the top 5 smartphone brands in terms of sales on Jumia.

Infinix continues to be Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top smartphone brand across Jumiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15 markets. One of their entry level smartphones, the Infinix Hot4Lite was one of the best-selling phones across several African markets including Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? it added.

The report also states that increased access and affordability of low specification smartphones also revealed the need for the mobile ecosystem to respond with data-efficient browsers and mobile apps that are optimised for performance and an easy user experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looking at the mobile internet browsers customers use to access Jumia, 50 per cent of customers in Africa come onto Jumiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mobile site with Google Chrome. In Nigeria that number is just 28 per cent. Instead, the Opera mini browser is much more popular, with 41 per cent of the mobile traffic to Jumia Nigeria coming from Opera mini.â&#x20AC;?

Microfinance Tool for Poverty Alleviation, Says Rwanda Envoy The Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi, has described micro finance as a potent tool for poverty alleviation and wealth creation.

Kamanzi, who spoke last week at The Bullion Lecture organised by Centre for Financial Journalism in Lagos recently, believes that micro finance is essential to people-centred development, as it is an important stimulant of the creation of a middle income class that is critical for African economies to substantially take off.

Kamanzi who was the Special Guest at the lecture said it was important for lay people to understand the tenets and mechanisms of micro finance, challenging financial journalists to play a key role in this connection and to build on synergies with the operators in micro finance.

He stated that in the past decade Rwanda had been able to move more than a million people above the poverty line through a combination of strategic investment meant to

uplift livelihoods of identified poor communities and tapping their own capacity to solve their problem, with a minimal push from Government. He revealed that micro finance was pivotal in making those strategies work and transform into a success story of poverty reduction.

Giving further insight into how micro finance has helped to lift millions of people out of poverty in his country, Ambassador Kamanzi said this was achieved through a programme termed Vision 2020 Umurenge, abridged as VUP. He said the programme was created to accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at grassroots level, explaining that it combines labour intensive projects providing jobs for active members within communities, while catering social protection for the vulnerable and impotent ones, by way of financial grants for daily subsistence.

He stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;VUP builds on assessing the fundamental needs of beneficiary communities, mobilizing resources, human

and financial, to correct development shortfallsâ&#x20AC;?, explaining that â&#x20AC;&#x153;beneficiaries are enrolled in saving schemes, with the objective of promoting the emergence of micro-investment and sustainable self-relianceâ&#x20AC;?. According to him, VUP implementation was combined with the streamlining of micro finance institutions at Local Government (Sector entity) level called UMURENGE SACCO, for the promotion of savings and ease of access to credit within rural communities.

Kamanzi added that micro finance also proved to be a problem-solver as far as improving livelihoods of indispensable professionals whose big numbers defy any attempt for significant salary increase, relative to other macro-economic considerations, especially in developing African Countries. He stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;in Rwanda UmwalimuSACCO was established in 2006 to that end.

Its creation was triggered by the need to expand financial services to teachers including in rural areas. The MFI has more than70,000 members, with very high rural penetration.

Union Bank Unveils Anniversary Promo Union Bank has kicked off its 100th anniversary promotion with rewards and promotion for its customers all through this year.

The customer promotion, which is part of activities to mark the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centenary anniversary in 2017, according to a statement from the bank would be unprecedented, as customers stand a chance of winning a brand new car each quarter for simply updating their personal information with the bank.

New customers can also win by simply opening an account with the bank and providing complete banking information

details.

Other prizes to be won include flat-screen televisions, generators, microwaves, shopping vouchers and airtime.

Speaking on the anniversary promotion, Head of Retail Segments, Union Bank, Paul Aseme, stated that the 100th anniversary promo was an opportunity to celebrate customers, which he said was an integral part of the centenary anniversary theme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Celebrate, Impact, Leadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to reward our customers for their loyalty; those who have stayed with the bank through thick and thin. We also want to reward new customers for believing

in the Bank and coming on board. As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we want to know our customers even better because without them, we will not be celebrating a hundred years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through this customer promotion, we are asking them to update their information with us so we can understand their needs better in order to provide the best fit solutions to these needs. New and existing customers should visit our website www.unionbankng. com or walk into any of our branches to learn more about participating and winning,â&#x20AC;?

Paul emphasised.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,970,297.97

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,595,579.89

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,436,917.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,841,337.90

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

--Currency in Circulation

2,179,174.28

--Banks Reserves

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

MANAGED FUNDS Month

December 2016

Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 19 APRIL 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $51.88 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $52.29 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

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44

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Presco Shareholders to Receive 150k Dividend as Profit Soars Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

Presco Plc, a fully integrated palm oil company, will pay a dividend of 150 kobo per share for the year ended December 31, 2016, showing an increase of 50 per cent compared with 100 kobo paid in the previous day.

The improved dividend

follows impressive results announced by the company for the year. According to the results, Presco Plc recorded gross revenue of N15.7 billion, showing an increase of 50.4 per cent from N10.4 billion in 2015. Cost of sales rose by 15.5 per cent. Gross profit rose by 70.5 per cent from N6.6 billion to N11.3 billion. Operation expenses

T H E MAIN BOARD Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal Bond Name 15.54% FGN FEB 2020 16.00% FGN JUN 2019 Federal Totals DEBT Board Totals Bond Activity Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Building Construction Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

rose by 46.6 per cent to N4.6 billion, from N3.1 billion, while operating profit jumped by 92 per cent to N6.7 billion, from N3.5 billion in 2015.

However, gains on biological assets of N24.7 billion recorded in 2016, compared with N1.1 billion in 2015, shot the profit before tax by 641 per cent to N31.2 billion compared with N4.2 billion in 2015.

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

No. of Deals 1 1 2 2 2

Current Price 98.7 135

Quantity Traded 105 100 205 205 205

Value Traded 103,815.41 137,197.80 241,013.21 241,013.21 241,013.21

No. of Deals 11 4 15 No. of Deals 5 5 20

Current Price 44.18 46

Quantity Traded 41,208 5,201 46,409 Quantity Traded 153,470 153,470 199,879

Value Traded 1,887,024.20 240,161.40 2,127,185.60 Value Traded 119,266.60 119,266.60 2,246,452.20

Current Price 0.78

No. of Deals 1 1 4 56 48 110 110

Current Price 0.78 0.66 3.77 0.78 15.1

Quantity Traded 100 500 10,000 4,840,952 350,363 5,201,915 5,201,915

Value Traded 78 315 35,900.00 3,807,735.66 5,054,510.34 8,898,539.00 8,898,539.00

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 5 5 No. of Deals 65 65 71

Current Price 4.79

Quantity Traded 200 200 Quantity Traded 10,272 10,272 Quantity Traded 1,656,711 1,656,711 1,667,183

Value Traded 958 958 Value Traded 375,647.04 375,647.04 Value Traded 3,493,667.49 3,493,667.49 3,870,272.53

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 3 64 7 208 282 No. of Deals 18 18 No. of Deals 33 22 32 15 11 113 No. of Deals 25 98 123 No. of Deals 14 14 No. of Deals 26 17 43 594

Current Price 0.5

Quantity Traded 100,000 100,000 Quantity Traded 5,160 288,915 51,123 1,386,914 1,732,112 Quantity Traded 6,947 6,947 Quantity Traded 616,050 345,909 84,482 1,028,600 117,500 2,192,541 Quantity Traded 136,880 133,592 270,472 Quantity Traded 140,811 140,811 Quantity Traded 203,505 43,451 246,956 4,689,839

Value Traded 50,000.00 50,000.00 Value Traded 11,558.40 17,613,098.61 801,955.76 156,078,414.27 174,505,027.04 Value Traded 675,390.11 675,390.11 Value Traded 2,410,595.00 2,125,832.90 1,491,827.07 1,128,310.00 833,010.00 7,989,574.97 Value Traded 1,172,206.13 79,110,103.35 80,282,309.48 Value Traded 289,850.97 289,850.97 Value Traded 2,596,373.80 1,424,799.57 4,021,173.37 267,813,325.94

No. of Deals 167 26 27 69 219 24 1,530 73 33 1 1 2,170 No. of Deals 9 6 2 2 5 1 2 1 2 1 2 33 No. of Deals 1 2 3 No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 31 16 1 68 6 132 254

Current Price 6.6 0.86 9.8 0.84 23.8 1.31 0.7 4.8 4.9 0.83 0.5

Quantity Traded 11,476,994 1,149,393 58,189 8,142,068 20,039,315 1,081,695 25,994,229 5,772,233 251,225 350 800 73,966,491 Quantity Traded 214,682 503,100 200 3,000 44,144 900 5,100 1,000 401,000 1,000 384 1,174,510 Quantity Traded 1,000 25,100 26,100 Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000 Quantity Traded 450,576 325,400 1,000 3,530,043 12,830 8,474,959 12,794,808

Value Traded 76,018,367.81 990,711.98 560,377.50 6,806,919.19 477,105,071.95 1,417,729.20 18,222,090.30 27,705,413.04 1,185,050.41 276.5 408 610,012,415.88 Value Traded 126,611.20 530,295.00 100 4,770.00 36,196.64 450 2,550.00 500 200,500.00 500 192 902,664.84 Value Traded 2,700.00 27,111.00 29,811.00 Value Traded 1,440.00 1,440.00 Value Traded 1,399,304.19 1,084,759.00 500 4,689,332.14 211,696.60 31,174,405.94 38,559,997.87

Current Price 34.83 Current Price 2.12

Current Price 2.35 60.92 16.15 117.5 Current Price 106.5 Current Price 4.1 6.1 18 1.1 7.03 Current Price 9 600 Current Price 2.08 Current Price 12.16 34

Current Price 0.59 1.05 0.5 1.59 0.79 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Current Price 2.58 1.08 Current Price 1.47 Current Price 3.05 3.32 0.5 1.31 17 3.7

Although tax rose significantly from N1.7 billion to N9.5 billion, profit after tax soared by 772 per cent to N21.7 billion from N2.5 billion in 2015. Hence, the directors have recommended a dividend of 150 kobo per share.

The Chairman of Presco Plc, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck, had last year assured shareholders that the company was moving

STO C K

in the right direction. ‘‘We are sailing in the right direction, making progress in all facets of our business and continually pushing forward in all fronts to sustain and further enhance our leadership position in our industry. 2016 will see further expansions in our oil palm plantation hectarage, additional investments in processing facilities

and support infrastructure and commencement of developments in the 14,000 hectare new project site in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State for oil palm and rubber,’’ he said.

Presco is a subsidiary of Siat s.a., a Belgian agro-industrial company, that specialises in industrial as well as smallholder plantations of tree crops.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC MEYER PLC. LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Metals Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC Advertising Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Hotels/Lodging TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services NEWREST ASL NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC C & I LEASING PLC. Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services OMOLUABI MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

2,461 No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 13 12 4 6 2 37 38

Current Price 0.5

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.3

No. of Deals 7 2 7 11 1 20 48 No. of Deals 15 15 No. of Deals 3 1 4 67

Current Price 11.25 6.08 29.6 4.28 0.87 42

Current Price 1.01 14.75 1 0.66 1.95

Current Price 0.5

Current Price 1.45 Current Price 36.45 9.69

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

87,962,909

649,506,329.59

Quantity Traded 738,000 738,000 Quantity Traded 5,177,490 110,135 5,015 11,000 900 5,304,540 6,042,540

Value Traded 369,000.00 369,000.00 Value Traded 5,178,570.00 1,551,318.88 4,770.10 7,063.20 1,836.00 6,743,558.18 7,112,558.18

Quantity Traded 2,438 2,438 Quantity Traded 100,000 100,000 102,438

Value Traded 3,023.12 3,023.12 Value Traded 50,000.00 50,000.00 53,023.12

Quantity Traded 11,405 2,997 1,215,127 141,429 300 23,390 1,394,648 Quantity Traded 792,168 792,168 Quantity Traded 70,030 100 70,130 2,256,946

Value Traded 130,100.00 17,322.66 35,970,022.30 604,431.24 249 987,177.40 37,709,302.60 Value Traded 1,142,840.30 1,142,840.30 Value Traded 2,552,593.50 1,016.00 2,553,609.50 41,405,752.40

No. of Deals 1 1 1

Current Price 9.75

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 18,540.00 18,540.00 18,540.00

No. of Deals 2 2 No. of Deals 76 76 No. of Deals 16 20 229 20 1 16 302 No. of Deals 2 2 382

Current Price 0.5

Quantity Traded 18,000 18,000 Quantity Traded 1,722,434 1,722,434 Quantity Traded 35,100 284,436 905,220 12,017 100 8,826 1,245,699 Quantity Traded 5,150 5,150 2,991,283

Value Traded 9,000.00 9,000.00 Value Traded 8,234,046.51 8,234,046.51 Value Traded 1,190,988.64 886,497.72 56,399,639.77 3,215,511.70 3,708.00 2,400,901.12 64,097,246.95 Value Traded 2,045,501.50 2,045,501.50 74,385,794.96

Quantity Traded 55,000 55,000 Quantity Traded 575 29,090 29,665 Quantity Traded 1,000 13,000 14,000 Quantity Traded 500 1,000 1,500 Quantity Traded 101,050 46,801 147,851 Quantity Traded 274,973 1,000 275,973 523,989 111,640,921

Value Traded 27,500.00 27,500.00 Value Traded 2,645.75 26,607.80 29,253.55 Value Traded 3,550.00 61,623.60 65,173.60 Value Traded 355 2,190.00 2,545.00 Value Traded 275,866.50 114,662.45 390,528.95 Value Traded 242,233.86 500 242,733.86 757,734.96 1,056,068,322.88

No. of Deals 1 1 No. of Deals 2 3 5 No. of Deals 1 3 4 No. of Deals 1 1 2 No. of Deals 7 6 13 No. of Deals 14 1 15 40 3,786

Current Price 4.71 Current Price 35.49 3.24 62.5 275.99 39.03 270 Current Price 380

Current Price 0.5 Current Price 4.4 0.91 Current Price 3.65 4.98 Current Price 0.68 2.19 Current Price 2.73 2.57 Current Price 0.9 0.5

No. of Deals 1 1 1 1

Current Price 0.9

Quantity Traded 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000

Value Traded 90,000.00 90,000.00 90,000.00 90,000.00

No. of Deals 279 279 No. of Deals 140 140 419

Current Price 15.01

Quantity Traded 48,467,690 48,467,690 Quantity Traded 1,684,690 1,684,690 50,152,380

Value Traded 727,624,234.12 727,624,234.12 Value Traded 5,345,599.68 5,345,599.68 732,969,833.80

No. of Deals 10 10 10 429 4,216

Current Price 169

Quantity Traded 45,766 45,766 45,766 50,198,146 161,939,067

Value Traded 7,736,239.30 7,736,239.30 7,736,239.30 740,706,073.10 1,796,864,395.98

Current Price 3.2

45

˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Orimolade: Recession Will Boost Profit of Insurance Firms Ebere Nwoji Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc, Mr. Jide Orimolade, has said that the economic recession will pave way for forward-looking insurance companies playing in the oil and gas sector to make huge profits instead of having a negative impact on their operations.

Orimolade, who stated this, at the first quarter press briefing organised by his company in

Lagos, said Law Union & Rock Insurance in 2016 grew its profit by 100 per cent despite the economic headwinds.

He said in the midst of the recession, his management team resorted to thinking out of the box, always looking at positive things instead of complaining about the recession.

He said this way, they were able to come up with new ideas that made things better for the company.

“The recession that happened last year, for most

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.

companies in terms of even the forex evaluations, it paid some underwriters. If you are really heavily involved in oil and gas for last year and you did not change your forex but retained them, by the time you revalued them, you see that you made some reasonable gain, in terms of your forex.

For us, when we started the rate was N196 and by the middle of last year, it was about N300 plus. So all the forex you have convert them most of us that are forward

Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the 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 19-

looking took advantage of that to enhance our profitability,” he said.

Orimolade said similarly, what is happening in the banking sector now is applicable to insurance sector, saying for every organisation, emphasis should be on performance.

“For us, we try as much as possible to emphasise on performance. This has become necessary because for instance, the premium income is not growing the way operators

want it so they have no choice than tighten their belt,” he said.

Speaking on his company’s experience, he said: “But there are some you cannot but pay so you pay. When the recession started, we told ourselves that things that are not necessary, we did away with those that are necessary. We price ourselves and say is there any alternative we cut down on cost and that helped our profitability.

Orimolade disclosed that Law Union & Rock Insurance

paid a total of N1.5 billion in the year 2016, adding that the company has so far paid N380 million claims in the first quarter of 2017.

He said these claims were paid without any delay as the company is determined to give its customers satisfaction and at the same time add value to its services.

He assured that making sure that customers of the company get claims promptly, remained one of its focus for 2017.

Apr-2017, unless otherwise stated 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 132.31 132.96 4.23% Nigeria International Debt Fund 219.00 219.92 1.80% 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 0.71 0.72 1.24% 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 17.21% 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 12.55 12.93 1.66% ARM Discovery Fund 294.44 303.32 2.53% ARM Ethical Fund 22.71 23.39 1.64% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 15.66% 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 106.58 107.33 1.33% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.63% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 9.60 9.84 2.53% Women's Investment Fund 88.27 90.54 4.35% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.35% 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 1,056.24 1,057.39 4.65% FBN Heritage Fund 113.46 114.21 1.67% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.32% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.01 $108.71 3.80% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $107.69 $108.39 4.21% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 115.83 117.33 2.80% 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 0.97 0.99 4.26% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.69 2.69 4.53% 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 2,243.39 2,270.11 1.56% Coral Income Fund 2,217.62 2,217.62 5.39% 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 15.54% 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 17.47% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.74 1.76 3.72% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.63%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.02 1.04 3.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,015.06 1,015.06 3.20% 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 9.97 10.05 3.16% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.40% 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 1.09 1.11 3.88% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.51 10.56 1.09% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.15% 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 112.90 113.82 10.89% 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 1.28 1.28 3.04% 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 1,872.01 1,881.35 2.20% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 156.58 156.58 1.70% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.77 0.78 0.65% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 195.02 195.02 4.35% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 132.25 134.06 1.90% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.87% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,443.82 7,530.18 -1.84% 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 1.16 1.17 8.61% United Capital Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 15.18% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.67 -1.12% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.15 1.15 11.33% 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 10.11 10.29 4.88% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.45 11.56 4.88% Zenith Income Fund 17.56 17.56 6.29%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 125.94

1.01% 1.59%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.11 72.74

8.21 74.09

-7.59% -4.02%

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

2.67 6.14 11.74 16.24 128.84

2.71 6.22 11.84 16.44 130.84

-2.86% -12.59% -2.13% 1.81% -0.79%

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

46

˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Communicating with Allah – 2

By: Spahic Omer/IslamiCity (Continued from last week) The significance of communication with Allah All things considered, communication is the lifeblood of the relationship between man and Allah. The two are locked in a causal liaison, the former being the cause and the latter the effect. The stronger and more profound the communication, the stronger and more fruitful the relationship becomes. In the same vein, the weaker and more ineffectual the communication, the weaker and more deficient the relationship becomes.

Indeed, man needs special communication skills to make his relationship with Allah work. This is especially so because man is created but to worship (know and serve) Allah (al-Dhariyat, 56); that is to say, the innermost purpose of man’s creation is to become cognizant of the existence of Allah and to consciously as well as willingly conform his own existence to Allah’s will and plan.

For man, life is all about knowing, worshipping and serving. However, these, in actual fact, are but different names for man’s incessant and pulsating communication with Allah, which comes to pass with various degrees of meaning and intensity, and at various levels of man’s physical, rational and spiritual presence.

It is on account of this that it is said, for instance, that reading the Holy Qur’an means letting Allah speak to a person, a form of communication the content of which should be properly comprehended, reflected on and then, duly acted upon. In other words, a reader, or reciter, of the Qur’an should perceive himself as being instructed, directed and meticulously guided thereby.

Performing daily prayers, furthermore, is to be understood as talking to and conversing with Allah, in which case man plays the role of an active

participant under the aegis of divine inspiration and guidance. While performing prayers, a person should understand that he in his capacity as mortal servant has the privilege to converse directly with his Eternal Creator, Lord and Master, praising, glorifying, thanking, supplicating, confessing, testifying, imploring, pleading, and seeking His unbounded forgiveness and mercy.

It follows that the daily prayers are the most powerful and meaningful experience one can have in his life. They are the best heavenly gift to mankind. They alone are at once a life-changer and life-sustainer. They are also a life-purifier. Allah thus affirms: “…And establish regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt…” (al-‘Ankabut, 45).

Such is the case owing to the rational fact that he who experiences five times a day everything prayer entails, will in no way engage willingly and persistently in any serious loathsome deeds or deeds that run counter to reason. The two prospects are absolutely incompatible in a person. It is unfathomable that a person who most directly communicates with Allah five times a day, will willingly and repeatedly commit a serious wrongdoing. If, however, a person who is constant in prayer does not shun lewdness and iniquity, that would mean that there is something seriously wrong with the former, whose complete state and effectiveness will need review and some drastic adjustment measures.

While performing all other religious injunctions, and while spurning the possibility of committing sins -- both minor and major -- as much as possible, a person should know that he answers Allah’s divine calls that target directly him and his consciousness. Such a realization lies at the centre of the concept of niyyah (the intention in one’s

heart to do an act for the sake of Allah alone), which, in turn, is a prerequisite for acceptance of religious acts. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), therefore, is reported to have said that the reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Based on the above, it is incumbent on each and every Muslim to comprehend the meaning of communication with Allah as means of connection between people and their Creator and Master, and as the process of conveying intended meanings and messages from one “side” to the other through the use of prescribed ways and means.

Such communication helps man elevate himself from the stifling confines of the body, matter and this world, to the ultimate freedom and endless potential of the soul and its transcendent realm.

It sets man on a journey of self-actualization. It makes him genuine and real. It makes him realize that he is not alone in the maze of life where, without Allah’s light and guidance, nothing makes sense, nor appears heartening and uplifting. It saves him from the dreadful prospect of living and dying as nothing and nobody, presenting him, instead, with a wonderful opportunity to become somebody at as high a plane of existential reality as the heavenly scheme of things, and to never really die.

Furthermore, such communication helps man come fully to terms with who exactly he is, what exactly life is, and, of course, who exactly Allah is. The most important knowledge from this three-pronged, or trifurcated, realization is that Allah is man’s Lord, Guardian and Helper. He is near to him with His knowledge, power and compassion whenever he supplicates or calls upon Him. Allah even says that He is nearer to man than his jugular or neck-vein (Qaf, 16),

which could mean that Allah knows the inmost desires and motives of man even better than man does himself, and that Allah knows more truly the innermost state of man’s feeling and consciousness than does his own ego.

A believing man confidently knows that he has Allah in his life. It is Allah Who is on his side.

He administers his life affairs, steering them to what is best for him in both worlds. Fully aware of Allah’s constant presence, yet “nearness”, such a man via relentless communication patterns relies on Allah and fully entrusts his soul, yet his total being, to Him and His Will. He then lives happily in peace.

In short, a person knows that when he is deserted by people, Allah is always there for him, listening to his cries and relieving his plights. He also knows that when nobody cares and listens, Allah is there doing exactly that and coming to his rescue. And that is all that matters; and that is all every individual should ever ask and yearn for.

Whenever a believing man reads the Qur’an, he knows that Allah speaks directly to him, and every “you”, “he” or “they” mentioned therein denotes, one way or another, precisely him, following which a believing man cannot stay indifferent or unmoved. Behind every “you”, “he” or “they”, he imagines his own name being spoken.

By the same token, whenever he prays, thanks, supplicates, remembers, beseeches or implores Allah, a believing man knows the weight and profundity of “You” and “He”, which he extensively articulates in his communication models. He knows that he talks to the One Who is “near”, listens and responds; Who is nearer to a man than the man to himself.

To Be Continued

FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

47

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADENUSI ADEKEMI BALIQIS known and addressed as MRS ARIYO ADEKEMI BALIQIS. All

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Policeman and Attacker Killed in Paris Terror Attack Okechukwu Uwaezuoke with agency reports

A terror attack last night in the French capital, Paris has claimed the life of a policeman, injuring two others. The French police also said the gunman was later killed in the shooting incident had occurred along the Champs-Elysées shopping boulevard in central Paris.

A single gunman brandishing a Kalashnikov had opened fire on policemen on a foot patrol before being killed, reported BBC citing the local newspaper Le Parisien.

The incident led to the evacuation and sealing off of the whole of the Champs-Elysees, with police vehicles lining up near a point half way up the avenue around the George V station.

Shots, BBC further reported, were heard around 21:00 (19:00 GMT) in or near the Marks & Spencer store, leading to tourists and passers-by moving away hastily from the location in panic.

A police source also said there had been two assailants, and a witness told Reuters that one man got out of a car at the scene and began shooting with a machine gun.

This occurred just days ahead of France’s presidential election, as candidates made their last pitches in a TV appearance before Sunday’s poll.

Police authorities meanwhile called on the public to avoid the area and have launched an anti-terror investigation. Given the spate of recent mass attacks claimed by so-called Islamic State, Islamist militancy has become a front-burner issue in the most tightly-contested polls in recent memory.

A helicopter flying low over central Paris, apparently part of a follow-up police operation, was spotted by a Reuters reporter. French TV channel BFM broadcast footage of the famed Arc de Triomphe and top half of the Champs-Elysées packed with police vans,

NAMES OF APPROVED GLADIATORS FOR THE BGM-AFRICA ENTERPRISE MANSION(BOOT-CAMP)

lights flashing and heavily armed police cordoning off the area down after what has been described as a major exchange of fire nears a Marks and Spencers store. The Champs-Elysées, a hub for tourists from across the world, has long been seen as a potential target, according to the BBC.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as HAMILTON, TAIWO OLADELE. I hereby add my be known and addressed as HAMILTON, TAIWO OLADELE HELEN. I BARR OMOFUNMILEWA JEROME JOMBO as OMOFUNMILEWA ADEJOMBO or OMOFUNMILEWA JOMBO or FUNMI ADEJOMBO. addressed as OMOFUNMILEWA JEROME ADEJOMBO.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS DARAMOLA MOJIRIAYO BUKOLA and addressed as MRS BENSON MOJIRIAYO BUKOLA. All former

I formerly known and addressed as ATOYEBI, ONAOLAPO OYEBIMPE

I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED ISMAILA

addressed as DAGUNDURO, ONAOLAPO OYEBIMPE. All

addressed as BAYERO TANKO MOHAMMED. All former

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ALEX EBERE NDIDI

I formerly known and addressed as ABDUL FATAI ADESHINA

I formerly known and addressed as MARY ODUFA AKPURI

addressed as MRS NZELU EBERE PATIENCE.

addressed as ABDUL FATAI ADUNGBENIMO. All former

addressed as IRENE MARIAM ODUFA.

I formerly known and addressed as OKWOCHE GODWIN WONAH and addressed as OKWOCHE GODWIN ROGERS. All former

I formerly known and addressed as MISS UKHURHEBOR JULIANA OYHAMENDA EKUNDAYO now

I formerly known and addressed as STELLA NKECHI IJEOMAH

as MRS ELENBALULU JULIANA OYHAMENDA EKUNDAYO. All

addressed as STELLA NKECHI JOHN.

I formerly known and addressed as AJALA OLAYINKA OMOTOYOSI known and addressed as AJALA OLAYINKA OLAMILEKAN. All

I formerly known and addressed as MARTHA OGBEMUDIA

I formerly known and addressed as JULIET MICHAEL

addressed as MS. MARTHA ASIRUWA. All former

KERENHAPPUCH

Signed:

Arthur Boje Esq. Pyrates’ Cap’n

. .

Paramole ,

OF

,

ELYSIUM

MATELOT

It is with a deep sense of loss but with gratitude to the Almighty,that we announce the

SAYLING TO

I formerly known and addressed as EDOR and addressed as MRS ENIYOME ARUWA.

TIAMIYU AYOBAMI

ODEBISI

8 April, 1956 - 17 March, 2017 Since buried according to muslim rites

40 DAYS FIDAUPRAYERS Final Funeral Ceremony

takes place on 22 April, 2017 at Ogbomosho, Oyo State

YOHANNA.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

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FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

MNJTF: A Divided Boko Haram, Boost to Our Counter-insurgency Operations Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

The emergence of Musab AlBarnawi’s faction from the Islamic State-affiliated terror group Boko Haram factional leader has been described as a boost to the Lake Chad Basin Multi-National Joint Task Force’s (MNJTF) counterinsurgency operations.

This was disclosed by the MNJTF commander, Major-General Lamidi Adeosun, in telephonic press briefing held yesterday.

The briefing, which was cohosted by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, General Thomas Waldhauser and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Lieutenant-General Osman Noor Soubagleh, was held yesterday at the end of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference at the

AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart (Germany) and was monitored at the US Consulate General Office in Lagos by local journalists.

The conference, which started last Tuesday, was the first of its kind held between the US AFRICOM and 49 African military leaders.

Major-General Adeosun attributed the boost to the tenuous link subsisting between the sect’s two rival factions.

“The split is assisting the operations in a way,” he said.

Al-Barnawi, it would be recalled, had been critical of the Boko Haram leader Shekau’s indiscriminate targeting of fellow Muslims and had vowed to concentrate his faction’s efforts on fighting the Christians as well as the government and the military. Al-Barnawi, meanwhile, is

believed to be the son of the slain Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, whose deputy the group’s current leader Shekau used to be.

Shekau had pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in March 2015. But months later, in August last year, the IS based in Iraq and Syria, announced Al-Barnawi as the leader of its ‘West Africa province.’

“He has been challenging the military,” Adeosun confirmed about the Boko Haram sect,

which he said also bears the name Islamic State in West Africa – “a name it doesn’t deserve.”

On the fears on the sustainability of the operations in the event of dwindling international support, Adeosun explained that the MNJTF, like other similar outfits on the continent, is basically self-reliant but benefits from additional support from the US and the others. “The fears are not necessary. “What comes (from outside) is an additional support,” he said.

This corroborated General Waldhauser’s statement to the effect that the AFRICOM was working towards “African solutions to African problems,” which implies reducing the continent’s dependence on external support by developing the local military’s capacity.

On the Al-Shabab insurgency in Somalia, Lieutenant-General Soubagleh disclosed that the terror group has no more stronghold in the East African country and assured that the

group would be defeated in the near future.

Re-iterating the need for lasting peace to the nation, he also stressed the need for the government to reach out to population with a view to dissuading new would-be Al-Shabab recruits.

He specifically called for the involvement of the academic community, civil society organisations, the media and religious institution, among other stakeholders in Somalia in this endeavour.

APC Postpones National Caucus, NEC Meetings

Meeting with governors shelved Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has put on hold the national caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2017 respectively.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the cancelation of the two events was due to unexpected developments.

The APC statement read: “The national caucus and NEC meetings of the APC scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2017 respectively have been postponed.

“The postponement is due to unexpected developments. New dates for the meetings will be communicated in due course.”

THISDAY also gathered that the party leadership has also shelved a

planned meeting with its governors earlier scheduled to hold yesterday following the inability of most the state chief executives to make it to Abuja for the event.

The Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar had said the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, informed him of the meeting last Monday.

Oyegun had asked the Bauchi governor to help remind his colleagues in the North-east about the meeting whose agenda had to do with the moves to reconcile discontented members ahead of the meeting of the national caucus and NEC. It was learnt that the governor and his aides who were already on their to Abuja yesterday had to turn back mid way during the trip following the cancellation of the meeting.

Three Killed in Benue after Attack

by Suspected Herdsmen George Okoh in Makurdi Three persons were yesterday feared dead in a renewed clash between Fulani herdsmen and residents of a Tiv community at Tse Igba Uke village near Ikpayongo, 10 kilometres from Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

According to a source, the suspected herdsmen had invaded Tse Igba Uke village close to Ikayongo and killed two persons.

This led to some youths in Ikpayongo mounting a roadblock along the federal highway, leaving motorists stranded, while a passenger lost his life due to the fracas.

According to an eyewitness, “some youths barricaded the federal highway at Ikpayongo today (Thursday) to protest the killing of two persons at Tse Igba village, a few kilometres away from Ikpayongo by Fulani herders.

“The incident happened on Wednesday night and up till mid day today (Thursday) nobody could say anything, the non-challant attitude of government propelled youths to take to the street.

“Unfortunately, some motorists were fighting with the youths which led to serious pandemonium until policemen came and dispersed the youths,” the eyewitness who did not want his name mentioned concluded.

Confirming the report, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, who confirmed the crisis in a statement, said two persons were killed, while one was critically injured.

The statement read: “We got report that suspected herdsmen attacked Tse igba Uke village, killed one Sunday Kachuwa and injured Zongu Aliade. The corpse was deposited at the General Hospital while the injured is undergoing treatment.

“Youths at Ikpayongo blocked the road in protest of the killing and killed a passenger in the process.”

He added that policemen have been drafted to restore normalcy at the area.

The police spokesman however enjoined youths not to take the law into their hands as according to him, “the command frowns at jungle justice.”

PROMOTING NIGERIA’S BLUE ECONOMY…

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, during the opening of the conference on Maritime Administration in Africa, held in Abuja… yesterday Godwin Omoigui

Buhari Sacks NEXIM Board, Appoints New MD, EDs Maza Maza, Ogunbiyi, others confirmed for rural electrification agency Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has reconstituted the top management of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), following the removal of Bashir Wali, who was the acting managing director of the bank.

A statement issued yesterday by Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Bolaji Adebiyi, announced the appointment of Abubakar Abba Bello as the new managing director.

Also appointed are two Executive

Directors, Dr. Bala Bello (Corporate Services) and Stella Okotete (Business Development).

Bala Bello takes over from Emmanuel Moore Abolo.

The appointments, according to the statement, are with immediate effect. Abba Bello is a member of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Until his appointment, he was an Executive Director of North-east and North-west at Unity Bank since 2015.

NEXIM is responsible for the promotion of a diversified export base through the provision of finance, risk bearing and advisory

services in line with government trade policy.

Buhari has also approved the appointment of a new board and executive management for Rural Electrification Agency.

The Chairman of the board is Umaru Maza Maza, while the Managing Director is Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi.

Dr. Sanusi Mohammed Ohiare has been appointed as the Executive Director (Rural Electrification); Muhammad A. Wasaram as Executive Director (Technical Services) and Yewande

Odia as Executive Director (Corporate Services). Alozie Mac and Mr. Rotimi Thomas were appointed as non-executive directors.

Furthermore, the statement stated that the president had since confirmed the appointment of Saleh Dunoma as the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Captain Mukhtar Usman as the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Captain Fola C. Akinkotu as the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAM

NHRC Probes Hate Speech, ElectoralViolence During 2015 Polls Tobi Soniyi The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it received 153 complaints on hate speech and election-related violence during the 2015 general election.

The commission also said its investigation team would travel across the country to carry out public hearings on the petitions.

A statement by the commission said the Acting Executive Secretary, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, disclosed this at the inaugural meeting of a committee

set up to investigate the complaints.

She said the commission was ready to investigate the complaints with the aim of bringing those culpable to justice.

She said the commission would where necessary, exercise the duty to seek criminal indictment, punishment and accountability if it finds evidence indicating that any person was involved in hate speeches and electionrelated violence in relation to the 2015 elections, as well as other subsequent elections.

Ovrawah noted that substantiated complaints of hate speeches and election-related violence would be subjected to public hearing across the states of the federation to enable indicted persons defend themselves.

According to her, the investigations would have a positive influence in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

She said the investigation had become necessary in view of the clamour for the establishment of an Election Offences Commission.

In his remarks, the Project Coordinator and Director,

Monitoring in the commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, assured Nigerians that the commission would be bold and courageous as it has always been in naming and recommending for prosecution those found culpable of hate speeches and election-related violence.

He also stated that the complaints on hate speeches and electionrelated violence spread across the six geo-political zones of the country.

He said the investigations would take place between April 24 and 27.

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W’Bank Pledges Strong Support for Nigeria’s Fight against Famine Says it will deploy every tool to tackle hunger Kunle Aderinokun, Obinna Chima, Funke Olaode and Kasie Abone in Washington D.C. The World Bank yesterday promised to deploy every tool and financial support required to respond to the famine plaguing some parts of northern Nigeria and some other countries across the globe.

The bank also disclosed that it was currently working with partners in Nigeria and other affected regions to bring the situation under control.

The President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, gave the assurance in his opening remarks at the ongoing World Bank/ International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings in Washington DC. The devastation by Boko Haram, which has left millions of people in North-east Nigeria on the brink of famine, could exacerbate Europe’s migration crisis if the world fails to act urgently, Nigeria’s chief humanitarian coordinator, Ayoade Alakija, had said.

Nearly five million people in the region are desperately hungry and risk starving to death this year

Police Arrest Leadership Correspondent in Kaduna HURIWA condemns arrest John Shiklam in Kaduna A reporter with Leadership Newspapers in Kaduna, Midat Joseph, was yesterday arrested by the police.

He was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as he was leaving the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kaduna at about 5p.m.

He was taken to the Metro Police Station, Panteka, Kaduna, where he is being detained. No reason was given for his arrest.

All efforts to reach the spokesman of the state police command, Usman Aliyu, on the issue were fruitless as he did respond to phone calls by THISDAY. The Kaduna State Council of the NUJ was however making frantic efforts to find out the cause of the arrest.

The Chairman of the council, Yusuf Adamu, said the council was billed to see the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Agyole Abeh, over the issue.

“We don’t know why he was arrested and we want to see the police commissioner to find out the reasons for the arrest. We will brief our members after seeing the police commissioner,” the NUJ chairman said.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described the arrest as a serious sign of growing intolerance of freedom of expression by the state government.

It stated that the state government under the current dispensation has gone haywire in clamping into detention too many persons with difference of opinion from the state governor especially “because of the failure of both the state and federal government to contain the sporadic violent attacks of Southern Kaduna communities by armed Fulani herdsmen who are kinsmen of the state governor.”

HURIWA which made the observation in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, affirmed that the constant harassment of dissent voices and media professionals by the state government under El-Ruffai does not augur well for a nation that claims to be practicing constitutional democracy.

The rights group said democracy thrives only when the basic freedoms guaranteed and provided for by the constitution and several global human rights laws are respected and complied especially by those who wield temporary political power.

Return to Site or Face Sanctions, NDDC Orders Contractors Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has given contractors working on its projects across the region a new two-week window within which to return to sites or face sanctions.

Rising from a management committee meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday, the commission Managing Director, Nsima Ekere, reiterated the commitment of the federal government to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region, saying a list of such contractors “is being compiled in all the nine NDDC states and defaulters would be prosecuted.”

The commission had earlier given contractors 30 days to return to site in order to complete all on-going projects in the region.

Ekere said the commission would take appropriate steps to recover funds from defaulting contractors who had been mobilised but had refused to return to site.

He restated the commission resolve to ensure that all on-going projects were completed “for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.”

The NDDC boss stressed the importance of getting all stakeholders to key into the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. He added: “It is important for our contractors to realise that it can no longer be business as usual. It is important for everyone doing business with NDDC to realise that things must be done properly, how they ought to be done and when they ought to be done.”

if they do not receive food aid, according to figures from the United Nations.

In fact, the UN had described the current wave of famine as the worst in 70 years.

Alakija warned that this unfortunate situation could drive even more Nigerians to flee the country and attempt the perilous journey to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, unless the international community ramps up support and funds, “The world could see a mass exodus from a country of 180 million people if support is not given, and fast … if people facing famine fall into famine,” she stated.

But the World Bank boss pointed out that with the famine in Nigeria and some other countries, “the world was caught unprepared.”

According to him, “Too often, we forget about crises as soon as they abate – leading to a cycle of panic and neglect. We’re already working with the affected countries and partners to respond to the famine – and we will use every tool we have, financial and advisory, to prevent famine in the future. On Saturday, I will

convene a meeting co-chaired by the United Nations-Secretary General to ensure a coordinated, effective, and well-resourced response.

“This won’t be easy. It will require agreement across the entire international development finance system – multilaterals and bilaterals – to move the global development architecture in this direction,” Kim said.

Also, the schedule of ongoing meetings showed that the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, would be discussing global strategy for resettling and integrating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into society as well as to seek global support for the IDPs. Meanwhile, Kim noted that with the internet, smart phones, and social media allowing everyone to see exactly how everyone else lives, which was causing aspirations to rise all over the world, “we must change the way we work.

“We are encouraged to see stronger economic prospects after years of disappointing global growth. There are still many downside risks, however, and countries that have the fiscal space need to continue with

structural reforms. This is vital to accelerating the sustainable and inclusive economic growth needed to end extreme poverty by 2030.

“We’re meeting at a time when we face several overlapping crises, both natural and man-made, all of which add urgency to our mission.

We have to find new and innovative ways to reach the poor, and make the world more secure and stable.

Last week at the London School of Economics, I outlined how we’re working to change our approach.

“We have to start by asking whether the private sector can finance a project. If the conditions aren’t right, we will work with our partners to de-risk that project or, if needed, de-risk entire countries or sectors. Here’s the good news: There’s never been a better time to find those win-win solutions. There are trillions of dollars sitting on the sidelines, earning little interest, and investors are looking for better returns. That capital should be mobilised to help us meet the exploding aspirations of people all over the world. And with the crises we face, our task is much more urgent than we ever thought.”

Furthermore, Kim said one of the things that the Bank found was that foreign direct investment often had much higher impact, much stronger impact on improving institutions and government than aid to low income and under-developed countries.

“This is why we’re trying to bring together the financing we provide to governments and also the financing that comes from the private sector to create better institutions, more investment, more jobs, more economic growth in a much more synergistic way.” .Also, the Managing Director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde urged Nigeria and other low income countries to step up research and development, innovation, revisit housing policies in their countries in order to drive sustainable growth.

“Stronger cooperation across counties would help reduce external imbalances, clamp down on excessive tax evasion and avoidance and would help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals so that the low income countries can also reap the benefits of improved productivity,” Lagarde added.

PAPAL NUPTIAL BLESSINGS

Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (right), with wife, Amaka, and Pope Francis, on Easter Day at the Vatican when the couple went to renew their wedding vows... recently

GKS President Decries Economic Hardship The President of God’s Kingdom Society, (GKS), the Church of the Living God Brother Godwin Ifeacho, has decried the rising economic and political problems facing Nigeria and stressed the need for the people to turn to God wholeheartedly for the amelioration of the hard conditions in the country.

Addressing delegates from within and outside Nigeria at the opening of the 41st conference of lay members of the church held in Salem City, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, the GKS president regretted the economic recession and the consequent hardship it inflicted on Nigerians, the rising cases of ritual murder, resurgence of kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, the menace of herdsmen

and insurgents in some parts of the country and the rising cases of suicides across the land.

He pointed out that since God Almighty created people on earth to do His will, they could only enjoy peace when they give themselves to doing only those things that are in line with the duty for which they had been created.

The theme of the Conference was ‘Doing that which is our duty to do in the Lord.’

While addressing the youths fellowship of the church, who also held their national conferences at the weekend, Ifeacho pointed out that though difficulties and administrative bottlenecks would occur from time to time due to imperfection, God Almighty would continue to help those who are

steadfast in holding on to the truth and in doing His righteousness.

There is therefore need for the faithful to “Awake to righteousness” so as to gain His favour.

“Spiritually speaking, those who lack knowledge and faith in God, are inactive or unfruitful in the work of God; those who do not know the signs of the times but give themselves to carnality, the works of the flesh, idolatry and superstition, need to be warned to wake up from their slumber, lest they be destroyed along with the wicked,” he declared.

Addressing the women folk, the GKS president stated that the work of childbearing and nurturing should not be looked down upon “because they constitute segments of the work of God, which when carried out faithfully, will bring

about stability and orderliness in the church and the larger society and make people to give glory to God besides leading one to salvation by His grace.”

He commended faithful female Christians for supporting the work of evangelism financially and otherwise in addition to this “arduous task of child bearing and nurturing.”

During the two days of deliberations at the conferences, delegates were briefed about on-going projects at Ighosa (Benin City), Bonny, (Rivers State) Ekwuoma, Agwa and Okigwe (Imo State), Ubulu Uku, Umunede and Okpare-Olomu (Delta State), a completed Sub Bethel home in Lagos Island and a place of worship in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, among other places.

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Buhari Seeks Africa’s Support in Nigeria’s Quest for Category C Seat in IMO Council Dogara pledges enactment of laws to boost waterways

Omololu Ogunmade, Eromosele Abiodun and James Emejo in Abuja President Muhamadu Buhari has vowed to ensure that Nigeria achieves its goal of attaining the Category C seat in the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

To this end, he stated that Nigeria would promote and support effective African participation in the council of the IMO, stressing however that this can only yield the desired results when African states speak with one voice at the global level for the enduring interest of Africa.

He declared this yesterday while delivering his speech at the ongoing African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) annual conference holding in Abuja.

Also, Buhari identified the need for African countries to join efforts to preserve the African-rich maritime resources in order to protect sea foods, achieve food security and earn foreign exchange through export of sea foods.

Buhari who was represented by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, said Nigeria has taken steps to tackle

some of the challenges peculiar to it while still requiring regional and sub regional collaboration.

Buhari said the ongoing rebranding of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was part of the federal government’s efforts to enhance economic diversification and repositioning of the maritime sector as the country’s highest revenue earner in future.

According to him, “We have stepped up engagement to address the disagreement, misunderstanding and contentious issues in the Niger Delta, which is a part of the Gulf of guinea. We recently approved the maritime security architecture and infrastructure to be jointly coordinated by NIMASA, the Ministry of Transport and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“We are giving required support to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies with others within our sub region so that we can work effectively to police our water ways for trade to flourish. This arrangement will also contribute to eliminate piracy and sea robbery within our maritime domain.

The results are encouraging and piracy has dropped in the last six

months. In the same vein, we are making substantial investment to improve human capacity by taking advantage of international trade and internship opportunities in the shipping and maritime industry.”

He added, “We have also paid significant attention to making it easier to do business and one of our immediate priorities in this regard, is the entry and exit of goods especially in our sea ports. The measures that we are putting in place are designed to improve the efficiency of our ports and to enable quick turnaround time of vessels.

Technology is also been deployed to make our port operations more transparent and effective in support of economic growth. NIMASA, which is the regulatory agency of shipping and maritime activities in Nigeria is been reformed so that

it can play its expected role as a facilitator of economic prosperity.”

On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, pledged the commitment of the National Assembly on passing legislations that will make the country’s waterways safer for exploration and exploitation of its natural resources for the benefit of Nigerians.

He regretted that Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing had cost West Africa over $1.3 billion annually.

He said: “We must tighten the legal and regulatory framework to stop these losses. We must intensify efforts to promote intra- African trade in fisheries as statistics also show that Pan-African fish trade is worth about 20 billion euros.

This will help to sustain African

economies in the long term.”

In his speech, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stated that Nigeria, through the hosting of the event wishes to reinstate its commitment to continually contribute to the growth of the maritime sector on the continent of Africa and globally.

“The conference is not merely to praise the maritime sector of Africa but to tackle the maritime problems being encountered in the continent.

It is regrettable that despite Africa’s enormous maritime endowment, we remain susceptible to raft of challenges.”

On his part, the Director General of the NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, explained: “Hosting AAMA two years after African leaders through the African Union subscribed to seven keys aspiration

encapsulated in the agenda 2063 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2015 and three years after the adoption of Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 concedes on Nigeria a special status.

“Only recently, to further reinforce the critical role maritime can play in the development of Africa, the African Union (AU) special summit of Heads of Government on maritime security, safety and development in Lome, Togo, October 15, 2016 aligned with us.

“They adopted a Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development aimed at making Africa’s maritime space the key driver of the continents socioeconomic development. This document was endorsed by 43 out of 54 African nations.”

EFCC Denies Raiding Goje’s Abuja Residence Ohanaeze, Arewa youths pass vote-ofconfidence on commission Paul Obi in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday denied reports that it raided the Abuja residence of the former Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje.

Media reports had yesterday hinted that the EFCC raided the Goje’s house around 6p.m.

However, EFCC Head of Media and Information, Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Please disregard online reports claiming the EFCC on April 20 raided the Abuja home of Dajuma Goje.

“The report is false as the commission was not a part of any such activity.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police could not confirm whether they carried out the raid.

Goje and other former governors are facing several charges bordering on alleged corruption during the tenure in office.

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Youth Parliament and Arewa Youth Parliament have passed a vote of confidence on the Ibrahim Magu-led leadership of the EFCC for the vigour he has brought to the operation of the anti-graft agency.

Okonkwo Patrick, Speaker of the Ohanaeze Youth Parliament, who led a team to the Abuja headquarters of the EFCC, also presented a meritorious certificate of credence to the EFCC boss.

“The EFCC under the leadership of Magu has recorded tremendous achievements since he assumed office,” he said.

While assuring Magu of the

group’s support, he said: “The fight against corruption is not just for Magu alone, it is for each and every one of us and we believe that this fight is to secure a positive future.”

According to him, “Magu has brought transparency, hard work and accountability in the affairs of the commission.”

He further stressed that “we are going to reap the benefits of the efforts of the EFCC in ridding the country of corruption.”

He said: “The EFCC has not only become a watchdog, it has become a biting dog.”

He also commended the federal government for the whistle blowing policy, noting that it was yielding positive results.

Magu, while appreciating the groups, stressed that the vote of confidence passed on him and the commission, would further goad the EFCC to remain steadfast in the discharge of its mandate.

“I have always emphasized that we do not have the monopoly of knowledge to fight corruption as corruption is a crime against humanity as it affects everybody, so we need to effectively tackle corruption,” he said.

He used the occasion to call for more support from Nigerians, stressing that “we must all unite against the evil called corruption as that is the only way we can ensure, at least the protection of the future of our children and our younger ones.”

Magu emphasised that the EFCC remains committed to fighting corruption and ensuring a better Nigeria.

“Nobody will stop us from fighting corruption,” he said.

INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION

Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler (left), and Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, during the courtesy visit by the FIRS Chairman to the commission in Abuja...recently.

INEC Boss: Nigerian Politicians are Desperate People Segun James The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has accused Nigerian politicians of being extremely desperate for power and engaging in a “do-ordie” politics.

The INEC chairman, in an address at the Civil Society Organisations Strategy Meeting to review elections in Nigeria, post 2015, organised by the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos yesterday, lamented that it was this attitude and mindset that is responsible for most vices associated with the electoral process leading to inconclusive elections in some cases.

According to Yakubu who was represented by Prof.

Anthonia Simbine, the National Commissioner in charge of Election and Party Monitoring, “Perhaps the greatest challenge faced by

any Election Management Body (EMB) is the general attitude of politicians. You will all agree that here, there is acute desperation for power, eloquently captured in the dictum of do-or-die politics.”

He insisted that “it is responsible for most of vices associated with the process, including violence (which often results in inconclusive elections), hate speeches, bribery and all forms of malpractices.

Unless there is attitudinal change and rejection of this mindset, our process is likely to be bedevilled by such negative and subversive tendencies.”

He disclosed that since the 2015 general election, the INEC has conducted over 167 elections nationwide with 123 concluded on first ballot while 44 were concluded on second ballot.

While lamenting security as a key challenge, he said the violence that followed all the elections in Rivers State was unprecedented.

Yakubu also said conflicting

court judgements and orders is another major hindrance to the electoral process, saying: “This has led to much uncertainty in the electoral process with courts of coordinate jurisdiction giving conflicting orders even on the same subject matter or lower courts not abiding by the decisions of superior courts, including Supreme Court.”

Other challenges the INEC is facing included “inadequacy of key officials such as Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC),” adding that “it was not until recently that the balance of six national commissioners were appointed.”

The unsettled legal framework (new amendments to the Electoral Act), weak and inadequate civil infrastructure coupled with the difficult terrain in some areas and logistical problems.

The INEC chief also lamented “apathetic citizenry, weak political parties and inadequate institutional support for voter mobilisation and enlightenment resulting in

low participation at elections by both the voter and political parties and over seven million uncollected PVCs.” Despite these, Yakubu, however, has some cheering news about future elections, saying the commission has initiated some internal operational initiatives and reforms.

“Several major initiatives are being undertaken by the commission. They include capacity building of staff, promotion and posting of competent staff in a targeted manner, establishment of operational review committee on polling units and constituencies.”

He therefore concluded that the nation’s nascent democracy is a work in progress, “hence we must guard against those things that will lead to or contribute to regeneration. We should all join hands to ensure that we build on the foundations for a virile, sustainable and indeed, enduring Nigerian electoral process.”

53

FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Suspected Gunmen Kill NSCDC Official in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Some suspected gunmen have killed an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Sunday Afolabi.

Afolabi was said to have been shot dead in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Wednesday.

The Afolabi, who served in the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the state command of the NSCDC, was reportedly shot in the heart.

A high ranking officer in Ekiti command of the NSCDC, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said Afolabi was killed by his assailants along Afao Road at about 3.30p.m.

But the state police command said Afolabi was killed by suspected “cult boys.”

His body was deposited at the mortuary by some policemen who visited the scene after the killing.

NSCDC spokesman, Tolu Afolabi, confirmed the killing to reporters yesterday, saying investigation has been launched into the incident in a bid to unmask the killers of the officer. NSCDC spokesman said: “Unknown gunmen have killed an officer of NSCDC, Sunday Afolabi, an Assistant Superintendent Corps 1 (ASC1), along Afao Road, Ado Ekiti at about 15;30p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017.

“The officer was shot in the heart and his corpse has been

deposited at the mortuary while investigation continues.”

When contacted, the police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi,

disclosed that the late Afolabi was killed by suspected cult boys along Afao Road.

Adeyemi said: “I have just

spoken with OC-SARS and he said the cult boys killed the person along Afao Road where the NSCDC office is located.

“We sympathise with our sister security agency on the killing of the officer. Investigation has commenced into the incident.”

Police Arrest Wanted Boko Haram Member in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State Police Command has announced the arrest of one of the notorious members of the Boko Haram who was declared wanted by the security agencies.

The state Commissioner of Police, Garba Baba Umar, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Bauchi while parading suspected criminals apprehended by his personnel in various operations, explained that the suspect was nabbed on April 12 at Tama village in Toro Local Government Area of the state following intelligence report.

He said the suspected terrorist known as Muhammad Adamu Nafiu, aged 25, was the 176th on the list of wanted Boko Haram members as declared by the Nigerian Army.

The CP further stated that Nafiu is an indigene of Balanga town in

Gombe State and had fled from Sambisa forest in order to avoid arrest after they were dislodged by the military.

“Meanwhile, he has voluntarily confessed to have killed over 150 people in Baga Local Government Area of Borno State. His case is under investigation after which the suspect would be handed over to the appropriate authority for discreet investigation,” he said.

In a similar development, the police boss also stated that his command has arrested a notorious Sara Suka thug, one Osama Abubakar, aged 20 years at Malam Goje Street of Bauchi’.

The suspect allegedly used a sharp knife to cut off the left hand of one Abdul-aziz Mohd, 23, of Gombe Road, Bauchi who is also alleged to be a Sara-Suka member.

Exhibits recovered included two sharp knives used in perpetrating crime.

Ondo Monarchs Rain Curses on Oba’s Abductors James Sowole in Akure Disturbed by the recent abduction of the Oniyani of Iyani Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Joel Daodu, traditional rulers in the state yesterday cursed the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The monarchs, under the auspices of DE-130 Krowns Club, took the action at their meeting held at the palace of Owaale of Ikare, Oba Kolajo Adegbite-Adedoyin.

Oba Daudu was kidnapped by some unknown gunmen last Saturday on the Owo-Ikare expressway and was released at Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of the state after four days in captivity.

The Obas, who condemned the kidnap of one of them, also commended the role played by the state government in the release of the abducted monarch.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting of the traditional rulers, Adegbite-Adedoyi said there was need for the government to ensure

adequate security and welfare of the traditional rulers in the state.

“It is very unfortunate that an Oba has to be kidnapped by men of the underworld, it is even a taboo in Yorubaland for anybody, no matter how highly placed, to lay his hand on an Oba let alone kidnapping him.

“This is against the tradition, and whoever perpetrated such act will soon see the wrath of God,” he said.

While commending the security agencies for their proactiveness in the release of the kidnapped traditional ruler, Oba Adegbite-Adedoyin said the state governor should see the kidnap incident as a challenge, saying: “Any assault on any traditional ruler is an assault on the state government.

“We are appealing to the government of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to set in motion machinery whereby every Oba in the state is given adequate security always, and that security should be funded by the state government.”

70 HEARTY CHEERS

R-L: Celebrant’s wife, Mrs. Olanike Abisiga; former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya (rtd); celebrant and Community Development Committee Chairman, Isolo, Alhaji Fatai Abisiga; and Mrs. Josephine Diya at Abisiga’s 70th birthday celebration in Lagos… recently

Person Impersonating IG Brother Nabbed in Minna Laleye Dipo in Minna A middle aged man who has been parading himself as the ‘brother’ of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has been arrested in Minna, the Niger State capital.

The man whose real name was given as Baba Muhammed, was arrested at the Sauka- Kahuta area

of the state capital after duping an unsuspecting member of the public.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, who confirmed the arrest of the fake IG brother, said the suspect duped Alhaji Abubakar Dogonyaro of Tunga low cost area of the sum of N380,000.

According to Elkana in a

statement made available to journalists, Baba Muhammed had told his victim that his brother, the IG, wanted to give out a N250million contract and that if he could part with N380,000, he would help facilitate his company to get the contract.

The victim, the police alleged, paid the money but when he could

neither get the contract nor refund of his money, the case was reported to the police.

Elkana said investigation into the incident had commenced while the suspect would be charged to court soon. He advised members of the public to be wary of fraudsters who would go to any length to make money.

Navy Intercepts PipelineVandals, Hands over Seized Boats, 1,566 Kegs to NSCDC Chiemelie Ezeobi A pipeline vandalism syndicate was yesterday captured by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Beecroft, at Jegeme, a village located along the Badagry/Benin Republic route.

Although the criminals jumped ship and fled on sighting the naval personnel, they left behind their cargoes which include the four boats they were on, 972 drums

and 594 Jerry cans, allegedly used for pipeline vandalism.

Also seized by the navy were three pumping machines, three coils of rubber hoses as well as 14 outboard engines.

Handing over the exhibits to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Maurice Eno, said their actions were part of the navy’s commitment towards securing the

waterways for legitimate businesses.

At the handover which took place at NNS Beecroft base in Apapa, Lagos, Eno said the handover signals the end of navy’s preliminary investigation as the onus now lies on the NSCDC to identify the owners of the boat.

He also said they have cogent intelligence that there are other collaborators that indulge in pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

The commander said: “Our naval personnel arrested four boats at the sea along Badagry/Benin Republic route in a village called Jegeme for alleged involvement in pipeline vandalism.

“A team from our Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry first sighted the boat at anchorage ready for illegal act and assistance was subsequently sought from NNS Beecroft to effect arrest.”

NMA Decries Incessant Kidnapping of Doctors in Aba Uchenna Nwosu The Aba branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has decried the incessant abduction of doctors in the city and warned that if the trend is not stopped, doctors in the city might be compelled to down tools.

Briefing journalists yesterday, the Chairman of the NMA, Aba zone, Dr. Udo Mark, who condemned the kidnapping of the doctors, urged the state government to beef up security in the city to protect lives and

property.

The association lamented that on April 7, a doctor was abducted in the city on his way to acquire medical supplies, pointing out that 72 hours later, another doctor was seized at his clinic with patients.

He said: “On April 7, a medical doctor was kidnapped when he went to procure medical supplies. 72 hours later, another doctor was kidnapped at his clinic with his patients.

If a doctor feels that his life is at risk, that doctor will not go to

work, therefore, we asking the government to ensure adequate security in Aba and environs.

“Besides, we are appealing to these men to stop kidnapping doctors. Do not touch doctors because they are God’s anointed.

We are here to do God’s work.

God created life and we are here to maintain and save lives,” he said, stressing “it is wrong to touch doctors; they should do everything to protect doctors from being kidnapped. I don’t have to tell them what to do, I’m sure they know what to do.”

Earlier, in a meeting with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and representatives of NMA, Aba, the new Police Area Commander in Aba, Peter Okpara, said the police had beefed up security in Aba to curb the spate of kidnappings in the city.

He requested residents to volunteer useful information on suspected movements to the police, adding that the Police Tactical Response team has the capacity to respond to distress calls within few minutes in any area.

54

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

55

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2017

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

NFPL: Maikaba Delighted with Akwa United’s Win over MFM

Head Coach of Akwa United FC, Abdul Maikaba, has expressed his delight with Akwa United’s victory over MFM FC in midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Promise Keepers secured victory over the Olukoya Boys, thanks to goals from Ibrahim Alhassan and Friday Ubong.

“I’m happy for the team because in the last few matches we have been playing well and getting results we deserve.

These are three important points which will give us more confidence,” Maikaba recalled yesterday.

“We converted our chances at the right time and did well to keep them (MFM) at bay.

The win was needed and we got a good value for it.

“We wanted this victory, I think it is deserved and now we hope to get better as time goes on,” he added.

“It’s only normal that people want more, we all do, but I think the fans will be happy with the hunger they saw.

Those who played gave their all. Of course I want to play better football, but the fundamental thing was to get three points.

“I must admit we faced a quality team that gave us a good fight. Now we will

prepare for our week 20 match against MFM and see what will happen in Lagos,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Abia Warriors FC defender, Abiodun Adebayo, who started and completed all the 19 matches for his club in the first phase of the on-going season has been rewarded by the team for his efforts.

The Oyo State-born central defender who joined Abia Warriors this season from Niger Tornadoes of Minna, was rewarded with N50,000 cash and other prizes in appreciation of his proficiency.

Handing over the items to the player at the club’s Secretariat during a management meeting, the Chairman, Emeka Inyama, said it required an extra commitment and determination for a player to start and complete 19 matches without being substituted and hoped he would replicate the performance in the second stanza of the league.

Inyama said the gesture was to appreciate his efforts and to challenge his colleagues to work harder for the overall interest of the team.

Responding, an obviously elated but surprised Adebayo thanked the management for appreciating his efforts and promised to do even more to realize the club’s objectives at the end of the season.

Marcus Rashford celebrating the winning goal for Manchester United yesterday at Old Traford

Oyo, Lagos in Bright Start at Bademosi Cricket Tourney Oyo and Lagos State teams to the maiden edition of the Jide Bademosi U-19 Cricket Tournament began the competition in intimidating fashion. While Oyo State overran Osun by 118 runs in the match played on pitch 1, Lagos dismissed Ogun by a whooping 10 wickets. The matches were played simultaneously.

Ogun State won the toss and elected to field first against an experienced but youthful Oyo State team. Oyo State went on to post a high total of 203runs for the loss of 5wkts in 40overs.

Captain of Oyo State Runsewe Sulaimon top scored for his team with 53runs off 55balls, Olaleye Elijah contributed to his teams total with 47runs off 47balls, Adewoye Vincent also contributed by scoring 30runs not out off 18balls.

Oyo state bowlers quickly wrapped up the Ogun batsmen bowling them all out for 85runs in 20.4overs. Adeleke Olumide of Ogun State could only manage 11runs off 15balls while Adila Samuel also contributed to his teams total with 10runs off 19balls.

Runsewe Sulaiman (Oyo State), emerged man of the match In the second match, Osun State won the toss and elected to field first against a talented and really young Lagos State team. Osun state were bowled out for 45runs 19.1overs.

Sakariyan Sikirulahi top scored for Osun State with 12runs off 19balls. Oladele Dapo and Lagos State Captain Oluronbi Simisola took 4wkts respectively restricting the relatively inexperienced Osun State batsmen.

Oshoala Lights Up Hotsports with a Visit Super Falcons striker and popular brand name in African’s women football Asisat Oshoala was present at the HotSports headquarters in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday on a courtesy visit.

Oshoala - on a short break away from her club in China - Dalian Quanjin, is on a marketing and media tour alongside her management team in a bid to chart the way forward her brand and career with Hotsports, who eventually are the official marketing consultants for the Oshoala brand.

Having previously partnered with the HotSports brand where she

was unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as the Face of the 2016 Female FA Cup in Nigeria, the leading Marketing and Sport s business company is optimistic of more future successes for the two time African women of the year footballer.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Hotsports and HS Media Group, Taye Ige, commended the 2015 BBC Women Footballer of the year winner on being one of the leading faces of female football in Nigeria especially as she’s steadily creating platforms to revive the image of the female football in Nigeria.

Ige also cited that on the basis of her impressive form in her league club in China where she scored over the weekend, and recent success with the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the last African Women’s Cup of Nation hosted in Cameroon last year – her brand will remain to be positioned to viable brands hence more marketability.

Oshoala was also presented with the 40 inch StarTimes Digital TV set from another partner of the HotSports brand who are responsible for beaming live television broadcast of the German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A from HotSports Studios.

Govt to Celebrate Lagos @ 50 with GTBank Principals Cup In recognition of GTBank’s contribution to the development of grassroots football in Nigeria and producing discipline and upright school children, Lagos State government has listed the bank’s pet project-GTBank Principals Cup, as part of the events to celebrate the state at 50.

Making this known yesterday at the corporate headquarters of GTBank, venue for the draw for the 2017 edition of the GTBankLagos State Principals Cup was the Special Adviser Lagos State Sports

Commission, Deji Tinubu, who was represented by Dr. Oluyomi Oluwasanmi.

“This year’s edition of the GTBank Principals Cup would be a unique one as the tournament had been listed as one of the events to celetrate Lagos@ 50,” Oluwasanmi noted.

In his welcome address, the chairman of the competition’s planning committee and the first Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, hailed GTBank for the wonderful things it’s doing to the lives of kids through the Principals

Cup. “The competition is not just about football but rather for the kids to grow up as disciplined individuals and good sportsmen. It is a stepping stone to greater heights for them,” Akinwumi noted.

Meanwhile, GTBank Head of Corporate Affairs and External Communications, Oyinade Adegite had charged the kids to take advantage of the platform the bank is providing, saying the competition is about staying in school and leaving school to be a good sportsman.

E U R O PA C U P

Rashford Shoots Man Utd into Semis Marcus Rashford was Manchester United’s hero with a dramatic extra-time winner that sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory over Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The 19-year-old followed up his starring role in the Premier League win over Chelsea with a well-taken strike early in the second period of extra time to give United a 2-1 win on the

night at Old Trafford and a place in the last four.

An entertaining match had seen Henrikh Mkhitaryan follow up his goal in the first leg by netting his fifth goal of the competition after 10 minutes, only for Anderlecht captain Sofiane Hanni to hit back before the break.

United dominated in the second half, but Jesse Lingard, Rashford,

Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all squandered chances to score as the tie moved into extra time.

Victory came at a cost for Jose Mourinho, with Marcos Rojo and Ibrahimovic both taken off with injuries, but Rashford’s intervention ensure their hopes of continental silverware and a place in next season’s Champions League are still alive.

TR

Friday, April 21, 2017

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Ikanya to Wike, Fayose

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is sad and shameful that a frustrated and disgraceful group with Wike and Fayose as the key actors should attempt to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Amaechi just because he collaborated with other patriotic Nigerians to oust a regime that is now exposed as the most corrupt ever in the history of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dr. Davies Ikanya, Chairman Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC), rubbishing attempts by Governors Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike of Ekiti and Rivers states respectively to link Minister of Transportation, Chibueze Amaechi to the $43m discovered in one of Ikoyi tower flats.

BENMURRAYBRUCE MAKING COMMON SENSE

ben.murraybruce@thisdaylive.com

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Put Nigeria on the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Map!

T

he news going round that the current meningitis scourge affecting some parts of Nigeria is the result of the sins of Nigerians is absolute rubbish!

Meningitis is caused by bacteria not sin. If sin caused meningitis, most of us politicians will get it, but it is the poor who suffer it most.

It is more likely that ignorance is a greater destroyer than meningitis.

The real sin causing meningitis is the sin of not budgeting enough money and then mismanaging the little money budgeted to cure and prevent a disease that regularly affects Nigerians.

We have a situation that is almost an epidemic in our hands. Over 330 people have died from meningitis within months.

God gave us as Nigerians some of the brains in the medical world. Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, who removed a fetus from its mother and performed surgery on it and then put the fetus back into the womb is a Nigerian.

Dr. Bennet Omalu, whose story was made into a movie starring Will Smith and who discovered and published findings of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in American football players is also a Nigerian.

We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have such brilliant medical minds and still operate from the mindset that sins cause diseases like meningitis.

If we are to avoid being the laughing stock of the world, we must immediately declare an emergency on meningitis and make it a priority to provide treatment to those affected and vaccines to those in communities vulnerable to the scourge.

If we could defeat Ebola that we were not expecting three years ago, is it meningitis that we get every year that we cannot defeat even if it mutates into a variant that has been around for more than a decade?

For those who do not know it, Nigeria is part of what is known as the Meningitis Belt of Sub Saharan Africa. This Belt begins in The Gambia and extends all the way to Eritrea and the reason meningitis is so prevalent in this region has nothing to do with sin and everything to do with our weather conditions which are conducive for the bacteria that causes meningitis.

An understanding of cause and effect is necessary for any leader if not we will degenerate to the type of leadership that made the Salem Witch Trials possible.

I must stress that the fact that leaders actually believe that meningitis is caused by sin is a vindication of Chinua Achebeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagnosis of the cause of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backwardness.

As he said in his 1984 book, The Trouble With Nigeria, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure in leadershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!

I mean, the other day I was shocked to watch on NTA network news as the Nigerian Customs Service celebrated the interception and destruction of millions of Naira worth of smuggled fish!

Why on earth will the Nigerian Customs destroy 10 million worth of edible smuggled fish in a country with millions of hungry

Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari Internally Displaced Persons? Why not give them to the poor instead! If I continue writing on this issue, I will betray a kind of anger that is un-senatorial, but this is one more in the long line of poor leadership decisions that has brought Nigeria to the sorry state she is in.

Recently, I was thinking about our aviation industry because I am a member of the Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aviation Committee.

Do you know that in 1985 Nigeria Airways had 17 planes while Emirates had only 3 planes? Now we are in 2017 and Emirates has 256 planes while Nigeria Airways has none. The difference is leadership.

In the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum selected the best brains that the world has to offer whether they are UAE citizens or not.

In Nigeria we do the opposite. We rely on quota system instead of merit and then

Recently, I was thinking about our aviation industry because I am a member of the Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aviation Committee.

Do you know that in 1985 Nigeria Airways had 17 planes while Emirates had only 3 planes? Now we are in 2017 and Emirates has 256 planes while Nigeria Airways is defunct. The difference is leadership.

we wonder why things are upside down in our country.

Nigeria Airways died because we sacrificed merit and competence for quota system and ethnicity.

The same practices destroyed the Nigerian National Shipping Line and the Nigerian Railways until it was revived by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

We cannot expect to progress with such retrogressive policies. Insanity was defined by Albert Einstein as doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Expecting quota systems to bring us progress is madness.

And that is why I salute the courage of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in supporting the call to restructure Nigeria along the lines of merit.

If we do not restructure Nigeria, we will continue to watch as smaller nations overtake us while we continue to promote ethnicity over merit and then we wonder why things are upside down in our country.

In fact right now our economy is in a very tenuous state. People with money are now suspects in Nigeria. We are now a country I have seen where suspicions of corruption automatically leads to an assumption that you are guilty of corruption. Suspicion should result in investigation and not an automatic media trial and conviction.

Take the recent case of the $43 million found at Osborne Towers. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputations are being destroyed in the media when we should have carefully and quietly investigated the matter before going to court.

Nigerians are now afraid to be rich Nigeria.

Even legitimate business men are losing their gumption because they feel that moving

money around might attract suspicion and suspicion is almost as good as conviction in the minds of some people.

And another thing that this Osborne Towers affair brings up is the need for Nigeria to make progress in making the Proceeds of Crime Bill a law. This bill, if signed into law, will do away with the need to subject seized cash to a judicial process before it can be forfeited to the federal government and will enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other law enforcement bodies to fund their considerably expensive operations from the proceeds of crime that they are able to track and seize.

At this juncture, I want to pause and encourage my readers to soberly reflect with me as I mourn.

Patrick Ityohegh was my predecessor as Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority and was also a dear and treasured friend whose extraordinary life added value to Nigeria and the Black Race.

Many Nigerians were able to escape the hardship of life by relaxing to episodes of the Sunny Side of Life in the eighties because Patrick was creative enough to develop that TV show which was a first of its kind in these shores.

He produced other brilliant TV shows and added value to the electronic media in Nigeria. Patrick lived a full and very successful life, so even though I am sad at his passing, those he left behind have every cause to be proud of him and to celebrate the life and heritage he lived and left behind.

May his soul Rest In Peace. Adieu sir, you are now at the side of life that is sunny forever.

The 100th Commonsense Series

How time flies!

Two years ago, I began shooting the common sense messages in video format as my non partisan contribution to the development of the full strata of Nigerian society from the grassroots to the very top.

Now, after 99 episodes, we are about to shot the 100th episode.

Now, this episode is all about giving back!

God has blessed me immensely through Nigeria and by His grace I own Dream Magic Studios, one of the most modern studios on earth!

It is based in Los Angeles and used to be owned by the legendary and sometimes infamous Larry Flint from whom I bought it.

It has some of the very best sound stages the world can boast of and they can be converted into almost any scene required to make a movie.

One of my clients/tenants is Kevin Hart and the studio regularly plays host to some of the best and brightest contemporary movie and TV stars. The best always attracts the best.

To give back to Nigeria and help develop the Nollywood movie industry, I want to

shoot a Nollywood/Hollywood movie that will take the world by storm and show the entertainment industry that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movie industry has come of age.

I will finance this movie and guarantee world wide distribution both on television and cinema.

Now, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where you come in.

Are you a Nollywood pro? Are you an amateur set on making it big in Nollywood and on the world stage?

Send us your script and a panel to be headed by the queen of the African movie industry, our very own Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, will rate the scripts and select the best script and I will sign a contract with the winner and make their script into a movie that will be of sufficient quality to qualify for entry into the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very best Film Festivals.

Who knows, you could even win an Oscar! r.VSSBZ #SVDF JT UIF GPVOEFS PG UIF 4JMWFSCJSE &OUFSUBJONFOU (SPVQ BOE UIF 4FOBUPS SFQSFTFOUJOH #BZFMTB &BTU JO UIF /BUJPOBM "TTFNCMZ

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