Friday 26th May 2017

NEC Accuses Jonathan of Bias over Disbursement of N34bn Ecological Fund Accuses him of marginalising opposition states To reduce cost of land titles Puts ECA balance at $2.4bn

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

fund, saying he disbursed N34 billion to 17 states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), to the exclusion of opposition parties.

Governor of Kaduna State,

The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of discrimination in the distribution of ecological

Malam Nasir el-Rufai, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the NEC meeting at the State House, Abuja.

He explained that an 11-man Ecological Fund Committee constituted by NEC to make

recommendations on the management of the fund, discovered that the former president gave N2 billion each to the 17 states and sidetracked 19 states controlled by opposition All Nigeria Peoples

Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the time.

According to him, NEC considered the action to be discriminatory and

consequently, resolved that the 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that were denied the fund should be given N2 billion each too.

Continued on page 8

Osinbajo, Obasanjo, Ohanaeze Say Nigeria’s Unity Negotiable… Page 8 Friday 26 May, 2017 Vol 22. No 8072. Price: N250

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Senate Scraps NNPC, others in New Petroleum Industry Governance Bill

It’s promise fulfilled, says Saraki Crude oil price stabilises at $53 as OPEC extends output cut

Damilola Oyedele, Chineme Okafor, James Emejo, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Ejiofor Alike in Lagos The ding-dong over a legal regime that would reform and make the petroleum industry more transparent and efficient

began a homeward stretch yesterday as the Senate passed the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).

The bill, when concurred to by the House of Representatives and assented Continued on page 9

Ebola: FG, Lagos to Sanction Kenya Airways Condemn conveyance of corpse without clearance Gboyega Akinsanmi The federal and Lagos State governments yesterday said Kenya Airways would be punished for conveying a corpse from an Ebola-infested country, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to Nigeria

without clearance.

Consequently, the governments condemned the action of the airline, noting that the ban on repatriation of human remains into the country was still in force.

Continued on page 9

Ekweremadu Advocates Total Removal of FOR A BETTER ECONOMY… Age Limits for Political Offices… Page 10 R–L: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja… yesterday

state house

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

Finals Teslim Balogun Stadium | Tuesday 30th May 2017

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

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Osinbajo, Obasanjo, Ohanaeze Say Nigeria’s Unity Negotiable Afenifere, ACF, Niger Delta leaders disagree over Confab report

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The vexed issue of the unity of Nigeria was again on the front burner of national discourse yesterday as Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo Jnr., were unanimous in agreeing that there was nothing wrong discussing the corporate existence of the country, appealing, however, for moderation in such discussions.

They spoke yesterday in Abuja at an event marking 50 years of Biafra.

The event coincided with a national dialogue in Abuja, organised in honour of a former minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, where leaders of the regional socio-political blocs disagreed over the desirability of implementing the report of the National Conference held in 2014.

At the commemoration of 50 years of Biafra, Osinbajo drew applause when he said there was nothing wrong in discussing the existence of Nigeria, stressing that Nigerians should use the country's diversity to make her great instead of trying to flee into the lazy comfort of homogeneity.

"Introspection is probably what separates us from making mistakes. That ability to learn from history is perhaps the greatest defence against the avoidable pains of learning from experience because history is a better and kind teacher,” adding: “There is a saying that experience is the best teacher.

It is incomplete. The full statement of that adage is that experience is the best teacher for a fool.”

He spoke further: "I was 10 years old when my friend in school, Emeka left school one afternoon. He said his parents had decided to go

back to the East. I never saw Emeka again. My aunty, Bunmi was married to a gentleman that I cannot recall his name again, but I recall when my parents tried to persuade her and her husband not to leave.

We never saw again. We are better together than apart.

No country is perfect.

Osinbajo said the often quoted statement that 'Nigeria is just a geographical expression,' originally applied to Italy.

In his remarks, Obasanjo said Nigerian leaders of today should see it as a challenge to progress from where the founding fathers of the nation stopped by not only seeking for only freedom but unity and stability of the country.

Obasanjo who first ruled the country as a military Head of State between 1976-1979, said though the young military officers who struck in 1966 coup were naive, there were some elements of nationalism in some of them.

The former president counselled that none of the entities that make up Nigeria should leave the union or be pressured to do so.

He said: "Nigeria must be loved and we must treat Nigeria as we treat love affairs. It must be massaged.

Nigeria must be massaged by all of us. No exception.

"It's like a husband and wife. If when you have issues, your wife would always say she is fed up and wants to go. And every day that is what you get; one day, you would become fed up and say, 'ok you can go.' But if there is any misunderstanding and you come together to solve it, then you would almost live forever.

"And I will say that we should even appeal, if anybody says he wants to go; not that we will say, ok you can go if you want

to go. Do not go. There is enough cake for each of us.

And if what you are asking for is more of the cake, then try to ask in a way that is pleasant not in a way that could make others feel that you are not entitled to what you are asking for."

However, Nwodo Jnr., who lamented the sufferings and deprivations which the Igbos had been subjected to since the Biafran war ended, accused the beneficiaries of the faulty old order of opposing the call for restructuring of the affairs of the country.

He said the new federation that could address the concerns was that which was collectively owned by all and not one perceived as a private property of one group or ethnic group.

While lamenting the past -war experience of Ndigbo, Nwodo said: "Every bank deposit of Biafrans that had encountered a transaction whether by deposit or withdrawal was reduced to £20. Massive savings were completely wiped out.

Capacity for investment and recovery from the war were shattered."

As a way out of the present circle of agitations, the Ohanaeze chieftain said: "We want a Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is collectively owned by all Nigerians as opposed to a federal republic that would be perceived as the private property of one group or groups of ethnic groups depending on who was in office.

"We must create a national order whereby each state bears the primary responsibility for its development.

"We must find creative ways to manage a complex multi-ethnic and multireligious state. History teaches us that no society is static; the status quo cannot endure forever.

"We must find creative

ways to promote political, economic and social justice within a nation and between the people that comprise it.

If not, then we are invariably opening the doors to future threats of chaos, disorder and societal dislocation."

At the national dialogue, organised to honour Clark who turned 90 yesterday, former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, and the Publicity Secretary Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, sharply disagreed with Arewa Consultative Forum's chieftain, Prof.

Ango Abdullahi, over resource control, restructuring and the 2014 National Conference report.

Attah, who was the keynote speaker at the discourse with the theme: 'Restructuring, True Federalism and Resource Control: Panacea for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development in Nigeria', stressed that the debate on restructuring and resource control would persist because it was a cornerstone of true federalism.

He explained that resource control was not the same with derivation, clarifying that before the advent of the 1999 Constitution, the principle of derivation was subjected to severe and whimsical gerrymandering by various presidents and heads of state that ruled Nigeria.

The former governor reminded the audience that the issue of derivation formula was one of the knotty issues at the 1994 Constitutional Conference, which he said was later resolved by pegging derivation principle at 13 per cent.

He, however, explained that restructuring did not mean going back to the old regions or making the six geopolitical zones federating units.

As a way forward, Attah

advocated a national discourse to determine what should happen to the existing states, warning: “Otherwise, we could be creating more problems than we had set out to solve."

Coming with a different perspective, Abdullahi said he believed more in resource management as opposed to the calls for resource control being championed by Attah and other stakeholders, especially from the southern part of the country.

He explained that his decision to change resource control to resource management was because the nation's founding fathers judiciously managed the meagre resources available to them for the development of the country up to the time of independence.

He said: "You will agree with me that during the time of our founding fathers, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, the Sarduna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, they never had the volume of resources that are available for Nigeria today.

"But I can tell you that those our founding fathers managed the resources, these very scarce resources to achieve so much for this country up till independent.

"In fact for me, the concept of their resource management was what promoted equity, fairness and justice to various parts of this country, and that is what brought about the kind of really political unity and stability during the independent," he argued.

On the 2014 National Conference, Abdullahi said he shunned it because the delegates were chosen through undemocratic means.

According to him, “The conference was illegal.

I attended the 1986/87 Ibrahim Babangida's constitutional conference; I also attended the 1994/95

Sani Abacha conference. I also attended the political reform conference of Olusegun Obasanjo.

"The only conference I refused to attend was the Goodluck Jonathan conference. I call it Jonathan conference. I do not hide my feelings on that for obvious reasons," he noted.

But disagreeing sharply with his position Odumakin said: "The 2014 conference is one of the best, if not the best ever in this country."

He said the restructuring of the country is to the benefit of the country, stressing: "If we restructure, Nigeria has the potential to be a N60 trillion economy."

Odumakin wondered why the North was always harping on landmass as a means to acquire more resource allocations when in fact it should be an asset to be economically viable through agriculture and other comparative advantages.

He compared Niger State with Netherlands that had almost same size in land mass but the European country today was only behind the United States in the area of agricultural produce with strong agrobased economy unlike the Nigerian state that relied wholly on resource allocations from the centre.

He said the country was only talking about resource control because there was no fiscal federalism in place.

According to him: “The campaign for restructuring is to maximise our resources in Nigeria."

Odumakin remarked that those who opposed restructuring wanted to continue to reap where they did not sow. “Educate your population, employ and task them to make more money. Cultivate the more landmass you have to get more money rather than running to Abuja," he said.

So, Council resolved that the budgetary support be extended to enable states catch up with the economy challenges of the moment.

Also briefing the press, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, said the cost of local rice in Nigeria was higher than imported rice because governments of countries such as Thailand, China and United States subsidised the cost of production heavily for their farmers because they have incentives which are not available in Nigeria.

However, he said the federal government would do all within its reach to bring the price of local rice down and simultaneously ensure that smuggling of rice into the country was stopped.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) rose from its meeting on Wednesday night in Abuja with a communique, stating that World Bank Country Director, Mr. Rachid

Benmessaoud, briefed the Forum on progress of the implementation of the bank’s portfolio partnerships with Nigerian states.

The communique added that members of NGF pledged to strengthen coordination mechanism and consensus on replicating and exchanging reviews across the states, resolve implementation challenges and achieve project development objectives.

It also said the Forum received an update from the Acting Deputy ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Mr. Dangaladima Alhaji, which it said represented the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.), on the prohibition of smuggling of contraband goods into the country. "Members commended the service for the renewed effort at strengthening anti-smuggling activities, and pledged to collaborate with the Customs Service," the communique stated.

NEC ACCUSES JONATHAN OF BIAS OVER DISBURSEMENT OF N34BN ECOLOGICAL FUND However, el-Rufai who said the balance in the ecological fund account currently stood at N33.6 billion, disclosed that the amount was not enough to pay the affected states in view of the stipulation that at least N20 billion must be left in the account at every

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given time.

He said the council resolved that N13 billion part payment of the sum should be made to the states pending the time more funds would accrue into the account.

The governor further disclosed that in accordance with the recommendation of the committee, the sharing formula for the ecological fund had been modified to include: one per cent for the federal government, 0.72 per cent for states and 0.60 per cent for local government areas, adding that the states and local governments had currently taken their own share of the funds, leaving only the federal government share in the account.

According to him: "The report gave details of how the entire ecological fund had been utilised and noted that there is need to establish a clear criterion for sharing the 65 per cent of the federal government's share among states of the federation. The

committee informed Council that 19 States plus Abuja are yet to benefit from the 1 per cent share of the ecological fund.

"These are Adamawa, Akwa-lbom, Borno, Edo, Ekiti, lmo, Jigawa, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, ogun, osun, oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, and FCT. N13 billion naira is available for sharing to states since N20 billion must be left in the account for unknown national emergencies.”

Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said an ad-hoc committee set up by NEC to review the report of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Use Act submitted its report.

He listed highlights of the committee report as presented to include: the need to introduce systematic titling and land registration throughout Nigeria; radically increase the existing dismal volume of land registration in Nigeria; substantially reduce

the cost of securing land titles in Nigeria; set out standard guidelines and processes for land titling and registration in Nigeria and optimise the socio-economic benefits of land to both the government and the people.

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, said the council reviewed monetary matters as they affect the nation and equally received a briefing from the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, with information that the balance in excess crude account as at May 24, 2017 stood at $2.3 billion.

He said: "As regards the loan support that is called the budget support facility for states, which is supposed to come to an end by the end of this month, Council was concerned about the fact that we are gradually coming out of recession and if this budgetary support ceases at the end of May, it might create some lapses in our bid to stabilise the economy.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

PAGE NINE

50% of Nigerian Children Experience Physical Violence, Says UNICEF Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi, Abdulai Kaikai, has said 50 per cent of children in Nigeria experience physical violence.

Kaikai spoke in Bauchi yesterday at a media briefing to mark the 2017 edition of Children's Day with the theme: "Child Protection and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Issues and Opportunities," observing that the violence was prevalent across the 36 states of Nigeria.

He said: "According to the findings of the 2014 Nigeria

violence against children survey conducted by the National Population Commission with the support of the United Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF, approximately six out of every 10 children also experience some form of violence.”

He added: "One in four girls and one in 10 boys experience sexual violence as well as one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence by a parent, caregiver or adult relative."

Kaikai called on all stakeholders in the country to take action to end violence against children in the country.

He said preventing violence against children was not just a legal obligation and a moral imperative but that the failure to prevent it would lead to substantial economic loses (estimated at 2-8%GDP). He explained that ending violence against children had been linked to sustainable growth in the National Priority Agenda for Vulnerable Children 20132010 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"So on the occasion of this year's Nigeria Children's Day, all must take action to end violence against children,” he urged Nigerians, calling

on Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau and Taraba states that are supported by the UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi Field Office to take action to end violence against children.

UNICEF also called on the states that had yet to enact the Child Right Law to pass the laws.

Kaikai said UNICEF would continue to support the government and all stakeholders to end violence against children, protect and realise their rights, adding that it was consistent with its mandate given by UN General Assembly in 1946 when it voted to establish UNICEF as

the agency for children."

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday urged the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to pursue the domestication of the Child Rights Acts in the 13 states that were yet to do so.

The Senate said this was necessary to ensure that the rights of Nigerian children are adequately protected as well as give children opportunities to participate in matters that concern their welfare.

Senators also called for reorientation of young ones to focus on inculcation of moral values, ethics and patriotism.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Binta Garba (Adamawa North) and eight others, who expressed worry that a proper system of education and good healthcare remained elusive to the Nigerian child.

"The infant mortality rate in Nigeria has risen to one million deaths per annum as a result of poor nutrition and inadequate medical facilities,” Binta said, pointing out that under the National Health Act, 2014, all pregnant women, the elderly, the disabled and children should be exempted from paying for services in public hospitals.

airline at the conference, said Kenya Airways conveyed the deceased to Nigeria against the extant practice and regulation.

He said the airline brought the remains to the country without all necessary documentations required to process its clearance by the Department of Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria and relevant agencies condemn this deliberate breach,” he said, adding: “Necessary steps are being taken by the regulatory authority to sanction the airline in a bid to prevent future occurrence.”

Idris said the federal government banned the

repatriation of human remains into the country in all points of entry as a precautionary measure to avoid importation of any infectious disease, saying the ban was one of the interventions Nigeria took when the virus broke out three years ago.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Port Health Division issued guidelines to all airlines on the procedures to be followed to obtain a waiver before repatriating any human remains into the country.

“The government will like to reiterate again that the ban is still in force and any attempt to contravene this ban will attract serious sanction,” he warned.

Idris said as soon as the body

was brought in from DRC, the officials of Port Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health investigated the cause of death of the remains and took samples for laboratory investigation.

Idris said the laboratory report showed that there was no evidence of Ebola infection or any other contagious infections on the corpse, while assuring everyone to go about their normal business without any anxiety.

“Government will want everyone to be vigilant and encourage all our officials at land, sea and air borders to continue the screening of international passengers,” he said.

Non-OPEC oil producers led

by Russia agreed yesterday to join OPEC in extending production cuts for nine months until March 2018, Reuters quoted OPEC delegates as saying.

The combined cap on oil output for the OPEC and nonmembers was agreed at around 1.8 million barrels per day.

The next OPEC and nonOPEC meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2017, delegates said.

Reuters reported that the cuts are likely to be shared again by a dozen non-members led by top oil producer Russia, which reduced output in tandem with the oil cartel from January.

OPEC's cuts have helped to push oil back above $50 a barrel this year, giving a fiscal boost to producers, many of which rely heavily on energy revenues and have had to burn through foreign-currency reserves to plug holes in their budgets.

Crude Oil's earlier price decline, which started in 2014, forced Russia and Saudi Arabia to tighten their belts and led to unrest in some producing countries including Venezuela and Nigeria.

The price rise this year has spurred growth in the U.S. Shale industry, which is not participating in the output deal, thus slowing the market's rebalancing with global crude stocks still near record highs.

OPEC oil ministers were continuing their discussions in Vienna as at press time yesterday after three hours of talks.

Non-OPEC producers were scheduled to meet OPEC later in the day.

In December, OPEC agreed its first production cuts in a decade and the first joint cuts with non-OPEC members, led

by Russia, in 15 years. The two sides decided to remove about 1.8 million barrels per day from the market in the first half of 2017, equal to 2 per cent of global production.

Despite the output cut, OPEC kept exports fairly stable in the first half of 2017 as its members sold oil from stocks.

The move kept global oil stockpiles near record highs, forcing OPEC first to suggest extending cuts by six months, but later proposing to prolong them by nine months and Russia offering an unusually long duration of 12 months.

"There have been suggestions (of deeper cuts), many member countries have indicated flexibility but ... that won't be necessary," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said before the meeting.

Falih also said Saudi oil exports were set to decline steeply from June, thus helping to speed up market rebalancing.

OPEC sources have said yesterday meeting will highlight a need for long-term cooperation with non-OPEC producers.

The group could also send a message to the market that it will seek to curtail its oil exports.

"Russia has an upcoming election and Saudis have the Aramco share listing next year so they will indeed do whatever it takes to support oil prices," said Gary Ross, head of global oil at PIRA Energy, a unit of S&P Global Platts.

OPEC has a self-imposed goal of bringing stocks down from a record high of 3 billion barrels to their five-year average of 2.7 billion.

"We have seen a substantial drawdown in inventories that will be accelerated," Falih said.

"Then, the fourth quarter will get us to where we want."

EBOLA: FG, LAGOS TO SANCTION KENYA AIRWAYS The Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, said this at a news conference with the Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris, in Alausa, Lagos yesterday.

THISDAY had reported exclusively yesterday that the corpse of a young man was flown into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Kenya Airways.

THISDAY also reported that the corpse was flown in on-board a Kenya Airways flight and quarantined by the Port Health Services (PHS) to ascertain if the young man was killed by Ebola virus since the DRC was currently facing another outbreak of the

deadly haemorrhagic fever.

Consequently, the minister had said a test was conducted on the body and had tested negative to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), though he declined to disclose what caused the death of the young man, citing medical confidentiality.

But at the conference, yesterday, the minister said a letter of investigation had been forwarded to Kenya Airline to establish why the airline flew a body from DRC into Nigeria without approval.

Adewole, who was represented at the conference by Dr. Joshua Obasanya, condemned the decision of the airline to bring in a corpse into the country without approval from the

regulatory agencies.

He said if it was found that the airline breached protocols, it would be sanctioned appropriately, although he said the federal government was waiting for the airline’s response to the letter.

Aside, a Consultant Epidemiologist at the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Biodun Ogunniyi, said there was no fresh outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria, but condemned what the airline did.

He said that the federal government had the wherewithal to deal with any emergent outbreak of disease in the country.

Idris, who spoke elaborately on the alleged misconduct of the

SENATE SCRAPS NNPC, OTHERS IN NEW PETROLEUM INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE BILL to by the President, would institute a new governance structure in the management of the nation’s oil industry assets and its manager, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The Senate gave the bill its nod on a day Crude oil prices dropped $1.24 a barrel to $52.72 before regaining ground at $53.76 as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries and non-OPEC members decided to extend cuts in oil output by nine months to March 2018.

The PIGB, which is the first leg of the 17-year- old Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has been broken into five separate bills by the 8th Senate, scraps the NNPC, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Petroleum Products and Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and several government agencies in the oil sector now creates three new entities to oversee activities in the sector.

The three new entities are the National Petroleum Company (NPC), the National Petroleum Assets Management Commission, NPAMC and the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NPRC).

Under the new governance structure, the NPC would be an integrated oil and gas company, operating as a fully commercial entity that will run like a private company, while the NPAMC would be a single petroleum regulatory commission, which would focus mainly on regulating the industry.

The bill also saddles the commission with the responsibility for health and safety regulations in the industry, and would collaborate with the

Ministry of Environment on environmental issues.

The regulatory commission would be funded through a retention of 10 percent of the revenue it generates for the government of the federation.

The expenditure is however subject to appropriation by the National Assembly The NPRC would replace and take over the functions of PPPRA and DPR. The rite of final passage began when the bill was read the third time and the Committee of the Whole considered the Report of the Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Petroleum Downstream and Gas presented

by Senator Donald Alasoadura.

It then went through the clause-by-clause ritual with minor amendments before it was passed.

“We made a commitment and it’s being fulfilled,” an elated Senate President Bukola Saraki said, adding: “This bill is not only for Nigerians but for our investors. We are proud of what has been done.”

Saraki’s excitement is understandable given the fact that the PIB had been with the National Assembly since 2000 but had suffered passage delays because of objections and concerns raised by International Oil Companies (IOCs) who felt threatened by the fiscal regimes proposed by the bill.

The 8th Senate, therefore, decided to split the bill into five, isolating the contentious fiscal issues in separate bills, for easier passage.

However, the PIGB still has another hurdle to pass as the House of Representatives has a different version before it.

The House of Representatives said yesterday that it did not

yet have a specific timeline for the passage of the bill. The deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gaza Gbefwi, told reporters that the lower chamber was still carefully considering inputs made by local and international stakeholders during a seminar on the bill last year.

The passage got positive reviews from industry stakeholders yesterday describing it as a welcome development that would create a vibrant industry.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Austin Avuru, said the passage of the bill would set the tone on how the oil and gas industry should operate.

“It is a welcome development.

That is the governance bill and it sets the tone on how the industry should operate,” said Avuru, whose company is listed on both the London and Nigerian Stock Exchanges.

He expressed the hope that the law makers would also pass the second aspect of the bill that governs the fiscal regime before the end of this year.

Avuru urged the Senate and the House of Representatives to harmonise the different versions of the bill before them.

Chief Executive Officer of the International Energy Services, Dr. Diran Fawibe, commended the upper chamber for passing the bill.

He said the passage by the Senate would put pressure on the House of Representatives to pass their own version for both chambers to harmonise the bill for the benefit of Nigeria.

“We have to commend the Senate for taking the right step in the right direction. That is

what is expected of the upper chamber because the bill has been languishing in the National Assembly for over 10 years,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) commended the Senate on the passage of the bill.

"We are very excited that the bill was passed today after about 12 years delay. We specially commend the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for his focused leadership of the 8th Senate, which has produced several legislative actions that have positively affected the lives of Nigerians, promoted good governance and advanced ongoing efforts by the APC-led administration to rebuild the Country,” the party said in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi.

"The passage of the bill is an indication that our federal legislators are diligent and reform-minded, and are committed to fulfilling the promises our Party made to Nigerians,” he said, calling on the House of Representatives to follow the example of the Senate by also promptly passing the bill."

Crude Oil Price Stabilises at $53 Meanwhile, Crude oil price yesterday dropped $1.24 a barrel to $52.72 before peaking at $53.76 as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member countries and non-OPEC members decided to extend cuts in oil output by nine months until March 2018.

While the global benchmark, Brent crude oil traded at $53.76, the US light crude traded at $51.16 per barrel.

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FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Ekweremadu Advocates Total Removal of Age Limits for Political Offices

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called for the total removal of age as a criterion for holding political offices in Nigeria.

He instead called for a situation where the electorate are allowed to make their choices based on their assessment of the competence of those who present themselves for elections.

Ekweremadu made the call yesterday when he received in audience the Not Too Young To Run (#NotTooYoungToRun) Campaign championed by the

Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) in his office at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The senator said: “We have just acknowledged the young man, Emmanuel Macron, who is now the President of France. We believe it can also happen here in our country; and we believe that with education and exposure, people can achieve a lot at a very young age.

“Therefore, while many Nigerians are calling for a reduction in the age barrier, it is actually my strong and personal opinion that there should be no age barrier in terms of running for political offices or

holding executive positions. I know, and I believe too, that sovereignty belongs to the people, and they exercise this sovereignty through the ballot box. If they desire to vote in a very young person, so be it.

That is their choice, and that is what sovereignty is all about.

“For many years now, we have said that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. If we continue to sideline them with age barrier, then that tomorrow may never come. But as far as I

am concerned, that tomorrow has come and people should be judged by their competence, integrity, and capacity, not their biological age.

That is the global trend and we cannot be an exception.”

Ekweremadu, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, said the nation’s greatest resource remained the youth.

He commended YIAGA, noting that the nation’s democracy was nevertheless making progress as more youth are now participating

actively in the political process.

He said although the Senate Committee on Constitution Review had submitted its final report to the Senate, constitution amendment was a continuous process and issues not covered could always be accommodated in subsequent amendments even in the same assembly.

Earlier in her address, the leader of the delegation and Programme Director of YIAGA, Miss Cynthia Mbamalu,

solicited the Senate’s support for the constitution amendment bill sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Abdul Aziz Nyako, seeking to align the voting age of 18 years with eligibility to contest for political offices in Nigeria.

Citing the recent election of 39-year old Emmanuel Macron as the President of France, she called for more political space for the Nigerian youth.

Court Orders DSS to Deposit Monies Recovered from Justice Ngwuta in CBN Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice John Tsoho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to deposit the monies it recovered from the residence of a Supreme Court judge, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The judge gave the order after admitting the bags and boxes containing the money as exhibit marked 11 A-E. Justice Ngwuta is facing a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and retention and concealment of various sums of money in local and foreign currencies.

The monies, which are in both local and foreign currencies, were allegedly recovered from the residence of Ngwuta, during a raid carried out by the operatives of the DSS on October 8, 2016, in a “sting operation” that involved seven judges.

Ngwuta is also being accused by the government of giving various sums of money in cash above the statutory threshold to his building contractor for the building of various houses in his home state, Ebonyi State, without going through a financial institution.

At the resumed trial yesterday, the court, after admitting the nine bags and boxes containing the money recovered during the raid, ruled that the monies be kept with the CBN. Earlier, the lead prosecuting counsel, Mrs Olufemi Fatunde, led the fifth prosecuting witness, John Otaze, an operative of the DSS to tender the bags and boxes as exhibit.

Otazi told the court how he led a team of DSS operatives to conduct a search on the residence of the defendant.

He said various sums of money in both local and foreign currencies were recovered, which include N35million, £35,915, $319,096, 50

NNPC to Build Gas Metering Plant for Egbin Expansion Plans Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that it would build a 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day metering plant to serve the planned capacity expansion of Egbin power plant.

Egbin which is currently reported to be Nigeria’s largest gas-powered plant, has planned to expand its installed generation capacity from 1,320 megawatts (MW) to 2,670MW. However, in a statement from the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, the Managing Director for Nigerian Gas Processing and Transmission Company (NGPTC), Mr. Babatunde Bakare, stated this during the tender for the prequalification for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the project.

The statement noted that the bid exercise saw 36 local and international companies put in their papers for consideration. It

said the exercise demonstrated NNPC’s commitment to improving power supply in Nigeria in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the power sector.

NNPC also stated that it has being the biggest gas supplier to Egbin power plant.

It noted that its Chief Project Engineer for the project, Audu Ibrahim, represented Bakare at the exercise, and he stated that the expansion of the metering system to serve Egbin was imperative to enable the corporation cope with the heightened volumes of gas that might be needed afterwards.

Also, the statement stated that the due diligence in respect of technical and financial requirements would applied in the selection of the preferred bids.

NNPC explained that the exercise represented parts of its strategic moves to increase its footprint in the nation’s power supply mix, with a view to expanding its stakes in non-core hydrocarbon resources businesses.

IN THE INTEREST OF NIGERIA

R-L: Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo: Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; and former Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, at a forum on ‘Biafra: 50 Years After’ at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja....yesterday State House

INEC Formally Accuses Kogi Gov, Bello of Double Registration The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally accused the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of registering for the permanent voter card twice, in violation of federal electoral law.

The electoral body said Bello acted “illegally” to have registered for voter’s card in Abuja and Kogi, but said it could not take action against the governor because he is

constitutionally protected from prosecution while in office.

Bello’s behaviour came to light when photographs showed him being registered for by INEC officials in his office in Lokoja, his state capital.

He had earlier been registered in Abuja.

The electoral commission, according to Premium Times, made its position on the scandal known yesterday.

“The governor’s double registration and doing so outside INEC’s designated centres are both illegal,” INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education Committee, Solomon Soyebi, said yesterday.

The commission denied authorising any staff or citizen to “re-register him or any citizen or to do so outside our designated CVR centres.”

Soyebi confirmed Bello was first registered at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, on January 30, 2011, but illegally did so again on May 23, during the ongoing continuous voters registration exercise, in his Lokoja, Kogi State, office.

He said the commission “is taking disciplinary action against the INEC staff involved,” but regretted the governor’s immunity would help him escape prosecution.

FG to Shutdown Five Foreign Missions Alex Enumah in Abuja The federal government has disclosed plans to shutdown five of its foreign missions as part of its current reorganisation aimed at achieving greater efficiency.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, who disclosed this yesterday during a briefing on the achievements of the ministry in the past two years, hinted that the affected missions have already been identified and process of winding them down would commence if the president gives the go-ahead.

The affected embassies were however, not disclosed by the

minister. ``We do not want to indicate the embassies that will be closed yet because we are in the process of submitting the proposals, the cost analysis and also the political analysis we did to the president.

“When he sees that, he may or may not want to close some, so we have not yet reached the stage of closing some,” he said.

Onyeama however, admitted that closing missions abroad could be “extremely expensive.” ``The expense, costs of closing embassies is so high and prohibitive but in the long run it will be more economical,” he said.

The minister, had at various fora, the closure of Nigeria’s foreign missions was in line with the agenda of the administration.

The country currently has 119 foreign missions.

Meanwhile, on the plight of some Nigerians in prisons in China over various alleged offences, Onyeama, disclosed that the federal government is working out a prisoners’ transfer agreement with China.

“The issue of Nigerians in prisons in China is something we are dealing with and the prisoner transfer agreement is something we have to have an agreement on with China.

“We are working to have one

in place. We have taken that on board and we are trying to get our prisoners to serve the rest of their terms here,” Onyeama stated The minister disclosed that government had stepped in to plead for commutation of prisoners on death row in the Asian nation.

The federal government has also on several occasions reiterated that it would be impossible to get Nigerians on death row in different countries repatriated.

This is based on the fact that they do not fall within the prisoner transfer or exchange agreements.

FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Again, Gunmen Strike at Igbonla Lagos Model College, Abduct Six Students Chiemelie Ezeobi

Barely seven months after a daredevil kidnap gang stormed the Lagos State Model College at the Igbonla area of Epe and abducted the vice principal and four students, six students were again yesterday abducted from the same school.

The gunmen numbering over 15, it was gathered, had stormed the Lagos Model College and successfully abducted the six male students who were picked randomly.

However, initial unconfirmed reports had indicated that aside the six students, the kidnappers had allegedly abducted two principals from the school (from the junior secondary school and the other from the senior secondary school section).

While the identity of the students are still shrouded in secrecy, that of the junior secondary school principal was simply revealed as Mr. Bolaji Oyesola and his counterpart at the senior level as Mr. Akinrinmade.

The first information about the abduction had come from the Facebook page of one Elemoro Afolabi Sheriff who wrote that gunmen had invaded the college.

However, initial sketchy findings revealed that the kidnappers had alerted the school authorities about their visit a week before they made good their threat.

It is yet uncertain what measures the school might have put on

ground when they got the letter from the kidnappers, given that the gang actually fulfilled their promise and successfully too.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack took place at the school while they were still at the assembly ground as it’s their routine every morning.

Having accessed the school through a hole they dug in the fence, the gunmen had burst into the school by shooting sporadically into the air.

In the chaos that erupted, they successfully grabbed the six students and ran away on foot till they made it past the wall and boarded the speedboats they had come with.

The gang was said to have made it getaway through the Imeru it waterway directly behind the school into the river that leads to Ogun and Ondo States, a well known route for pipeline vandals.

Immediately the news filtered out, pandemonium erupted among the families of those who have their kids and wards enrolled in the school.

While some of the parents and guardians who live nearby headed for the school immediately, others who couldn’t, took to different social media platforms to ask questions about their wards, not that they got answers.

At the school, it was pandemonium galore as parents who arrived on time struggled to reunite with their kids and at

the end of the day, when sanity was restored, it became clear that six students were missing.

One of those worried persons was one Ifeanyi Okafor, who took to both Twitter and Facebook to ask about the details of the incident, given that he has a younger brother in the school.

He asked: “I heard kidnappers stormed Lagos State Model College, Igbonla at Epe, how true is this?

My younger brother schools there.”

Like him and so many others who took to social media to ask questions, they got no answers given the moribund state of the school’s different social media platforms.

THISDAY checks revealed that all their social media pages were mostly for decoration as the handler was very abysmal

in his/her duty of updating the different handles.

While the school’s Twitter page @LSMC_Igbonla has 90 paltry followers, the last tweet was in 2013 and for the Instagram page @Lasmocol_Igbonla with its 164 followers has just one post from 2016 and its Facebook page with over 2000 likes had mostly posts from ex-students of the school.

The few ex-students that spoke on the incident like one Tomiwa Temilayo said, “The sad breaking news of six students who were abducted from the award winning Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, by unknown gunmen has left our great school vulnerable.

“This is the second time this is happening in the school in less than a year. Recall that the

same incident occurred around October 2016. Please l save our students, teachers and parents from the phobia of abduction.”

Meanwhile, the police have debunked claims that the kidnappers abducted two principals of the school, as well as claims that the police were notified of any note by the gang prior their arrival.

A senior police officer who spoke to THISDAY on anonymity said: “Our investigations revealed that they dug a hole through the fence and gained access into the school. “Our dilemma however is that they made away through the river, which is directly behind the school. The problem is that the river leads to Ogun, Lagos, Ondo States and even goes as far as Port Harcourt.

“So, even if we had the wherewithal to go after them, we don’t know the directions they took.

It’s a wide and big river. Our next line of action after securing the school is to go back to our drawing board.

“We are going to plan strategically because we don’t know where they took them now. The rains didn’t help us too as it made rescue operations difficult.

“For now, they are yet to contact the respective families of the abducted boys and its to be expected because they are probably still on their way to their hideout or are about covering their tracks.”

Also reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, who wasattheschoolwiththeCommander, Rapid Response Squad,ACP Olatunji Disu,

FG Releases Common Entrance Results as Queens College Records Highest Subscription Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has released the result for the just concluded 2017 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Unity Schools.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who gave the approval to the National Examinations Council (NECO) to release the results to the public for

access in all the state Ministries of Education nationwide as well as NECO zonal offices, disclosed that a total of 80,421 candidates registered for the examination but only 77,512 candidates actually sat for the examination.

The general analysis of the result showed that the highest score was 189 out of 200 scored by two candidates; Emeka-Egbuna Chinecherem C. and Onubogu

Chinazom Joyce both from Anambra State, while the least score was four scored by eight candidates.

Queens College, Yaba, Lagos was one of the colleges with highest subscription of 5,524, while the least subscribed college was Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno Borno State with only 21 candidates.

In a statement signed by the

acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Husaini Adamu, the ministry revealed that the result can be accessed on-line http:// www.fmeinterview.com or through NECO zonal offices nationwide.

With this, a candidate will know whether he/she has being shortlisted for placement or not.

Meanwhile, the placement exercise is scheduled to take place in July, 2017.

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FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Air Force Bases under Threat, Say CAS Force acquires 20 bomb detection dogs John Shiklam in Kaduna and Paul Obi in Abuja The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sodique Baba Abubakar, has said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) bases in the country were under threat of attack by adversaries.

Addressing participants at the opening of Base Defence Planning Retreat at the Air Force base in Kaduna yesterday, Abubakar said officers and men of the force had been placed on red alert to prevent any attack.

“We have had an attack on one of our airbases in the recent past and current intelligence reports keep highlighting the possibility of attacks on our bases.

“Given the importance of bases in the airpower delivery matrix, it is not inconceivable to expect our adversaries to target our bases,” Abubakar said.

Recently, Boko Haram insurgents attacked the air force base in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The CAS noted that the evolving security environment globally and especially in Nigeria had become complex and most times, unpredictable, ranging from challenges of terrorism, militancy, kidnapping to economic sabotage.

“On assumption of office and with the need to develop a robust base defence concept in view, we carried out a review of the then base defence concept.

“The conclusion was that the erstwhile base defence concept with its emphasis on emplacing static guards at identified key and vulnerable points was no longer tenable and sufficient to respond to our contemporary threats.

“Consequently, we introduced a new base defence concept.

The new base defence concept is premised on the development and deployment of an air-minded ground defence force, trained and equipped as special light infantry and capable of operating both inside and outside the base perimeter against contemporary threats while leveraging on intelligence and available modern technology.

“However, recent evaluations of the bases revealed that many commanders and bases are still sold on the old concept and are yet to imbibe and adopt the tenets of the new base defence concept,” he said.

The air force boss added that in order to avoid a repeat of destruction of air assets, the British Military Assistant Team (BMAT) was expected in the country to train 300 regiment personnel in order to have reliable and highly skilled personnel that can protect all air force bases in the country.

Meanwhile, in an effort to pre-empt Boko Haram operational strategies, the NAF has acquired a total of 20 dogs trained to detect bombs, arms and ammunition, narcotics as well as other substances.

According to NAF, the dogs were purchased in South Africa, and are to serve as complement to explosive detection devices and strategies to neutralise Boko Haram operations.

The air force authorities have also trained 12 personnel of its Air Provost Specialty in advanced dog handling techniques .

The Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said: “It is the first time in a while that NAF personnel would receive

special training in dog handling at a reputable overseas institution,” the statement claimed.

The development came on the heels of current security challenges confronting the military in completely displacing the Boko Haram sects.

He said: “The NAF recently trained 12 personnel of its Air Provost Specialty in advanced

dog handling techniques.

“The six-week advanced dog handlers’ course was conducted at Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy in South Africa as a follow-up to the basic K9 training received at the Nigeria Police Force Dog Breeding/Training Centre Abuja.

Adesanya explained that the training “is the first time in a while that NAF personnel would receive

special training in dog handling at a reputable overseas institution.

“Considering the security challenges currently being faced in the country, the newly acquired dogs, which have been trained to detect explosives, arms and ammunitions, narcotics as well as other substances, are expected to serve as a complement to explosive detection devices.”

He added that “the attendance of the advanced dog handlers’ course has further boosted the capacity of the affected NAF personnel and also exposed them to international best practices in the use of dogs for security purposes.

“It is recalled that human capacity development through robust and result oriented training for enhanced professional performance is one

of the key drivers of the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

“The NAF Air Provost Marshal, Air Commodore Christopher Dola, represented the CAS at the graduation ceremony of the newly trained NAF personnel in Pretoria, South Africa on May 20, 2017 and has since returned to Nigeria,” Adesanya stated.

FG Declares Monday Public Holiday The federal government has declared May 29 as public holiday to celebrate the 2017 Democracy Day. Making the declaration on behalf of the federal government, the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), congratulated

Nigerians for witnessing yet another Democracy Day which marks the second year anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Dambazau assures Nigerians of the government continued efforts towards guaranteeing security, revitalising the economy and tackling corruption,

which are the three main focused areas of the administration. “Whilealot has been achieved in the area of security, particularly in the Northeast, and in tackling corruption, recent statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS)haveshowntremendous improvement of the country’s GDP.

“No doubt, the nation is closer to getting out of recession, particularly with the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which seeks to revitalise the nation’s economy soonest. “With the recently signed Executive Orders on Ease of Doing Business, we have opened

our doors wider for both domestic and foreign investors,” he said.

The minister enjoined all Nigerians to join hands with the government of President Buhari in his sustained efforts in building a peaceful and enduring democratic legacy.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2017

COMMENT

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

SAMBO DASUKI AND THE RULE OF LAW The flagrant disobedience of court orders is indefensible, argues Yushau Shuaib

T

he most painful and mind boggling dilemma in issuing rebuttals is the attempt to challenge respected professional colleagues who should know the truth from fallacy. Wrong actions of current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari have compelled some of us to take the pain and risk of disproving false allegations and reckless insinuations on innocent people by those in the corridors of power.

Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity is one senior professional colleague who positively impacted on my career. But I have been thoroughly embarrassed and even shocked that Mallam Garba has been misled in joining the bandwagon of those attacking former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki blindly and baselessly. While Dasuki has remained in unlawful incarceration since 2015, the system has refused to give him the opportunity to clear his name on frivolous charges against him and occasionally prevented him from appearing in court.

In an attempt to defend the flagrant disobedience to court orders by the Buhari administration, Mallam Garba recently said that the government of Buhari is not ready to release Dasuki because there “were many cases against Dasuki for which he had not been granted bail.”

Mallam Garba was further quoted to have said that “The ex-NSA’s problem is not with President Buhari who I must say has the highest regard for the rule of law. If five courts of the land are trying different cases in which a man is involved and one or two of those courts let the accused persons go home on bail, what happens with the other three cases?”

Mallam Garba should know that Sambo Dasuki was arraigned and charged on bailable offences and all the courts of competent jurisdiction have granted him bail. Since 2015, when Dasuki was arraigned before different high courts, he was granted bail by Justice Adeniyi Ademola and Justice Ahmed Rahmat Mohamed of the Federal High Court as well as Justice Peter Affen and Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Courts. The ECOWAS Court had also ordered the federal government to release him immediately from the unlawful custody and imposed a fine of N15,000,000 on the government but up till now, all the judgments have not been obeyed. There is currently no single court order or a legal warrant for his detention. Rule of law indeed!

This is not the first time the respected Mallam Garba would play to the gallery. On his assumption of office, Garba raised a similar erroneous insinuation against Sambo Dasuki on October 15, 2015, when he told the world at The Red Media Summit in Lagos on how he and others plotted to accuse Sambo Dasuki of coup plotting (Link: https://goo.gl/qqu7r9).

He was quoted to have stated thus: “We agreed we were going to run a story announcing that the National Security Adviser at that time, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, was staging a second coup d’etat against Muhammadu

THE EX-NSA SUCCEEDED IN RESTRICTING TERRORISTS’ NOTORIETY TO THE NORTH-EAST BEFORE RECOVERING MORE THAN 25 TOWNS FROM THE BOKO HARAM

Buhari.” As alarming as that statement was, Mallam Garba did not retract the offending statement. As a respected communicator, he should know better.

Earlier, Malam Garba had predicted the challenges Dasuki would face as Fulani man from North-West against Kanuri people of North-East who would frustrate him. He made the assertion immediately after the appointment of Dasuki as NSA by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

In his weekly article in Premium Times with the title “Dasuki as NSA: Issues below the Surface,” (Link: https://goo.gl/Hi3Vib) Shehu even recommended and listed some Kanuri people that should have been considered for the appointment. Garba claimed that the appointment of Dasuki as a Northerner might produce the direct opposite result of appeasement of the region. According to him “the Boko Haram terror movement is dominated by Kanuri boys, despite the recruitment of volunteers from areas outside Borno and Yobe States. Dasuki’s appointment ignored the historical rivalries between the Kanuris and the North-west or more directly, the Fulani hegemony.”

Buhari’s spokesperson therefore asked, “Can a scion of the Fulani royalty, even though a Northerner cultivate the trust and confidence of the Kanuri boys against the background of these historical rivalries? Can a Fulani Northern National Security Adviser conduct negotiations for disarmament with Boko Haram in the face of these historical rivalries?

This may be Sambo Dasuki’s biggest challenge.

“Whatever theories may have developed around Sambo’s appointment, the Kanuri factor in the appeasement policy should not be ignored. No confidence building strategy can succeed which ignores the undercurrents of historical rivalries between the Kanuris and the Hausa/ Fulani of the north. It is doubtful if the North-east or Borno State in particular, lacks credible retired army officers who can do the job.”

Even though, those fear of my senior brother, Mallam Garba could not be ignored, especially when Dasuki was appointed at a period Boko Haram members were not only terrorising the North-East but the North-Central and North-West with weekly attacks on worship centres.

Nevertheless, the ex-NSA succeeded in restricting terrorists’ notoriety to the North-east before recovering more than 25 towns from the Boko Haram. In fact, the excesses of Boko Haram were curtailed to the effect that 2015 elections were peacefully held throughout the federation, including North-East where governors and legislators were elected without any hitches.

I request Mallam Garba to read my “Open Letter to Femi Adesina” (Link: https://goo.gl/TFdNmP) on some of the achievements of Dasuki in office and the list of over 20 towns recovered during the previous administration. I appeal to professional colleagues in government to avoid playing politics with sensitive security issues.

Shuaib wrote from Abuja

POLITICS OF CRUDE OIL REFINERIES IN NIGERIA Dan D. Kunle takes Ibe Kachikwu, Petroleum Resources Minister, to task

I

read on the internet of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu’s declaration to resign if Nigeria continues to import petrol by 2019. I am sure he is entitled firstly as a citizen of Nigeria, secondly as Minister of State for Petroleum Resource, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also as the current Chairman of the Board of Directors of NNPC. These three status eminently qualify him to express himself at any time, in any place and on any matter in Nigeria, but I will be talking to him as an ordinary citizen of Nigeria.

One, his resignation should be now and not 2019 because in August/September 2015 during his visit to Port Harcourt and Warri refinery sites he publicly declared that the management of Port Harcourt refinery had used $10 million to fix the refinery as against the realistic figure of about $295 million offered by the original equipment manufacturers vendors/engineers for the TAM programme. He also declared that by the close of 2015 it is expected that Port Harcourt refinery and probably Warri would be working at 90% capacity, thus reducing petroleum importation and possibly eliminating the subsidy controversies. Till this moment that I am writing, the crude oil refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna are yet to be fixed, needless to mention if they have ever attained up to 50 or near 90% production capacity utilisation since the minister came on board.

Two, his resignation should be now because he still has not concluded the preliminary planning and necessary tender processes that will lead to the final award for the TAMs of the four refineries.

Between 2015 and 2016, he made a public declaration that ‘would be’ investors should come to fix Port Harcourt Refinery and invest in relocating any operational refinery of about 100,000 barrel capacity to be co-located within the facilities of Port Harcourt Refinery and probably same for Warri Refinery.

Nigerian people have waited till this moment to see how such transaction would be consummated, but to no avail. Could this still be the new transaction

he is trying to consummate with Oando and Agip?

I am aware from records that Agip built Warri Refinery and not Port Harcourt Refinery. So how easy will it be for them to take over the Japanese plant in Port Harcourt against their own in Warri?

Meanwhile, petroleum product importation and storage management has remained an endemic problem in Nigeria.

Three, his resignation should be now because as the GMD of NNPC in 2015 he declared that he would get all the refineries to work in order to stop the importation of petroleum products and this led to NNPC/ PPMC almost becoming the sole importer of petroleum product for a very long period because all the major private retail companies in Nigeria became apprehensive and hesitant in competing with NNPC/PPMC. Not until the crises of petroleum shortages were imminent before the downstream operators were again invited to join the import transactions. Petrol importation has continued till this moment plus the famous SWAP that was originally widely condemned for the opaque manner in which the transactions were structured.

Today, he has just realigned the SWAP transactions to continue, maybe for the next two years he has set for himself to resign. How will he manage these two contradicting objectives? For some companies to be taking crude outside for refining and at the same time getting them to fix the four refineries for Nigeria. Who will be the umpire, BPE/NCP or the almighty PIB that is yet to be passed? If by chance the four refineries become operational in the next two years with a total capacity of 445,000 barrels per day plus Dangote’s 650,000 barrels per day, Nigeria may then become a net exporter of refined petroleum products rather than crude export for white product imports; big dreams! Let us pray the Tesla vehicles will not harm this dream.

Four, his resignation should be now because by the year 2019 he would have completed his second half of this match if the imminent cabinet reshuffle does not exit him. It appears he is targeting 2019 when the Dangote group would have almost, if not

completed the 650,000 barrel crude oil refinery in Lagos which he knows will give Nigeria between 30 to 40 million litres of petroleum products per day. This is about the volume currently consumed in Nigeria without the functional Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries. I hope you will by this fact know that you are playing on the senses of the ordinary citizens of Nigeria who are not as privileged as yourself within the exclusively privileged petroleum industry.

Five, his resignation should be now because he knows that to fix the four federal government owned refineries cannot happen in the next one to one and half years if he were to have the mandate and the funding today, taking into consideration all the due processes that are involved as enumerated by Mr. Simon Kolawole at the back page of THISDAY newspaper of Sunday, May 21, 2017. I am sure you are fully aware that most of the four refineries are technically insolvent and they have huge social liability issues because they were poorly maintained over the years and the communities have never totally offered their social licenses to the owners and operators of these refineries. There are also environmental issues to be attended to because of the corrosive nature of these refinery complexes.

Six, his resignation should be now emphatically because he has for the last two years not allowed the four refineries to be opened up for privatisation by concessioning or by liquidation or by core investor sales. This your fresh ambitious move to either concession or farm out the refineries to any ‘would be’ investor must be advertised and all the criteria stipulated by the procument laws, BPE laws and ICRC laws must be complied with as raised by Simon Kolawole in THISDAY of May 21, 2017. This is the transparency issue.

Seven, he should resign now because for the last two years we have not been made aware of what he has done with the Nigerian Gas Master Plan and the possible divestment of federal government interest in the Nigeria Gas Company to allow for more private participation in the gas production,

processing and distribution across Nigeria. This singular lack of focused attention to the Nigerian gas supply, security and sustainability has caused the power generating companies including the NIPP plants (owned by FGN), a very serious performance hardship emanating from the inadequate and inconsistent gas volume and quality supplies. The appropriate gas pricing and tariff is yet another serious fiscal issue but that can be addressed as a subsidiary item in the entire Gas Master Plan implementation strategy when it is opened up. His so-called Gas Investment Blueprint was just paperwork and had no investment appetising content. This may be the reason why nothing has been heard since the public declaration was made by him last year.

Eight, he should resign now because all the gas power generating plants in Nigeria depend largely on the gas supply from NGC and they have continued to perform below optimal, compared to SHELL operated AFAM 6 Power Plant and OKPAI Power Plant operated by AGIP. He superintended over NNPC as the GMD until he was promoted to become Minister of State for Petroleum and now Chairman of the Board of NNPC, but he has not been able to either stabilise the supply of gas to all the power generating plants in Nigeria nor has he been able to proffer an alternative solution to the erratic supply of gas. I am sure he is aware that Ghana and Senegal are planning to build regasification plants to receive LNG from near suppliers such as Nigeria, Malabu or any other economically viable sources across the globe. We are yet to know when Kachikwu will initiate the first Nigerian regasification plant as an alternative to the pipeline vandalism and maintenance problem. Nigeria has 49% of the 22 million tonnes LNG capacity at Bonny Island, it is all for export. How can you explain this?

Nine, he should resign now because NNPC to all intents and purposes is still a loss making going concern and not a profit declaring entity.

Dankonsult @yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2017

EDITORIAL THE RAPISTS OF IKOYI SCHOOL All the stakeholders must do more to curb the rot in our schools

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he recent foiled attempt at gang-rape involving some senior students of Ireti Grammar School, Falomo in Lagos was a testimony to the moral decay in our society. But it was also a strong indictment of the authorities in most of our schools where discipline is no longer enforced. According to the story, as told by an eye-witness whose intervention prevented the commission of crime, some male students who had finished their examinations decided that the best way to celebrate was to gang-rape the girls from a nearby school.

What further shocked the eye-witness was that as these criminal activities were being perpetrated in broad day light, those who should intervene were more preoccupied recording the scenes on their phones. This is highly regrettable. Meanwhile, we understand that the Lagos State Government has waded into the matter and that some suspects from Ireti Grammar School have been arrested. We clearly endorse the arrest even as we call for the prosecution of the suspects. Anything short of these measures will be unacceptable.

It is rather unfortuTHE UNFORTUNATE nate that a secondary INCIDENT IS A WAKEschool, which ought to UP CALL FOR BOTH be a citadel of learning GOVERNMENT AND and acquisition of PARENTS TO REASSESS character, has been THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES converted into a theatre of rape by some IN EDUCATION morally-bankrupt students. It is even more scandalous and shameful that the student rapists embarked on their sordid attempts in their school uniform and in the full glare of the public --a clear evidence, if any was needed, that they have no respect for their school and for constituted authority.

We reiterate that the unfortunate incident is a wakeup call for both government and parents to reassess their respective roles in education. While we have in the past emphasised the place of character-based education, it is evident that there is so much rot within the system. One

Letters to the Editor

A

of the negative consequences of this gross negligence is that we are now churning out school graduates who are rapists, armed robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters, and so on.

As primary educators, parents should stop shirking their parental responsibilities. To the extent that our future is built on the triumph of youthful potential, it stands to reason that if the potential is ruined, the future of our country is invariably ruined.

W

T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOlAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEph UShIGIAlE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOlA BEllO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOlAfE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OlUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOlA BEllO, KAYODE KOMOlAfE, ISRAEl IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OlUfEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS pETER IWEGBU, fIDElIS ElEMA, ANThONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEh ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS hENRY NWAChOKOR, SAhEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOlA TAIWO, UChENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER pATRICK EIMIUhI GROUP HEAD fEMI TOlUfAShE DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION ChUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

hile we join other stakeholders in demanding justice in this matter, we are also calling on the relevant authorities to devise effective measures and strategies to checkmate the growing menace of sexual assaults across the country. It is unacceptable that our campuses, ordinarily considered as safe havens for the acquisition of knowledge and inculcation of character, have been turned into hideouts for gang-raping, sexual gratification and sex hawking.

Against the background that rape is a violation of the most demeaning kind that scars many victims for life, no society should condone what regrettably is fast becoming a social epidemic. In Nigeria, police insensitivity and the fear of stigma (or persecution) discourages targets of violence from formalising the reports of incidents involving them. This reluctance, however, has only contributed to the rise in a culture of impunity on the part of the perpetrators.

Our courts must also be more proactive and stringent in applying sanctions, as some of the verdicts, for the few that have actually been successfully prosecuted, were ridiculous. Our private network providers should readily donate help-lines with free calls for victims of violence, while our hospitals and the legal profession should be prepared to offer pro bono services to the victims.

While human rights violations of this nature occur everywhere in the world, as the sick, the evil and the deranged exist in all societies, the only manner in which citizens can feel safe and secure is where the response to crime is swift, efficient and effective. That is what the current situation demands from the relevant authorities.

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.

PERSPECTIVES ON ILLICIT TRADE IN TOBACCO

major challenge confronting today’s tobacco market is illicit trade. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global inter-governmental body, defines illicit trade in tobacco as “the production, import, export, purchase, sale or possession of tobacco goods, which fail to comply with legisla-

tion.”

In Nigeria, there are aspects of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015, the document which provides a legal framework for the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of tobacco in the country, which address this problem. For example, Article 35 of Part XI of the law allows for the procurement of search warrants for inspection of dwelling places suspected of harbouring illegal or substandard tobacco or tobacco products.

Regrettably, failure to fully implement tobacco control regulation has engendered growth in illicit trade of tobacco products.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that all over the world, 10 per cent of cigarettes consumed are illegitimately produced or sold. In Nigeria, the volume of illicit cigarettes smuggled into the country constitutes 20 per cent of the total product consumed and has been on the rise lately. Apart from posing health risks to consumers, illicit tobacco trade deprives government of its much needed revenue through taxes and import duties. Illicit tobacco merchants are economic saboteurs who engage in various nefarious activities and evade revenue and excise duties payments that are due to government.

Cigarette smuggling has been known to be a major source of revenue for organised crime. Not only does it promote criminal-

ity, it also misleads consumers into buying products that are of dubious quality.

It has become more imperative now to enforce the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act as Nigeria continues to grapple with the impact of illicit trade in tobacco products. Besides, old tricks are still being employed to entice people who are under the legal age to smoke tobacco. One of such tricks, as confirmed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), is flooding the market with flavoured cigarettes, to ensnare young people because of their sweet-smelling aroma. Flavoured cigarettes with chocolate, cherry, apple and orange flavours are completely outlawed under recently enacted regulations. But they are as widespread as the cigarette brands that are legally allowed to be sold in Nigeria. Flavoured cigarettes are typical examples of illicit cigarettes known as ‘cheap whites’, brands sold illegally by producers who have no legal distribution network and do not pay any taxes.

The menace of illicit trade in tobacco is also aggravated by high taxes and stifling legislation, which often constrict legitimate tobacco business thereby pricing out poor and average income consumers of tobacco products. As a result, they resort to buying from illicit tobacco dealers. Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to search for cheaper alternatives when there is a hike in retail price of cigarette. The cheaper alternatives are mainly provided by the suppliers of the illicit or smuggled products who have avoided paying statutory duties. It amounts to a huge loss to governments, coupled with the harm that consumers are exposed to through consumption of unregulated products.

Recently, the World Customs Organisation, whose members manage 98 per cent of global trade, made an interesting finding on the linkage between tax burden and illicit trade of excisable products. According to the finding, “Experience across both advanced and developing economies demonstrates that the key economic drivers influencing the illicit tobacco trade are excessive tax levels, usually resulting in a sharp decline in cigarette affordability, compounded by weak or no enforcement of existing laws and organised crime’s willingness to supply given the opportunity to gain large profits from tax avoidance.”

On the long run, black market continues to flourish on account of high price occasioned by harsh regulation.

In recent years, the SON has made significant progress in its efforts at combating illicit trade in tobacco by sensitising the general public on the proliferation of brands of cigarette not approved for sale in the Nigerian market. Such efforts by the regulatory bodies in the country should be scaled up in order to discourage patronage of dubious brands and rid the Nigerian market of illicit and contraband tobacco.

Another way by which illicit trade in tobacco can be curtailed is by localising the production of tobacco. Localising production helps to monitor and enforce standards effectively. This also makes the local producers to be more responsible and accountable for the manner in which their products are dispensed.

The task of containing the menace of illicit trade in tobacco is a collective one. No doubt, this can be achieved through full implementation of the NTCA. Akeem Ogunlade, Centre for the Promotion of Enterprise and Business Best Practice, Abuja

16

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

17

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

POLITICS

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

D E M O C R A C Y D AY C O U N T D O W N

Dashed Expectations Two years after, the euphoria that trailed the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari as president appears to have given way to disappointment. Iyobosa Uwugiaren takes a critical look at the performance of the administration

Buhari on inauguration day

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he venue was the popular Eagle Square, Abuja. The invited guests: the young, the old, students, market women/men and others on their feet, singing, dancing and praise-singing their new president’s name, as if they were being controlled by whizzes. But they were.

As he was being driven around in an open vehicle, his followers and admirers rushed forward to record the moment on their phones. It was a momentous, historic event: the swearing-in ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari----two years ago; he was the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria since Nigeria became independence in 1960.

Minutes after the Daura born, army general was sworn in, thousands of excited, thrilled young men and women, who were at the start of the ceremony prevented from gaining access to the venue, loped through the security barriers to the Eagle Square and pressed up against the perimeter fence, cheering their new president.

For those, including this reporter, who witnessed the event two years ago, it was an unambiguous message and reminder that so many impoverished Nigerians were expecting ‘real change’ from the new Administration.

The president apparently got the enthusiastic huge crowd’s message and assured Nigerians of delivery of dividends of democracy. “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”, he emotionally told the cheering crowd at the inauguration, to the consternation of some political investors, who were present at the

event.

The president undertook to bring ‘increased prosperity’ to Nigeria; Buhari vowed to wrestle ‘head on’ the issues of corruption and the act of terrorism by Boko Haram. He said the Nigerian economy was ‘in deep trouble’. He identified insecurity, pervasive corruption and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages as the some of the main challenges.

According to him, the country’s power supply crisis was ‘a national shame’, which had brought ‘darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation’ to Nigerians. He surely entered into a covenant with over 180 million Nigerians on May 29, 2015.

But, two years after, there is near consensus by many Nigerians that the ailing president

But, two years after, there is near consensus by many Nigerians that the ailing president has failed the most populous African country. There are indicators pointing to the ‘monumental let-down’ by the Buhari-led federal government.

has failed the most populous African country.

There are indicators pointing to the ‘monumental let-down’ by the Buhari-led federal government.

In November 2014, when the Independent National Electoral Commission lifted the ban on presidential campaign, one of the respected non-governmental bodies, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa, started observing, tracking and documenting promises made by the presidential candidates of the two major political parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Expectedly, Buhari, who won the presidential election of March 28 2015 under the platform of APC, made several promises during his campaigns. The campaign promises were derived mainly from two documents: APC Manifesto titled ‘An Honest Contract with Nigeria, and ‘My Covenant with Nigerians.’ And in order to make sure that Buhari’s promises during electioneering process were kept and accountability mechanism is instituted, the CDD conceptualised the ‘Buharimeter’, a mechanism designed to address the challenges of governance, civic participation and effective and operational service delivery in Nigeria.

According to the group, the central focus of the initiative is to bridge the existing gap between the government and the governed; and ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered to Nigerians, who overwhelmingly voted for change in the 2015 general election.

Recently, The Buharimeter in line with its mandate published its finding concerning the president’s performance: On corruption, the report admitted the unwholesome image of

the country as corruption sanctuary and the pledge by Buhari to sustain the fight against graft.

Its finding: while 86 per cent of Nigerians were aware of the government’s actions to curb corruption, only 37 per cent said their expectations had been met. Another 63 per cent said the government should do more.

The survey also showed that perception and expectations of the Buhari administration’s war on corruption vary among the six geopolitical zones.

For instance, in the North West, Buhari’s home region, 60.2 per cent said his war on corruption met their expectations. In the South East region, the report showed the least faith in the president’s anti-corruption campaign as only 10.7 per cent of respondents from the region said the president’s anti-corruption war met their expectations.

In the South South region, 20.4 per cent of those surveyed said Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign fell short of their expectations.

The Buharimeter report added that the president’s anti-corruption campaign had been blunted by widespread claim: that it is lopsided and targeted at the members of the opposition PDP and other perceived enemies and that it lacks regard to the rule of law.

This is further accentuated by the feeling that the government does not respect the rule of law and due process in handling culprits, particularly those linked to the previous administration.

In the same report, Buharimeter noted the CONT’D ON NEXT PAGE

18

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

POLITICS

D E M O C R A C Y D AY C O U N T D O W N gloomy economic outlook of the country as source of serious concern across the country.

The record rate of unemployment, inflation, volatile exchange rate and the negative slump in the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), according to figures released by the National Bureau for Statistics, have remained the hallmark of Buhari’s years in office.

These perhaps accounted for the rating of the administration very poorly in economy by many Nigerians. Indeed, a whopping 61.8 per cent of Nigerians said the government had either performed ‘poorly’ or ‘very poorly’ in the management of the economy. Only 10.2 per cent said it had done well in managing the economy while 23 per cent gave it a ‘fair’ rating.

On security, an overwhelming percentage of Nigerians however expressed strong faith in the ability of the Buhari administration to handle the security challenges bedeviling the country. However, this optimistic assessment of the president’s security policies was considerably dampened when respondents were asked to rate the performance of the government in security in its first year in office. Only 37.7 per cent rated the government between ‘good’ and ‘very good’ in security. Conversely, 36.3 per cent believed the government performed either ‘poorly’ or ‘very poorly’ while 24 per cent said the government performance had been fair.

On whether their expectations of the Buhari administration in security were met, 66 per cent said the government needed to do more while 34 per cent said they were satisfied with its performance.

The report however, observed that despite considerable successes made in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East, the sect has not completely lost its capacity to terrorise isolated communities in the region. In addition to the fact that in other parts of the country, the report observed with worry the growing incident of attacks credited to Fulani herdsmen, especially in the North Central region, the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta, and the agitation for the Republic of Biafra in the South East.

Interestingly, the report, which also confirmed findings by other institutions like the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank, seems to have focused on the core elements of good governance: political governance, institutional effectiveness and economic management, which according to the World Bank is measured by the voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.

While some aides and cult-like followers of the president will want us to believe that the president is on course in his efforts to redirect the country from the mistakes of past government, there are strong indicators, which suggested that the Buhari-led administration has failed woefully to rise up to the huge challenges confronting the nation.

The president may mean well for the country, as some of his apostles want the general public to believe; they are also quick to point to his shinning credentials: a man of truthfulness and honour. But experts said that the president has proved to many members of the public that he lacks the capacity to drive the process, which would have crystalized in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the suffering Nigerians.

Buhari and some of his appointees, including the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammmed, stated recently that the APC-led federal government had fulfilled its promise to Nigerians. He said contrary to the allusions in certain quarters that Nigerians were not feeling the impact of the government, a lot had been done in moving the country forward.

“Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse. In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted because we know that the change we promised is real’’, the minister stated.

“In fact, the change we promised is already here, and it is manifesting all around us,” he added.

Stressing his position, the minister said that the federal government had successfully

This is because inceptives for reforms such as political and economic freedoms to associate and articulate oppositional perspective are currently not secured under Buhariled government. Both local and foreign investors are petrified to do legitimate businesses for fear of unknown.

Mohammed...Says Buhari has delivered

stopped the looting of public funds which was responsible for underdevelopment.

He added, “Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away without consequences.

“That explains why funds allocated to the military to fight Boko Haram ended up in the piggy banks of many unscrupulous Nigerians. ‘’Today, all those who looted the public treasury are being made to answer for their actions, as impunity gives way to accountability.

Many have offered to return their loots, and many more are facing charges.”

Mohammed said with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account, funds meant for the federal government were directly paid in and used for development of infrastructure.

According to him, “We promised to diversify the economy away from oil, to ensure that other sectors are able to significantly contribute to sustainable development.

“In June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the more than N500 billion raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from the non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector.

It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared more than N500 billion among the three tiers of government.”

In the area of security, the minister said that the government had successfully crushed the Boko Haram terrorists and not a single territory was being administered by them.

But some key experts have asked: What kind of fulfilment is in a country where there is no peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law?

To be sure, the entire country has remained in an endless cycles of conflict and violence in the last two years, and there appears to be little or no deliberate and sustained efforts to address the issues. There is high level of armed violence and insecurity occasioned by the deadly activities of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, kidnapers and the Fulani herdsmen, which have had a destructive impact on the country’s development, affecting economic growth across the nation. This, according to development experts, is capable of resulting to long flip over grievances for generations.

Indeed, the wide-spreading sexual violence,

The record rate of unemployment, inflation, volatile exchange rate and the negative slump in the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), according to figures released by the National Bureau for Statistics, have remained the hallmark of Buhari’s years in office.

crimes, exploitation and torture in the nation today could be linked to the prevalent conflict or lack of rule of law. In spite of the seemingly crude and rough-and-ready methods being used by the anti-graft agencies and other security agencies to fight crimes, there are no institutional methods or genuinely effort to endorse reduction of corruption, sophisticated crimes, improve state capacity, and deliver services more professionally and effectually.

The unemployment and inflation rates have been on the increase. From 18.55 per cent in December 2016, Nigeria’s inflation rate has increased to 18.72 per cent in January 2017, NBS stated recently. Similarly, the basic necessities of life have remained unavailable to many poor Nigerians. Many small scale businesses have been forced to close shops in the last two years as a result of the suffocating economic policies or lack of direction by the government.

Banks, telecom industries and other sectors have cut down their workforces with nearly 70 per cent. It took the federal government two years to come up with Economic Growth and Recovery Plan to address the critical issues, even when many experts said the economic blueprint was not implementable.

The Buhari’s poor governance indices are explicable because while many experts believe governance reforms have a habit of threatening prevailing power relations: the patronage system through which political advantage is maintained; the patterns of conspiracy through which public resources are diverted to private users are ‘highly political’, the Buhari-led cabinet in the opinion of many, lacks the extraordinary amount of political compromise and technical skills needed to disrupt these systems.

Arguably, there is a strong and resounding verdict by many experts that Buhari is surrounded by unintelligible, incompetent and self-centred economic and political teams and lack of comprehensive programs in place.

Perhaps so: apart from the do-it-yourself methods being employed by the relevant agencies, it is becoming obvious day after day that there is neither institutional capacity to improve the management of the economy and to balance social interests nor a process through which those who benefited from corruption and dirty deals in the past can be weakened, or put into temporary retreat, as is currently being witnessed.

That perhaps explains why in spite of the showboating over the war against corruption by Buhari administration, the global anti-corruption crusader, the Transparency International (TI), recently ranked Nigeria very low in its 2016 global corruption index. The low-ranked countries, including Nigeria, according to TI, are plagued by ‘’untrustworthy and badly functioning public institutions like the police and judiciary.’’

According to TI, even where anti-corruption laws are in places, in practice they are often skirted or ignored. People frequently face situations of bribery and extortion; rely on basic services that have been undermined by the misappropriation of funds; and confront official indifference when seeking redress from authorities that are on the take. This is exactly what is obtained in our country

today: defective and stinking anti-corruption institutions.

The near agreement is that Buhari, as the apex power-holder and decision-maker has failed sadly to take the first step from day one in setting up and sustaining credible reforms. It took him six months, for instance, to constitute his cabinet after he assumed office in 2015.

The president may have made reassuring impact in the area of security and corruption in the estimation of some persons, but it is still business as usual: rent-seeking or old-style political deals.

This is because inceptives for reforms such as political and economic freedoms to associate and articulate oppositional perspective are currently not secured under Buhari-led government. Both local and foreign investors are petrified to do legitimate businesses for fear of unknown.

The Buhari-led government has demonstrated it over and over again that it lacks simple tactics commonly employed by skilled political actors----attempting governance reform using deception – what is ordinarily known as ‘reform by stealth’. Those very familiar with the strategies say they are intended to ‘soften the edge of political conflict by promoting change in the guide of continuity, and to arrange clandestine compensation for groups who perceive reform as a threat’. Acting President Yemi Osibanjo started employing the strategy recently in his attempt to fix agitation by militants in the Niger Delta.

Another critical area many believe the Buhari administration ought to have excelled in line with its promises, is the reform of the nation’s criminal justice system. But the preference by the administration for ad-hoc interventions that are not unsustainable, is very depressing and in many ways a crying reminder of why the criminal justice sector is jinxed. The fallout from this heart-rending situation is the regretful state of the prisons across the country.

The security breaches in many prisons are a strong evidence of a failed prison system for which the highest level of government must take full responsibility.

For example, why would Kuje prison, located in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have a capacity of 560 beds? At the date of the security breach in Kuje Prison some time ago, the prison population was put at 842 comprising 215 convicts and 627 awaiting trial persons. Kuje prison services 107 courts across the FCT with seven vehicles. Three of these vehicles are said to be working on and off.

Like many experts in prison reforms have stated, the tough and possibly unpopular or politically incorrect decisions that need to be made require hands on approach by the president.

The significance interventions, which should include: access to justice programme for prisoners, while taking cognisance of the intrinsic limits in the criminal justice system; improving accommodation and training facilities for prison officers; remodelling prison services; procuring additional vehicles for prisons service; better endowment for prisoner education; vocational training and rehabilitation programmes, have remained unattended to in the past two years.

From all indications, it appears there is little or nothing Buhari administration can do now to change the gear. The election year is here.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

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Quick Takes Medview Aircraft Ready for Hajj

Medview Airline B767 aircraft has returned from a comprehensive maintenance at US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.The aircraft with registration number, 5N-BQN, which was withdrawn from service to undergo scheduled maintenance (C-Check), flew into Lagos airport on Monday and is being prepared for Hajj service. With a capacity of 221 (191 economy and 30 Business class) passengers, the aircraft has now been positioned for the airlift of pilgrims for the Umrah lesser Hajj with the first flight on Thursday, May 25, 2017. The airline will operate its schedule flights to Jeddah from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano for the airlift, while charter flights will be operated from Airports of choice.

The airline is building up capacity in preparation for Dubai route come July 4 , 2017, the expansion to francophone countries and Hajj operations in July.

CAPACITY BUILDING

L-R: Representative, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office, Bahrain, Mr. Abdulrahman Alawadhi; Programme Coordinator/Investment Promotion Expert, Mr. Afif Barhami; Head, UNIDO ITPO Nigeria, Mrs. Adebisi Olumodimu; Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Aliyu Abdulhamid; Executive Director, Technical, NIRSAL, Mr. Jide Arowosafe; and Deputy Head, UNIDO ITPO Nigeria, Hajiya Sefiya Usman, during the UNIDO Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion training for government agencies, in Abuja ... recently

Domestic Airlines Airlift 1.5m Passengers in Q1 2017 Chinedu Eze Nigerian airlines airlifted about 1, 514,616 passengers in the first quarter of 2017, reports from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) revealed.

This is as industry experts have urged the airlines to ensure effective maintenance of their aircraft to sustain current good safety record in the country.

According to the NCAA, domestic airlines operated 10, 366 flights during the period under review, with Air Peace operating the highest number of 3, 262 flights.

The airline airlifted 289,613 inbound passengers and 233,517 outbound passengers, totaling 523, 130, which is about 40 percent of the total passenger movement during the period.

The NCAA also noted that there were a lot of flight

AVIATION delays by both domestic and international airlines in addition to cancelling of high number of flights in the first quarter.

Leading the pack in flight cancellation in the regional and international routes was Arik Air, which recorded 37 out of the total 54 cancelled flights and delayed 244 of the 295 flights it operated on the regional and international routes in the period under review.

The report also showed that international airlines operated a total of 3,033 flights into Nigeria, out of which a total of 1,220 of the 3,033 (40.2 percent) flights were delayed.

Also, a total number of 54 flights, representing 1.7 percent, were cancelled by the 30 airlines

on the regional and international routes in the quarter.

Out of the 54 cancelled flights, Arik Air had 37, which represented 68.5 percent of cancelled flights within the period. Asky Airlines had two cancelled flights; British Airways, one; Cronos Air, one; Delta Air Lines, three; Ethiopian Airline, one; Kenya Airways, one; Lufthansa, one; Med-View Airways, three; South African Airways, two and Virgin Atlantic Airways, two. Air Peace, Aero Contractors, African World, Air Cote D’Ivoire, Air France, Camair-Co, Dana Air, Egypt Air, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Meridiana, Middle East, Qatar, Royal Air Marco, Rwandair, Saudi Air, Sudan Airlines and Turkish Airlines, which operate on the regional route, had no cancelled flights within the period.

While Air Peace delayed

seven of its 36 flights out of Nigeria in the first quarter, the NCAA report said Arik Air led in the number of delayed flights.

It delayed 244 of its 295 flights on the regional and international routes.

Meanwhile, industry experts have called on the airlines to sustain the current safety record being enjoyed in the country by ensuring that they keep to the maintenance standard of their aircraft types, notwithstanding the forex challenges and the high cost of maintenance.

The former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the Secretary of Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Ojikutu, said that cutting corners in terms of maintenance is a Continued on page 20

Nigeria’s Domestic Fish Production Gains Traction on Declining Piracy per cent year-on-year(y/y). Data reduced slightly to 1.0 million

Eromosele Abidun

Following the measures put in place by the federal government to tackle piracy and investment in agriculture, local fish production has continued to witness a significant boost, growing by 0.8 per cent at the end of last year.

The agriculture sector continues to play an important role in Nigeria’s economy and is a key part of the federal government’s plans to attain sustainable economic growth.

Within the sector, the fisheries

MARITIME

segment delivered a growth rate of 5.9 per cent year-on-year (y/y) in 2015.

However, in second quarter (Q2) 2016, it contracted for the first time in over five years. This, analysts said was not surprising given that the country’s macroeconomic challenges resulted in a general slowdown across all sectors.

Meanwhile, the latest gross domestic products (GDP) figures showed that fisheries have recovered as it grew by 0.8

from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that artisanal production accounted for around 76.8 per cent of the 1.04 million tonnes of fish produced in 2015.

Industrial (trawling) fish farming accounted for only eight per cent of the total, indicating that commercial fisheries are still largely untapped. A recent data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed that annual national supply has increased to 1.1 million metric tonnes (mmt) from 800 metric tonnes.

The supply gap has, however,

metric tonnes.

“Based on our estimates, Nigeria’s annual fish import bill has now declined by 42 per cent. We attribute the boost in annual fish production to the progress made as a result of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) import substitution policy.

“To assist with improving fish farming activities, the CBN provided a N2 billion long term facility under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme to Triton Aqua (an Indian aquaculContinued on page 20

Etihad Wins Awards

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, has tasted success at the Insights Middle East Call Centre Awards.The annual competition is now in its 12th year and sets the regional benchmark for remote customer interaction success. The airline collected two prestigious awards at the ceremony held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai on May16, 2017. They were awarded with Best Large Call Centre for their three UAE Contact Centres and Call Centre Manager of the Year awarded to Ahmed Murshed, the Al Ain Contact Centre Manager.Head of Global Contact Centres for Etihad Airways, Ruth Birkin, said: “I am delighted that the team has again been recognised for their service quality and their commitment to constantly developing the services we offer further. As well as providing tailored solutions to guests, we’re always looking for ways how we can improve business efficiencies while continuing to provide high-quality services to our passengers and trade partners around the world.” The airline operates four contact centres including two in Al Ain and one in Abu Dhabi, plus a further facility in Manchester in the UK. The Al Ain Keshi Pearl and Abu Dhabi contact centres operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and employ multi-lingual staff from all over the world. The other unit at Al Ain is called the Black Pearl centre and opened in 2011. In line with the company philosophy of Emiratisation, it is wholly managed and operated

by Emirati ladies. The female only environment of the Black Pearl makes it possible for ladies to work and develop their careers, whilst maintaining a sustainable work and home balance, which is supportive of their family and cultural consideration.

Ahmed Murshed, Al Ain Contact Centre Manager for Etihad Airways, said: “It is an honour to have received the award but it’s one that has been supported by the hard work of all the teams in Al Ain. We will continue to drive the performance of the contact centres for the benefit of the company while supporting our guests with quality services as they make their travel plans on the airline’s network.”

LCCI Lauds Executive Orders

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has commended the recently signed Executive Orders by the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to help improve ease of doing business in the country. The LCCI President, Mrs. Nike Akande, said in a statement that the three main pillars of the executive orders , which includes Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment, support for local contents in public procurement by the federal government, and efficient operation and implementation of the federal budget, have been key focus areas of LCCI advocacy campaign over the last few years.

According to Akande, “the executive orders will impact the ease of doing business, fast-trackbudgetary administration as well as promote made in Nigeria products. Thus, we urge the Government to ensure that stipulated timelines are strictly adhered to by all the parties affected by the orders.

“I accept criticism, genuine or mischievous. They help me to do my work “

Minister of State, Aviation

Senator Hadi Sirika

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD DOMESTIC AIRLINES AIRLIFT 1.5M PASSENGERS IN Q1 2017 major challenge for Nigerian airlines because of the present cash crunch in the country, noting that “the talk about old or new aircraft does not matter; that what matters is maintenance.”

Speaking in the same vein, a former CEO of Nigeria Airways Limited and currently the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Skypower Express Airways, Captain Mohammed Joji said that there is nothing like old aircraft when it is properly maintained, noting that what is always important is how properly an airline maintains its fleet.

According to him, “An old aircraft is as good as new when it is properly maintained but a new aircraft is as bad as old aircraft when it is not properly maintained. All aircraft are new when they are properly maintained and you could be operating them until you are tired or you change them for economic reasons.”

NIGERIA’S DOMESTIC FISH PRODUCTION GAINS TRACTION ON DECLINING PIRACY ture firm operating in Nigeria).

We understand that Triton Aqua has partnered with a few state governments to provide the necessary technology that would encourage aquaculture.

The forward steps towards self-sufficiency in fisheries are laudable. However, structural issues such as power shortages, poor access to finance and challenges with logistics amongst others still exist,” said analysts at FBN Quest. The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, recently said Nigeria was targeting 100 piracy-free 2017.

He said Nigeria hopes to move to 90 per cent in international security compliance rating after the visit of the Coast Guards (United States) to inspect Nigeria’s systems.

Explaining the new security ratings of the agency, Peterside said the rating had moved from nine per cent before the new board came in to 97 per cent at the end of 2016.

Group Business Editor

NEWS

CPC, AFBTE to Develop Acceptable Compensation Code for Aggrieved Consumers Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), have in a move to provide succour to aggrieved consumers of beverages and food, agreed to raise a technical committee to develop a mutually acceptable compensation code to address consumer abuse in the sector.

The decision to set up the technical committee was taken during a courtesy call of the association on the new Director General of CPC, Mr. Tunde Irukera, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.

Irukera, while commenting on the decision, observed that the code would modify the attitude and responses of the 100 industries that are members of the association to complaints of aggrieved consumers in the sector.

He hinted that “the reality is that we have an aggressive consumer protection agency which frankly we must have, regardless of whatever approach one must take to protect the consumer and we have a responsibility to protect the consumer, to the extent of coming up with an approach that is in the interest of those consumers.

“So having to use a compensation policy as an example, if a consumer were to complain about a product, claiming that it made him ill, we could obviously come together and work with an acceptable methodology that would be fairer and more predictable across the board, rather than when a complaint occurs

and gets out of hand... if we work together, we can come up with something that would be acceptable across the board and you can go and percolate it as a kind of voluntary guide, and whoever doesn’t want to abide by it, that’s okay, but at least we should have something that we can work with. And in that regard we will be happy to work with you on mutually acceptable implementations and come up with key issues in respect to consumer protection” he said.

The CPC boss said the Council would be willing to collaborate effectively with the association because of its widespread influence in almost every home.

“I have found that professional and trade associations like this, when they are very strong, are perhaps the best partners because you can affect consumers far more when you come to some understanding with the association and they go back to enforce it within

themselves than dealing with each member, ” he noted.

Irukera while asserting that he would always respect individual brands and their prerogative to protect themselves, emphasised that “integrity of your brand is also in the interest of Consumer Protection Council because anything that affects the integrity of your brand also affects consumer confidence.

“Certainly, one thing the Council will want to promote is consumer confidence. We want consumers to be confident

of choices they make and the products they consume.

It will be helpful also when there are issues to work on to recognise that we are on the same page with respect to brand confidence. That flows from the point I want to make with respect to fake products, we can approach that in a collaborative way in the sense that we would like to protect the integrity of your brand so that we are sure consumers are getting the right products”, he added.

ADVOCATING COACHING IN BUSINESS

Managing Director, PZ Cussons Family Care, Alex Goma; Chief Executive Officer, Theta Alpha Consults Limited, Titi Akinsanya; President, International Coaching Federation, Nigeria chapter, Jibola Ponnle and Regional Human Resources Director, PZ Cussons Group, Africa, Folake Joyce Coker, during the 2017 edition of International Coaching Week, held in Lagos…recently

SON Destroys N450m Worth of Substandard Products Jonathan Eze The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has destroyed fake and substandard products valued at over N450 million, in a move to prevent access to such items in the markets and discourage activities of importers of such products.

The Director-General, (SON), Osita Aboloma, vowed that SON will not relent in its fight against fake and substandard goods, stressing that the products were

intercepted and impounded by the agency’s compliance and enforcement team located at various points across the country particularly in Lagos.

Aboloma during the destruction exercise yesterday, which took place at the agency’s dumpsite in Epe, Lagos State, told THISDAY, that substandard goods are dangerous to lives, properties and the nation’s economic health, and called on all stakeholders including the media to join in

the campaign to get rid of such products wherever they exist in the country.

“We are destroying these substandard products worth over N450 million. These products have been labelled substandard after we carried out due diligence and conformity assessment to requisite standards on them,” he said.

According to him, the products failed the conformity and integrity tests, maintaining that the decision to destroy them

was to save lives and property of Nigerians who may fall prey to these killer-products if allowed to circulate. “The substandard products we are destroying today ranges from bulbs, cables, tyres, shaving sticks and aluminum coils among others. We decided to perform the destruction exercise on two sites-Ogba and Epe. We are destroying especially the expired tyres and bad aluminium coils at our Ogba

warehouse. The tyres and coils require specialised mechanical equipment as well as special handling for their destruction as their particles could be recycled and useful for other industrial purposes,” the Director General added. He noted that the destruction is a clear signal to all and sundry particularly purveyors, importers and dealers in fake and substandard products that Nigeria is no longer a dumping ground for substandard products.

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

… Urges Companies to Adopt Environmentally-friendly Policies

Comms/e-Business Editor

Jonathan Eze

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Crusoe Osagie Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged companies, especially manufacturers, to adopt policies and practices that protect and sustain the environment.

Speaking at the ISO 14001:12 sensitisation programme held in Lagos on Tuesday, Executive Trainer, SON, said adoption of globally accepted environmental practices or standards not only improved business efficiency but also increased profitability.

“Environmental management is necessary because each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic

yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water. Again, every time a ton of steel is recycled, it means 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,000 pounds of coal, and 40 pounds of limestone will not have to be mined from the earth,” Abna said at the event, which brought together representatives of manufacturing firms in Nigeria.

According to him, it was important for Nigerian manufacturers to adopt and implement the globally accepted ISO 14001:2015 framework, as it provided a framework for holistic and strategic approach to an organisation’s environmental

policy, plans and actions.

“The benefits of implementing the ISO 14001:2015 framework include increased efficiency in the use of energy and resources and reduction in waste outputs,” he stated.

He regretted that 20 percent of world’s people lacked access to safe water supply when many Nigerians allowed drips from faucets, which could waste up to 50 gallons of water every day, enough to run a dishwater twice.

“There is so much air, water and soil pollution going on, owing to our activities. We are taking in a lot of fumes and heavy metals in a mega

city like Lagos. The gases are supposed to churn out carbon monoxidefor trees so that they can give us oxygen to breathe but there is always a lot of mixtures with the carbon monoxide,” he said.

“This is why you hear people suffering from all forms of cancer. If you breathe the air in Lagos and go to another city and breathes its air, you will most certainly notice the difference,” he stated. He said the biggest solution to challenges facing the environment was an adoption of sound environmental management system (EMS), defined as a system put in place that kept things

running smoothly.

He identified low commitment to implementation of environmental laws, conflict among the federal/state/local governments due to overlapping functions, obsolete laws, economic sabotage, and low technological advancement as major challenges frustrating effective environmental protection in Nigeria.

“If we all decide to recycle the papers we use, the impact of the environment will be enormous. Nigeria is sitting on trillion cubics of gas but we refuse to harness them and rather prefer to cut down trees as firewood,” he said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Small-scale Entrepreneurs Get Boost RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Government has signed an agreement with the Bank of Industry (BoI) for the release of N2billion to be granted to small scale entrepreneurs in the state as loans.

The Commissioner for Investment and Cooperative, Hajia Ramatu Yaardua who disclosed this at the opening of the 15th Niger state domestic trade fair in Minna said all the necessary arrangements for the release of the loan had been completed.

“The intention of government is to use this facility to boost small and medium enterprises

thereby creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state”.

Yaardua said the list of beneficiaries had been compiled while a consultant had been engaged to handle the disbursement of the loan.

She disclosed that the government has established a financing agency for cooperatives for easy access to loans and other facilities by the organisations.

“The state government has opened several other windows for small scale and big enterprises to explore for the growth of their businesses”.

In his opening speech, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello

expressed appreciation to the state Chamber of Commerce for collaborating with his administration to improve the business climate in the state.

He said that his administration would continue to support the private sector, adding: “We will create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.”

The president of the state chamber of commerce Alhaji Umar Bakkai said the chamber has appointed the governor as its ‘life vice president’ because of what he described as the “ satisfactory performance of the governor in the economic sector of the state”.

Marketing Communications Key to Driving the African Narratives, Says Ufot Group Managing Director of SO&U Limited, Mr. Udeme Ufot, has reiterated the significant role marketing communicators can play in reshaping the outlook of Africa’s historical and cultural values.

He stated this in a paper titled: “Brands and Cultural Diversity: The Reality of the Threat” delivered at the just concluded African Cristal Festival Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, where he was appointed a creative juror and speaker. Ufot threw some light on the impact of colonisation, industrial revolution, adoption of western education and technology with emphasis on digital revolution which has unleashed an unprecedented

level of access to information across the continent.

He stated: “The internet and various forms of social media have made the world a more global community than it has ever been with both filtered and unfiltered information finding its way into African communities.

This free flow of information in the new media age and brand communications delivered in highly westernised symbols, imagery, tonality and style has almost displaced African world views, societal norms, standards of moral behaviour and cultural values.”

Ufot posited that advertising and marketing creativity can play a strong role both in shaping and redefining Africa’s

cultural evolution along its own unique patterns.

He highlighted the need for African creativity to find its voice, an identity and a creative flavour of its own that will be recognised and respected by the international creative community as our creativity does not have to be overtly western to be world class.

Recalling the reassuring examples from the creative industries across Africa, he noted that for instance: “Nigerian music has taken the world by storm. The African print, better known by Nigerians as Ankara, has become a hot fashion item globally, thanks to the dynamism of Nigerian fashion designers.

Firm Promises Business Transformation for Insurance Industry Raheem Akingbolu Leading insurance software solutions company, 3i-Infotech Ltd, has reiterated its commitment to the service of the insurance industry and practice in the country through the provision of core insurance application with cutting edge technology.

Assistant Vice President & Regional Business Leader for West Africa, 3i-Infotech, Mr. Saurav Verma, made the disclosure in his opening remarks at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the company, tagged PREMIA Conclave that PREMIA range of software solutions is tailor made for the insurance industry.

The forum, which held in Lagos was attended by Insurance industry stakeholders including top level and middle level executives drawn from leading insurance companies including Royal Exchange Assurance Company, Law Union and Rock Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance, FBN Insurance, WAPIC and Zenith Insurance, among others.

According to him, PREMIA offers end to end business process of Life and Non Life Insurance companies including Traditional and Takaful,

covering underwriting, claims, Re-insurance and Financial Accounting along with the digital platform keeping an eye on the future demands of the industry.

“We at 3i-Infotech have more than 120 plus customers globally using our PREMIA application; we have over 50 customers in the Africa region. The idea of the PREMIA Conclave is part of our commitment to the growth and development of insurance practice in the country. It is a platform to bring all our customers under one roof.

We listen to their issues, any problems that they are facing which we try to take corrective measures on. We also announce any new developments that we are doing around PREMIA and what we offer in terms of after sales support as well.

“There are many applications in the market but PREMIA is the market leader as far as Africa and the Middle East are concerned, 3i-Infotech is a global information technology company based in India and we have a lot of domain expertise, required tool and skill set for rapid project implementation.

PREMIATM is our flagship product for insurance vertical,” Verma stated.

He also revealed that the after sales support is being

streamlined and enhanced to suit the growing business needs of customers. He further added that there are 500 resources working in insurance vertical at 3i-Infotech managing PREMIA as a product and project including people from the technology and domain.

While disclosing that 3iInfotech has customers in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and North Africa, he stated that all the company’s experiences and knowledge of local implementation, local regulation and the domain experience which the company has help to offer a total customer experience in form of PREMIA. He added that that this is what gives his company a competitive advantage that helps the growth and development of the insurance industry in Nigeria.

In his presentation at the event, Vice President, Global Sales, Middle East and Africa, 3i-Infotech Mr. Snehal Desai, explained that “The PREMIA 11 has the digital platform along with it in terms of the mobility, the B2B portal, B2C portal, the business intelligence and the document management workflow. The entire work process of an insurance company is automated by PREMIA., he concluded.

Robert Mbonu

Effective Risk Reporting – Moving Forward

R

isk and how it is managed and reported in the private and public sector has been under a constant spotlight in recent years. A series of high-profile corporate failures and incidents had already increased the interest in risk reporting in the early 2000s, but the financial crisis of 2007–8 drove the issue to the top of the agenda for employees, regulators and investors.

There is a general view that the raised profile of risk reporting in the financial sector is having a trickle-down effect on other sectors. Some sectors are inherently more risky than others but, although internal risk management is well developed, it does not necessarily follow that risk reporting is equally advanced. There is no doubt that the financial crisis had helped to bring the discussion of risk in all sectors out of the boardroom and into the public arena.

It is a fact that decisions to pursue opportunities are regularly made in the boardroom. In making strategic decisions about taking opportunities, it is frequently the case that personalities will prevail, and pressure will be made to rush the decision making because the chance to maximise the returns disappear with each passing minute.

Many decision makers and entrepreneurs naturally weigh threats and opportunities, and do a mental assessment of risks, but lack the words and structure to explain it.

When that thought process is translated into a visible process that can be communicated to all stakeholders, there will be much better engagement internally and externally.

Reporting risk information has become necessary. It is an important part of the communication process, and often gets missed in the decision making process. Along with more rigorous identification and measurement of broad organisational risks, improved reporting of the risks is needed so that managers and other stakeholders can more effectively consider those risks, and make more informed decisions.

Appropriate external disclosure of organisational risks and risk management initiatives in financial reports promotes trust, openness and transparency. It allows shareholders and financial analysts to properly value company shares. Improved and voluntary disclosures make capital allocation more efficient, thereby reducing the average cost of capital, decreasing price volatility and enhancing securities liquidity.

Customer loyalty may also increase as a result of better media publicity.

The quality and success of risk reporting is dependent on various critical factors which include inputs and processes. Inputs relate to the stakeholder risk reporting requirements and expectations, such as regulatory requirements, investors’ and customers’ expectations, etc. These requirements and expectations, along with the various risks the organisation is facing, such as strategic, operational, reporting, and compliance risks, represent the most important inputs to the risk reporting process.

Effective risk reporting should then ultimately lead to greater overall organisational success and increased shareholder value (outcomes).

Providing a cause-and-effect format of the various risk reporting activities helps managers understand the value they are receiving from the organisation’s risk reporting efforts.

Risk reporting also provides critical feedback to the risk management process and constitutes an

important element in strategic planning. Although risk management continues throughout the year to accomplish strategic and tactical objectives and allow modification of plans as factors change, strategic planning uses risk reports to develop strategic objectives and strategies.

Reporting on risks and risk management will need to be tailored to the requirements and focus of the various stakeholders, whether internal or external.

Internal audiences for risk reporting include the board of directors, the audit and internal control steering committees, senior management, other managers, employees, and integrated supply chain partners. The interests of these various internal constituents vary both in scope and the detail of required risk information.

For improved strategic planning, execution and more informed and improved operational decision- making, these primary internal audiences and decision- makers must receive comprehensive risk reports covering strategic, operational, reporting, and compliance risks, detailed when reported on a real-time basis, and aggregated when reported periodically.

External constituents want more information about corporate activities. Stakeholders expect and demand increased corporate risk disclosure to improve their various decisions.

This requires effective external reporting of the risks the organisation is facing, and of the management team’s plans to capitalise on emerging opportunities or to minimise the risk of failures.

It should be made clear that whilst risk management might exist in all decision making processes, there is huge benefit from a structure and process that allows consistent and impartial assessment, response and reporting on risk management. This will in turn give stakeholders greater confidence in the resilience of the organisation to respond to change and challenges.

With the growing awareness of risk management as a discipline, dedicated risk management teams and new regulations place a huge emphasis on risk and its reporting.

Both private and public sector organisations have to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse range of stakeholders. That means risk is no longer treated solely as a financial calculation.

Indeed, while the finance function and its related departments – particularly internal audit and treasury – clearly maintain a huge role in risk management, it is increasingly the norm for organisations to look more broadly at non-financial factors and embed them at an operational level.

Risk reporting therefore becomes effective when it provides investors’ confidence – about the economy and companies operating within.

Greater disclosure of risks should not be viewed as a weakness and threat; but a chance to demonstrate the strength of an entity’s controls and management, which could be a government or organisation.

•Mbonu, FERP, CIRM(UK), HCIB, MsRM (Stern), studied Engineering, is an experienced Banker and Enterprise Risk Management professional. Earned a post graduate degree in Risk Management from New York University Stern School of Business, and is a member of the Institute of Risk Management -UK. Can be reached on 09092092046 (SMS Only); email: rm4riskmgt@gmail.com

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

AIR WATCH

Dana Promotes Entrepreneurship with Reality TV Show Stories by Chinedu Eze Dana Air has introduced youth development and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and has started a partnership with Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) Reality TV Show.

This was disclosed by the Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa, who explained that the airline is also partnering Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN), to identify budding entrepreneurs with exceptional ideas and help showcase their potential to the world.’ “As a responsible corporate organisation, we are committed to helping young entrepreneurs actualise their aspirations and we believe there is no better way to reduce crime rate, and unemployment than

supporting initiatives like this.’’

He noted that the airline has been in the forefront of youth development in Nigeria and only recently, the airline introduced special fares for members of the National Youth Service Corps and students as part of the airline’s way of supporting the efforts of the government and their parents. Also, commenting on the partnership, the Regional Manager of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, Mrs. Joy Michael who said that Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs and its 12 million members, is where the world connects with Africa’s young and fast growing number of entrepreneurs. A.Y.E has successfully expanded to 20 African countries including the United States and England with world’s most successful businessmen and women as the

trustee honorary members and executives to the organisation.

She stated that A.Y.E in the last four years has identified, showcased and equipped budding and emerging entrepreneurs with relevant resources to either commence or scale up their businesses.’’

Michael said: “Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) is happy that one of Nigeria’s most creative and youthconscious airline Dana Air, is partnering with us and we encourage other well-meaning brands to come on board, as this promises to be bigger and exciting. The reality show is to influence start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprise to see the possibility of venturing into new business opportunities and scaling their existing businesses.’’

Emirates Group Records 29th Year of Profit In its 2016-2017 financial year, the biggest Middle East carrier, Emirates Group has announced its 29th consecutive year of profit and steady business expansion, despite a turbulent year for aviation and travel industry.

The Emirates Group posted an AED 2.5 billion ($ 670 million) profit for the financial year ending March 21, 2017, down 70 percent from last year’s record profit. The Group’s revenue reached AED 94.7 billion ($ 25.8 billion), an increase of 2 percent over last year’s results, and the Group’s cash balance decreased by 19 percent to AED 19.1 billion ($ 5.2 billion) mainly due to the repayment of two bonds on maturity and ongoing high investments into its fleet and aircraft related assets.

The company said that in line with the current business climate and to support the future investment plans of the Group, no dividend payment would be made to the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) for 2016-17.

Commenting on the result, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Emirates and dnata (a subsidiary of the group) have continued to deliver profits and grow the business, despite 2016-17 having been one of our most challenging years to date.

“Over the years, we have invested to build our business capabilities and brand reputation. We now reap the benefits

as these strong foundations have helped us to weather the destabilising events which have impacted travel demand during the year - from the Brexit vote to Europe’s immigration challenges and terror attacks, from the new policies impacting air travel into the US, to currency devaluation and funds repatriation issues in parts of Africa, and the continued knock-on effect of a sluggish oil and gas industry on business confidence and travel demand.”

According to a statement from the company, in 201617, the Group collectively invested AED 13.7 billion ($ 3.7 billion) in new aircraft and equipment, the acquisition of companies, modern facilities, the latest technologies, and staff initiatives.

Delta Brings Global Junior Achievement Partnership to Africa Delta Air Lines said it has expanded its global support of Junior Achievement (JA) by partnering with the organisation in Africa.

The airline said it would sponsor JA Africa’s Innovation Camps and Company of the Year (COY) programmes in Lagos, Nigeria, and Dakar, Senegal, over the next 12 months.

“We have seen the benefits young people gain from Junior Achievement initiatives and extending Delta’s association to more of our global markets will enable a greater number of students to achieve their academic and career goals,” said Delta’s Commercial Director East and West Africa, Bobby Bryan.

“We are looking forward to working with the organization and hopefully inspiring more young people to consider a career in aviation,” he added.

The airline explained that the COY programme is the signature showcase for both JA

and the high school students who complete the initial JA Company Program®.

It explained that the annual event allows young people to demonstrate in a competitive environment how their business and entrepreneurial acumen would engage business, education and policy leaders.

The Company Programme empowers groups of young people aged 15-19 to set up and run a real business over the course of an academic year. They make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name and product, to creating a business plan, managing their finances and selling their products. The winners from the Lagos and Dakar national competitions, along with twelve other countries where the scheme runs, will be invited to take part in the African final later this year in Johannesburg.

“We are honoured to have received this grant from Delta

Air Lines. Delta has been among JA’s strongest supporters globally, contributing significantly to our mission around the world.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Delta to promote youth economic empowerment in Africa” said Elizabeth Bintliff, CEO of JA Africa.

JA’s Innovation Camps, meanwhile, provide a forum for students to address a specific business challenge and work in groups to find ways to overcome the issue at hand. During the one-day camp, the team members may not know each other but will have to adapt quickly and find out how to work together most efficiently and effectively.

Through this, they learn new skills including problem solving, communication, team building and troubleshooting. The Innovation Camps offer an experiential learning environment for students based on a real-life business situation.

What Hope for Ex-Nigeria Airways Workers

S

ince 2004 the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) was liquidated by the federal government, the workers of the once one of Africa’s greatest carriers have clamoured for pay off, as the airline’s liquidation was a decision taken by Nigeria’s government.

With the pay off, labour issues concerning the defunct airline would be permanently settled, but this was not to be 13 years after NAL went under.

THISDAY learnt that some years ago, the workers weregivenfiveyearsretirementpaymentafterthe liquidation but they rightly demanded for pay off, and after so many years of agitation, there seems to be hope that the ex-Nigeria Airways workers would get their pay. This was after several years the labour unions had cried themselves hoarse, obstructed aviation activities on behalf of the workers and risked their lives and their jobs. This was also after some of the ex-workers had died in penury and or lost their loved ones because they had no money to care for them.

THISDAY learnt on Tuesday that the corpse of one of the seasoned pilots of Nigeria Airways (name withheld) is still in the mortuary many months after his demise because the children of the deceased could not pay for the cost of the mortuary service and burial. He died poor and his body has continued to suffer deprivation occasioned by poverty.

But there seems to be hope, really.THISDAYlearnt that when the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika was appointed, he sped up the process of the pay off for the ex-NAL workers. His efforts yielded fruit as N87 billion was earmarked for the settlement of the former workers, most of whom are now geriatric personalities with their good experiences a remote memory of distant past.

THISDAY investigation disclosed that the money was calculated and processed by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. In the recommendation made after the money was budgeted, it was stated that the Accountant General should disburse the money with administrative fee of one percent of the total sum, which comes up to N735 million.

THISDAY learnt that while the plans to pay this money was on, the Presidential Initiative for the Continuous Audit (PICA) stepped in and cut the money to N43 billion and upped the administrative fee to N2.1 billion.

The calculations of the pay off that came up to N78 billion included 10 years arrears of pension and 10 years of advance payment, which would finally rest all labour issues concerning the defunct Nigeria Airways. But PICA removed 10 years arrears of pension, insisting that only N43 billion would be paid.

THISDAY spoke with two senior officials of the then Nigeria Airways Limited: Dr. Godwin Olu Jibodu, who was Director of Engineering and Dr. Steve Mahonwu who was Controller of Personnel Services. The workers have renewed their agitation, insisting that the 10 years arrears of pension which was removed by PICA should be restored and also the ex-workers are kicking against the collection of N2.1 billion as administrative fees.

“We are worried about the report, which stated that approval has been given for the payment of the ex-workers of Nigeria Airways. In the recommendation, N78 billion is to be paid; also one percent of the money to be paid as administrative charge. There is also in the recommendation that the office of the Accountant General should disburse this money.

Jibodu said the ex-workers were aware that the Presidential Initiative for the Continuous Audit was the one which audited the total package of the emolument of the ex-Nigerian Airways workers

Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika

and had recommended N43 billion instead of the N78 billion.

He noted that the office (PICA) said that the arrears of the pension should not be paid and explained that the N78 billion was made up of 10 years arrears of pension that was not paid since 2009. Then the 10 years of payment of pension, which means for life any worker of former Nigeria Airways would not ask anything from the federal government.

“So what PICA is doing now in its recommendation is that it has removed the 10 years arrears of the pension, advising the government only to pay 10 years advance of payment. So what we are saying, number one; they have no right to remove the arrears because we are genuinely entitled to it. The second point is that PICA while reducing the payment from N78 billion to N43 billion increased administrative fees, from one percent, which comes up to N735 million to N2.1 billion, which means they did not take recourse to the percentage. So when they cut down the amount they did not cut the administrative fee; rather, they increased it,” Dr Jibodu said.

The workers are also kicking against PICA’s insistence that it would disburse the money and no more the office of the accountant general.

Mahonwu also noted that before PICA stepped in, the government did not consider the line of action of removing 10 years of arrears.

“They approved the total amount as submitted by the Ministry of Transportation. PICA which did not contribute anything for us now wants to partake in it and benefit hugely from it. PICA is a presidential audit firm; auditors all over the world don’t take compensation. What PICA is doing is causing commotion and delay and people are dying every day.

They are taking N2.1 billion as administrative charge.

They are not going to take it from the given N43 billion but we are looking at the morality there. It is expected that if you reduce the money to be paid from N78 billion to N43, it is expected that they should reduce the administrative charges but they now jerked it up,” Mahonwu said.

According to a well-worn cliché, when two elephants fight, the grasses suffer. The jostling between the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and PICA is delaying the pay off. Meanwhile, Sirika, who steered this to fruition, is insisting the ex-workers must be paid N78 billion. It is expected that government should expedite action on the pay off to before more ex- NAL workers are taken to their early grave.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

National Carrier: FG Treads the Old Path

There were reports last week that the federal government has appointed transaction advisers for the establishment of a national carrier and a facility maintenance and aircraft leasing company at the cost of N1.524 billion.Chinedu Eze writes that government’s decision to engage foreign firms to provide advisory services for a national airline may be counterproductive

to take advantage of the teeming population of Nigeria’s international travellers, Nigeria ought to establish a national carrier. He argued that the government having a stake in such airline would earn it respect in the comity of nations.

“Nigeria is the most connected country in Africa and now it is the number one economy in Africa. And you could see that these economies that are well connected by air are also places where the economies are fast growing. Now look at Nigeria, all the connections from Nigeria are not Nigerian carriers. So if we say that we should keep out other carriers and rely only on Nigerian carriers, Nigerian carriers do not fly to more than 15 destinations globally. This is why we need a national airline.”

But industry experts have noted that the major reason why many people oppose the establishment of national carrier is that from the hindsight, aviators and other industry observers are convinced that a national carrier cannot work in Nigeria, as long as government has stakes in it. They believe that the Nigerian system and Nigerians do not have the discipline not to interfere in an entity that is partly, if not fully owned by government.

Late last year, at Aviation Round Table (ART) meeting in Lagos, the former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, warned that government should not embark on the project of establishing a national carrier; unless it would be able to ensure corporate governance and insulate it from undue interferences from government agencies and other concerned interests.

“I want to say this; you know there is a topic going on in Nigeria about the establishment of a national airline, we have gone through that many times and there are people who have tried to do it also. I just want to say one word, it is not that it is impossible but there is one point, if you know you won’t do it right, don’t do it.

There is need for good corporate governance.

If you don’t have good corporate governance; don’t go into it,” he advised.

Many people are opposed to the establishment of a national carrier in Nigeria, why?

They believe that any business enterprise in Nigeria where government has stakes never works. Others argue that government should empower indigenous airlines by supporting them and providing them the platform to grow bigger and operate profitably with government’s full backing without having stakes in them.

However, going by the fact that since the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited was liquidated in 2004, Nigeria has not got any bearing in aviation development, from manpower development, lack of maintenance facility to the failure of having robust airlines that could compete with major carriers in operating international destinations.

Many believe that having a national carrier would provide the platform for the development of the aviation sector. But can the country have a national carrier that will not have government’s control? This is a question begging for answer.

Going by the report last week, it is not unlikely that government would not have stakes in the planned national carrier. It wants to experiment on public, private partnership (PPP), which is the modern way of government is ceding parts of its responsibility to the private sector in providing social amenities, infrastructure and critical enterprise meant to serve the citizenry.

But there have been efforts to establish a national carrier since the last six years with the engagement of foreign partners and such efforts failed woefully.

Foreign Partnership According to a report last week, the federal government had approved the appointment of transaction advisers for the proposed national carrier and concession of the nation’s airports.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika while addressing state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last week noted that the transaction advisers were as follows, “Messrs Lufthansa Consulting/ TN Aero FGE, for the national carrier; for the aviation leasing company, it is Messrs Arrow; for the concession of airports, Messrs Infrata Dantens; for the establishment of the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), Messrs Arrow; then, the aerotropolis and agro cargo terminals were given to JEBB. “All of these were at different amounts but the total sum is N1.524bn. Council had graciously approved and these will signal the kick-start of all of the activities within the transportation and aviation industry,” said Sirika.

Industry observers in reaction to the appointment remarked that government has already appointed foreigners, arguing that there are Nigerian organisations that can actually do these and recalled that similar steps taken by government in the past failed.

However, a source told THISDAY that Nigeria may not have such transaction advisers and recalled that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank was engaged during the time of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President to oversee the privatisation of the Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL), which was later liquidated by that administration.

Transparency But the major challenge that dogged the plan to establish a national carrier in the past, which the present effort seems to have exposed itself to, is the inability of the gladiators behind the plan to carry everybody along.

Informed source concerned and eager to have a national carrier told THISDAY that out of nine times, efforts were made to have a national carrier that failed; seven of such efforts were wrapped in secrecy, including that of the immediate past administration and stressed that the everything must be done transparently.

Also the failure to carry Nigerians along on this plan to establish a national carrier has given rise

Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika

to speculations. There have been unconfirmed reports that the federal government might use Arik Air and Aero Contractors to establish a national carrier because of their stakes in the airlines, which prompted their take over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). Although inside source have denied this report but it continues to gain traction over time due to a seeming hide and sick game being played by those determined to establish a national carrier.

Govt Stakes In fact, THISDAY learnt that government may consider transferring the debts Arik owed AMCON and invariably the federal government into shares, which would give it substantial stakes in the airline and from there whelp a national carrier. But an aviation insider and analyst said: “If government takes that share it will be substantial. If government has such substantial shares, the company will be under government control and people won’t invest in it. But the federal government may not go that route. I will be surprised if it does.

“Government is not supposed to own more than 10-15 percent shares. Any planned carrier where government will have more than that number of stakes will fail. This is because of the way people perceive the Nigerian government. We don’t have the discipline of government running business. In Ethiopia Airlines government does not interfere. We don’t have such discipline. Here government interferes, starting from influencing appointments to using the company’s facilities as goodwill. Nigerian government interfered even in posting of personnel at Nigeria Airways, the source said.

Conspiracy On the appointment of Lufthansa Consulting as Transaction Adviser, industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe noted that Lufthansa Consulting is not an investor. He added: “After they have advised you, you are bound to take its advice of not; but Lufthansa Consulting can open up a way to involve Lufthansa Airlines. But we don’t have airline transaction adviser in Nigeria. But government must ensure that at least Nigerian companies are involved in the plan.”

Also industry observers have noted that there is a conspiracy among international carriers that operate in Nigeria to frustrate Nigerian airlines from operating international routes. This they noted, have been an old effort, which they succeed in part because of pliable government officials that yield to their whims when “settled”.

Aligbe remarked that it is because of that alleged conspiracy by international airlines that government should be very careful in taking the advice of Lufthansa Consulting.

“That is why the advice from Lufthansa Consulting must be carefully watched,” he said.

The CEO of Belujane Konsult who is looking forward to Nigeria having a national carrier said that if government is determined, Nigeria would be able to have a national carrier by 2018 “and the Transaction Adviser could be part of the marketing and setting up of the airline. But we must eschew deliberate lack of transparency, which was part of the major reasons such efforts failed in the past.”

Importance of National Carrier Travel expert, Ikechi Uko recently enumerated the benefits of a national carrier. According to him,

Recommendation Demuren recommended that for Nigeria to have a national carrier, it must also have a maintenance facility, which is in tune with what government intends to do.

“It is not impossible (to have a national carrier), it is not an impossible task, we can make it work but if you want to do that you must also have a maintenance facility, first class, you must have flight training with simulator, because that is what takes your money away.

And you must have a good technical partner who will bring his expertise, knowledge, system and also fund into the system. If you do that you can make it,” Demuren said.

Former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and secretary of Aviation Round Table (ART) has suggested the ownership of such national carrier, saying, “A national carrier is a flag carrier and a flag carrier is a national carrier. For us to convincingly have any that would be given national outlook, Nigerians must have minimum controlling share of 55 percent distributed as follows: 36 percent for the states, with each state holding one percent; 18 percent for principals investors from each state with each principal holding 0.5 percent; Abuja and its principal one percent with each holding 0.5 percent.

The foreign technical investors should hold the balance of 45 percent.

But Demuren’s advice must not fall into the deaf ears of government. And as industry observers noted, government must not have controlling share in the planned national carrier for it to succeed.

If it does, then the airline would serve the whimsies of government officials both elected and appointed. Then it would just be a matter of years before it would go under.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

4.0 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

MARItIME

NPA, NIMASA Partners to Enhance Performance Eromosele Abiodun

The Port Manager, Rivers Port Complex, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Mr. A. G. Umar has stressed the need for cordial relationship between the NPA and other government agencies for optimal performance.

He stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Port Service Comptroller of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Umar Dachia.

He observed that since he took over, he has never received any complaint of delay on ship clearance from shipping agents, this according to him, shows that NIMASA recognises the issue of trade relationship and its statutory responsibility.

The port manager pointed out

some of the challenges faced by the Port such as the issue of piracy attack, which, according to him, is the immediate responsibility of NIMASA in term of ensuring safety and security on the water ways.

Umar highlighted the importance of security patrol on the water way, saying it gives ship owners the confidence of doing business in the Port without having the fear of being attacked.

“The attack on ship is a serious issue that affects the patronage of the Port” he added.

He also raised the issue of change of status of shipping company by NIMASA and advised that changes should be related to him because as the head of the Port it is necessary to be on the know, citing an

instance where a vessel that has been cleared was later detained without information.

“As sister agencies representing our organisation’s value, we will not play with safety and any other thing that has to do with risk. We are always around for cordial relationship,” he stated.

In his response, Dachia appreciated the visit by the Umar and his team and sees it as a sign of respect for the agency. He explained that the agency has been trying in terms of security and some years back, a platform was established with Global Vessel and a Memorandum of Understanding was entered with the Navy and both responded whenever called upon. He noted, however, that the contract with Global Vessel has been terminated.

COREN Collaborates with NPA on Capacity Building The Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to collaborating with relevant agencies from all sectors of economy to enhance the socio-economic growth of the nation.

This, she said, would enable the agency take its place of pride in the comity of nations.

She stated this when she hosted a delegation from the College of Deans of Engineering that was on a working visit to NPA in Lagos. The delegation was led by Professor E.A. Ajav.

Represented by the Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Prof. Idris Abubakar, she stated that the NPA was willing to support the group’s laudable programme through the corporate sponsorship of its forthcoming International Engineering Competition amongst universities across the

country. This, she explained, was aimed at boosting the intellectual development of interns in all fields of engineering.

She said: “The engineering profession is a discipline that serves as the bedrock of a nations development and efforts should be geared at maximizing the potential at all times.”

She said the NPA management would be willing to collaborate and exhibit a smooth synergy with institutions in the area of manpower development regularly. According to her, “a window would soon be created through which the top echelon of the organisation’s engineers would share experiences and expertise acquired over the years through this.”

She was of the view that this would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the tertiary institutions and the industry at large. Earlier in his opening remarks, Prof.

Ajav affirmed that his team was at the NPA headquarters to appreciate the organisation’s support and resolve concerning capacity development over time through sponsorship and collaboration.

On the issue of the upcoming programme for engineering interns across the Nigerian universities, he stated that the first edition held in 2016 was quite a success in terms of the positive impact on the student’s performances.

He added that this has further propelled the body to organise this year’s edition and plan towards sustainability.

“The 2017 edition would herald three best students from each zone who would then proceed for the final event to determine the best University in the country. The breakdown cuts across higher institutions in all the geo political locations of the country, ”he said.

‘Customs, Govt Agencies Must Collaborate to Achieve Fiscal Policies’ The Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Emmanuel Edede has called on all stakeholders at the International Airport to cooperate with officers and men of the NCS in order to achieve the fiscal/economic policies of the federal government. Speaking during courtesy visit to heads of federal government agencies at the international airport, the CAC said his visit was meant to seek their cooperation and understanding so that Customs could effectively carry out its duties at the airport while also giving their support to other agencies to succeed. Edede said no agency of government can achieve anything by working alone, appealing to all agen-

cies to support his command especially in the area of revenue collection and suppression of smuggling. Specifically, the Comptroller noted that all federal government’s agencies have their mandates to implement. To achieve this, he stressed that all agencies of government need to collaborate by sharing timely intelligence that could assist all agencies in carrying out their duties. In his words: “In Adamawa where I am coming from, the military and Para-military agencies had a good inter-agency relationship.

Intelligence was promptly shared-especially as regards smuggling and Boko Haram.

This to a large extent helped to improve revenue and reduced smuggling significantly.

The Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), Security

Agencies, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), The Police, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) were the agencies the CAC visited.

All the agencies pledged their support and cooperation to Customs. Head of the NIS at the airport, Comptroller Usman said Immigration and Customs have a long history of mutual cooperation which he promised to sustain and improve on.

He assured the CAC that officers of the NIS would accord customs all necessary support in the discharge of their duties.

Airport Commandant of the Nigeria Air Force, Directors of the DSS and SSS and Manager of the Airport all pledged to accord Customs the necessary support in their duties.

IN THE GRAND COURT OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION CAUSE NO: FSD 72 OF 2017

IN THE MATTER OF COMPANIES LAW (2016 REVISION) AND IN THE MATTER OF CAMAC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED TAKE NOTICE that a petition for an order that CAMAC International Limited (the Company) whose registered office is situated at Circumference FS (Cayman) Ltd. of PO Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue KY1-1209, George Town, Cayman Islands, be put into liquidation and wound up in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law, has been presented to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

The petition was presented by Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of Nigeria whose registered office is situated at No. 40/42 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Copies of the petition and supporting affidavits may be obtained free of charge from the petitioner’s attorneys, Appleby (Cayman) Ltd. of 71 Fort Street, PO Box 190 GT, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, Tel: +1 345 814 2793, email: jsnead@applebyglobal.com (Ref: JW/JS/433719.0003).

The petition seeks an order that Eleanor Grace Fisher and Tammy Karina Fu both of Kalo (Cayman) Limited) (formerly AlixPartners (Cayman) Ltd.) of 38 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 4208, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman KY1-9006, Cayman Islands, Tel: +1 345 946 0081, be appointed as official liquidators of the Company.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the hearing of the petition will take place on 7 June 2017 at the Law Courts, George Town, Grand Cayman at 10:00am. Any creditor or shareholder of the Company may be heard on the questions whether or not a winding up order should be made and, if a winding up order is made, who should be appointed as official liquidator(s) of the Company. Any creditor or shareholder who opposes the appointment of Eleanor Grace Fisher and Tammy Karina Fu must nominate an alternative qualified insolvency practitioner(s) who consents to act and has sworn an affidavit complying with the requirements of the Companies Winding Up Rules, Order 3, rule 4.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that any creditor or shareholder of the Company who intends to appear and be heard on the Petition shall give 3 days’ notice of their intention to the petitioner’s attorneys for the attention of jsnead@applebyglobal.com.

DATED 26 May 2017 Appleby (Cayman) Ltd. PO Box 190 71 Fort Street Grand Cayman, KY1-1104 Cayman Islands Attention: Jeremy Snead (E-mail: jsnead@applebyglobal.com) Attorneys-at-Law for the Petitioner

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARItIME

Of Maritime Trade Facilitation and Economic Devt Eromosele Abiodun writes that African economies must actively engage in international trade, increase efficiency at their port and border processes, and reduce bottlenecks in import and export processes, to achieve efficient and effective trade across borders A recent report by African Development Bank (AFDB) revealed that achieving significant decline in Africa’s poverty will require the continent’s gross domestic products (GDP) to grow at an overall average of seven per cent.

In order to achieve this goal, experts believe it is of paramount importance that Africa’s international trade must improve.

According to the Doing Business Index by the World Bank, a one per cent increase in trade is associated with more than a 0.5 percent increase in income per capita in economies with flexible entry regulations.

Experts agree that the gains of trade-enabling measures can contribute to broader objectives such as private sector development, education, foreign direct investments, market integration, economic growth and employment. To achieve this, however, all players across the value chain such as governments, shippers, customers, need to collaborate in order for the society to get the full benefit from the efforts.

Thankfully, trade between Africa and the rest of the world has increased by 200 per cent since the year 2000 but the African continent and its Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have recorded less intra-regional trade than most other regions of the world. According to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), intra-African trade amounts to only about 13.8 per cent as compared to intra-regional trade among Latin America countries which is 22 per cent, Asian countries at 52 per cent and Europe at about 70 per cent.

Experts believe one of the major factors behind this low level of trade integration is the poor trade facilitation implementation.

It is important to know that maritime transport is essential to the world trade. This is because over 80 per cent of the volume of world merchandise trade is carried by sea, and an even higher percentage of developing-country trade is carried in ships. Global seaborne trade has both been growing at a faster rate than global GDP since 1990 according to the UNCTAD Maritime Review of 2016.

This, analysts said, showed that the increasing importance of transportation infrastructure investment such as ports, terminals and cargo inland services to overall economic growth and rising standards of living, particularly in economically developing areas currently underserved by modern transportation networks and access.

Volumes of Traded Goods The Country Manager of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr. David Skov said this development has gone hand in hand with an increase in the volumes of traded goods transported by sea.

Speaking at the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) conference held in Abuja recently, he said: “In 2007, international seaborne trade was estimated at 8 billion ton of goods loaded. During the past three decades the annual average growth rate of world seaborne trade is estimated as 3.1 per cent. Dry cargo (bulk, break-bulk and containerized cargo) accounted for 66.6 per cent of the good loaded. The rest is oil and petroleum transports.”

Seaborne trade, he added, surpassed 10 billion tons in 2015 and continues to represent the overwhelming majority of the more than 16 trillion in global merchandise trade by volume as well as value.

However, he said more than half of all seaborne trade by value move in containers, with emerging economies of Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa accounting for most of current shipping market expansion.

“A breakdown of the group of developing countries shows that goods are predominantly loaded in Asia, which represents close to 40 per cent of the total goods loaded followed by the Americas (14.7 per cent), Africa (10.5 per cent) and Oceania (0.1 per cent). 53 per cent of the volume of world seaborne trade is unloaded in developed countries.

“The development in international trade and transport has been promoted by several

factors. Tariffs and other barriers to trade have decreased through multilateral negotiations in the World Trade Organisation and through regional and bilateral agreements.

“Maritime transport systems have also evolved to today’s container ships taking advantage of economies of scale. The costs of maritime transport have declined over time.

The WTO World Trade Report 2008 cites three main technological and institutional changes as reasons for the lowering of shipping cost.

First the development of open registry shipping, scale effects from increased trade and containerisation,” he said.

Scov added that openness to trade is one of several important factors to achieve economic growth stressing that countries that are open to trade have had faster economic growth than countries that have been more closed to trade.

He noted that greater openness to trade is clearly associated with faster economic growth, but it is not the only factor contributing to growth. Other factors such as technical innovation, a responsible economic policy and education are also necessary.

Positive Economic Development Trade, Scov added, contributes to a positive economic development both by generating incomes from exports, as well as by importing products in demand.

“Through trade, both the exporting and importing country can take advantage of their respective resources and relative competitive advantage in a more efficient way, and contribute to diffusion of new knowledge through technology transfer.

“Access to larger and richer markets is a key factor that enables local producers to generate the level of demand required to exploit economies of scale. Through specialisation and economies of scale the production cost per unit decreases as production rise. Prices are also lowered by the competition that comes from trade. The combination of lowered prices and specialised products is beneficial for consumers, ”he said.

He added: “Trade creates conditions for

economic growth, which in its turn, is a precondition for poverty alleviation. Developing countries are a diverse group with differing trade patterns, natural resources, factor endowments and comparative advantages. Trade has an effect on growth, employment, revenue, consumer prices and government spending in a country, which all, in turn, has an effect on the poor in a bid to alleviating poverty.

“In general, there are direct and indirect effects of trade. Increased trade, as an effect of liberalisation or reduction of trade barriers, directly affects the prices in a market. How the consumers are affected by these price changes in a specific sector depends if they are net producers or net consumers. For example, fishermen in a closed market might be negatively affected by increased imports of fish and a lowering of prices, whereas the consumers in the same market will benefits from lower prices. How price changes impact the consumers also depends on the costs for distribution, the way markets are structured and domestic taxes and regulations.

“However, not all developing countries have managed to take advantage of the trade opportunities that come from globalisation and increased trade facilitation according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The economic performance for developing economies in Africa remains below that recorded by developing countries as a whole. Africa’s share in the total world export was 3.1 per cent in 2007 and this share has been decreasing since the 1950s.”

Trade Facilitation Customs, he added, plays a central role in the trade chain but in order to achieve trade facilitation, all agencies at the borders must be involved.

“It is a concept directed towards reducing the complexity and cost of the trade transaction process and ensuring that all these activities take place in an efficient, transparent and predictable manner. The United National Centre for Electronic

Business and Trade Facilitation (UN/CEFACT) defines trade facilitation as: “The simplification, standardisation and harmonisation of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment”.

“Efforts to achieve trade facilitation in a country are strengthened by alliances and partnerships with international and local stakeholders in both the public and the private sectors. An ordinary trade transaction involves a large number of actors, both public and private. To facilitate the trading environment it is important to involve all these actors. In addition to a close cooperation between the public and the private sector, there need to be a clear political will and commitment in order to ensure that reforms at facilitating trade are undertaken and sustained, “he stated.

He added that international trade is predominately seaborne and has a direct relationship on the development and growth of any economy especially in developing economies in Africa.

Therefore, he stated that it is important that African economies actively engage in international trade, increase efficiencies of their ports and border processes and reduce bottlenecks in import and export processes to enable efficient and effective trade across borders.

“Trade Facilitation measures are in themselves positive steps towards human, enterprise and institutional development.

They help small traders enter the formal sector, make economic activities more transparent and accountable, promote good governance, generate better quality employment, strengthen IT capabilities, and generally help modernise societies by bringing benefits in terms of administrative efficiency.

“Many trade facilitation reforms also have a regional dimension in their implementation. By requiring collaboration and cooperation among partner countries, their implementation itself can be a positive step towards further regional integration, “he said.

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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THE TEACHER WHO BECAME KING OF LEPERS

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

28/COVER

26.05.2017

The Teacher Who Became King of Lepers Whether in a normal society or a dysfunctional one, Umaru Abdullahi was destined to be several notches above his peers. So, when he was handed the short end of the stick and lost his job as the headmaster of a public school in Kano State for being infected with leprosy, his painful rejection would later lead him to a commune of persons with a similar affliction. Vanessa Obioha enters this abnormal world and chronicles his brave struggles to swim against the tide of his circumstance From a distance, Umaru Abdullahi looked like any other man. He is tall and brown-skinned.

A balding head sits on his neck while his oral cavity boasts of few tobacco-stained teeth.

Everything seemed absolutely fine with the 60-year-old northerner, that is, until you ask for a handshake. Then, either of two things happen. You may be repelled by the worn-down stump that has replaced what used to his fingers or you may summon the courage to grab the stump, knowing his hands are leprous. Although they are healed, the permanent scar left by the disease is still very visible.

Abdullahi was not born this way. Growing up in the beautiful state of Kano, he was full of dreams. He was young and free. Being the last child of his parents, he was not burdened with obligations. His parents made sure he was educated. He attained his primary and secondary education in different institutions in the state. At age 30, he was already a respected teacher in a primary school. Opportunity came knocking on his door while he was still in the classroom. He was asked to be one of the executives of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in Kano or to head a school. It was a difficult decision. The title of a headmaster was very appealing but not as irresistible as NUT Public Relations Officer. After much contemplation, he went for the latter.

He had a successful tenure between 1981 and 1983. He contested again in the next election. Unfortunately, he didn't return to the seat. He went back to the classroom where he was soon promoted to a headmaster role and was later transferred to Abdullahi Primary School, still a headmaster.

Just when everything was going smoothly for the young man, life dealt him a wicked blow. In 1985, he woke up one morning to find his hands leprous. He was shaken with fear.

How did it happen? Who placed a curse on him? No one in his family had the disease.

Why was he singled out? A million and one questions ran through his mind.

In that state of confusion, a friend referred him to a Leprosy Centre in the state with a note for medication. Thankfully, the clinic was run by foreign medical doctors who quickly nipped the disease in the bud. He left the hospital with a clean bill of health, however, his fingers had disappeared. What was left was a mass of flesh folded inwards to show where his long fingers had once been. This scar spelt a lot of limitations to Abdullahi.

"The doctors treated me well. They certified me healthy enough to return to work," he told this reporter at his abode.

Notwithstanding, he refused to be distressed by his circumstance. The most important thing was that he was alive, he assured himself.

Happily, he went back to school, hoping to continue his tenure as a headmaster. He was in for a big shock. The school told him his services were no longer needed, because of his impaired hands.

"They said they couldn't have a leper as a headmaster."

The words sliced deeply into his heart.

It was worse than any fustigation. Yet, he refused to give up. He pressed on, waving the doctor's reports desperately to the authorities but they turned a blind eye and deaf ear to his pleas. With intense emotional control, he stormed out of the school compound. It was the last time he set his foot on the citadel of education.

Dejected and vexed, he sought solace in friends. They too, like his colleagues at work deserted him. They closed their doors to him and warned their family to stay away from the leper. When he waved at them on the streets, they looked away and walked on. As if the seed of rejection had not been watered enough,

Abdullahi and his daughter

his in-law demanded that their daughter, his wife, should quit the marriage. With the last shred of self-esteem in him, he fought for the custody of their son.

Like a nightmare, Abdullahi watched helplessly as his once vibrant life rolled into a life of pain and rejection. He had suddenly become an outcast in a society where he had spent most of his life. That bitter experience buoyed deep hatred for his state.

"I hate Kano state. I hated it from that time," he said venomously. "Nobody wanted anything to do with me. I just wanted to get out of there. That's why I left. I only go there to see my mother back then when I had a need to. She recently passed on. She was 122 years old. Moreover, I'm hot-tempered. If I see you look at me because of my hands, I

get very annoyed. But I don't fight. I have never fought before because I don't know what the outcome will be. I rather walk away than react."

With no source of livelihood, Abdullahi was forced to pack his bags. He refused to give in to pleas of his parents and siblings to stay with them. He just wanted to be far away from home, a place where he was no longer accepted. To go to a place where nobody knew him. His first choice was Lagos. There was an uncle who suffered same fate in Lagos.

In 1986, Abdullahi joined his uncle and a dozen of lepers at Alaba, Ojo area of Lagos State. They lived in a shanty and often relied on gifts from churches and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for survival. Other times, they begged for alms. It took a while before

Abdullahi could bring himself to beg. It was a strange lifestyle to him. Eventually, he joined the wagon.

However, Abdullahi's education came in handy to his mates who were not fluent in English. They begged him to communicate with interested persons who usually come to ask what their needs are. The language barrier had robbed them of many gifts, they told him.

Without hesitation, he accepted the task. A shed was built for him. He had his own desk and officially became an interpreter. Those who came to help them were astonishingly impressed by his knowledge and fluency in English, just like his fellows were. They were endeared to him. Soon, they began to call him 'Teacher', and elected him as one of the leaders in the little community. It was a freak coincidence to continue in a role he had been equipped for and played in normal society, but rejected. Now, he found himself being begged to assume that role again. Fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke on him.

Here, he was not just a teacher or headmaster, he was ‘king’. Nothing happened without his approval!

As Abdullahi's fame grew with his new status, so did his burden. People no longer wanted to give him alms when he begged because they felt he was physically able and intelligent to eke out a livelihood.

"But they don't know that I don't have.

I went back to my place of work and they rejected me. And I stooped low to become a beggar, still I won't be given anything. It really troubled me. So I left begging completely in 1990 and went back to Arabic school. I came out with flying colours and assumed the role of an Alfa. I started saying prayers for them. They will come and pay me for the prayers. So nobody can curse me again, because now, they come to me, request for prayers, and pay me for it. The irony of it is that nobody remembers that I'm deformed once they need prayers. And my prayers worked for them."

He would later move to Jakande, Alaba-Rago

29/COVER

26.05.2017

The children at the Lepers Colony

The Lepers Colony

in the same Alaba area, where he and other lepers live with their families. Abdullahi is just one out of the thousands of lepers, beggars and other handicapped persons in the populous city of Lagos. They are scattered round the state. For example, they are a sure sight in the traffic-laden Iyana-Iba Road, along Lagos/ Badagry expressway. Sometimes, they line up from Igbo-Elerin Junction all the way to Iyana-Iba. For these less-privileged, begging is their only way of survival.

As early as dawn, they troop out of their abode, spreading themselves along the road.

Some carry an umbrella along to shelter them from the scorching sun or the heartless rain. It is a family affair for some of these vagrants-father, mother and child/children are involved in the begging business, running after pedestrians or leaning on vehicles with outstretched arms to motorists. Often times, the children forget the biting bug of hunger and play with one another. They roll in the dirty sand in their tattered clothes, sometimes they engaged in fights and the adults have to wade in to prevent a full blown conflict.

But being children, they soon forget their troubles and playfully chase one another with sticks or rolling tyres.

As early as they gathered in the morning, so do they disperse at sunset to their respective homes. Home could be an abandoned kiosk or

A scene at the Lepers Colony

used roofing sheet as in Abdullahi's habitat.

Over 150 people occupy the large expanse of land with no toilets. The roofing sheets have become rustic from harsh weather conditions.

Abdullahi revealed that no outsider is allowed in their abode. "Most of the inhabitants are lepers and families. But there are also the blind ones. Not everybody is allowed to stay here. They stay free. We don't take any money from them."

To the outsider, the lepers’ habitat is a disgusting and unhealthy habitat. Not so for the lepers, who count themselves lucky to this safe haven. Inside this dirty environment they live in peace. They don't feel isolated or rejected in the society. The lepers usually stay with family members who may not be afflicted with the disease, but have to endure rejection from the society for being linked to a leper. Having

a leper as a parent is injurious to their reputation as they are mocked for their parents' deformity. These children do not have access to education or health facilities.

Once in a while, organisations like the United Children Education Fund, World Health Organisation, pay them a visit to provide them with medical care. Amazingly, in all their abject poverty, they smile, play and exude such innocent happiness as if the world is such a beautiful place.

One of the absurd twists of fate is that robbers and thieves still make a target of these lepers despite the inhumane condition they live in. Perhaps, their biggest headache comes from individuals and companies who attempt to take the land away from them forcefully. Sometimes, they are offered bribes.

It is a great tussle for the lepers who have no legal document to rightfully claim that the

land was given to them by administration of former Governor Lateef Jakande.

"When they come, we usually report to the Seriki in Alaba. He tells them that he also met us here. They are directed to Federal Ministry of Housing in Festac, where they are told that the land was given to us by Alhaji Lateef Jakande."

As our conversation progressed, one of his children walked in. She is his last child.

"I married my friend's daughter when I got here. He is a leper too. So he is no longer my friend but my father-in-law. We have four children together. She is my only daughter."

Nature found a way to return what it took from Abdullahi. He did not just get back his role as a teacher, he now influences the mind and spirituality of those under his guidance.

Perhaps, his biggest consolation is his young and growing family.

30/ NEWS

19.05.2017

Desmond Elliot, Mercy Aigbe Volunteer to Champion Campaign against Widows’ Maltreatment Nollywood actor and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot has teamed up with another actress, Mercy Aigbe to headline a national campaign initiated to draw attention to the plight of widows in Nigeria, with a view to ameliorating their suffering. At a press unveiling organised in Lagos recently by the Felix King Foundation, Elliot and Aigbe spoke strongly against many cultural and behavioural practices in Nigeria that tend to limit the rights of widows, disinherit them and mistreat them following the demise of their husbands. They vowed to continue speaking out until there is a social movement towards the direction of not just protecting widows but creating an environment of economic and social inclusion that would enable them deal with the pains of their losses much more easily.

Speaking on the plight of widows, Elliot wondered why it is usually convenient for men to blame women for the deaths of their husbands and spoke of the need for government and all layers of society to work towards a total change of attitude towards these vulnerable members of the society.

“We live in a society where women are blamed each time a man dies. But no one ever thinks of the pains they have to bear in bringing up the children left behind,” Desmond said and called for legislations

L-R: Member, Lagos State House of Assembly & liberty project ambassador, Hon. Desmond Elliot, Founder, Felix King Foundation, Mr. Felix King and Nollywood Actress & Liberty Project Ambassador,

across the states of the federation that will criminalise maltreatment and disinheritance of widows.

He also called on men to prepare for the eventualities of their death by writing their wills as a means of protecting the future of their children and the comfort of the women they very likely will leave behind.

Adding her voice to the challenge, Aigbe also called for a general change in attitude by society towards widows while also not leaving out the cultural practices that form the foundations of the dehumanisation of

widows in Nigeria.

“We need to deal with some of these cultural issues that are generally skewed against women. We need to abrogate them and ensure that the rights of these widows are protected. We live in a society where economic power still rests with the men.

This is why we need to talk to community leaders, especially in the rural communities where these victims, most of whom are poor and uneducated, are found so that the change can be effective, starting from the grassroots upwards,” Aigbe said.

Agrifood Youth Opportunity Lab to Empower 15,000 Young People Mary Ekah

According to research, more than 60 per cent of Africa’s young people are jobless or unemployed and formal job creation efforts in Africa’s growing economies have been insufficient. Furthermore, comprising 20 per cent of Africa’s population, Tanzania and Nigeria together represent an important opportunity for intervention in skills acquisition, job creation and employment.

Bearing the above statistics in mind, a five-year $13 million collaboration between Michigan State University (MSU) and the MasterCard Foundation, on an initiative tagged, ‘Agrifood Youth Development Lab’, which will help 15,000 young people access employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the fast-growing horticulture, poultry, cassava and oilseed sectors in Tanzania and Nigeria, was recently launched in Lagos.

The partnership will support 15,000 youths between the ages of 18-24 in major bread basket food shed regions surrounding Lagos and Dar es Salaam to access employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The project will give youths the skills they need to build their own businesses and in turn create additional employment opportunities for other out-of-school youths.

Ultimately, the initiative seeks long-term impact by building the capacity of local

More than 2,550 members of the Tools and Hardware Dealers Association of Nigeria (TAHDAN) have relocated out of Idumota, shutting down business activities at the ever busy Agarawu Street tools market on Lagos Island. This followed TAHDAN’s successful completion and opening of their new ultra modern Tools And Hardware Centre sited inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Express Way, which gulped about N3.56 billion on its completion.

Commenting on the development, President of the association, Chief Jude Obika, expressed appreciation towards his members for their commitment and selfless sacrifices during the construction of the market. “This is a great and unimaginable effort of which we are already reaping the dividends, and this will pass on to the future and unborn generations,” he said. “But my greatest joy is that we have been able to contribute to the building of our dear nation Nigeria by humbly erecting this monumental economic centre for international trade, for poverty alleviation, massive employment and industrial growth.”

According to the scribe of the association, Felix Nnadi,, “the Tools and Hardware Dealers Association is made up of over 2,550 members, excluding apprentices. Each member contributed a minimum of N850, 000 to own a shop here, while personal plazas cost from N120 million and above depending on the size or design of each structure. There are 3,000 lock up shops and 26 personal plazas in all,” Nnadi said..

The multibillion tools and hardware centre is comfortably located on the 25,000square metre area of land, formerly known as Swiss Park, facing the Progressives Jewellery Market. Apart from providing adequate and spacious shops for use as showroom, packing store and office apartments for all the traders and importers in particular, the Vice President of TAHDAN, Kenneth Ugbajah, enumerated other gains which accompany the traders movement to include “freedom from landlords and area boys harassments; free space for car park, shopping and vehicular movement; very clean and business friendly environment; and above all, the gesture is in support of the Lagos State Government’s Mega City transformation agenda which aims at decongesting and ending street trading everywhere in Lagos.”

RED Moment Concert Empowers Women In Need Participants and stakeholders during the Agrifood Youth Development Lab launch

organisation, working directly with the private sector to help youths transition to quality agrifood employment, addressing key policy constraints and reducing the cost of expanding youth employment for youths.

Agrifood Opportunity Lab will encourage youths to participate in the fast growing horticulture, aquaculture, poultry, cassava and oilseed sectors in Nigeria and Tanzania.

The partnership will also assist economically disadvantaged, hard-to-reach and out of school youths as they transition into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the Agrifood system.

The programme, the organisers said, would

also have a special focus on gender equality, aiming for equal representation of young men and women, while addressing policy, training, monitoring and other constraints that affect the ability of young women to start enterprises or obtain employment.

Based in Toronto, Canada the MasterCard Foundation works with visionary organisations to provide greater access to education, skills, training and financial services for people living in poverty in Africa. As one of the largest private foundations its work is guided by its mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world.

Artistes Express Hope as Ariya Repete Enters Quarter Finals Artistes that were selected to the quarter finals in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State and Ota in Ogun State have expressed hope over the next round of the talent hunt competition, Ariya Repete. They expressed hope of making it to the semi-finals as the auditions revealed amazing talents among the contestants.

From the selection parties held in both locations on recently, five artistes were selected from the 10 that passed through the audition stage in Ado Ekiti; with the same number selected from 11 artistes in Ota, as two contestants with the same scores in the audition were paired. In Ado Ekiti, three Fuji artistes, Omoyajowo Bukola, Alabi Ganiyu and Ogunleye Gbolahan made it to the quarter finals while Ademola Adesoji and Tajudeen Olusola David qualified in the Juju category. In Ota, Ajani Azeez, Abiodun Oloto, Ismaila Afefe, all Fuji artistes; and Tayo Adex; Adeniyi Temitope; both Juju artistes qualified to the quarter final stage to compete with winners from other auditions in Akure on June 30, 2017.

Agarawu Tools Marketers Relocate to Trade Fair Complex En Masse

L-R: Tayo Adex and Adeniyi Temitope; both Juju artistes; Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Agu; Ajani Azeez; Abiodun Oloto; Ismaila Afefe; Fuji artistes, all selected to the quarter finals of the ongoing Ariya Repete

An anxious but elated Gbolahan said “qualifying to the next round is not enough for me, I need to enhance my skills to be better prepared." Expressing his joy, Temitope said "it is time to train more for a better place in order to get to the semi final stage. Also, David affirmed “I want to make Ado-Ekiti proud when it comes

to being crowned the winner."

Commenting on their performance in Ado Ekiti, the Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brand, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni, said he was pleased to see such talent in young artistes that are determined to make Fuji and Juju music thrive among other genres.

It was fun and a rewarding experience for all at the RED. Moment Comedy Concert held recently at the SEE Events Centre in LekkiAjah, Lagos. The event, organised

by Mrs. Lawretta Ogrih - Chief Executive of Ivory Whetstones and Mentors Foundation (publishers of SEE Inspiration Magazine), a non-governmental organisation, was aimed at raising funds for women in need.

According to Ogrih, these special women include widows, single parents and those facing different RED Moment beneficiary, Bamson Nazi challenges and with Mrs. Lawretta Ogrih at the event unable to help themselves. She said, "They do not only need our financial support but also our love and care. This comedy concert is designed, amongst other things, to raise awareness and, more importantly, to raise money to help us empower women in need."

The event featured some top Nigerian comedians: Kofi, Owen Gee, Lepacious Bose, Cee Y, De Oracle, DVD, Eboh Bomb and Aboki, with music supplied by ‘Party Machine’ DJ Bobby. The high point of the event was the raffle draw segment during which lucky guests won a return ticket to Dubai, an all-expense paid night at the prestigious Leawood Hotel, Lekki and a head to toe wellness hamper of Forever Living Products.

31/LIVING

19.05.2017

Breach Repairers Holds Parenting Conference Michael Enoette Recently, dignitaries and personalities of diverse NGOs, school owners, parents and teachers, stormed the Guiding Light Assembly (GLA), Ikoyi in their numbers. The occasion was the National Parenting Conference organised

by Breach Repairers, a non-profit organisation started eight years ago with the objective of raising a generation of socially responsible youths. The theme of the conference was ‘Critical Rescue’ and it was the fourth edition organised by Breach Repairers.

Speaking during the conference, the Chairman of the day, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo said, “The main aim of Breach Repairers is to bring back the value that we had lost in bringing up our children.”

Her Excellency, the wife of the Acting President Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo, through a video conference call, expressed her delight to the organisers for organising a conference

focused on ending youth irresponsibility. “My plea and my request for you parents at this conference is that you train our children the way that is right and to also spread the news to other parents,” she said.

The deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, represented at the event by an aide, noted that parenting is the primary responsibility of parents, before the teachers and the society. “What are the parents investing on their children in today's world? Do we spend quality time with them? Who is to blame? At the end of the day the blame is shifted on the schools. Teachers are doing what they should do, for moral education starts from home. Parents of nowadays finds it very had to talk with their children. If I may ask, who will talk with them on our behalf?” she queried. Speaking also at the conference was Mrs. Christie Bature - Ogbeifun, who noted that “parenting is not a function of education but one of commitment.”

Viju Drink to Partner Wonderland for Children’s Day Carnival Milk drink giants, Viju, has announced plans to partner Wonderland Entertainment for the forthcoming Children’s Day carnival billed for May 26 at Keda field, Abesan Estate.

The Information Technology and Media Manager of the company, Raphael Osiomwan said Viju was delighted to partner Wonderland for the children day carnival, which is the fifth edition. He said Viju would provide drinks and souvenirs to participants.

He explained that the company is proud to associate with Nigerian children as they celebrate International Children’s Day, which

is sanctioned by UNICEF. “For us it is part of our mission to support children and youth programmes,” he said. “We have decided to partner Wonderland Entertainment for this fifth edition.” Coordinator of the event and CEO of Wonderland, Tayo Adeyemo, assured participants of exciting moments during the programme. More than 15 schools have confirmed their participation.

The carnival will features athletics, tug of war, quizzes, drama, cultural troupe performances, a march pass, a pageant, and other fun activities.

Participants during one of the sessions at the Breach Repairers National Parenting Conference held in Lagos recently

Fixing Nigeria Conference Holds May 29 Ernest and Ibrahim Foundation is set to host a national discourse on youth in nation building and patriotism at the maiden edition of #FixingNigeria National Youth Conference as her contribution to celebrating the Nigerian Democracy Day. The conference coming up on May 29 in Abuja, will be declared opened by the special guest of honour, Mrs. Zinab Ahmed, Hon. Minister of State, Budget and National Planning.

While the distinguished parliamentary guests are Senator Obinna Ogba – Senate Committee Chairman on Youth and Sports and the youth leader, Rt Hon.(Barr.) Onofiok Luke, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State Assembly.

Also lined up as speakers are seasoned professionals and experts including Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), President of the Nigerian Bar

Association; Richard Young, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation; Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of Premium Times; and Frank Nweke II, former Minister for Information. Other speakers are Elenwor Ihua, Assistant National Coordinator, National Youth Summit; Shamsudeen Yusuf, Jagaban Matasan Arewa; and Walter Okoye, Executive Director, Access Enterprise and International Services.

According to the Convener, Ernest Obinna Nwosu, the Foundation under the Advocacy for Citizens Power, has set up a conference which shall serve as a platform and a hub for social actors/agents of change and policy makers to dialogue and analyse national issues and proffer practical solutions on how to fix Nigeria versus the responsibilities of the citizens and the urgent imperatives for active citizenship in Nigeria.

The Lies against T.A.Orji Kingsley Anosike As stated in a previous article in March, 2016, I am not holding brief for Senator T. A. Orji, as I am neither his aide nor media consultant but the saying of an early philosopher that evil thrives when good men keep quiet is apt here and stops me from keeping quiet in the presence of such monumental evil.

A publication in one of the national dailies on Thursday, May 18, 2017 featured their regular negative interview granted by one Chief B. B. Apugo.

Nothing tangible came out of it than the usual crying wolf ploy of Apugo, a man who has refused to learn new tricks. Particular note should be made that 95 per cent of all interviews granted by Apugo are always either in this particular newspaper or its sister publication, sworn adversaries and unrepentant traducers of Senator T. A. Orji. In like manner 98 per cent of his interviews are on Senator T. A. Orji in a causeless vendetta to a man who has done so much to shore up his family and avert dangers that would have engulfed him based on utter neglect and highhandedness.

If you doubt these claims, more than three sons of Apugo served in the T. A. government from 2007 to 2015 and the same number are still in his political camp eager to establish their stance with little prompting. His caustic comments this time blankets the National Assembly as corrupt and I leave that to the National Assembly to defend itself. This is the first time I am reading an article in the newspaper without the normal introduction, the name of the interviewer or the venue, showing that they had a bad intent.

“The leadership of the National Assembly have come out openly to condemn the anticorruption war by the present administration. What’s your take on this?’ Said the unnamed interviewer. In answering the leading question as they probably orchestrated, Apugo alleged: “Well, the problem is that these people who are corrupt are fighting back but I don’t know the extent they will go.

We need a strong judiciary to be able to handle these corruption cases. You see, when a corrupt person who looted his state goes to the Senate, you bring a bill for anti-corruption court, what do you think the person will do?” You think he will let it sail through? That is exactly what

Orji

is happening. I don’t think the strategy being employed for the anti-corruption war is bad, but the people fighting back are making it look childish because most of them in the Senate there are supposed to be in jail. Like my own former governor, he is supposed to be in jail. So, that is why it looks like nothing is happening.

They are not supposed to say those words they said the other day. It makes mockery of the Red Chamber, they should guard their utterances and not to betray the trust the people have in them.”

Apugo instead of answering the question took a huge swipe on Senator T. A. Orji displaying that he doesn’t know the workings of the National Assembly.

From his answer above, he has promoted T. A. Orji to be so powerful that he can sway the opinions and actions of the National Assembly.

Senator Orji is only a first timer in the Senate though he has performed credibly. Yet this BB Apugo that is facing corruption charges with the EFCC at Fed High Court Umuahia. What a shame!

He further boasted how he will lead APC to victory in 2019. Apugo to the knowledge of all in Abia has no electoral value. His political prowess was completely doused by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who is the 3rd Governor and the first democratically elected in the days of our experimental two party system of SDP and NRC. Apugo in

his bestial manner wanted to domesticate an elected officer of the state. Dr Onu, one of our best trained and decorous, extricated himself from the gridlock of our megalomaniac. Since then, Apugo has not led any political battle. His style of total control and generalissimo approach makes him a social plague and political pariah at the same time.

Now in Abia APC, who does Apugo influence?

Is it Ikechi Emenike, Anyim Nyerere, new entrant Nkechi Nworgu, Acho Obioma or Onyemobi?

He wouldn’t attend meetings outside his house nor allow divergent opinions even when they have superior arguments. He only lives on old glory. The sad truth is that Apugo is not in control of his house. His children like others have grown up and have in many ways advised him to forget about politics. Can anybody tell Apugo’s story more aptly than his biological son Hon. Chukwudi Apugo, now a member of Abia State House of Assembly.

In an interview with the Authority newspaper in 2016, Hon. Apugo stunned Steve, the reporter.

“I believe that why my father is attacking T.A. Orji is because Orji empowered us and made us not to be going to my father’s house to beg for food. Since 2003, I have been running for the House of Assembly and my father contributed to 80 per cent of my failure. But the former governor supported me and made me to go to the House.

“My father never wanted me and his other children to grow. Again, he is attacking Orji because before now my Ibeku people used to go to my father’s house to beg for alms but Orji came and liberated the people and made so many of us millionaires, so, my father became unhappy because he still wants people to come to his gate every morning and beg for food.

“My father does not want the younger ones to grow. I know his problem. He is angry because he is no longer the king of Ibeku people as T.A. Orji has empowered so many of our people. He should forgive our father and forge ahead with his works. He is now a senator and should not be distracted by my father.

“My siblings and I cannot write our history without T.A. Orji because he did for us what our father could not do for us. I want to tell Chief B.B. Apugo to leave Chief T.A. Orji alone lest we come out to dance naked in the market and I will say certain things I will like the world to

hear. I am not afraid of anybody.”

From the above we now know why Apugo is fiercely anti Senator Orji. He doesn’t want other people to grow or become rich but will prefer to be the lion abhorring any other to roar. But it is sad and God the creator didn’t make the world that way. People should grow, money has no home but Apugo doesn’t know all these intricate dynamics.

What gives Apugo the audacity to talk as his atrocities are legendary? He successfully in the past allegedly grabbed people’s lands as they were afraid of midnight visits...The Central Bank standing in Abia Ogurube layout couldn’t be there today if Senator Orji didn’t pay him over 500 million Naira in dubious claims when he challenged the construction of the Central Bank that he owned the land. The records are there.

Check with the Central Bank during Soludo’s era.

It wasn’t the Central Bank alone. Many Federal Government projects got abandoned as he scared the contractors with similar claims. There are other cases of such nature. Most of these were grabbed from lowly people and now being sold at high prices. A recent case of land grabbing made him an overnight guest of the Umuahia prisons until he was bailed. Writing about Apugo is making him a hero of some sorts. So I will desist forthwith. As I wrote on Thursday, March 8, 2016 page 18, Apugo once rubbed shoulders with our revered statesmen like Senator Ibrahim Mantu, former Senate deputy, Atiku, who rose to Veepee status and late Sunday Awoniyi. All these are history today as he has refused to grow up at above 70 years and so happy to be running errands for a newspaper and their Oga. Those who know Apugo should advise him to leave Senator Orji alone. In the first place, he cannot compete with Orji. Ochendo successfully was Chief of Staff for eight years, Governor for eight years which saw Abia blossom to high records of social indices and now Senator with multiple bills and motions. Can we say the same about Apugo? Certainly no basis for comparison as he cannot as Peter’s Principle stated excel beyond his level of his competence. Whistle blowing has become a government policy. Empty barrels like Apugo who go shrill on rusty whistles resulting in unsubstantiated claims should be made to face the consequences.

Anosike wrote from Enugu

32 / PERSPECTIVE

26.05.2017

Buratai

Why Nigerians Rated Nigerian Army Best Defense Agency Esther Okpabi writes that the popularity rating of the Nigerian Army has kept soaring since Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai took over the reins of power as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff Aphorisms have enormous powers and timelessly interpret life and its vagaries. “A good deed is never forgotten. If it is not remembered now, it will be remembered later; if not today, certainly tomorrow.” An anonymous author once echoed that "Keep putting good out and it will return in unexpected ways."

This has been the sacred philosophy of the Nigerian Army since Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai took over the reins of power as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS). For two years at a stretch, the popularity rating of the Nigerian Army has kept soaring, virtually at every instance Nigerians have had cause to assess the Army since President Muhammadu Buhari became President of Nigeria.

And as President Buhari unveils his mid-term scorecard, Nigerians’ assessment of institutions under Buhari’s Presidency, particularly security agencies has for the umpteenth time, placed the Nigerian Army uppermost in excellent execution of its assignments of defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.

Nigerians are not just biased or exaggerative or even extending undue favours to Nigerian soldiers. The high rating of the Nigerian Army is motivated by the results of a repackaged Nigerian Army by Gen. Buratai. He brought reforms and innovations in military professionalism hitherto unknown in Nigeria.

The Army Chief preached and ensured the entrenchment of the ideals of professionalism, discipline, hard work, transparency, accountability, and respect for civil authority and the safeguarding of the human rights of Nigerians. These attributes were the second uniforms of Nigerian soldiers anywhere they were deployed for assignments in the country.

Overwhelmingly, the presence of soldiers deployed on special assignments is registered in 32 out of the 36 states of the federation. Put differently by this record, it means the Nigerian Army is providing critical support to the civil security agencies because of the severity, intensity and frequency of security breaches which sustained its choking grip on Nigeria.

Yet, there is a near zero level of acts of indiscipline or violations of human rights of Nigerians by soldiers. They are not the usual brutish and brash professionals of

the past, but kind, amiable, humane and humble military personnel.

Therefore, when Nigerians wholeheartedly acknowledged a refined army under Buratai, the voices thundered in unison in vouching for their splendour. Nigerians remembered the pains and sorrows Boko Haram Terrorism (BHT) imposed on many families and the nation. But the Nigerian Army courageously, determinedly and gallantly led the counter-insurgency that has ended terrorism in the North-east and Nigeria. Soldiers paid the supreme price in many instances, but remained undeterred until terrorists were subdued and conquered.

Soldiers imposition of peace in the troubled South-east, where mindless rebels in the guise of secession agitators masked in MASSOB or IPOB garments had the reign of infamy terminated by Nigerian soldiers. These violent groups, which gruesomely murdered, harassed law-abiding citizens and disrupted commercial activities in the region, overpowered the Police and Civil Defence, but crumbled before the might of soldiers. The lyrics of Nigerian Army’s “Operation Python Dance,” quieted their demented souls and peace has berthed in the once dreaded region.

Militancy in the Niger Delta became a torn in the flesh, manifesting in vandalism and bombing of oil pipelines or facilities by aggrieved groups in the region unlawfully bargaining for resource control. National revenue accruing from the exploration and exportation of crude oil dropped drastically as a consequence of nefarious activities of militants. The region was gradually being deserted, as people took flight to safer locations.

It climaxed into the threats by some militant groups like the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to declare a “republic “of the Niger Delta. The threats were ominous and pregnable with violence. Kidnapping and other allied crimes became thriving businesses and Nigerians in the region could no longer breathe fresh air. But the various operations launched by the Nigerian Army such as “Operation Delta Safe,” or “Operation Crocodile Smile,” and each, guided by a philosophy, effectively ended the criminal siege on the region.

The Army’s “Operation Harbin Kunama” I and II has or is performing wonders in

the North-west region and the Middle Belt assailed by the menace of armed banditry and cattle rustling; ethno-religious crisis and the herders/farmers violent confrontations. These criminals did not only challenge the power of the state to dare them, but operated with impunity and moved about unscathed. But soldiers ended the madness in weeks. Normalcy is gradually returning to the places that were once like the hottest parts of hellfire.

The return of the Boko Haram terrorists induced Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ruined homes in the North-east is actively facilitated by the Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai. They have embarked on the provision of social amenities and infrastructures such as roads and electricity to communities in the region ravaged by terrorism as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Soldiers became voluntary teachers to pupils in IDP camps. These are realities never linked to the Nigerian Army in the past. It is reason Nigerians are celebrating them in high spirits.

The Nigerian Army also embarked on intermittent free medical treatment of ailing Nigerians in communities hosting them while on special assignments. At every point, hundreds of sick Nigerians would troop out to benefit from the free medical services, solely funded by the Nigeria Army. It has been the experience in the South-south, North-west, Northeast and North-central regions among others.

The abduction of 271 Chibok schoolgirls in Borno by Boko Haram terrorists caused more than a stir. It provoked national and international outrage, with activists, world leaders, prominent Nigerians and feminist campaigners insisting on their release. Soldiers initially secured the release of about five of them. Within the period, the Nigerian troops mounted ceaseless battles against the defeat of BHTs, which result in the release of another 21 Chibok schoolgirls. Only last week, another batch of 82 Chibok girls have regained freedom through negotiations.

In the past, their captors rejected pleas for their release, but have yielded because terrorism has been quenched courtesy of Buratai’s headship of the anti-terrorism campaigns. Insurgents realised it was needless keeping the girls in a battle they

have already lost irrecoverably. Aside the Chibok Schoolgirls, the Army has secured the release of over 20, 000 other Nigerians held hostage by terrorists; de-militarised and re-united them with their families.

Had terrorism continued to fester, insurgents would have still been obstinate about negotiations and the release of the Chibok Schoolgirls and other hostages.

In the history of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai became the first Army boss to orient Nigerian soldiers on the need to cultivate and sustain a healthy civil/ military relations. It snowballed into the establishment of the Human Rights Desk at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja to handle any of such breaches or human rights abuses incidental to their operations anywhere in the country. But the unit has been lying idle because there are no such cases anywhere soldiers are deployed on special assignments’.

It explains why cynics and the most ardent critics of the President Buhari’s administration agree, even if grudgingly that he has performed splendidly on security.

The Nigerian Army under the COAS Gen. Buratai railroaded this accomplishment by reforming the Nigerian Army to act and behave in conformity with professionalism and discipline that the “Change” mantra of the President Buhari administration sermonises.

It is no surprise that analysing an online opinion poll, Nigerians reaffirmed the excellence of the Nigerian Army as the best security agency in the country which gave its heart and soul in the defence of Nigerians, as President Buhari clocks two years in office. More grease to their elbow for their continued support of the administration, as they bask in the euphoria of this public endorsement and approval.

No doubt, Gen. Buratai, remains the hero of heroes and fits into what author Joseph Campbell surmises in these words; "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." That is the portrait of Buratai and with this favourable public rating by Nigerians, it will not be surprising if another country fetes Gen. Buratai with its national military award and honour like Brazil did two weeks ago.

Okpabi, a peace and conflict resolution expert writes from New Nigeria University, Abuja

33/ XTRA

26.05.2017

Eulogies for Ugwuanyi as Inyaba Gets Bridge Over Troubled Waters Laurence Ani Like every other headquarters of a council, Amagunze offers a realistic glimpse of life in Nkanu East, one of the 17 local government areas in Enugu State. Indeed, you actually don't have to speak to residents to deduce that life here is anything but wholesome. Although a largely agrarian community with vast tracts of arable land, harvest time is seldom ever bountiful for the many small-holder farmers here. It is, rather, a particularly harrowing time - no thanks to floods from the Inyaba River.

When the river overflows, as is often the case when it rains, crops and entire farmlands are destroyed. Also, residents of the over 10 communities on the northern fringe of the river become literally cut off from their kith and kin because the makeshift wooden gangway which ordinarily aid movement is swept away as well by the river's swift waters. Worse still, the severe floods often hamper the daily commute of students who typically fall behind their peers in examinations which determine promotion to higher classes.

But it's not that locals fare any better in the dry season particularly with regard to moving their farm produce to the market.

That is because vehicles simply can't drive across the improvised structure.

This has been the situation for decades - a situation so sad that locals seeking to visit their council headquarters located roughly 800 metres away often had to embark on a rather circuitous journey that took them through the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway across two local government areas. There are, in fact, some communities on whose land a vehicle has never ever driven and it's commonplace seeing women in labour being transported to clinics in wheelbarrows. While such Stone Age scenarios may seem like mere exaggeration in a modern era, they nonetheless underline the degree of lack that a people may experience when literally cut from the rest of civilisation.

The road to redemption began shortly after the inauguration of the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration. Once he was sworn-in, the governor embarked on an assessment tour of all the local government areas. It emerged from the tour that Nkanu East was the least developed council in terms of infrastructural development. Irked by the deplorable state of affairs, Governor Ugwuanyi announced the immediate award of contract for the construction of the bridge across the Inyaba River during his visit to Nkanu East to establish the sorely needed access road for villages such as Amechi Idodo, Amankanu and Ohwo.

The focus on rural communities is consistent with a vision the governor had outlined in his inaugural speech. "Enugu State under us will pay special attention to rural development because majority of our people live in the rural areas. We will create more urban areas to boost economic growth... Giving attention to these places will speed up urban development, create fresh economic opportunities and reduce pressure on Enugu metropolis."

So, to the governor, the situation in communities contiguous to the Inyaba River was an expedient one for which no bureaucracy will be tolerated. So, it wasn't long before contractors were mobilised to site, a huge contrast to past experiences when campaign rhetoric was hardly ever matched with the requisite action. The council chair, Mr. Ikechukwu Ubagu, noted that the governor would not have known the sort of grim situation faced by locals barring his visit to their community. "He walked on this wooden makeshift bridge," Ubagu recalled, "and decided to come to our aid. This is like a rescue mission for Amagunze and Amechi Idodo communities."

The resident engineer from Enugu State's Works Ministry, Mr. Christian Ovute, recounts the experience he met on ground: "The experience cold best be described as disastrous.

For the villagers, once it rains heavily they cannot access the market at the other side of the bridge. I have experienced one rainy season here. For three months, this place was not accessible due to flooding.

"This river has split the local government

Ugwuanyi

Ani standing beside the nearly completed concrete structure

Despair... The writer stands atop the improvised wooden bridge often swept away by storm waters from the Inyaba River whenever it rained

into two. People coming from Amechi Idodo and beyond cannot access their secretariat which is just a stone throw from across the river. They go round Enugu Four-Corner through Agbani before they can get to the secretariat. But with what we are putting on ground, 2016 will be the last such experience they would ever have. These bridges will solve the problem of containing the water, and then allowing traffic and humans to pass through them."

Indeed, the plaudits for Governor Ugwuanyi has not ceased since construction of the bridges began. "We pray God to protect Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for us so that this project and other projects across the state will be completed successfully," Maureen Nweke from Ozama Agu, one of the communities that bore the heaviest brunt when it rains. "We are grateful to God for sending us a saviour in the person of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. We pray God to prosper him in all his endeavours. God will shield his family from the eyes of the wicked ones."

Expectedly, the villagers are looking towards the future with optimism. With the

new project, locals can easily get to their local government secretariat in less than 20 minutes, a journey that took them over two hours when the construction was not in place. The sheer scale of the project and its significance to these communities could be glimpsed further in an encounter recalled by Kenechukwu Ozor, project manager to the contractors handling the project. "One of the villagers told me that even if the governor does nothing else in Amagunze after this project he would always remain grateful to him," he said.

Such is the excitement in communities contiguous to the river that an indigene and businessman resident in Onitsha had to drive down from the bustling commercial city, located some 90 kilometres away, to simply experience the thrill of a concrete bridge in his hometown. "It was always an unusual experience for me; you can imagine having a car and being unable to drive to your country home. I can't believe this is happening in my lifetime," he said, beaming as he took in the sights of Inyaba's leafy surroundings.

But there is yet another reason to applaud Ugwuanyi soon. The council headquarters is

beneficiary of a road project which emerged out of the governor's determination to spur socio-economic activities in rural communities and reduce the pressure on Enugu metropolis.

That vision resulted in the simultaneous flag-off of 35 projects across the state's 17 LGAs, late last year. The road rehabilitation will commence from Nkerefi and cut through Nara and Ugbawka - villages whose roads have long been in deplorable state despite their status as major hubs for rice cultivation - towards Amagunze which reputedly had the unenviable tag as the only headquarters of a local government area in Enugu State without a well paved access road.

Their completion will bring to an end the embarrassment of always having a smear of red dust for the locals and passengers who commute regularly via that route. So, as the Ugwuanyi administration commemorates its two years in office, there is certainly a lot to cheer about in Nkanu East. * Ani, formerly Editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper and later Saturday Telegraph writes from Enugu. He could be followed on Twitter on @AniLaurence and laurenceani.blogspot.com

34/ETIQUETTE

26.05.2017

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

Imbibing Proper Manners at Work (1) One crucial factor in working effectively is the attitude you bring to the place of work. You can hardly achieve the good results with a bad attitude. For this reason, I have decided to publish portions of my new book on work etiquette which presents a common sense guide to building passion – arguably the single most effective ingredient for work place efficiency. Excerpts, The highest level of work activity is addiction.

There are five kinds of workers: Workers with AVERSION - a state of no interest Workers with ATTENTION - a state of little interest Workers with ATTRACTION - a state of moderate interest Workers with AFFECTION - a state of high interest Workers with ADDICTION - a state of total interest Passion or painful consistency moves us from one level of interest to another.

It is your level of interest that determines your level of insight.

And it is your level of insight that

determines the quality and effectiveness of your work.

If you want to work at the highest potential getting the best results, operate at the highest level of interest - be addicted.

The greatest achievers who ever lived were addicted to their work.

MICHEAL PHELPS the greatest Olympian of all time with 23 gold medals was so addicted to swimming that for five years he was said to have never missed a day of practice including Sundays.

TIM COOK the CEO of Apple the world’s most valuable company is so addicted to his work, he adopts a principle of first in last out - that is the first to report to work and the last to leave.

ISSAC NEWTON was so addicted he worked 18 hours every day. He was so addicted to work he invented calculus while he was still a student at Cambridge University. So addicted to work he barely had time for social interactions.

STEVE JOBS was so addicted to making so many life changing innovations he worked round the clock. At a certain point in his life, he took his bath only once

a week to make this quite convenient he ate only red apples so he would not develop body odour.

So then you may ask, how then can I be addicted? Simple! I can show you how even if you are at a point where you have little or no interest at all. Come with me as I show you how to go from aversion a state of no interest at all in work to addiction a state of absolute interest for work.

The key to building interest is to be consistent even when it is most painful or challenging. Not just to be consistent, but to be consistent when it is most painful or challenging. The difference between you and your next level of interest is pain.

If you have an aversion for a thing and you remain consistent even when it is most painful or challenging, your level of interest will increase. Notice I did not say if you are consistent. I said if you are consistent even when it is most painful or challenging. Pain is therefore your passport to the next level.

How do you become passionate or more passionate?

Let’s assume you are not passionate for a job or task and you want to become passionate or you have some form of passion or interest however you want to become more passionate. How then do you become more passionate? Well, I’ll give you the golden principle. It states thus.

Be consistent especially when it is most challenging and have a good attitude.

As you work at a job or task in consistency, if you have a good attitude, you would either find yourself naturally becoming more passionate or you would come to a point where the job or task is most painful, uninteresting, uneventful, challenging etc. The point at which you feel the most pain, lack of interest, discomfort is the point at which you are about to enter into a higher level of passion. In life, pain sometimes is a sign we are about to enter the next level of passion.

Like the golden rule states - it is not consistency alone that makes one passionate, it is consistency when it is most challenging combined with a good attitude that makes one more passionate.

How many Nigerians were as addicted as the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi? The incarcerations, the tortures he endured from successive military regimes. Not to even mention the fact he was said to have studied for four hours every day

According to ace event planner Funmi Okigbo, she is so addicted to what she does, she probably can’t figure out what she does to relax

MICHEAL PHELPS the greatest Olympian of all time with 23 gold medals was so addicted to swimming that for five years he was said to have never missed a day of practice including Sundays

ISSAC NEWTON was so addicted he worked 18 hours every day. He was so addicted to work he invented calculus while he was still a student at Cambridge University.

So addicted to work he barely had time for social interactions

35/XTRA

26.05.2017

Peter Uzoho

NGO Donates Library to Lagos School

As part of its education intervention programmes, Pyramid Education Foundation, has donated a well-equipped 44-seater capacity library to Community Primary School, Agbado Ijaiye, in Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The facility which was built with generous contributions and support from the Small World/ Indian team, and the management and pupils of Bambini Schools, has standard furniture and fine interior fittings, with enough leg spaces for pupils’ convenience. The library has sections for both the Nursery and Primary sections of the school, with over three thousand books in each section covering basic school curriculum and general knowledge educational materials.

Speaking at the inauguration and handover ceremony recently, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. Adedapo Conde, said the foundation’s decision to set-up a library in the school was based on the potential impact of the project in ensuring that children from economically disadvantaged background were able to access quality books and have a conducive and inspiring environment to read.

“We believe that these factors will enable them to develop a healthy reading culture – which will improve their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of the world and subsequently better position them for success in life,” Conde said.

He disclosed that in addition to setting up the library, the foundation would also be working with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Education Authority, and the management team of the school to design and implement programmes that would ensure maximum utilisation of the library and the resources in it.

Wike, Ayade, Dickson, Oritsejafor, others to be Honoured at NDAMA 2017 Anayo Okolie

Executive Director, Pyramid Education Foundation, Mr Adedapo Conde (middle), flanked by management and staff of the school, during the inauguration ceremony in Lagos...recently

“A school library committee has been constituted and will be charged with the responsibility of developing and implementing such activities.

Members of this committee include the Head teachers of school 1 and 2, the English and Diction teachers, the Librarian, Class monitors,

to mention but a few. Programmes such as book reading and storytelling sessions have also been developed and will be incorporated in the school time-table to ensure continuous engagement of pupils as well as use of the library,” he added.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Cross River State Governor Prof.

Ben Ayade, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and wife of the founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Helen Wike Oritsejafor and eminent Niger Deltans will all be decorated with the prestigious Niger Delta Achievers’ Merit Award.

Others to be decorated are Hon. Kenneth Kobani, Hon. Ofobruku Efe Hon. Konbowei, Sir Monday Onyeme, Chief Raphael Okaruefe, Benson, Hon. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Chief James Augoye, Hon. Friday Osanebi, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Belema Oil, VIP Express Tourism, Monier Construction Company and Epenal Group of Company and a host of others.

According to a statement made available by Mr. Charles Ibru Kesiena, Head of corporate communications of Achievers Prestigious Merit Foundation, the organisers Niger Delta Achievers’ Merit Award, the award with theme ‘Positioning the Niger Delta for Sustainable Development: Practical Steps and Solutions’.

He also noted that the keynote speech will be delivered by the MD/CEO of Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Nsima Udo Ekere, who will also highlight the essence of the event in promoting good governance and transparent leadership in public and private sector as well as celebrating virtues of excellence.

Worship for Change Provides Financial, Material Support for Lagos-based Charity Home

Adenuga (2nd right) with his team presenting the gift items to the management of the Charity Home

Sunday Okobi In fulfilment of its social responsibility and entrepreneurship drive for humanity, a faithoriented foundation, Worship for Change, has raised over N3 million worth of support for 43 children with special needs at the Lady Atinuke Memorial Home, Badagry, Lagos State.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, the convener of the foundation, Pastor Wale Adenuga, stated that “we buy into the vision and mission of The Lady Atinuke Memorial Home.”

Adenuga noted that his attention was drawn to the work being done at the Lady Atinuke Memorial Home in Badagry “when I heard of how sometimes they would go sell the food they had in the market in order to buy diapers for these children with special needs; I really have not recovered from that discovery.”

Commenting further on the support of the charity organisations, Adenuga, who is of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jubilee Christian Centre Parish in Lagos, said: “We are certain that these donated items will help in their vision of creating a community where respect for and promotion of human dignity of challenged children are held sacred.”

Since 2006, the Worship For Change yearly concerts led by him has helped to raise tre-

mendous awareness and over N37 million to provide support for thousands of children cared for by 21 different charities all over Nigeria.

He stated that when he met with the management of the charity home doing extremely impactful and important work in the support and care of special-needs children, “it became more apparent for us to support this charity.”

According to him, Worship for Change is a registered not-for-profit organisation, with a Board of Advisors, all of whom are persons of good standing in the society. Adenuga disclosed that part of the proceeds donated to the home included mattresses, bags of rice, 32-inch televisions, customised chairs for children with Cerebral Palsy, stationery, toiletries, electronics and other items valued at N3.2million.

The statement said that last year, the Worship for Change benefit concert which was held at the Shell Hall of the Muson Centre on October 30, 2016, had Lenny Leblanc, Glowreeyah Braimah, Wale Adenuga, Okiki Jesu, PITA and Bill Bidiaque, as some of the international and local gospel artists who performed at the event, adding that Lady Atinuke Memorial Home in Badagry and Solid Rock Restoration Centre in Ile-Ife, Osun State, were selected as beneficiaries for proceeds generated from the concert.

L-R: General Manager, Proud Nigerian Campaign, Mr. Michael Abugo; Visioner/Founder, Proudly Nigeria Campign Organisation,Olorogun Elkanah O. Mowarin and Project Consultant, Mr. Andrew Odoiko, during the press briefing by Proudly Nigerian campaign on the forth- coming honour to be bestowed on Alhaji Aliko Dangote in Surulere, Lagos… recently KOLAWOLE ALLI

Proudly Nigerian Campaign Kicks Off in Surulere Proudly Nigerian Campaign has kicked off in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The promoter of the organisation, Olorogun Elkanah Mowarin, said the campaign would "complement the efforts of all Nigerian stakeholders who have excelled or are making positive contributions in and outside Nigeria towards the re-positioning of Brand Nigeria as the 'most preferred destination' for individual and corporate relationships."

He went further to explain that, "Proudly Nigerian Campaign is a private sector initiative which is aimed at eliciting pride in resourceful Nigerians and patronage of Nigerian products and services. The campaign is the brainchild of Proudly Nigerian, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to project Nigeria and Nigerians as a brand and generate positive information and image about Nigeria.”

Mowarin stated that the Proudly Nigerian Campaign which has excellence, professionals, patriotism, integrity and value-addition as its core values would identify, recognise, locate, support and celebrate businesses owned or

dominated by Nigerians in the country and in the Diaspora. At the same time create and sustain awareness for indigenous and semi indigenous businesses as well as elicit empathy for their patronage, as it would in turn stimulate qualitative competition among these businesses.

Other objectives according to Mowarin, include organising conferences, seminars, trade fairs and exhibitions, adding that Proudly Nigerian would in the process nudge the government at all levels to provide and maintain the required infrastructure and environment conducive for business for the respective players, conferring awards on deserving Nigerian individuals and organisations based on their exceptional feat.

As part of the Proudly Nigerian Campaign, the organisation also announced its intention to celebrate Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the brand Dangote Group this year in which the visioner of the group clocks 60 years of age.

Mowarin added that details of the celebration will be communicated to the general public in due course

36

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

37/THISLIFE

26.05.2017

Adams

Rise of a Yoruba General It’s been 19 years since the last Aare Ona Kakanfo left this world. But it appears a new one is about to be ordained, writes Michael Enoette In Yorubaland, the Aare Ona Kakanfo is the highest military title. In times past, the Kakanfo was the Field Marshall and Supreme Generalissimo of the dreaded military of the Oyo Empire. He symbolised the might of the Oyo Empire. Also, he must never be defeated in battle. He either won the war or he died fighting. And because of the enormous powers he wielded as the Supreme Commander of the Army, the Kakanfo never lived in the capital with the Alaafin.

In the modern era, the title has become largely ceremonial. The 13th and 14th holders of the Aare Ona Kakanfos– late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Chief MKO Abiola – were politicians. However, their penchant for courage and heroism remains.

Kakanfo Akintola was the first Aare of the modern era. On the night of January 15, 1966, a company of soldiers marched on his residence. He was then the Premier of the Western Region. Akintola, it is said, took up arms against Nigeria’s first coup plotters. Reports have it that he wiped out the entire contingent before reinforcements arrived. One man, officially a civilian, nearly overpowered a company of professional soldiers armed with offensive weapons. He fought till daylight, before he was mortally wounded. Eyewitness accounts have it that several hours later, with his body riddled with bullets, lying on the bare floor in the old Adeoyo Hospital in Ibadan, he was still breathing and remained so until he gave up the ghost at sunset. One of his predecessors, Kakanfo Afonja, also battled Fulani warriors in Ilorin in 1834. Even as the arrows rained on him, Afonja did not fall. He died on his feet, held up by the hundreds of arrows trained on him. That day, the Yoruba lost Ilorin to the Fulani hegemony. The Kakanfos were consummate tragic figures.

History informs that the Aare Ona Kakanfo title was created by Alaafin Ajagbo who reigned in Oyo-Ile, then headquarters of the Yoruba Nation, sometimes between the 16th and 17th centuries. Alaafin Ajagbo was the one that

built a sophisticated military system that often ensured victory for his troops in their military expeditions. He created 70 command offices (Eshos) in the formation – 16 in the upper division and 54 in the lower division.

However, 19 years after the death of Abiola, a new Kakanfo is yet to be found.

Recently, a familiar name has been making the rounds, that of the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Founder/Convener of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Otunba Gani Adams.

On Sunday, April 30, Adams hosted thousands of dignitaries on his birthday at Batten Hall, an events centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. At the event, Aare Ayandotun Oyelakin, who represented the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (Iku Baba Yeye), had informed the guests that the revered monarch might be considering conferring the exalted title of Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland on the OPC leader and Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation.

The announcement generated a muffled debate at the venue, with some wondering whether Adams should accept such a title if he was offered by the eminent royal father.

And recently, at the Annual Festival of Wealth (Odun Aje) held by the Olokun Festival Foundation in Agege, Lagos, Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Ayoade Olawuyi, who represented the Alaafin, informed the guests that God had already perfected the conferment of the Aare Ona Kakanfo title on the OPU founder and culture promoter. The Bashorun of Oyo, the traditional prime minister of Oyo, Leader of the Oyomesi and next in command to the Alaafin, urged people at the event not to exercise doubts on the proposed conferment, noting that Adams had displayed an indescribable passion for fighting the cause of the Yoruba race over the past two decades.

While pouring encomiums on Adams, Olawuyi noted that God had been promoting the OPC leader as a result of his commitment to the progress of the Yoruba nation. He urged all members of the OPC to be focused and loyal to the organisation, asserting that anyone involved in treachery would never

go far in life.

Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun is one monarch that is fully convinced that Otunba Gani Adams totally deserves the Kakanfo title. He said when he first heard from the grapevine that Adams was being considered for the position, he had no doubts that the OPC leader was totally worthy of the title.

“For what he has been doing for the Yoruba race, he totally deserves it. This is a man that has been fighting for the Yoruba race for over two decades now. He has suffered a lot of personal deprivations as a result of his struggles for our race. He has been arrested by the police and detained in police cells. He has been detained in prison cells, all because of his passion for the race. This is a man that has never committed any crime.

“Otunba Gani Adams has also been promoting the Yoruba culture all over the world.

Show me any Yoruba man, living or dead, that has promoted the culture more than Gani Adams. Look at the number of festivals that the Olokun Festival Foundation promotes across Yorubaland, from state to state every year. Then he founded the Oodua Pogressive Union (OPU) for the Yoruba people in the Diaspora. Right now, OPU is in 78 countries of the world. And he has been doing all this with his own money, without government sponsorship. No other Yoruba man has done this. And it has been paying off. In some European countries now, there are schools where the Yoruba language is being taught.

Through the activities of the OPU, our children in the Diaspora are being taught the values of Omoluwabi.

“Look at the issue of pipeline vandalism.

When the contract for pipeline security was given to the OPC, there was no issue of vandalism. Gani Adams knows his onions.

He’s passionately committed to the cause of the Yoruba race. We will be delighted if he’s installed as Kakanfo by Iku Baba Yeye.”

In the olden days, becoming the Kakanfo never came easy. Foremost Yoruba historian, Rev Samuel Johnson wrote that in the past, the Kakanfo, at his inauguration, must com-

pletely shave his head. “And 201 incisions are made on his occiput, with 201 different lancets and specially prepared ingredients from 201 viols are rubbed into the cuts, one for each. This is supposed to render him fearless and courageous. They are always shaved, but the hair on the inoculated part is allowed to grow long, and when plaited, forms a tuft or a sort of pigtail.

He writes further: “This ceremony, which renders the Kakanfo ‘fearless and courageous’ also makes him difficult, disruptive and prone to warfare.” He recalled that the 11th Kakanfo, Ojo Aburumaku of Ogbomoso, upon finding no war in the period during which he held the title, fomented a civil war at Ogbomosho which he also repressed with vigour.

On his part, His Royal Majesty, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole (Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom in Ekiti State), thanked the Alaafin for his choice of Otunba Gani Adams for the conferment of Aare Ona Kakanfo.

“I feel very happy that Baba Alaafin intends to confer the prestigious Aare Ona Kakanfo title on Otunba Gani Adams. I thank the Alaafin for his deep research. Of course, the Alaafin remains a repository of wisdom, experience and knowledge in Yoruba history, folklore, culture and tradition. He certainly knows who the cap fits.

“Otunba Gani Adams is most deserving of this great honour because as leader of the OPC, he has been a dogged fighter in defense of the Yoruba race and he has remained highly committed and consistent for many years now.

“Secondly, with his OPU, Gani Adams has been championing the unity of Yorubas worldwide preaching the message of the supremacy of Yoruba language and culture.

“Thirdly, he has been promoting and sponsoring many traditional festivals throughout the length and breadth of Yoruba land.

“And, it is remarkable that he has been doing all these with his own personal resources.

“He is young, energetic, highly intelligent, articulate, humble, level headed, and well connected to be able to use the position and office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo to enhance and promote the cause of the Yorubas worldwide.”

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26.05.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Britain’s Bad Day Brings Lessons Home to Nigeria In the British city of Manchester, the blue sky first faded to gray, then black. It was a bad day for Britain.

On Monday, a lone suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, killed 22 concert-goers at an arena packed with young people. The joy of many children and the good memory of a night changed instantly. Arianna Grande, the 23-year-old singer who’s an inspiration to many young girls had her night ruined. It was a horrific day for Britain and the rest of the world as we saw victims rushed out of the arena in horror. Sad is the word.

But the British Prime Minister, Theresa May did her best for her country. She called everyone to unite behind a cause: defend “Britain’s unity” and “see the best out of the worst.”

Her statement on the terrible attack was grand. “While we experienced the worst of humanity in Manchester last night,” May said, “We also saw the best.”

“The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the emergency services and the people of Manchester. The attempt to divide us met countless acts of kindness that brought people closer together.

“And in the days ahead, those must be the things we remember.

“The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter, but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help.

“Let us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win — and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail,” she concluded.

Can Nigeria, a country with persistent suicide bombing borrow from Britain’s crisis communications plan?

It is a salient fact that terrorists thrive where there’s division and unfounded fear.

Sadly, this is what Nigerian Government and political elites know how to do best.

The military, presidency, political parties, businessmen, community and religious leaders, all hire different spin doctors to move in a whirling motion to engage in acrobatic media fight firing on all cylinders and encouraging terrorists to continue the carnage. This must stop!

Terrorism in Manchester unites Britons

What else? The morning after the Manchester attack, an appeal fund was initiated

by The Sun newspapers tagged ‘The Sun’s Together with Manchester Appeal’. We’ve never seen that happened in Nigeria since July 2009, when Boko Haram bared its fang on Nigerians. Never!

In just one day, the appeal initiated to support families of the victims of the suicide nail bombing got a corporate donation of £100,000 from News UK, publisher of The Sun. Can the media in Nigeria follow this path rather than be in bed with political interest in times of crisis?

Surprisingly, the appeal launched on justgiving.com, a popular fundraising platform in England, has a Nigerian name, Abolanle Bisiriyu, as one of the donors.

We saw the spirit of Britain not in words, but in action. Political campaigns for general election were suspended immediately by all political parties without acrimony.

From this, my take away is that with right leadership everywhere in Nigeria, “our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail” as May said.

In Nigeria, multiple bombs have gone off

since five commanders of Boko Haram were released from Nigerian prisons in exchange for 82 of the Chibok schoolgirls on May 7.

In fact, four internally displaced persons, (IDPs) in Dalori-1 Camp of Maiduguri, Borno State, have been beheaded by the Boko Haram since the exchange happened.

The University of Maiduguri has been attacked twice and there was a reported attack on army formation as well, yet for politicians it is nothing more than a game of chess, where every character is a piece in a grand board; make your move, kill other pieces, and get killed, in turn until a survivor becomes a king.

In the series I wrote in the last two weeks, I mentioned how we have turned victims of terrorism in our country to mere statistics without truly reaching out to them. I mentioned how the Nigerian media follow the government frame of war on terror solely for its politics and profits.

As ethics comes into everything we do, the clear and compelling argument made

by Susan Moeller—a professor of media and international affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park, United States—in her

well-researched book, ‘Packaging Terrorism: Co-opting the news for Politics and Profits’ makes much sense.

Moeller fittingly questioned the relationship between the media and politicians in reporting terrorism stating the obvious that making the campaign against terrorism a theatre of sort that favours political interest rather than looking at the trauma experienced by the victims does no good to the public.

But in a private conversation I had with David Otto, a counterterrorism expert with knowledge of Africa, United Kingdom, and Europe, the politics of terrorism in Nigeria continues to create a gulf in communities and among religious groups instead of uniting everyone.

The setback according to Otto revolves round the idea of “cherry-picking” the captives to be liberated from Boko Haram.”

I posed three questions to Otto on the politics of terrorism in Nigeria. To my inquiry Otto said: “The biggest setback is the emphasis of cherry-picking captives and differentiating priority between those seen as 'Chibok Girls' and other thousands of captives who don't make that 'golden' category.

“The effect of that is counterproductive and pushes those in captivity to become delusional, frustrated and adopt into the insurgency.

“At the very beginning of the talks and continuously, we discouraged the idea of selecting or swapping Chibok girls or captives- it was and it is a bad idea as it gave Boko Haram the upper hand to bargain. It was a matter of ' what is mine is mine, what is yours is negotiable.”

True, anytime we hear of an escapee from the den of Boko Haram or a group of victims liberated by soldiers, the first question is “are they Chibok girls?”

Indeed, after the military rescued hundreds of women and girls last year, one person who was around during the profiling told me that the main question was “Who is from Chibok?”

That will be in the opposite for what New York Times opened its editorial with on Wednesday after reviewing comments on the Manchester attack. “Every victim of terrorism is innocent,” The New Times wrote, “everyone is to be mourned.” I agree.

Treasuring Our Biodiversity Ogunjobi Muyiwa Felix "We should treasure the environment as the only treasure that bears other treasure…"

The colossal figures that describe the loss of flora and fauna in Nigeria over the last two decades are so saddening. It simply points to the fact that the word “biodiversity” is just a well-known vocabulary or should I say, a terminology that only exists in books.

For the sake of pedagogy, “biodiversity” is evidently a coinage of two words – “biology” and “diversity” – hence the phrase “biological diversity”. It solely expresses the various forms of nature, its inherent beauties, and dynamism.

Therefore, the depth of the word is a function of the level of awareness of the user.

May 22nd presents us another worthy opportunity to not only mark but understand our Biodiversity as a people. The International Day for Biological Diversity 2017 themed ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism’ has been chosen to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

This decision stems from the strong connection between biodiversity and tourism. The dependence of one on the other has helped both to thrive under varying anthropogenic factors.

However, while using sustainable tourism as a fulcrum to raise awareness for biodiversity, it is also expedient to know that sustenance of biodiversity would require that all hands be on deck as several other competitive land uses have, over the years, succeeded in dwindling

Cross River gorilla

the world's natural reserves.

By scholastic evaluation, the rain forests of West Africa have been earmarked as one of the world’s hotspots of biodiversity according to a research carried out in 2000. If it is so, Nigeria by virtue of her status should shoulder the weight of this responsibility. But on the contrary, according to World Conservation Monitoring Centre, "Nigeria is home to at least 4715 species of vascular plant of which 4.3 per cent are endemic; about 1417 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles". Sadly, the total forest cover in the country is fast declining with just about 7.7 per cent remaining in 2015 having lost nearly 80 per cent of its old-growth forests between 1990 and 2005 giving the dubious distinction

of having the highest deforestation rate on the planet.

These statistics affirm a single thing – mismanagement – mismanagement borne out of over-dependence on natural resources -Forest and water resources.

From social indices of which poverty is topmost, local communities living around forest and water resources over-depend on these resources as a source of protein, fuel, food, herbs and protection, thus depleting its biodiversity, these they achieve through horrendous acts of poaching and deforestation.

Only close-access resources upon which economic importance, such as tourism has been placed escape this dastard situation. This explains why barely only eight National Parks

are remaining in the country at the moment.

What then is the way forward?

As much as an International Day for Biological diversity would help to raise awareness, its celebration in this part of the world seems already banal – one can almost predict the usual.

This time, it would take more than; a televised “speech” from the Minister of Environment, ritual exchange of handshakes and presentation of uncircumcised honorary awards to achieve the wanted change. It would require a fundamental approach from parents and other societal institutions to expose their children and members to environmental education.

For parents, it is an opportunity to environmentally prepare our children for the future; I personally suggest that urban settlers leave a small part of the compound bare, no cement, no interlocking stones.

Let your children learn from nature; let them see earthworm burrow into the soil. Let them see snail crawl on the fence. Let them see how a garden is nurtured. Let them see how banana suckers emanate. Let them mix soil with their hand trowel. Let them see prune flower with their secateurs, irrigate with their watering cans and more importantly, watch them pluck and eat from the purity of nature.

For adults, we should treasure the environment as the only treasure that bears other treasure knowing that it is a phenomenon to consider in all life’s endeavour. That way, “we” wouldn’t have to rely majorly on tourism as a factor to sustain Biodiversity, it becomes a lifestyle. .Felix writes from Port Harcourt

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FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION PRESS RELEASE Fashola declares eligibility in the power sector – Such consumers may buy power directly from generation companies

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n a major policy directive, the Honourable Minister of Power Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has on May 15, 2017, declared four (4) categories of eligible customers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The declaration which permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the generation companies is in line with the provisions of Section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 whereby eligible customers are permitted to buy power from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies. In exercising the power conferred on him by the said Act, the Honourable Minister of Power Works and Housing, directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (the Commission) to permit four categories of customers to buy power directly from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies.

The rst category of eligible customers comprises of a group of end-users registered with the Commission whose consumption is no less than 2MWhr/h and connected to a metered 11kV or 33kV delivery point on the distribution network and subject to a distribution use of system agreement for the delivery of electrical energy. The next category of eligible customers are those connected to a metered 132kV or 330kV delivery point on the transmission network under a transmission use of system agreement for connection and delivery of energy.

Other category of customers under the declaration consists of those with consumption in excess of 2MWhr/h on monthly basis and connected directly to a metered 33kV delivery point on the transmission network under a transmission use of system agreement. Eligible customers in this category must have entered into a bilateral agreement with the distribution licensee licensed to operate in the location, for the construction, installation and operation of a distribution system for connection to the 33kV delivery point.

The last category are eligible customers whose minimum consumption is more than 2MWhr/h over a period of one month and directly connected to the metering facility of a generation company, and has entered into a bilateral agreement for the construction and operation of a distribution line with the distribution licensee licensed to operate in the location.

The new policy directive is expected to bring into play new and stranded generation capacities which may be contracted between generation companies and eligible customers. The declaration further provides that at least 20% of the generation capacity added by the existing or prospective generation licensee to supply eligible customer must be above the requirement of the eligible customer and is supplied under a contract with a distribution or trading licensee at a price not exceeding the average wholesale price being charged electricity distribution companies by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. The conditions for the declaration of eligible customer is subject to review by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission from time to time.

Signed -Management

Manchester Attack: Trump Condemns Media Leaks US President Donald Trump has said leaks of the investigation into the Manchester attack to the US media are “deeply troubling”.

They were a “grave threat to our national security”, he added, and his administration would get to the bottom of it.

His remarks come after US media published photos from the scene of Monday night’s attack.

Salman Abedi blew himself up, killing 22 adults and children.

Mr Trump, who is at the Nato summit in Brussels with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, said: “These leaks have been going on for a long time.

“I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies

to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“There is no relationship we cherish more than the special relationship between the US and the UK.” Earlier, the top US diplomat in the UK Lewis Lukens condemned the leaks as “reprehensible” and told the BBC action would be taken to identify those responsible.

It comes as police described the eight arrests made since the bombing as significant and items seized in raids as “very important”.

On Wednesday, the New York Times outraged British police

and government officials when it published photos appearing to show debris from the attack.

They included bloodstained fragments from the bomb and the backpack used to conceal it.

Greater Manchester Police were said to be “furious” and said they would stop sharing information with the US. Its chief constable Ian Hopkins said the leak undermined the investigation and had distressed families “already suffering terribly with their loss”.

The New York Times newspaper has defended its decision to publish the pictures, saying they were “neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims”.

NATO Troop Increase Plan Draws Criticism in Afghanistan As NATO allies converge in Brussels for a key summit, one topic on the agenda will be a potential increase in the number of troops in Afghanistan - a move met with strong opposition by many in Kabul.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINTUNDE WURAOLA MOLAYONINUJESU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RUGBERE WURAOLA MOLAYONINUJESU. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as REGINA ANIBOWEI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS REGINA APPEAL. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGHENEVWEDE WINIFRED UWANOGHOR now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGHENEVWEDE WINIFRED ABOLOJE. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

This is to confirm that IBEANU THEOPHILUS CHINWIKE and IBEANU PATRICK CHIKE refers to one and same person, now wish to be known as IBEANU PATRICK CHIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PATIENCE ASINGA now wish to be known and addressed as PATIENCE IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ELIZABETH IFELUNWA NWACHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ELIZABETH IFELUNWA N. ORANUSI. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MARKMORRISON EJINIOFOR IFEASOR now wish to be known and addressed as WILLIAMS OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EDEBEATU GRACE IFEYINWA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UCHENNA-EDEBEAT IFEYINWA GRACE. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

The military alliance began considering a troop increase earlier this month after it received a request from army chiefs for more soldiers to help in the fight against the Taliban, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as HENRIETTA ERUEMULOR OGWARI now wish to be known and addressed as TUDEBI HENRIETTA ERUEMULOR. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NNENDA VICTORIA WACHUKU now wish to be known and addressed as NNENDA EDWARD ERESU DEEKAE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note

I, formerly known and addressed as OKEKEANYICHIE UCHENNA JUDITH now wish to be known and addressed as NNAEDOZIE UCHENNA JUDITH. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CYNTHIA ADENIKE ALEBIOSU now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUELLA ADENIKE ALEBIOSU. All former documents remain valid. America, British, French Embassy, OAU Ife, FBN, GTBank, Zenith Bank and the general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TOLULOPE ADETUTU OLOFIN now wish to be known and addressed as TOLULOPE ADETUTU SEYE-OLOWOYO. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS FEYIRANTI BABAGBALE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FEYINRANTI RICHARD-BABA. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OSAIGBOVO CHRISTIANA INNEHE now wish to be known and addressed as IGHAGBON CHRISTIANA INNEHE. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GHAZALI OLAMILEKAN IDRIS now wish to be known and addressed as KASALI OLAMILEKAN IDRIS. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

The prospect of a troop surge might have drawn considerable support in Brussels and Washington, but in Kabul the situation is different.

“They are thinking of sending soldiers ... They [the soldiers] will not do anything,” Sher Mohammad Karimi, a retired four-star general in the Afghan National Army, told Al Jazeera.

“If they are advisers, then it’s OK.” Afghan defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish agreed, saying that local forces needed better equipment and training.

“What we need now is bombing planes and also modern engineering technology,” he told Al Jazeera.

Since NATO’s combat mission in Afghanistan formally ended in 2014, Taliban attacks have intensified and Afghan military and civilian casualties have risen.

NATO already has more than 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, including around 6,900 US and 500 British military personnel, who are training the Afghan armed forces to eventually take over the country’s defence and security. The US has an additional 1,500 soldiers conducting assist missions directly under Pentagon command.

Trump Nato: Leaders Gather for ‘Tough’Talks on Defence Spending Leaders of the Nato military alliance are gathering in Brussels to meet President Donald Trump for what the US says will be “very tough” talks.

Mr Trump is expected to press members to pay their full financial share of the alliance’s costs.

The alliance has already agreed to his request to join the US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State. Mr Trump is meeting several EU leaders for the first time, including France’s new President, Emmanuel Macron.

The atmosphere between the US conservative and the French centrist appeared strained when they met at the US embassy in Brussels. The two leaders clasped each other’s hands, leaning in towards each other slightly. Mr Trump started to pull away, but Mr Macron held on tighter and refused to let him go, the BBC’s Tara McKelvey reports.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Fasting in Ramadan: Worship or Habit?

Sheikh Salman Al-Oadah/IslamToday/IslamiCity

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s fasting a habit or is it an act of spiritual devotion?

It is related that Prophet Muhammad said: “Good conduct is a habit, and bad conduct is just obnoxious.”

Sahih Ibn Hibban and Sunan Ibn Majah with a good chain of transmission] This Prophetic statement brings up the question of the extent to which our formal worship is prescribed to us to positively develop our personalities and cultivate our spirituality.

This role for our worship is further reinforced by the Prophet’s words: “A man continues to speak the truth and verify the truth until it is written with Allah that he is an honest man... And another man continues to lie and chase after false reports until it is written with Allah that he is a habitual liar.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim] When we do an act over and over again, it becomes a habit. Carrying it out becomes part and parcel of our personalities and identities.

When a person strives to be honest by deliberately and consistently choosing to speak truly (even against self-interest), then honesty becomes a character trait. Ultimately, Allah elevates that person to the status of Siddiq (One Who is Truly Honest).

For honest people, honesty is indeed a habit.

However, this does not negate the fact that speaking the truth remains an act of worship and pious devotion.

Prophet Muhammad did not separate between habituation and devotion. In fact, he did the opposite. In fact, he said: “The most beloved of good deeds with Allah are those which are practiced with constancy over a long period of time, even if the deed is small.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim] Also, `a’ishah relates that: “When Allah’s Messenger practiced a good deed, he would do so consistently.”

[Sahih Muslim] Habituation becomes a problem when people begin carrying out habitual acts unthinkingly.

Some habits - like the manner of combing one’s hair, or moving one’s hands, or biting one’s nails - become so ingrained that the person ceases to be conscious of doing the habitual act. People might even deny such a habit if it is brought to their attention.

At the same time, some positive habits have a tangible good effect on a person’s character and outlook on life. For instance, a person who has a habit of devoting a certain hour of every day to the remembrance of Allah or to reading the Qur’an has integrated these virtuous acts into daily life. They become, as a consequence, resulting in greater blessings and spiritual growth.

Once a man came to Prophet Muhammad and said: “All the Islamic rites have become so many for me. Give me something I can hold fast to.”The Prophet replied: “Keep your tongue moist with Allah’s remembrance.”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi and Sunan Ibn Majah] This is a recommendation to turn the remembrance of Allah into a good habit.

We should therefore not use the word “habit” as if it is a bad thing, like when some of us say: “Prayer is an act of worship and not a habit.”

Certainly prayer is an act of worship, and if it is our constant habit as well, then all the better.

It is a good thing that it is a person’s habit to pray, as long as we do not mean by “habit” that the person is just going along with the crowd or is praying absentmindedly. The positive connotation of habit we intend here is that of constancy and dedication, along with presence of mind and sincerity. A habit is something a person is comfortable doing. Leaving it off is something that makes the habituated person uncomfortable. How good it is for worship to be easy and comfortable for a person so that it never feels like a burden.

Prophet Muhammad once said: “O Bilal!

Call the people to prayer. Give us our relaxation

in prayer.” [Sunan Abi Dawd]. This shows us that for the Prophet and his Companions, the performance of prayer was a source of comfort and solace.

The Prophet also said: “Prayer has been made the sweetness of my eyes.”

[Sunan al-Nasa’i] Devotion and piety can themselves become habits. When a person starts concentrating in prayer, it is difficult at first to keep focus. The mind is easily distracted. However, after years of persistence, devotion and presence of mind in prayer become second-nature.

Ask yourself honestly: Do you feel happy about the arrival of Ramadan? Or does it get you down? Or do you have mixed feelings?

If you have any negative feelings, then take some time to read about the virtues and blessings of Ramadan. Then think of your own life and your shortcomings. Think of how much you need Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Know that fasting in Ramadan was prescribed by the One who is Most Generous, Most Kind, and Most Forgiving. He did not prescribe fasting to punish us, but rather to purify our minds and hearts, and to make us more generous, compassionate, and healthy people. You will come away from such thinking looking forward to the arrival of Ramadan, thankful that you are able to fast.

With the same spirit, you will be motivated to perform the nightly Tarawih prayers, or at least to observe of those prayers daily what is easy for you. Think of the great number of people who are praying with you. Look for a location where the positive atmosphere is most conducive. Find a mosque where the imam reads most beautifully. There is nothing wrong with that.

Observe the prayer as much as your heart stays engaged with it. If you find yourself growing weary, then depart. Keep in mind that Allah’s mercy is descending upon the congregation and you are among them sharing in that blessing.

“They are such an assembly, that one who is in their company is not bereft of blessings.”

When you are prostrating, disclose your troubles and sorrows to Allah while beseeching Him to forgive you and overlook your sins. No matter how great your transgressions might be, they are nothing in comparison to Allah’s generosity and mercy. Be optimistic that Allah will accept your prayers, despite the shortcomings in your devotion and presence of mind. Everything in life requires striving, and we all have our shortcomings and difficulties. We place our hopes in Allah.

Remember that Allah says: “I am as my servant expects of Me to be.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim] Ramadan will become the beginning of a change for the better. It will be an experience of faith that will bring joy, new hope and greater happiness to your life.

Make it your habit in Ramadan to spend in charity. When you are shopping to choose nice foods to break your fast with, consider those who do not have enough to eat. Think about the mothers in the world who do not have enough food to feed their starving children and whose decision is to determine which of them is presently closer to death.

Make it your habit in Ramadan to be with your family. Make the atmosphere at home one of love and kindness. Ramadan gives us many occasions to spend quality time together and to share memorable experiences with our children.

We should likewise make it our Ramadan habit to cement ties with our relatives, neighbors and friends, even by making phone calls, sending an e-mail, or giving Ramadan greetings by Blackberry.

Let us not make it our Ramadan habit to overeat at night. Let us not make it the month where we eat more than at any other time of year.

Instead, make it your habit to show kindness to others, to keep your anger in check, and to forgive others their faults.

May Allah accept from us our worship during this blessed month.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigeria Attractive for Investment, Says RenCap Obinna Chima Renaissance Capital analyst, Charles Robertson has said that at their current value and with the ongoing reforms in the economy, the various investment windows in the Nigerian financial market are attractive.

Robertson stated this in a report yesterday.

He noted that with the naira at around N400/$ on the parallel market, the currency currently offers a five per cent discount to his firm’s estimated fair value (this discount will likely disappear due to inflation over 2017), “while we think equities and naira bonds are cheap.”

According to Robertson, after spending most of the past fortnight in Nigeria for the Re-

naissance Capital’s 8th Annual Pan-Africa Investor Conference in Lagos and the 10th African Finance Corporation’s (AFC) infrastructure-focussed conference in Abuja, “we believe we have learnt enough to justify a more optimistic stance towards Nigerian assets.”

He added: “In February, we argued that when greater FX flexibility came to Nigeria, investors might only enter the market at an exchange rate of N450-500/$. We assumed there would be no Egyptianstyle float of the currency. We thought investors would need a ‘Nigeria FX risk premium’ of at least 10-20% to compensate for the potential risk that FX flexibility might be short-lived.

But we were wrong to only look at investing in Nigeria through the FX prism.

“We should have also considered whether bonds and equities were cheap or expensive. What has become evident in recent weeks is that naira bonds yielding 18% and equities are cheap enough that investors are prepared to buy the naira even with just a small discount to the N375/$ fair value estimate of our 22-year REER model. Note due to inflation we estimate that fair value will depreciate to NGN410-415/$ by mid-2018.”

According to him, the catalyst of the current trend in the market was the introduction of the new investor and exporter (I&E) FX window on 24 April, which “finally gave portfolio investors a currency market they could access after two years of market-destroying FX illiquidity.”

Sigma Pensions Implores States to Implement Retirement Scheme Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta The Business Development Manager, Southwest of Sigma Pensions, John Igiehon has appealed to states to implement the retirement bond reserve as stipulated by the federal government.

Igiehon, who spoke during the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Lagos zone, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said only 18 out of 36 states in Nigeria were operating the new contributory pension scheme.

He implored states yet to

operate the scheme, to ensure 12 per cent of their monthly allocations are set aside for pension redemption as stipulated by the federal government through PenCom. He, therefore, said the contributory pension enacted

by Pension Reform Act 2004, remained the best that could happen to pension administration in the country, saying with it, workers could monitor their pension fund.

He added that though there were penalties put in place by the FG for defaulting states, one of which is the ineligibility of such states to have access to bonds, Igiehon, noted several states still operated the old

pension scheme.

However, in his address, President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Francis Olabode Johnson said government should encourage the building of efficient refineries and petrochemical plants to maximise crude oil derivatives and also put in place an effective Turn-Around-Maintenance System for the existing ones.

While declaring the conference opened, the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the association as of the most vibrant unions in the country since its inception almost 40 years ago.

UBA Introduces Mobile Banking App In demonstration of its commitment to delivering innovative banking solutions to its customers, the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced the launch of a brand new mobile banking application with many user friendly features.

The new mobile app which, according to the bank, comes with the biometric log-in feature for secure, personalised access is now available for download on Apple and Google Play App Stores.

The UBA Mobile Banking App has been tailor-made to enhance ease of banking by

enabling customers to carry out their transactions without visiting a branch.

Other features of the app, highlighted by UBA’s Head of Digital Banking, Dr. Adeyinka Adedeji, in a statement, include: “a more interactive, user friendly interface, ATM/ branch locator for easy access to the bank’s touch-points, easier airtime top up via direct selection of contacts from the phone address book, auto reminder for bill payments and recurrent transfers.”

He further stated that the app has fewer clicks, thereby allowing easier navigation and faster

transactions. Customers using the One Time Password (OTP) can perform transactions of up to N200,000(Two Hundred Thousand Naira only). Also in a bid to maintain a closer relationship with its customers, UBA has introduced a round the clock live chat platform to the app.

The GMD/CEO UBA, Kennedy Uzoka said of it: ‘ UBA’s new Mobile Banking App demonstrates our resolve to provide unparalleled experience across all its channels It is in line with UBA’s vision to dominate Africa’s digital banking space’.

Fidelity Bank Empowers 400 Students As part of deliberate efforts to reduce youth unemployment levels in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc in partnership with Gazelle Academy and the Federal Polytechnic, Oko Venture has just concluded an entrepreneurship training programme for 400 students in Anambra State.

Organised under the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy stream three, the week-long training programme was aimed at equipping the students with skills and capabilities needed to take start businesses even whilst in school.

Some of the skill areas participants were trained on include: fashion, accessories, cocktail, tailoring, and makeup, shoe making, digital marketing.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the third edition of the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy (YEA) held in Oko, Anambra State, the Bank’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo noted that the initiative seeks to empower the Polytechnic community by creating thriving business owners amongst students.

This, he explained is in furtherance of the financial institution’s quest to not only tackle the nation’s unemployment challenges but improve the wellbeing of communities where it does business.

Okonkwo who was represented by the Regional Bank Head (RBH), Enugu-Anambra-

Ebonyi Region, Mr. Leonard Ezugwu encouraged the participants who had successfully completed the programme aptly themed ‘Turning Your Passion Into Pay Cheque’ not to relent in their efforts to build highly successful businesses.

“I was impressed with your individual dedication and collective performance during training. Always motivate yourselves. You are indeed lucky to have been chosen as a participant. I therefore challenge you to go out there and make a success out of this for you twelves and please remember that the right attitude and a strong will to succeed will take you far,” a statement from the bank quoted him to have added.

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 • Source - CBN

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 • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 24 MAY 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $51.96 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $51.34 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

47

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017

MARKET NEWS

FG Urged to Introduce Privatisation Policy to Deepen Capital Market Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie A former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi yesterday called on the federal government to introduce a policy that will deepen the nation’s capital market through privatisation of assets. Speaking at second annual Capital Market Summit of the Association of Owners of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) in Lagos,

Obi said it was wrong for the government to be giving funds to companies that have already been privatised.

According to him, going forward, government should put in place privatisation model that sets a limit and encourages the privatised firms to be listed in the capital and raise funds for their operations.

The former governor, who spoke on; ‘Financing Infrastructure Development and

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

Industrialisation; the Capital Market Way’, noted that what we are doing is “privatising profit and sharing losses.

“We are the only country that privatise wrongly. I was in the UK when Margaret Thatcher decided to private British Airways London Electricity among others. It was a deliberate policy that you have to get investors. In our own case, what we did was to privatise profit and share losses. We should

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity 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. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE 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 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 SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS 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. SKYE 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 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

enact a policy that set limit and allow the privatised entities to be listed and raise funds from the market subsequently. Today we are borrowing from China to build airports. Go to South Africa, India, Turkey, they raise funds from the capital market to build infrastructure,” he said.

Continuing he said: “Today you sell an asset to Mr. Obi, tomorrow you say the asset cannot work and government will intervene and give him more

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

money. I am saying get these assets and sell to the public.

All the money you put into power assets, for instance, let them go to the capital market raise additional funds. When are quoted in the market their operations will become more open and efficient.”

Obi reiterated that the Nigerian economy is recession because we failed to save in the past. “And our constitution says we cannot save. There is

no constitution in the world that does encourage savings.

We have what is called the federation account where all government revenues are paid and shared among the three tiers of government.

There is no provision for savings. Sharing is what we have been doing all the while.

And it is worst when you are getting your money from an extractive industry which is a diminishing asset.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS 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. 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 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS 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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

48

friDAY, mAY 26, 2017 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

‘CBN’s Forex Window Will Boost Investors’ Confidence in the Economy’ A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Joseph Babayemi, has said that the forex window recently created by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for investors and exporters has not only succeeded in boosting liquidity in the forex market, but has also ensured timely execution and settlement of eligible transactions.

Speaking on the impact of the forex window on the economy, Babayemi said the CBN’s sustainability of its intervention in the forex market

would equally reinforce the confidence of the Nigerian investors and the international community in the nation’s economy.

He commended the CBN for not only being able to curb excesses and supply shortfalls since its intervention policy, but also for its ability to prevent volatility in the FX market and reduce the gap between the official and parallel markets’ exchange rates of the naira.

According to him, this strongly indicates that the apex bank is on track.

The financial expert noted that

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

with the opening of the special window, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators would no longer have to patronise or source forex through unofficial windows, stressing that there won’t be any more pressure on either the Bereau De Change operators or any other unofficial source.

Babayemi, who attributed the depreciation in the naira to depletion of foreign reserves by successive administrations, drop in oil price at the international market and attacks on oil facilities by militants, however, explained

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 24-May-2017, unless otherwise stated.

that that the CBN’s intervention had enabled the apex bank to be gradually winning the battle to give the naira its value against major international currencies.

The chartered accountant, however, urged the government to checkmate the trend of inflation in the country by not only ensuring the reduction of the people’s dependence on imported goods, but by also creating an enabling environment that will be attractive to investors and small scale business owners.

This he said will have positive

effects on the naira, provide job opportunities and bring down inflation to an acceptable limit.

He added that there is the urgent need for the diversification of the economy with massive investment in agriculture and in improving the infrastructure like steel, rail transportation and power.

Babayemi noted that the government should take bold steps in blocking all tax related loopholes and ensure that effective systems are on ground for strict compliance.

The financial expert, who noted that the country was blessed with enormous human, material and natural resources, advised the government to give urgent attention to the raging unemployment situation in the country by encouraging entrepreneurship and innovations as a way of creating new products and market demand, as well as give necessary support to small and medium business owners in the areas of funding, accessibility to raw materials and technical training.

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 147.23 148.15 16.06% Nigeria International Debt Fund 218.96 220.24 3.28% 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 0.73 0.74 4.96% 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 18.06% 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 13.68 14.09 10.82% ARM Discovery Fund 312.79 322.22 8.92% ARM Ethical Fund 23.07 23.76 3.24% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.07% 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 120.47 121.31 14.53% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.10% 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 10.49 10.76 12.08% Women's Investment Fund 90.53 92.85 7.01% 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 18.56% 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 1,073.76 1,074.88 6.25% FBN Heritage Fund 122.47 123.35 9.78% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.74% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.71 $109.08 5.44% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $108.15 $108.52 5.62% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 126.60 128.33 12.39% 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 1.08 1.10 15.96% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.73 2.73 6.18% 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 2,390.05 2,420.86 8.25% Coral Income Fund 2,251.73 2,251.73 7.01% 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 16.63% 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 18.57% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.86 1.88 10.57% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.73%

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 1.04 1.06 5.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,025.14 1,025.14 4.19% 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 10.96 11.05 13.44% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.13% 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 1.11 1.13 12.15% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.56 10.62 1.59% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.71% 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 117.71 118.24 15.40% 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 1.30 1.30 4.43% 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 1,941.49 1,951.70 6.01% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 158.54 158.54 2.97% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.82 0.83 7.14% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 198.15 198.15 6.02% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 137.61 139.52 6.04% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.46% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,949.80 8,040.60 4.82% 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 1.22 1.23 10.79% United Capital Bond Fund 1.31 1.31 15.55% United Capital Equity Fund 0.73 0.74 2.86% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.16 1.16 11.20% 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 11.15 11.35 15.31% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.85 11.97 8.47% Zenith Income Fund 17.85 17.85 7.99%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 126.87

1.01% 2.34%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.78 83.01

8.88 84.54

0.00% 9.52%

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

3.34 7.09 13.49 16.65 129.56

3.38 7.19 13.59 16.85 131.56

21.07% 0.99% 12.21% 4.36% -0.24%

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.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017

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Confusion as Two Courts Give Conflicting Ruling on Ifeanyi Ubah’s Release Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Yusuf Haliru of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Jabi, Abuja, yesterday advised Mrs. Ifeoma Esom, counsel to the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil and Gas Ltd, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, to file an

application seeking her client’s bail.

Justice Yusuf Haliru gave the advice after declining to vacate an exparte order delivered on May 10, 2017, which gave the Department of State Services (DSS) 14 days to detain Ubah.

The ruling came shortly after Justice Idris Mohammed

IPOB Backs Fani-Kayode, Fayose against ArewaYouths David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) over its comments against former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode, and Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful, said the group has been watching with keen interest how The Forum and their sponsors have been attacking Fani-Kayode and Fayose.

It said IPOB would not fold its arms and watch AYF attack Fani-Kayode for speaking the truth about the hatred President Muhammadu Buhari has shown Ndigbo.

Part of the release which was made available to THISDAY in Awka stated that “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will not fold their arms and watch

a sponsored group like AYF insult Fani-Kayode or any southerner be you from Southeast, South South or South West who stand against the injustice inflicted on the citizens by the northern oligarchy.

“The attack on Fani-Kayode and Fayose by some sponsored groups and youths from the northern part of Nigeria is a clear indication that the youths in Arewa land are brainwashed totally by their politicians irrespective of their suffering in that part of the country.

“Therefore, we in IPOB want to let the world know that we are in full support of the brave and outspoken men like FaniKayode, Fayose and those who stand their ground without fear or favour to speak out against the northern Nigeria injustice.

These men deserve the respect of all not condemnation because they stand for justice and equity.”

2017 Children’s Day Celebration: FCTA to Launch Strategic Plan to End Violence against Children Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in its resolve to improve the welfare of residents and protect all children from all form of violence, said it would launch a strategic plan to end Violence Against Children (VAC) in the nation’s capital.

The Acting Secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Mrs. Elegbede Adebola, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference in Abuja.

She said although child protection legal frameworks and mechanisms are mostly in place, but gaps in the current system, both at FCT and area council level have hindered the full and effective protection of children.

Adebola, who was represented by the Acting Director, Gender SDS, Ms. Agnes Uta-Hart, stated that policies and programmes relating to children still lacks the necessary human, technical and financial resources to fulfil its coordinating roles.

She stressed that the launch of the strategic plan became necessary after the federal government, UNICEF Nigeria and other national and international organisations expressed concerns over high prevalence of VAC across the country.

Adebola said the document had contributions from civil society organisations, religious and traditional institutions as well as government ministries and agencies.

She explained that, “the state priority actions set out the short-

term and long-term strategies to be implemented in FCT response to findings of the VAC in order to effectively prevent and respond to violence against children. All participating sectors will regularly and collectively monitor progress on these commitments.”

She emphasised that the contribution of CSOs, traditional institutions, Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihoods and House Empowerment (SMILE project) funded by USAID have been instrumental in driving this process.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Enlightenment, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Orakwe Arinze said, women are the most shameless culprits when it comes to child abuse.

“NAPTIP has set up a register to name and to shame those who abuse children. This register will be shared with embassies. So, if you think you are going to get a visa, no country in the world will want to have you as a child abuser, or either a rapist in their country. We intend to continue to name them, we would not hide this register from anybody, your picture will be there, it will be expose to embassies so that they know you for what you are.”

He noted that with the escalating rate of violence against children in the country means that, “we are building an army of children who will actually show mercy, whose conduct in the society by tomorrow will be such that we will be asking what have we done to ourselves.”

of the Federal High Court Lagos ordered the DSS to unconditionally release Ubah within 48 hours or formally charge him to court.

The court chided the DSS for lying on oath in a bid to justify Ubah’s detention, describing the action as unfortunate.

“Security agencies must understand that they are not instruments of debt recovery,” the judge held.

However, Uba had argued that the ex parte order made by the FCT High Court, which elapsed on May 24, was secured based on suppression of facts.

Ruling on Ubah’s application

yesterday, the court held that it was constrained to grant the motion because the DSS got a valid order to detain him.

The judge noted that the ex parte order he granted on May 10, elapsed on May 24, and therefore advised Esom to go to the DSS to demand Ubah’s release.

But delivering ruling on Ubah’s application brought pursuant to Section 292(2), the court observed that the section of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which Esom hinged her application was wrong.

Justice Haliru stated that the

only basis for the court to have granted Ubah’s request is “if the application was predicated on health grounds.

“There is nothing placed before the court to show that Ubah is having any ailment that required him to be moved out of the DSS detention facility to a better health facility”, the court said.

He added: “There are proper provisions of ACJA 2015, for which the application would have been filed, but this section used was a wrong one.

“Ubah application cannot be allowed to fly at this juncture because the DSS secured a valid

court order to detain him. The order was lawfully obtained and there was no suppression of facts.

“Consequently, the application is refused and hereby dismissed,” Justice Haliru held.

Reacting, Ubah’s lawyer however informed the court of her application brought pursuant to Section 296(3) of ACJA, seeking Ubah’s bail.

Meantime, the DSS lawyer, G.A Agbadua brought another application pursuant to Section 296(2) of ACJA, seeking another 14 days to detain Ubah, which the court granted.

HALE AND HEARTY AT 90

Chairman of the occasion and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; a guest, and Chief Edwin Clark, at the 90th birthday gala night in honour of Chief Clark in Abuja....yesterday

Niger Delta in a Hurry for Development, Says Dickson Bayelsa State Governor, Henry SeriakeDickson, has bemoaned the age long neglect of the Niger Delta region by the successive administrations in the country, stressing the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other agencies of the government to focus more on the region by embarking on projects that will impact on the lives of the people.

He said the region particularly Bayelsa State is in hurry for development and this has been topmost priority of the present

administration in the state.

Also, he called on all Niger Delta leaders to close ranks and rededicate themselves to the development of the region.

Dickson made this known while receiving the management team of the NDDC led by its Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, in his office.

He noted that the development of the region is not commensurate with its Contribution to the socioeconomic growth of the country.

According to him, the ancient

community of Oloibiri where the crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity is now a shadow of itself.

Also, most of the international oil companies operating in the state neither have their offices or pay taxes to state government.

The governor said these narratives have to change and in order to achieve this all the critical stakeholders, including interventionist agencies, have major roles to play.

He said it was worrisome that privileged Bayelsans and by

extension, those from other Niger Delta states who occupied and are still occupying various political offices would prefer to concern themselves with mundane things rather than the development of the region.

Dickson, therefore, charged the new NDDC board not to follow same path as the Niger Delta region is highly in need of development, lamenting that over 60 years after oil was first discovered in Bayelsa most of the communities with abundant resources are still not connected by road to the state capital.

Group Donates Drugs, Money to Bakassi IDPs Sunday Okobi About 2,100 internally displaced Bakassi refugees have received free medical care and cash gift from the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa which visited the IDP camp as part of its activities to mark its 40th anniversary and 39th annual general meeting.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, the President of the movement, Mr. Felix Kupa, who led the team to the Ikot Eyo camp of the refugees, told the refugees that his organisation outside fighting for justice and equality in the

society also embarks on social and humanitarian activities to meet the welfare of the less privileged during its annual convention which accounts for the medical outreach.

According to him in the statement, “We are here as part of our social responsibility as an organisation which believes in the welfare of the people. So, during our annual convention, we visit places like prisons, orphanage homes to make humble contributions and here in Cross River State we are aware that you are going through hardship because you have been displaced since 2013

from your ancestral homes, and to assuage your pains, we have come to visit you and make some donations.”

Kupa said the trip was also to attend to the basic aliments like diabetes, high bold pressure and malaria “because those are the most prevalent in the society and the drugs dispensed to those who underwent tests and diagnosis and found to be suffering from any of those ailment by the medical team should take their drugs given them in order to improve their health.”

The leader of the group said over N3 million was spent to purchase the

drugs to ensure everyone gets adequate dosage to address his or her case while the sum of N500,000 is to help them meet their basic financial needs, particularly the aged who cannot no longer work to make a living.

“Government cannot be left to do everything as individuals or organisations which are well off should from time to time extend assistance to the less privileged, and that is why we are here to donate half a million naira to help you meet your basic needs especially the aged among you who cannot work again,” he stated.

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Coup Plot Allegation: Nigeria Cannot Afford Another Civil War, Bode George Warns Says Ambode doing fantastic in Lagos Segun James Following rumours of alleged coup plot by some elements within the military, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has warned that any coup attempt may precipitate another civil war in the country, a problem that the nation cannot afford to go through a second time.

Besides, the former military Governor of the old Ondo State was full of encomiums for the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, for the wonderful work he has done in transforming the state within two years.

George, who said this in Lagos while reviewing the political situation in the country, warned that no nation has ever survived two civil wars intact, adding that any such move would be ill-advised.

He wondered why people are stoking the fire of ethnicity over 100 years after the amalgamation of the North and South to make a nation, saying that if Nigerians still see things from the point of North versus South, then there is something wrong somewhere.

“I want to beg those making these inflammatory statements to be very careful,” he pleaded.

George who said he has seen it

all as a military officer in political position and as a civilian, insisted that the worse form of civilian rule is better than the best of military rule.

He advised any officer interested in politics to resign his commission and join politics instead of planning a coup which might never succeed but plunge the nation into political chaos.

On two years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, George refused to make any comment, saying he would wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment on the crisis in the PDP. On the lingering crisis in the PDP, George said without prejudice to the judgment, he would retire from politics if Senator Ali Modu Sheriff wins at the Supreme Court, adding that his opinion is that the system which brought him in as chairman was faulty ab initio, hence he would not be in a PDP which has Sheriff as chairman.

“I will never be part of Sheriff’s party. We made terrible mistakes in the past that is why we lost the last election, but if we get things right after the judgment, then there may be true reconciliation.”

Meanwhile, George is full

of praises for Governor Ambode, saying that he has performed magic in the way he has transformed the

state in two years.

“He has done more than Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola

has done in 16 years,” he insisted.

He however stressed that if the fortune of the PDP were to change,

“we would bring someone who would perform better than he is doing.”

SON Destroys N450m Worth of Substandard Products Jonathan Eze The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has destroyed fake and substandard products valued at over N450 million in a move to prevent access to such items in the markets and discourage activities of importers of such products.

The Director-General of SON, Osita Aboloma, explained that SON would not relent in its fight against fake and substandard goods, stressing that the products were intercepted and impounded by the agency’s compliance and enforcement team located at various points across the country

particularly in Lagos.

Aboloma, during the destruction exercise which took place at the agency’s dumpsite in Epe, Lagos State, told THISDAY, that substandard goods are dangerous to lives, property and the nation’s economic health, calling on all stakeholders including the media to join in the campaign to get rid of such products wherever they exist in the country.

“We are destroying these substandard products worth over N450 million. These products have been labelled substandard after we carried out due diligence and conformity assessment to requisite

standards on them,” he said.

According to him, the products failed the conformity and integrity tests, maintaining that the decision to destroy them was to save lives and property of Nigerians who may fall victims and prey to these killer-products if allowed to circulate.

“The substandard products we are destroying today ranges from bulbs, cables, tyres, shaving sticks and aluminum coils among others. We decided to perform the destruction exercise on two sites-Ogba and Epe. “We are destroying especially the

expired tyres and bad aluminum coils at our Ogba warehouse. The tyres and coils require specialised mechanical equipment, as well as special handling for their destruction as their particles could be recycled and useful for other industrial purposes,” the director general added.

He noted that the destruction is a clear signal to all and sundry particularly purveyors, importers and dealers in fake and substandard products that Nigeria is no longer a dumping ground for substandard products.

N’Assembly to Hold Public Hearing on Political Parties Debate Commission The National Assembly Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hold a one-day public hearing on the proposed bill, establishing the Nigerian Political Parties Debate Commission.

The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Paulker Emmanuel, said in a statement yesterday that the event would take place on May 31, 2017, at the conference room 022, Senate New Building, National Assembly, Abuja.

The bill is sponsored by Senator

Abdulfatai Buhari and the event is expected to have in attendance, representatives of all registered political parties, members of the civil society groups, representatives of INEC, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), members of the academia and the media, as well as representatives

of the labour unions, among others.

Others expected at the event include representatives from the ministries of Education, Justice, Information and Culture, National Planning, WomenAffairs, the National Human Rights Commission and the political class.

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FRIDAYSPORTS Eagles Will Not Underrate Corsica, Says Echiejile

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

I N T E R N AT I O N A L F R I E N D LY

Super Eagles and AS Monaco wing-back, Elderson Echiejile, has said the Super Eagles will not underrate the Corsica senior national team when both sides lock horns this evening at the Stade Francois Coty, Ajaccio.

The Super Eagles play the tiny island of Corsica in a warm up game ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on June 10, and despite Corsica’s nonaffiliation with either UEFA or FIFA, Echiejile insists they expect some kind of challenge from the team.

“I know a bit about them, when I was here in France. Most of their players play in the Ligue 1 so I expect a tough challenge from them. We cannot afford to, and will not underrate them,” Elderson who is going to captain Eagles in the absence of injured John Mikel Obi announced yesterday.

A number of first-team players are not in Corsica either as a result of visa hitch or injury, but Nigeria’s camp in Ajaccio boast a number of young, ambitious fresh legs called up to jostle for positions in the team.

The former Sporting Braga FC defender believes healthy competition for first team places in the team is a welcome development.

“The team is improving after every game but there are places in the team the coach thinks need more competition which to me is a welcome development. Every good team needs a good back up and I think that is what has informed the reason for the new faces in the team for these friendlies,” he opined.

The Nigeria versus Corsica clash is scheduled to hold at the Stade Francois Coty, Ajaccio starting from 8pm.

FACTS ABOUT CORSICA

1. Corsica: A French region and island in Mediterranean Sea Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 13 regions of France. It is located west of the Italian Peninsula, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the Italian island of Sardinia.

After being ruled by the Republic of Genoa since 1284, Corsica was briefly an independent Corsican Republic from 1755 until it was conquered by France in 1769.

The native Corsican language, whose northern variant is closely related to the Italian language, is recognised as a regional language by the French government.

2. Corsica’s population is less than 500,000 As of January 2013, the population of Corsica was put at 322,120 inhabitants.

At the 2011 census, 56.3% of the inhabitants of Corsica were natives of Corsica, 28.6% were natives of Continental France, 0.3% were natives of Overseas France, and 14.8% were natives of foreign countries.

The majority of the foreign immigrants in Corsica come from the Maghreb (particularly Moroccans, who made up 33.5% of all immigrants in Corsica at the 2011 census), and from Southern Europe (particularly Portuguese, 22.7% of immigrants on the island), and Italians (13.7%).

3. Corsica’s first ever football match was against France Corsica’s first ever football match was against France on 28 February 1967, in a friendly game.

The Game which was played inside Stade Vélodrome, home ground of Olympique Marseille, saw Corsica winning 2-0.

That was the first and only time both teams have met.

4. First African opponent was Indomitable Lions of Cameroon The first African team Corsica played against was in a friendly game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in 1998.

It was a preparatory game for Cameroon ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Played at Stade Armand Cesari, Bastia, Cameroon triumphed 1-0 against Corsica.

5. Corsica not affiliated to FIFA or UEFA Unlike Nigeria who are registered member of Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), Corsica are not affiliated to FIFA or Union of European Football Association (UEFA).

Due to their status, Corsica do not get any rankings from the world and European football governing body.

This means they are not part of the 206 recognised National teams by FIFA. 6. Corsica last played a football game in 2016 The last time Corsica played a football match was on 27 May 2016 in a friendly against Basque Country.

They lost 9-8 on penalties against Basque Country after regulation time ended 1-1. This means Corsica has gone almost a year without playing a football match.

Jose Mourinho kisses the Europa trophy shortly after Manchester United defeated Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm… on Wednesday night

FA Cup: Moses Reveals Chelsea Aiming for Double Duro Ikhazuagbe Ahead of tomorrow’s English FA Cup final clash between Chelsea and Arsenal, Nigeria’s Victor Moses has revealed that the Blues are determined to add the title to the Premiership they won this season.

“We’ve got the league (Premier League) title and they (Arsenal) are going to want to win because they missed out on top four.

We’re going to try and stop them because we want the double,” observed Moses who was converted to a wing-back

by Chelsea’s Italian manager, Antonio Conte this season.

Moses who returned to

reckoning following his new role at Stamford Bridge, insisted that the league champions are not under any pressure ahead of tomorrow’s final.

“We don’t feel any pressure. If he (Antonio Conte) says Arsenal are the favourites, then… I don’t know, but we’ve got good players that can win us games,” Moses stressed.

The Blues are unfazed by the form of Arsenal’s standout player of the season, Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean international has been the Gunners’ star player this season. He’s netted 29 times and weighed in with 15 assists across all competitions and is likely to start at Wembley as

Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna on Saturday while Cagliari hosts Milan on Sunday.

Already, Juventus, having won the Scudeto with 88 points from 37 games, clinched a record sixth straight Serie A title with a 3-0 win over Crotone penultimate Sunday.

Moses could line-up directly against Sanchez in the final should Wenger revert back to a 4-2-3-1 formation with the 28-year-old taking up a familiar position on the left-hand side behind the main centre-forward.

Only Kane (29) and Lukaku (24) scored more Premier League goals than Alexis this season.

Given that Alexis is a tricky customer with the ball at his feet – having completed 109 take-ons in the Premier League this season – Moses will have to be switched on defensively and his 50 per cent success rate in tackles as well as making 37 interceptions bodes well for a fascinating duel.

Torgah Shocks Oparaku to Win WAGT in Owerri Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Vincent Torgah got the better of Kingsley Oparaku to redefine their rivalry by winning “The Memorare” on the West African Golf Tour (WAGT) at Arsenal Golf Club, Obinze, Owerri.

It was a hard-earned victory for the Ghanaian, who improved his victory haul on the WAGT to second since his remarkable display to win the Tour Championship in Abuja, last December.

His rivalry with the Nigerian

Oparaku has become legendary since the latter stole the limelight to win the WAGT in Ilara-Mokin last year and later the Port Harcourt Classic last month.

Going into the final round tying Oparaku for the lead, Torgah went on a run of four birdies in five holes on the back-nine to capture The Memorare with a 4 under par 68 in the final round. His only blotch was a bogie on Hole 12 but overall he carded six under par 282 to beat Issa Nlareb, who won the FCT Classic in February by six shots.

Concluding Serie A Matches Live on StarTimes The Italian Serie A 2016/2017 League season will be rounded up this weekend with about 10 matches in various centres, though the league winner has already emerged.

To celebrate these final rounds, Pay TV, StarTimes, is set to bring live actions of these matches starting with the Juventus away clash with

Arsene Wenger’s side aim to salvage a disappointing campaign by clinching the trophy.

Moses, remains adamant that he’s not worried about Alexis.

“I haven’t got a plan to stop him! He’s had a great season, he’s done well for Arsenal but whether he’s injured or not we’re just going to play our football,” Moses said, as reported by Goal. com.

“It’s going to be a very hard game for us on Saturday. Arsenal are a good team with good players that can win them games.

But we’re just concentrating on ourselves at the moment, working hard in training and hopefully we’ll go and do the job.

Juventus moved four points clear of second-placed Roma, which last Sunday also handed the Bianconeri their first Serie A loss since January.

In the last 10 away league matches Juventus has a record of five wins, three draws and two losses. The Old Lady won 18 points out of possible 30.

The home team is currently

in the 15th position of the league, with 41 points, after 11 wins, 8 draws and 18 losses.

In the penultimate match, they won a home game against Pescara 3-1. Bologna may not have much to prove except that playing at home to the sixth consecutive Scudeto champions, they would want to roughen feathers by upsetting Juve.

Nlareb, from Cameroon played a 5 under 67 on the last day for the best round of the tournament.

He eagled the par 4 16th and amassed four birdies on the second nine

After leading the first three rounds, Oparaku finished third with a score of 4 over par 76, shooting 2 over par 290, while Visitor Mapwanya from Zimbabwe shot a final round 70 to finish in fourth.

Record Entries Trail 39th CBN T’tennis Tourney Femi Solaja

In spite of the early morning shower in Lagos yesterday, it was a record entries of over 350 players as the qualifying matches of the 39th edition of the annual Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Tournament served off at the tennis courts of the National Stadium in Lagos.

All the registered players were on hand as the qualifying round matches got underway after three hours of delay due to the heavy down pour.

Men’s singles number two seed, Emmanuel Sylvester, is already

eyeing the top spot following the absence of the defending champion, Michael Moses who is currently in America.

Another noticeable absentee is the Ladies singles champion, Russia-based Ifidzhen Melissa who is presently in school writing examination.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, disclosed yesterday that N11, 248, 000 has since been set aside as prize money for winners in both men and women categories as well as the wheelchair division

Friday, May 26, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Wike to Jonathan’s Critics “We cannot come out in the public and begin to castigate our own.

Those of them who do that should have a rethink. For us, it doesn’t matter the blackmail against Jonathan, we will continue to back him.”

Governor Nyseom Wike of Rivers State pledging his unalloyed loyalty to former President Goodluck Jonathan regardless the litany of corruption allegations which reportedly took place under his watch.

ISSA AREMU GUEST COLUMNIST

T

Kwara State at 50

here are divergent views about the progress recorded so far since the 12 states were created by the military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon 50 years ago. There are the pessimists who hold that states (now 36 in number) have not achieved the desired goals of development. In some extreme cases there have been strident calls for the abolition of states with nostalgia for the old three regions. On the other hand there are the optimists and enthusiasts who see states, as success stories. Lagos, Kano and Rivers states are commendably up beat with all inclusive anniversary programmes. Lagos under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode makes state creation alluring with a year long creative mass participatory anniversary activities. But in a sense both “for” and “against” positions on states creation are valid. The truth is that most States have recorded some achievements but far from the expectations at the beginning 50 years ago.

As a guest speaker at two non-official anniversary lectures in Ilorin at the weekend, I bear witness that despair had replaced hope 50 years after Kwara state came into being. Three of the original 4 states, which still retain their identities, are Kwara, Lagos, Rivers and Kano.

Last Wednesday, 17th May 2017 my brother and Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold singled out unity, peace and development as the greatest achievements. Other listed achievements include the Federal, State and private universities, industries, an emerging aviation hub, advanced health facilities, modern recreational facilities, and comparatively good infrastructure.

The question however is that if so much had been achieved, why the socalled low-key “in consonance with the mood of the country”? We must learn to celebrate statehood and nation building with good spirit and innovative all inclusive ideas and activities as Lagos has commendably done. Excuses cannot be substitute to good governance. Statesmen (and stateswomen too) who often block public roads and airspace to mark their birthdays and weddings of their sons and daughters have no excuse to do less for the states and public space they

No demand whatsoever from the Borgu people to leave Kwara State neither by way of petition, referendum nor protest.

Based on the projected population figures in the 1980s, the state had an average of 4.8 million people with an area of about 73,000 square kilometers (making it the 5th largest state in the Federation as at August 26, 1991). But Kwara State had since 1967 reduced considerably in size as a result of further serial state creation exercises in Nigeria.

On 13 February 1976, the Idah/Dekina part of the state was carved out and merged with a part of the then Benue/Plateau State to form Benue State. Again On 27 August 1991, five local government areas, namely Oyi, Yagba, Okene, Okehi and Kogi were also excised to form part of Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed the new Kogi State, while a sixth, Borgu occupy. The promise of governance is Local Government Area, was merged with security and welfare of citizens. Public Niger State. officers must use every day to account As of 2006, the population of Kwara was for how far they have met this singular 2.37 million, half of what it was in 1980s constitutional expectation. based on the 2006 Census figures. This The official government logo and population size constitutes about 1.69% of theme of the anniversary is “Celebrating the Nation’s total population. Today the Harmony, Shaping the Future”. state occupies 30th position in the league of Undoubtedly Kwara state has a lot states compared to its 5th position before. to showcase for peace and harmony Its land mass is now 36, 825 km compared compared to mini “wars of attrition” in to 73,000 square kilometers. Who speaks the North-east and East. The challenge is for the sanctity of Kwara state sovereignty to consolidate on the legacy of peaceful in the next 50 years? co-existence. In shaping the future, the In its 50 years of existence, Kwara truth is that the state’s peace dividends State has been governed by 19 Military are being undermined by increasing mass administrators and Governors to date. poverty and exclusiveness as opposed This is an average of two-year tenure to inclusive growth. per governor. Frequency of governors, Kwara from May 27, 1976 started, as especially military governors had Central West State but later became known undermined the state’s development. as “Kwara”, a name derived from the local Most of the military governors between name of River Niger among the people 1985 and 1999 actually underdeveloped who constitute the state. Under Ibrahim Kwara State! The hope is that NEVER again Babangida military dictatorship Borgu LGA should unelected gunmen rule Nigeria.

(New Bussa) was taken away on Aug. Elected governors and legislators must 27, 1991 and merged with Niger State. stop “lording” it over their peoples like discredited military rulers. They should encourage dissents and alternative views.

Freedom promotes development while dictatorship of various hues perpetuate under-development. Kwarans must reclaim their shrinking political space by de-personalizing governance in the coming years.

Regardless of the frustrations with the present democratic process, the challenge is to deepen democracy not to doubt it.

Kwara State must reinvent the legacy public community schools that once provided the human capital for the old northern region

Indeed, as we have seen in some states including Kwara, insufficient democracy, monopoly politics, lack of accountability is responsible for the recent rot, corruption, de-industrialization, mass unemployment and mass poverty. It’s time for inclusive governance and development in Kwara.

Interestingly no woman ever governed the state, not even as deputies and in recent times since, 1999. Deputy governors are almost by design far older than the governors. It’s time to encourage youth participation in governance. The other 3 original states, namely Rivers, Kano and Lagos are among the top 10 high GDP states. Kwara ranks 28th on the ranking of states by GDP beaten to it by even newest states like, Imo, Edo and Oyo. At creation, Kwara was the fastest growing state with bold Development Plan through Kwara State First Development Plan (1970-75) in May 1970 (within the context of the country’s second National Development Plan (1970-1975) and Second Kwara State Development Plan (1975-1980).

The plans laid solid foundations for accelerated economic growth, increased productivity in agriculture providing favourable climate for industrial development and improving the quality of life of the people through the provision of necessary infrastructure. Kwara must return to development planning.

Paradoxically, Kwara assumes national and international importance with Shonga commercial Farms Holding Nigeria Limited. But at 50 the farm is not celebrated as a state asset. Who owns the farm? If it is an independent entity of its own, separate from the state government, who are the shareholders?

How much did the Kwara state invest?

What guarantee did Kwara government provide for the billions of Naira loans to the company? How much is the state paying as a state? What is the rate of return? Are the farms’ commercial crops such as maize, rice, cassava, ginger, and soya bean, milk and poultry meat available for Kwarans? At anniversary, Kwara State must be ambitious in state building. The state must re- invent legacy public community schools that once provided the human capital for the old northern region.

• Comrade Aremu is a Member of the National Institute (mni)

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