Friday 9th June 2017

Citing Absence of a Prima Facie Case, Saraki Seeks Dismissal of CCT Trial Alex Enumah in Abuja The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday pointedly told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to dismiss the false asset declaration charges brought against him at the Code of

Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by the federal government on the grounds that a prima facie case had not been established against him.

He told the tribunal that from the 18-count charge and the totality of evidence adduced by the government witnesses, he

enter a defence by the tribunal in respect of the charges.

He said the charges against him were predicated on petitions and that throughout the prosecution’s case, the reports of investigation on the petitions were never made available to the tribunal for

had not been linked in anyway to the allegations against him.

In his no-case submission argued by his counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki said the prosecution failed to establish the charges against him and as such there was no need for him to be ordered to

verification.

Saraki’s counsel pleaded with the tribunal to painstakingly read all the petitions so as to be able to establish that the petitions had nothing to do with the Senate President.

Apart from the fact that the reports on the investigation on

the petitions were not made available to the tribunal by the federal government, the counsel submitted that none of the petitioners was invited as a witness in the charges against the defendant.

Continued on page 10

Arewa Youths’ Threat: Police Tighten Security Nationwide, IG Orders Arrests… Page 12 Friday 9 June, 2017 Vol 22. No 8086. Price: N250

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Planning for Its Future, PDP Governors to Respect Supreme Court Verdict Resolve to convince Wike, Fayose to remain with party Tobi Soniyi and Segun James

Ahead of the Supreme Court

judgment on the leadership dispute between the Ali Modu Sheriff-led Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ahmed Makarfi-side of the party, state governors

elected on the platform of the party have resolved to respect the outcome of the

verdict and remain in the party.

One of the South-south

governors, who spoke to Continued on page 10

Apapa, Nation’s Economic Hub, Grinds to a Halt N E W S A N A LY S I S Solomon Elusoji The roads leading to Apapa, Nigeria’s busiest port city, are in a mess and should be declared a national emergency. It is a mystery how goods continue to flow in and out of its docks, how trucks and trailers defy its dilapidated state to bring profit to their taskmasters, how workers, who earn their living from offices domiciled on its streets, brave the daily assault to put bread on their tables and milk in the fridge.

To understand the gravity of the Apapa situation, one needs to walk on its cratered streets and inhale the sharp smell of smoke Continued on page 10

Apapa… Hellhole on earth where ease of doing business has been put in abeyance

Again, Oando Clarifies Involvement in PH Refinery, Says It’s Not Buying Plant… Page 52

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STARTERS

Osinbajo Defies Boko Haram Threat, Visits Maiduguri 18 killed, 24 injured in sect’s failed invasion of city

Two-Minute Briefing NEWS Arewa Youths’ Threat: Police

Tighten Security Nationwide, IG Orders Arrests Following the ultimatum given by a coalition of Northern youths, demanding that Nigerians of Igbo extraction must leave the North in three months or face the…

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EDITORIAL Of Cynthia and Social Media

Perils After a trial that lasted almost five years, the Facebook friends who murdered the Nasarawa State University postgraduate student, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, have finally been served justice.

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POLITICS Kogi PDP Plots Comeback

Smarting from the loss of power to APC, the PDP in Kogi State is plotting a comeback. Behind the plot is the KogiWest branch of the party which claims it’s its turn to produce the next governor of the state Page 17

WEEKENDFILE Lamentations of an 80-year-old ld

AdaobiWhyte is a renowned fashion designer, horticulturist, critic/social crusader, mother, politician and author, privileged with th only the basic primary education but has over the years developed her knowledge by reading and seeking experience in many other areas of life.

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Osinbajo

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Barely 18 hours after the deadly attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday defied the security threat when he paid a one-day working visit to the troubled city.

This is just as it emerged that 18 persons were killed and 24 others injured Wednesday night during the sect’s attempt to invade the city, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu, has said.

Osinbajo, who was in the state to flag-off the distribution of 30,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North-east, landed at the Maiduguri Airport at 12.30 p.m.

The acting president was received by Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers and politicians.

Security was beefed up across the town, with heavily armed security personnel from the army, navy, air force, police, Department of State Service (DSS), immigration and other para-military agencies deployed in the major roads and streets.

Similarly, several armoured personnel carriers and tanks were stationed on all the roads where the acting president was scheduled to pass, with assault helicopters and military fighter jets providing aerial surveillance.

The town was effectively shut down as commercial and social activities were scuttled.

Shortly after his arrival, Osinbajo headed to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, where he paid homage to the traditional ruler.

He told the monarch that the distribution of the grains was part of the federal government’s intervention to address the feeding problem of the IDPs.

The acting president later moved to the store of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to inspect the grains, following which he proceeded to the Bakassi IDP camp for the flag-off of the distribution programme.

The night before the presidential visit, the insurgents, in what looked like a coordinated attack, deployed suicide bombers at a section of the troubled town and simultaneously deployed its members in another axis.

Suicide bombers were deployed along Muna area, while armed militants were deployed along the Jiddari Polo axis of the town.

When the invasion was halted by both Nigerian troops and the security agencies, THISAY learnt that 18 persons were discovered dead.

At the Alidawari and Jiddari Polo areas of the town where the sect had tried to invade the town, two insurgents were killed as well as a suicide bomber in a crossfire.

Also at Jiddari Polo, one person died during a stampede, as people tried to flee for their lives.

Thirteen persons were also reportedly killed during the multiple suicide bomb attacks at Goni Kachallari, Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) quarters and Lake Chad Research Institute, all along the Muna axis.

Police Commissioner Chukwu, in his account, told the press that at 6.05 p.m. on Wednesday, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Alidawari village near Jiddari Polo in the Maiduguri metropolis, sporadically firing anti-aircraft guns and setting houses and makeshift tents ablaze.

The police, he said, was the first security agency to get to the scene of the attack with its Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Police Mobile Force (PMF).

The military from the headquarters of 7 Division, Maiduguri, then immediately

followed. They were massively mobilised and repelled the attack in a gun duel that lasted for about an hour, he said.

Chukwu revealed that one terrorist was captured alive, and was in the custody of the army, while three terrorists, including a suicide bomber were killed during the exchange of fire.

On the suicide bomb attacks at Muna area, Chukwu said three male suicide bombers detonated the improvised explosive devices on their bodies.

The first explosion was at a mosque at Goni Kachallari, where the suicide bomber and six others died, while 18 other persons were injured; the second suicide bomber detonated his own within the premises of the CBDA at 9.20 p.m. where the suicide bomber and three others died; and the third suicide bomber detonated his IED just across the road outside the CBDA, adjacent to the Lake Chad Research Institute, killing himself and one other person.

However, an eyewitness who resides near the CBDA said he was among those who conveyed eight corpses and 37 injured to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

He said the suicide bomb attacks occurred in four different locations: the CBDA mosque, inside Lake Chad Research Institute, opposite College of Agriculture, and a mosque at Goni Kachallari, all around the Muna axis.

Also, when THISDAY spoke to some members of the Civilian JTF, other vigilante groups and eyewitnesses, they said the vigilantes and local hunters were the first at the scene of the attack, followed by the police then the military.

Sources said thousands fled the surrounding villages because they had been warned by the insurgents of the coordinated attack earlier on Wednesday.

They lamented that even after the villagers alerted the military of the impending attack, nothing was done to checkmate it.

BUSINESS NPA, Stakeholders Bicker over

Dredging of Calabar Channel The dredging of Calabar Channel is threatened as major stakeholders in the project and the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) are bickering over who is responsible for the delay in commencement of the project.

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CITYSTRINGS Ejigbo’sValley of Death

Ifoshi Road, the major access road for residents of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, has been in a deplorable condition for over two decades without serious attention by the Lagos Government.

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INTERNATIONAL Iran Says 5 Tehran Attackers Had Fought for Islamic State Five of the men who launched an attack in the heart of Iran’s capital previously fought for the Islamic State group, the country’s Intelligence Ministry said Thursday…

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SPORTS Rohr Says Eagles Not Under

Pressure as S’Africa Storms Uyo Gernot Rohr has admitted missing key Nigerian star players like John Mikel Obi, Carl Ikeme,Victor Moses and Leon Balogun ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash with South Africa.

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PAGE TEN CITING ABSENCE OF A PRIMA FACIE CASE, SARAKI SEEKS DISMISSAL OF CCT TRIAL Agabi informed the tribunal that he made a no case submission for his client because the charges against him were founded on faceless petitions and pleaded with the tribunal to dismiss the charges so as to discourage writers of faceless petitions.

The senior lawyer also drew the attention of the tribunal to counts 1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16, adding that in the counts Saraki was charged with false declaration of assets by making no declaration of assets.

Agabi insisted that the charges

were full of anomalies and inconsistencies, adding that false declaration by refusal to declare was unknown to law.

He maintained that Saraki declared his assets as required by law and that no one can make a declaration that the statement of a public officer is false, unless such a person is authorised by law to do so.

Throughout the prosecution’s case against Saraki, Agabi a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, said nobody was mentioned as

having declared that the assets declared by Saraki in his asset declaration forms were false.

Agabi specifically referred the tribunal to the evidence of Mr. Samuel Madojemu, Head of the Investigation and Intelligence Unit of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and his affidavit evidence, averring that throughout his testimony, he based his evidence on hearsay from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He noted that witnesses ought to be called upon to prove the case.

tribunal to some asset forms of the defendant, adding that investigations had established false declaration of assets.

Rotimi told the tribunal that discharging the defendant on a no case basis will defeat the fight against corruption and purpose of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

He maintained that the name of the defendant was mentioned in the petitions, and even without that, a person could still be prosecuted without any petition against him.

The prosecution counsel

urged the tribunal not to form an opinion, evaluate evidence or make observations on the facts at this level, and urged the tribunal to hold that a prima facie case had been effectively established against the defendant.

The tribunal chairman, after taking arguments from both sides, announced that he would sit down with his colleague on the panel to decide on the no case submission, and a date for ruling will be communicated to the lawyers when the ruling is ready.

who brought Sheriff,� he added.

He explained that the APC was even more fractured than the PDP, hence the resolve to get PDP back on track.

Meanwhile, the decision of the Supreme Court not to give any specific date for the delivery of judgment in the PDP leadership dispute was taken to ensure that the court was not put under unnecessary pressure by desperate politicians.

A competent source said that despite the measures taken by the court’s leadership to ensure that its judges are insulated from pressure, the court has been inundated with enquiries from politicians who want to know which direction the judgment will go.

PDP has been enmeshed in a crisis that is threatening to tear the party apart.

Before reserving judgment to

a date to be communicated to the parties, the Supreme Court had dismissed an application filed by Sheriff, asking the court not to hear an application by Makarfi.

Sheriff had asked the court to reject the application filed by Makarfi, challenging the February 17 judgment of the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, which in a spilt judgment had declared Sheriff the national chairman of the party.

revenue of $1.8 billion. Although the numbers have since slightly declined due to the recession, it demonstrates the amount of revenue that flows into the country from Apapa. This, of course, begs the question of why its roads and essence have been left to wither away, like a leaf cut from its source. What Demon haunts Apapa?

The Demon is said to have been created by the federal government during the early 2000s, when the NPA and Ministry of Transport doled out some real estate from the Lagos Port Complex to some oil firms to use as fuel tank farms. This raised, significantly, the number of trucks and tankers streaming into Apapa. Meanwhile, the government made no parking provisions for the new influx of tankers, prompting their drivers to start parking on the highway and inner roads.

Expectedly, companies whose businesses were affected protested against the new nuisances in town, but the tanker drivers resorted to violence and strikes when the state government, in collaboration with some federal government agencies tried to establish some order. And so the Demon grew from strength to strength and has, today, become a monster that cannot be tamed.

It is on record that successive governments have tried to outwit

this Demon, but it appears to be a slithery, cunning creature that slips from the grasp even when caught. Take for example the story of the current Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

As governor of Lagos State, Fashola blamed the federal government, then controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for creating the mess and obstructing the state government from taking charge.

He cried and wheezed, spouting lamentations upon lamentations.

However, as fate would have it, Fashola was appointed as the head of the very ministry under which the duty of reconstructing Apapa’s roads falls under; but after almost two years on the job without results, Fashola has changed the melody of his dirges.

The tragedy of Apapa is its transition from a palatial neighbourhood to a vulgar zone.

Once, it was a quiet, serene part of Lagos, home to fine buildings and elite occupants. “By the time I went to Apapa, it was probably the most peaceful area in Lagos,� accomplished businessman, Chief Alex Duduyemi, told THISDAY in 2015. “I was forced to go there, after the Tafawa Balewa coup.

I used to live in Ikoyi, in the government quarters. Since then, I’ve never lived anywhere other than Apapa. But today, it is

horrendous. It’s a different story.

It takes me over two hours to get from my house to the office, because of the gridlock on the road. Normally, it should take me between 20 to 30 minutes.�

Today, people like Duduyemi would rather move east, to Victoria Island and Ikoyi and Lekki, rather than stay in Apapa.

The port city has lost its former lustre and its decline might just have been sealed if Fashola and his people do not put some action behind their words and squarely confront the Demon that tramples on the commonwealth of all Nigerians.

Agabi, therefore, urged the tribunal headed by Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar to decide on the no case submission on justice and not on sentiments from the prosecution.

However, in his opposition to the no case submission, counsel to the federal government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) insisted that a serious prima facie case had been established to warrant the defendant to be called upon by the tribunal to enter his defence in the charges against him.

He drew the attention of the

PLANNING FOR ITS FUTURE, PDP GOVERNORS TO RESPECT SUPREME COURT VERDICT THISDAY in confidence, said that they had no plans to leave the party for a new party.

He also said that they would not defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His reaction followed speculation that members of the party planned to join the newly registered Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA). PDP has denied any link with APDA and vice versa.

“Even if the judgment favours Sheriff, we have resolved to go with him. We have also resolved to persuade others not to leave the party. It is in everybody’s interest to remain within the PDP,� he said.

The governor, however, said that only one of their colleagues from one of the states in the South-south was yet to make up his mind. “PDP will remain, whichever

way the judgment goes. We are not ready to leave the party, whether to the APC or any other party,� he added.

According to him, the governors had resolved to persuade the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his counterpart in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, to accept Sheriff in the event the judgment goes in his favour. “After all they were the ones

APAPA, NATION’S ECONOMIC HUB, GRINDS TO A HALT

Apapa... Once a serene neighbourhood, is now the shame of the nation that wafts from the bottom of the trucks, trailers and motorcycles that are omnipotent on its roads; one needs to make the sign of the cross and attempt to access the port through one of its two main thoroughfares, via the Marine Bridge or Tin-Can Island axis; one needs to get his or her senses assaulted by the solid waste, urine, faeces and sludge that have overrun the port city and its surrounding creeks and turned it into a hellhole on earth.

Coming through the Ijora and approaching Marine Bridge, the average commuter, usually has to queue up behind rows of trailers that stretch for distances as long as five kilometres and longer.

When the trucks and trailers manage not to breakdown, tip over, or offload their contents on other commuters, they are expected to only occupy either the left or right lane of the road, but the policemen who are expected to enforce the rule collect bribes from impatient truck drivers and allow chaos to reign.

Descending from Marine Bridge into Apapa, a signboard screams “Welcome to Apapa Premier Port�, but what reveals itself beyond the windscreen is a road dotted with innumerable holes and craters huge enough to swallow whole cities. The tar on the “welcome road� is whitewashed and has undergone metastasis to turn to dust; smooth

surfaces have become broken things and vehicles wobble from side to side as they navigate the death trap.

It is a curious phenomenon to watch trucks, loaded with heavy goods, navigate these death traps. It is no longer surprising when a truck fails to hit the right momentum in crossing a crater and capsizes, spilling to the ground the content of its trailer. There are numerous tales of how people have been killed under such circumstances, crushed and buried for the sins of those who could have sanctioned the road’s repair. But the tragedy is like the steam that oozes out of a kettle; it soon disappears and business, as usual, continues.

There have been comic attempts to fill some of the potholes and gaping holes, especially those along Airways bus stop, by filling them with sawdust, sometimes a poor mixture of cement-sand. But, of course, when the rain comes, the hypocrisy is exposed and vehicles swim in pools of water.

However, compared to the Tin-Can axis, coming into Apapa via Marine Bridge is like skating through smooth ice. The Tin-Can axis, which is at the end of the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, has been turned into a ghost town.

Most commercial vehicles don’t even bother making the trip; they turn around at Coconut bus stop,

more than six kilometres from the port. Their reasons are not far-fetched. From Coconut, the road has collapsed; it is a series of gallops and huge holes, and there are trucks that have turned it into a permanent garage.

In Apapa, motorcycles are made for kings. Their drivers, hair caked with dust and sporting dark glasses, are superheroes without capes.

They are a commuter’s best chance of beating the constant gridlock, as they flout traffic laws, crossing road dividers to escape a stalemate, braving a sharp bend to avoid an onrushing vehicle and, sometimes, running straight under trucks to come to unfortunate ends, both driver and commuter.

It is not uncommon to find piles of garbage and grime, like goods on display, lying along the sidewalk on Apapa streets.

On Creek Road, the stench from these dumps is mixed with the nauseating aroma of caked human excreta and urine, deposited by truck drivers, while they queue for their turn to load-up.

In 2014, statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the Gross Registered Tonnage at the Apapa port (excluding the Tin-Can port) was 37,041,879, from 1,503 vessels. In 2015, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recorded

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % FORTEOIL 5.41 58.33 10.2 INTERBREW 2.71 29.24 10.2 CADBURY 1.31 14.22 10.1 SEPLAT 39.13 425.00 10.1 DANGFLOUR 0.47 5.11 10.1 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN % GOLDBREW 0.04 0.81 4.7 JAIZBANK 0.04 0.81 4.7 JBERGER 1.86 38.00 4.6 NEIMETH 0.03 0.71 4.0 WAPIC 0.02 0.53 3.6 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś965.00 Volume: 528.692 million shares Value: N4.841 billion Deals: 5,603 As at 8/6/17 See details on Page 49

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NEWS

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

Arewa Youths’ Threat: Police Tighten Security Nationwide, IG Orders Arrests Coalition doubles down, calls for Biafra referendum Says it never threatened violence against Igbos S’East govs call for calm, peace Our Correspondents Following the ultimatum given by a coalition of Northern youths, demanding that Nigerians of Igbo extraction must leave the North in three months or face the repercussions, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday at a meeting with the 36 state Commissioners of Police (CPs), ordered them to beef up security across country.

The IG also ordered the CPs to follow up on the directive of the Kaduna State Governor,

Nasir el-Rufai, that members of the coalition be arrested over the group’s inflammatory remarks and threat to Igbos resident in Northern Nigeria.

Despite the security and threat of arrests, the youth coalition, however, doubled down on its rejection of Igbos, saying the North would not be part of a federation that includes indigenes of the South-east zone and called on the federal government to initiate the process for a peaceful referendum to allow the Igbos to go.

The coalition had on Tuesday

Senate to Review Road Fund Bill, Passes Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Senate yesterday directed its Committee on Works to review its report on the proposed National Roads Fund Bill in order to remove all contentious sections, particularly the recommendation that has been misconstrued to translate to an increase in the pump prices of petroleum and diesel.

This is as the Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central), disclosed that the subsidy regime of the federal government has remained same as N145 per litre for petrol is not realistic.

In another development, the Senate yesterday passed a bill seeking the establishment and operation of a witness protection programme to enable certain persons receive protection in relation to certain information, evidence or other assistance rendered to law enforcement agencies during inquiries, investigations or prosecutions.

The bill was sponsored by late Senator Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) who died on April 23, 2017.

Earlier, the Senator Marafa-led Works Committee, in its report which was laid at plenary last week, had recommended a

N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into Nigeria, as part of financing for the proposed National Roads Fund. It had also recommended the deduction of 0.5 percent on fares paid by passengers travelling inter-state roads to commercial mass transit operators.

The recommendation had however drawn condemnation from various sectors of the society, causing the Senate to assure that it would reject any proposal that would cause hardship to Nigerians.

Senate President Bukola Saraki at the weekend had explained that the levy is to be accommodated within the current template of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which pegs the price of petrol at N145 per litre.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Social Media, Mr. Bankole Omishore, Saraki added that the levy would therefore not place additional burden on Nigerians.

At plenary yesterday, the Chairman of the Committee on Works, Marafa, presented the report for consideration, and insisted that there was an allowance for the N5 levy in the current template.

It would therefore not lead to an increase, he added.

FG Inaugurates NNMA Board Olawale Ajimotokan Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The federal government yesterday constituted the board of the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA), two months after its appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Habibat Lawan, inaugurated the board to be chaired by Prof Shekarau Yakubu Aku. Other members of the board included Prof. Adele Jinadu, Prof.

Igwe Laz Ekwueme, Prof. Sheikh Abdullah, Prof. Andrew Nok, Prof. Mohammed Hassan and Prof Joseph Andy.

The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of Secretary to the Government of

the Federation, Dr Mrs. Amina Shamaki, will represent the SGF on the board, while Mr. Ibrahim Nanadi is the acting secretary.

The NNMAwas set up byAct 53 of 1979 and amended by Act 96 of 1992 to advise on the conferment of the award of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) to deserving Nigerians who have made various contributions in the areas of  science, technology, medicine, humanities, arts and culture and other fields of human endeavour.

Since inception, only 79 people have been decorated with the NNOM also known as the Order of Dignitary.

The award carries a cash prize, a certificate, a medal and entitles the recipient to affix the NNOM designation after his/her name.

in Kaduna, ordered Igbo residents in the North to relocate within three months, saying that the region was no longer disposed to coexisting with them in Nigeria.

This is just as the governors of the South-east zone yesterday called on Igbos resident in the North to remain calm, peaceful and go about their lawful engagements without fear of intimidation, hindrance or molestation.

On the directive to maintain law and order, a statement by the Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media credited to the Arewa Citizens’ Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa

Students’ Forum and Northern Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, on their alleged ultimatum to Nigerians of Igbo extraction residing in the Northern Nigeria to relocate within three months. “The Nigeria Police Force sees this ultimatum by the above mentioned groups as illegal, unlawful, provocative and capable of causing a breach of the peace currently being enjoyed across the country. “Consequently, the Inspector General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police in charge of Police State Commands in the country and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the Zonal Commands of the federation to beef up security in their respective states and ensure that the alleged ultimatum

is not actualised.�

Moshood stated that the heads of the state and zonal commands were under “strict instruction to maintain law and order and to sustain the protection of the fundamental rights of every Nigerian as provided for by the 1999 Constitution, particularly Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 which are very sacrosanct and must be protected�.

He added: “Every Nigerian including the Igbos or any other ethnic group has the rights to life, personal liberty, freedom of movement and the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria. “No individual(s) or group(s) under any course, guise or excuse has the right to issue any ultimatum or warning to

compel any Nigerian to leave or relocate from or to any part of the country without their wish. “The Nigeria Police Force is imploring all well-meaning Nigerians, most especially the people of Igbo extraction to disregard the alleged ultimatum and go about their lawful engagements and other activities without fear or apprehension as adequate security arrangements have been put in place by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect them and their properties across the Northern states and other parts of the country.�

He maintained that they should report any suspicious/ untoward incidents observed in their neighbourhoods to the

Cont’d on Pg 53

HOPE AT LAST

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in Maiduguri today to kick off the special Relief Intervention Plan involving New Food Distribution Plan for IDPs in the North-east.

Ogoni Clean-up: United Nations Appeals for Patience Ernest Chinwo Ă“Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž The United Nations has called on people of Ogoni impacted by environmental degradation to be patient while the clean-up recommended by the global body takes off.  This came as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, expressed fears that the cleanup exercise was already being politicised and called for the intervention of the United Nations to ensure speedy implementation of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) report.  But the Hydro Carbon Pollution Remediation Programme (HYPREP) insists that the implementation of the clean-up has actually commenced with the setting up of structures and training of manpower to be used for the exercise.  Resident Coordinator of

United Nations in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, made the call for patience against the backdrop of increasing restiveness among stakeholders, especially Ogonis on the delay in the commencement of implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoniland. Â Kallon, who led a team of UN environmental experts on a familiarisation tour of contaminated site in Kwawa community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, said he was visiting the area to ascertain the level of work on the clean-up exercise. Â He stated that the remediation process involves technical approaches that needed a lot of time to be achieved appropriately. Â Kallon, who stated that it was his first visit to Niger Delta Region, noted that he was in the area to have first-hand information on the devastation

in the area and the level of work done. He noted that work was on-going in the implementation process and urged the people of the area to the give the Federal Government time to be able to do a thorough job.  He said, “I am here on today on a familiarisation visit on Ogoniland. I am here to have a better understanding on the impact of the oil spill and the progress that has been made in the implementation of the UNEP assessment of the devastation in the area.�  He explained; “There are two conclusions I want to draw in my visit. This is a very technical investment, it is not a rural type of investment where you are going to see houses built within a short period of time. My appeal is patience, to ensure that the required technical needs are met and to ensure that at the end of the clean-up it

is properly done.�  Kallon went on to say that; “The beneficiary communities or the affected areas are looking up to what are the critical outputs of this investment, but the project is on. It needs to be given time to ensure that the technical aspect of the work is done properly. We need time to allow the experts on the ground to do the critical analysis that are required before an investment is done. My advice to the project coordinator is to look at a diversified approach with a rural development focus within the project itself that can be delivered in a short term.�

Meanwhile, (HYPREP), the body in charge of the remediation process, has said the implementation of the programme has commenced explaining that it has started the training of graduates who would work to achieve the project.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017

ecobank.com

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017

COMMENT

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

EMERGING OUT OF THE ASHES Yusuph Olaniyonu writes that the Eighth Senate has performed remarkably

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oday is the second anniversary of the Eighth Senate. The Senators have agreed to simply mark the day with a special session devoted to reviewing their activities in order to talk about what and what have been achieved as well as areas that require improvements.

However, viewed from several perspectives, the last two years in the Red Chamber of the federal legislature had been filled with events and successes. It is true that this Senate resumed as a divided house over the issue of election of its leadership. There was a clash between the preference of the senators for independence in the choice who leads them and the insistence by certain leaders of the party with the majority, All Progressives Congress (APC), to impose their wish on the newly inaugurated lawmakers.

As the facts today show, the senators prevailed. This however exposed the lawmakers to mischief and sabotage by those who decided to ensure that if the senators refused to be controlled from outside, then they would have to face public odium arising from manipulation from outside. This explains for the ceaseless attack and campaign of calumny consistently waged against the institution by those who specialise in manipulating public opinions and putting spins on issues, events and occurrences around the Senate and the senators.

Today, the Senate has risen from the ashes of the division that plagued it in the early days. It is now very stable, united and focused on its agenda to build a strong economy through the instrumentality of law making to create a working partnership between the public and private sectors. Thanks to the leadership acumen, foresight and resilience of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the. Senate President.

The Eighth Senate has set itself apart with many innovations that it has brought to the business of law making. First, in the consideration of the 2016 budget, the Senate introduced the concept of public hearing as part of the process. What this means is that the budget process is further democratised and many people from the professions, the civil society groups, the private sectors, youth groups and the rest have a say in the making of the budget.

Again, the 2017 budget was the first time the report of the Appropriation Bill was passed on the floor with the full details made available.

The details enabled the executive and interested members of the public to have a holistic view of the budget with the necessary details to make informed analysis, review and comments.

This present Senate, in further revolutionising the budgeting process, has passed a law establishing the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) which is to provide technical support, sustained specialised services and necessary research materials that would aid the legislators in the preparation of the budget.

The current National Assembly in demonstrating its transparency, openness and accountability acceded to popular request in making public details of its own budget. It was the first time in about a decade that the National Assembly will provide a 34 page detail on its budget instead of the one line item that members of the public had been

THE SENATE HAS RISEN FROM THE ASHES OF THE DIVISION THAT PLAGUED IT IN THE EARLY DAYS. IT IS NOW VERY STABLE, UNITED AND FOCUSED ON ITS AGENDA TO BUILD A STRONG ECONOMY THROUGH THE INSTRUMENTALITY OF LAW MAKING TO CREATE A WORKING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS

presented with over the years.

Another innovation of the Eighth National Assembly is the establishment of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) which is now a clearing house for getting the private sector to take part in the conception, formulation and enactment of laws aimed at achieving comprehensive reform of the national economy and bringing it in line with international best practices.

The partnership created by NASSBER has helped the Senate to identify 56 laws which are said to be essential for reforming the economy. Thirteen of the laws are categorised as high priority laws.

As at today, seven of the high priority law have been successfully passed. The remaining six are in the process of being passed while several others in the medium and low priority bills have equally been passed. These are among the 92 bills already passed as at the time of putting together this piece.

One of such successfully passed laws is the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) which has suffered defeats for the past 12 years in the federal legislature. The Eighth Senate has broken the jinx. The now successfully passed PIGB will be a precursor to two other key bills dealing with host community and fiscal issues. These proposed laws will revolutionise the oil sector in Nigeria, create efficiency, attract global players to invest in the sector, generate more money for the federal government and create massive employment, among several other benefits to the nation and her citizens.

Also, working on the NASSBER template, the Senate has successfully amended the Nigerian Railway Act, the first time in 62 years.

The new law will allow private sector participation in ownership, management and investment in the sector. This is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and uplift the transportation sector.

By the time the National Road Fund Bill, Federal Road Authority Bill and other proposed laws in the sector now in the final stages of their passage successfully become laws, the combined effect will raise the level of investment in national infrastructure, generate more jobs and improve the general standard of living of the people.

Also, this high-achieving Senate has successfully amended the Customs Act, the first time in 35 years. The amendment has been hailed by several international organisations as it incorporated the Kiyoto Agreement adopted in many countries across the globe and seeks to modernise the operation of the revenue generation department.

In the same vein, the present Senate is the first to successfully amend the Electoral Act introducing key reforms like the use of card reader and electronic collation of results, all coming two years before the general election. The tradition in the past is to amend the law governing elections few months to the polls and at a time when all interested parties focus on how the law could help their electoral fortunes. By amending the law when there was no election, the amendment was informed by non-partisan and patriotic considerations.

Olaniyonu is Special Adviser to Senate President

NIGERIA AS A RESTRUCTURED ENTITY Nigeria could learn a lesson or two from the Swiss federation, writes Victor C. Ariole

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ike Leopold Sedar Senghor said, Africa has all it takes to be great and self-sufficient if only it can organise itself the right way and make it sustainable. And like Professor Claude Ake said, sustainability can only work if development is fashioned along the structural dictates of a given people; that is, immanent and autochthonous to the people. For example the Swiss system is quite unique to them and they have been able to sustain it and made great progress out of it. To the Swiss, allegiance is owed to the Canton and the leader of the canton, what is like local government to the Nigerian.

They know the leader of their canton better than the president of the CHS- confederation of Helvetic Swiss. Notwithstanding, they still get loosely attached to their linguistic groupings; either as French, Dutch, Italian, Tessinois or Romanche.

The leader of each canton works hard to make his/her canton viable as an economic entity in the confederation. The president is rotated among the cantons and the tenure is only one year.

It is quite similar to Nigeria’s. However the problem with the Nigerian case is that even when allegiance is owed to the kingdoms or emirates that populate Nigeria, there is no economic performance obligation attached to it. Every leader in the Nigerian case is hailed if he (yet to add she) brings to his people expressed in kingdoms or emirates a bountiful portion of the federation-owned and baked cake whether his kingdom or emirate partook in baking it or not with no obligation attached to making Nigeria greater. In effect unlike Switzerland with two great ethnic groups and very benevolent in their activities, Nigeria’s oppressive ethnic groups, basically Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo and the Ijaw are

more malevolent in their actions than benevolent.

They now devise a way of crowning kings and emirs who could go to the centre and peddle influence to get more of the so-called national cake in their favour; sometimes through bullying, sometimes by supporting militia activities. Most of them have operated from the centre before and had gained great accolade and seem never below the rank of red cap (not Igbo red cap please) either in business or in public service.

Indeed what Nigeria needs to do is to enforce obligations to about 10,000 autonomous communities in Nigeria so as to reap greater economic benefit for the whole country like the Swiss do in their respective Cantons. Imagine making it obligatory for all the autonomous communities through which Escravos – Lagos pipelines are located to be responsible for the pipelines security and in turn it makes economic activities buoy to full capacity in Lagos for the benefit of the entire country or no fund for them. There is no doubt that the kings or emirs in these 10,000 communities receive something from the federal government.

It is an aberration not to attach responsibility to the kingdoms and the emirates for greater benefits for the whole country. I live in a government developed estate meant for mortgage purposes but the whole streets in the estate are named after living traditional kings and each house on the beginning of the street is ceded to the king.

Just within an estate that has about 300 houses, about 15 traditional kings appropriate already yet to be seen subjects, quite an aberration; it is like putting the cart before the horse. Again, it is as if the privileged ones entitled to eat the cake are already known before ever the cake comes. These are issues long settled in Europe as they decided

to abolish privileges in the 18th century and the Americans fought to get rid of Red Coat armies supporting such feudal and aristocratic tendencies. So, is Nigeria still in need of restructuring when it cannot do away with its feudal instincts?

Let us assume that structurally Nigeria prefers such arrangement. It does not call, imperatively, for the dismantling of the 36 states but it calls for either adaptation or proper matrix for effective performance. There is no doubt that the autonomous communities form the basic determinant of any adoptable matrix for a better federated Nigeria. If Switzerland with a small population compared to Nigeria still sees reason to affiliate to some degree on linguistic basis irrespective of their autonomous cantons, Nigeria should emulate it. The tenure of the president could be different as Nigeria intending to lead Africa cannot have a president that sits for only one year.

And for effective responsible federal government linked to the masses, the president should use the kings and the emirs to engage massively on projects meant for youth development.

General Obasanjo just sounded the warning of an impending youth restiveness and the federal government could respond effectively by building 10,000 trade centres and model secondary schools to counter such restiveness. No fewer than eight million youths could be involved in such project and it is not going to consume much money more than what was discovered in the Osborne Flat; and indeed each of the kings or emirs would find greater relevance in supervising such projects than their current image peddling. About 200 million for each not more than two trillion naira could be expended and it is going to endure.

Nigeria, impliedly, is restructured along such

autonomous communities. It requires constitutional backing or political will to get it going.

Lagos State had been operating conventionally local government that are not recognised by Nigerian constitution but are termed development areas and they are indeed more efficient than the Nigerian recognised ones. Nigeria cannot continue complaining of its political demarcation of North, South, Regions, States, etc., when the world is talking about technological development. It is quite distracting. Somehow when the economy is well on track and people find fulfilment in their activities they do not think of where they come from and that is why the Igbos say when a child has nothing to do or is tired of doing the work assigned to him, he goes looking for who to provoke for a fight or turns a nuisance. In Switzerland two poles and linguistic groups compete for economic supremacy and anybody from any of the five groups join any group helping them to fulfil their potential; it is either from the Zurich axis if Dutch is your interest or from the Geneva/Lausanne axis if French is your interest. Even those groups finding it difficult to catch up are adding English to their menu so as to attract both qualified labour or cherished investors.

Nigeria has all it takes for people to forget their places of origin and forge ahead for greater prosperity that could make Africa the continent of choice. The workability of these federated communities could be extended to Africa for a prosperous Africa with a common boundary and military as nature had demarcated it by the oceans – Indian, Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Antarctica.

Ariole is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ 2017

EDITORIAL OF CYNTHIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA PERILS The social media holds great promise and grave perils

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fter a trial that lasted almost ďŹ ve years, the Facebook friends who murdered the Nasarawa State University postgraduate student, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, have ďŹ nally been served justice. In sentencing them to death, Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere held that the circumstantial evidence brought by the state in proof of the six counts of conspiracy, murder and stealing against Okwumo Nwabufo and Olisaeloka Ezike were cogent, complete, unequivocal and compelling.

Unfortunately, while that may have brought a sort of closure to an unfortunate saga, it would seem that lessons have not been learnt by many of our young people about the grave perils of the unbridled use of social media.

On July 22, 2012 at a hotel in Festac, Lagos, Cynthia Osokgu, 24, was murdered by her online friends. The two convicted men, according to the police, had lured her to Lagos and killed her in a gruesome manner after giving her a juice drink laced with Rohiypnol, a prescription drug that is not supposed to be sold over the counter. The case was conclusively MUCH AS IT IS DIFFICULT proved against the two TO LEGISLATE AGAINST convicted men who THE NEW MEDIA, IT IS preyed on the internet IMPORTANT THAT YOUNG to attack unsuspecting PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY women.

GIRLS, BE CIRCUMSPECT However, as the Osokogu famWHEN CHATTING WITH PEOPLE WHOSE IDENTITY ily continues to grieve AND TRUE MOTIVE THEY over the loss of their loved one, it becomes DO NOT KNOW imperative that we evaluate some issues pertaining to the use of social media of communication and their component cyber sites like Facebook, Twitter, Internet Chat groups, etc., for some of our young people who may still be vulnerable to the antics of cyber criminals.

As we have reiterated in the past, no one can deny the several advantages which these technological tools have

Letters to the Editor

brought with them. Friendships and lasting relationships are struck on the internet. Business contacts are equally established vide the internet. And the availability gadgets like Blackberry, laptop computers, i-Phones, i-PADs and similar smart phones, contribute to make modern communication a lot easier, irrespective of distance, place or time. Our world has become a global village with the result that what happens 10,000 miles away can instantly be watched live from our living rooms and on our palms using new media gadgets.

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or the misguided, the social media platform has also become a veritable avenue through which criminals seek to exploit unsuspecting innocent persons, such as Cynthia. The danger here is the fact that through persistent “chattingâ€? with some strange persons who the victim had not met before, he or she could easily be psychologically “won overâ€? by the predator. Thus, with increased conďŹ dence, the victim starts revealing and releasing conďŹ dential and sensitive information, including personal data and bank details.

And before the targeted person realises it, he or she may have fallen victim, having given out so much information.

The lucky ones lose just personal effects, like money, phones and documents. Others, like Cynthia, end up losing their lives.

It is important that parents educate their children and wards on the dangers of the social media and the wolves in sheep’s clothing on the prowl in the cyber space.

Much as it is difďŹ cult to legislate against the new media, it is important that young people, especially girls, be circumspect when chatting with people whose identity and true motive they do not know. The murderers of Cynthia confessed to the Police that they had previously duped four other girls and tortured them in similar circumstances, although Cynthia, they claimed, was their ďŹ rst fatal case.

With the successful prosecution of the two evil men, we hope other such criminally-minded internet users will learn their lessons while our young citizens should also know about the perils of the social media.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c 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.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENDANT AND JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION

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he Office of the Public Defender (OPD), under the supervision of Lagos State Ministry of Justice was created by the erstwhile Asiwaju Bola Tinubu administration in 2000 to provide free legal services to indigent persons in the state. It was the first of its kind by any state government in the country. It has since become a model for other states to copy.

The scope of OPD’s operation includes, among others, provision of qualitative legal service for the indigent through representation in courts, offering free legal advice, promoting respect for human rights, the law and the constitution and ensuring equal access to justice. For effectiveness in dealing with matters that come to OPD, cases are divided into four general sections such as litigation and defence in court, police matters, mediation and rescue missions.

Since inception till date, OPD has continued to provide free legal services to the poor and disadvantaged who are financially incapacitated to seek redress in the law courts. Within one year of its existence, OPD recovered over N6 million in damages, compensation, salary arrears, workers benefits as well as unpaid sum of contractual work done. It also effected the release of several juveniles incarcerated in several police cells and prisons across the state without trial.

Till date, OPD has dealt with a total of 60,724 petitions and has been able to aid the release and acquittal of many inmates over the years; records show that on the average two inmates awaiting trial are released on a monthly basis due to the efforts of the OPD. On the whole, OPD has assisted petitioners in the recovery of a total of about N200 million over the years.

This amount spread over and includes child maintenance claims, salary arrears and benefits, compensation for industrial accidents at work and other sundry claims.

Understandably, OPD has special strategic interest in issues affecting the vulnerable in the society, mainly women and children. Children’s maintenance is a major issue in our society today due to different reasons, but the bottom line is that it is a mandatory duty of parents to take care of their wards and the OPD does its best to ensure that the interest of every child within the state is preserved.

Prior to its creation, criminal defence was only available to the defendant who had a family willing to retain the services of counsel in private practice to defend him or her and a lot of defendants awaiting trial had no representation because they could not afford the services of a lawyer.

Cases of domestic violence were traditionally dealt with by the police who described them as family disputes and either refused to be involved or parties were enjoined to go home and ‘settle the dispute themselves’.

Cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence were also not reported to the authorities by victims for fear of stigmatisation.

A further impediment is the fact that all cases except where they affect children are tried in open court, putting the victims of sexual offences through the embarrassment of recalling and recounting the experience in public, in a long and arduous trial and thus traumatising the victim all over again.

The police also for many years did not have Family Support Unit for victims as they have today; there was no avenue for

the rehabilitation of victims, a necessary tool for their recovery.

Instead, the norm was that if cases such as rape, defilement of children or domestic violence arose, the police encouraged the settlement of such cases by the community and the family (if the victim is lucky enough to have family in Lagos). Such settlement might involve persuading the perpetrator of the crime to marry the victim if she is pregnant or pay some money to the victims’ family, entrenching the archaic belief that saving the family honour was the most important factor. This of course led to further psychological damage to the victim who felt dehumanised again by such arrangement.

For many other criminal offences such as murder, death as a result of reckless driving, fraud, etc., some perpetrators get away because so many of these cases went unreported especially when the victims were indigents and they believed that if they reported the case, the police will exploit the situation and demand money to prosecute such a case.

This meant that where the victim of the crime was indigent and had no strong family unit to fall back on, the victim was denied justice by the very system meant to ensure justice for all.

As a result of all this, the convictions in courts were few.

The indigent victims were therefore deprived of justice; prisons were also congested with persons awaiting trial who had no representation because they could not afford the services of private practitioners.

Without any doubt, the coming on board of OPD has had a tremendous impact on the administration of justice in the state.

June Vincent, Public Affairs Unit, OPD, Lagos

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017

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

POLITICS FOCUS

Kogi PDP Plots Comeback Smarting from the loss of power to the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State is plotting a comeback. Behind the plot is the Kogi West branch of the party which claims it’s its turn to produce the next governor of the state, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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rior to 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party was the party to beat in Kogi State. Since 2003, Kogi State had been a stronghold of the PDP. But in what became a major upset, the party lost the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 governorship election in November, 2015.

Despite the PDP waterloo, the party remains a strong force in the state especially in Kogi west. During the National Assembly election in 2015, the PDP candidate for the Kogi State, Smart Adeyemi lost out to the incumbent Dino Melaye of the APC in an election that was finally decided in the courts after a protracted litigation.

Nevertheless, PDP retained two of the three House of Representatives seats in Kogi West and majority of seats in the state House of Assembly.

Sunday Karimi and T.J. Yusuf, members of the House of Representatives for Yagba and Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu federal constituencies both retained their seats on the platform of PDP for a second term. Buba Jubril of the APC however, won the seat for Lokoja/Kotonkarfe federal constituency for a third term.

The PDP also won in Yagba West, Yagba East, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja II and Kotonkarfe state constituencies, while APC took Mopamuro and Lokoja I. PDP however lost five of the legislators to the APC after a mass defection that rocked the state’s House of Assembly. PDP eventually became become the opposition party in the House. Nevertheless, PDP in the zone remained strong notwithstanding the defection.

Although PDP membership in Kogi was depleted by unprincipled politicians who ditched it for APC, the ruling party has had its own share of crisis. The emergence of Yahya Bello as governor following the sudden death of Abubakar Audu who was favored to win the race, created a division within the party.

Those who expected the crisis that trailed the election to die down soon were disappointed.

APC fractured as at press time. The party remains divided in Kogi State. The dispute has pitted the governor against James Faleke, running mate to the late APC governorship candidate, Audu. The governor is also at war against his party’s sole senator, Dino Melaiye. He is also not at peace with the party exco in the state.

Audu, was coasting to victory in the November 15, 2015 governorship election when he died before the pronouncement of the winner. His votes were later ‘inherited’ by Bello, but not without resistance from the Audu camp who felt Faleke ought to have been sworn-in as governor. The Supreme Court, eventually, decided in Bello’s favour, a verdict that left Kogi APC in tatters ever since then.

It is obvious that the governor is not enjoying the support of his party members. He has been accused of allegations of misrule, non-payment of salaries and pensions. The permutation is that the APC would be going into the next elections in its current state of disunity.

Despite the leadership crisis rocking the PDP at the national level between the Ahmed Markarfi-led caretaker committee and Ali Modu Sherif-led acting executives, Kogi PDP has remained relatively intact, devoid of factions. Hence, in the build up to the 2019 polls, the party is already back on the drawing board calculating how best to cash in on the divisions in the APC and consolidate to stage a come back.

Melaye admitted during a recent press conference he co-addressed with the APC chairman in Kogi State, Haddy Ametuo that unless something urgently was done by the leadership of the party between now and the 2019 polls, APC’s

Smart Adeyemi lost the Kogi West Senatorial District to APC’s Dino Melaye

continuous rule in Kogi would remain under serious doubt. Faleke also, in a recent interview, called on the governor to save the APC in Kogi from himself.

The problems within the APC present a perfect opportunity for the PDP to regain control of the zone. The PDP camp in Kogi West has witnessed a lot of activities in recent times. These include three separate meetings of stakeholders held in the three constituent units at Lokoja, Kabba and Isanlu, where various committees were set up to map out strategies that would see the party return to winning ways. The meetings focused on reconciliation, census, voter registration, funding and discipline among members.

In the euphoria of the reported impressive attendance at the meetings, the party had boasted in its communique that it remained the dominant party in the zone, despite being out of power in the state.

The ‘Strategic Committee on Elections into Party Offices and General Elections’, a product of the meetings submitted its report to the PDP executive committee in Kabba, upper weekend.

Despite the leadership crisis rocking the PDP at the national level between the Ahmed Markarfi-led caretaker committee and Ali Modu Sherif-led acting executives, Kogi PDP has remained intact.

The 14-page document contained recommendations expected to enhance the chances of the party in future polls. What can be considered as the fulcrum of the recommendations is how to sustain the principle of rotation of party and elective offices within the zone.

Specifically, the panel recommended that the next senatorial candidate of the PDP for Kogi West senatorial district should emerge from Yagba federal constituency. It was also resolved that the people of Kogi West must unite in their agitation to produce the next governor of the state.

The 23-man committee, chaired by Alhaji Muhammed Abdulrahman, was set up on March24, 2017, by the Kogi West senatorial district PDP chairman, Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ojo, to look into causes of the defeat suffered by the party in the 2015 elections and also to recommend solutions that would promote reconciliation as well as provide the roadmap that will help the party in overcoming the present challenges.

The district resolution was against the background that the zone had always played its part in rendering support to the two other senatorial districts, namely Kogi East and Kogi Central, in the past elections, and that it was time for their neighbours to support a governorship candidate to emerge from the west. They resolved that the agitation for power shift to Kogi West would form the basis of the zone’s relationship with the Igala and Ebira dominated Kogi East and Central districts respectively in future elections.

The communique reads in part: “Kogi West senatorial district must ensure the rotation of the senate seat at the National Assembly between her constituents (the federal constituencies of Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu, Lokoja/Koto and Yagba).

National and state offices zoned to Kogi West must be rotated within the zone. The same principle must be applied in appointments both at the state and national levels. The candidate for the

election into the senate for 2019 should come from Yagba federal constituency, after which it goes back to Lokoja/Koto and Kabba/Bunu/ Ijumu”.

It added, “The PDP in Kogi West senatorial district must continue to ask for power shift and this must form the basis of our relationship with the other districts in future elections”.

Kola-Ojo, who received the report said that the leadership would look into the report and consult party leaders and stakeholders for effective implementation.

Against the background of the panel recommendations, political elders and stakeholders in Yagba federal constituency in Kogi West, under the aegis of Yagba Political Forum, a non-partisan group, met in Isanlu, Yagba East local government area to chart an all-inclusive political roadmap for Yagba people ahead of the 2019 elections.

At the end of the meeting held at the Isanlu Town Hall and attended by political gladiators from the area, the forum resolved to unite and mobilise Yagba people to ensure that Yagba federal constituency produces the next senator for Kogi West Senatorial District. The meeting noted that, based on the existing rotation principle in Kogi West zone involving the three federal constituencies of Lokoja/Kotonkarfe, Kabba/ Bunu/Ijumu and Yagba, “it is the turn of Yagba to produce the senator in 2019”.

The summit also debated on the next election into the House of Representatives for Yagba federal constituency, comprising of Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro local government areas. Consequently, it was resolved that the next representative should emerge from one of Yagba East and Mopamuro local government areas, exempting Yagba West local government area alleged to have done three terms since 2007.

However, the senate seat was declared open for contest among the three local government areas with a caveat that no single local government shall produce both Senate and House of Representatives member at the same time.

Convener of Yagba Political Forum, Chief Frank Aiyedun, who read the communiqué at the end of the summit said the forum which had been moribund was resuscitated to ensure that Yagba attained its rightful place in Okun, Kogi and the country as a whole. He recalled that whereas Yagba, under the leadership of the late Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Chief Sunday Awoniyi, former Minister of National Planning, late Chief Silas Daniyan, third republic deputy governor, Chief Sam Akande and Asiwaju Jide Omokore, Yagba had been the centre-piece of Okun and Kogi West, politics, “the situation had degenerated so much that we find ourselves politically an appendage of our neighbours”.

Aiyedun, a second republic gubernatorial aspirant in the old Kwara State, added, “the body feels this sad situation should be reversed without further delay. Yagba should occupy its rightful position in the polity of Okunland, Kogi and Nigeria.”

Those who attended the meeting were President, umbrella Okun Development Association (ODA), Ambassador Paul Fadumiyo, former Secretary to Kogi State Government, Chief Shola Ojo, former state chairman of PDP in Kogi State, Mallam Hassan Salau, former members of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Eric Fiki, Hon Rinde Asagun, Hon Henry Ojuola and Hon Philip Orebiyi; former member, House of Representatives for Yagba Federal Constituency, Hon TJ Faniyi and PDP state women leader, Olori Magret Orebiyi, among others.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017

18

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

In Defence of Saraki Despite the blistering attacks on his person, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has remained focused on handling the affairs of the upper legislative chambers, writes Samuel Adakole

F

tory of the country. With the amendment, all the legal issues regarding the use of technology in elections have now been addressed. INEC now has the free hand to fully employ appropriate technology in the conduct of elections.

Other highlights of the new bill include provision for the use of electronic voting

by INEC during future elections and the use of Card Reader. It also gives INEC power to modify the voting process if there is a challenge. The Senate also approved a provision to enable INEC transmit the result of elections electronically in an encrypted and secured manner to prevent hacking.

It also gives political parties power to adopt direct or indirect primaries in choosing their flag bearers, while qualification of disqualification of candidates for elections will be solely based on the Constitution.

This no doubt marks a significant change in the way all future elections would henceforth be conducted in the country. In the immediate term, it would help INEC to improve on the conduct of the 2019 elections to be make them more transparent, credible and fair.

or most of the past two years, Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has been the subject of a vicious attack. This multidimensional campaign has one central objective: to destroy the personal reputation, public standing and political career of the country’s third most powerful man.

The anti-Saraki campaign has many strands but the most common one is the baseless and unproven allegation that he is corrupt. In the recent past, there have been orchestrated efforts to link his name with the mismanagement of the Paris Club refund funds, the controversial purchase of a very expensive vehicle by the National Assembly and other ‘scandals’.

As subsequent events and facts have shown, the Senate President had nothing to do with the contrived scandals.

But the more his innocence is proven, the more desperate the anti-forces become and the wilder the allegations get. The miracle is that he has not only maintained his dignity, he has retained an unimpeachable and robust patriotism. Perhaps most incredibly, the Senate under him is doing a very good job of its legislative functions and has focused on the areas that are most important to Nigerians such as job creation and strengthening the economy.

These are six key things the Saraki-led Senate is doing that the anti-Saraki forces don’t want Nigerians to know.

Boosting Job Creation and Entrepreneurship through Made in Nigeria Campaign First is the Senate’s historic passage of the of the 2007 Public Procurement Act. The amendment makes it mandatory for all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to give preference in their procurement decisions to locally produced goods before patronizing imported ones. It also makes it compulsory for a good percentage of the contract sum to be paid up front and in good time to contractors.

A major benefit of this initiative is that a significant portion of the over N2 trillion budget that government spends every year on procurement would go into the pockets of Nigerian enterpreneurs.

The expected increase in demand for local goods will lead to business expansion that will create jobs and provide employment for millions of unemployed youths in the country.

On the back of this act, the Senate President has also embarked on the Made In Nigeria campaign to encourage patronage of locally manufactured goods. He has been very active in advocating for a shift in focus to strengthening local production capacity. Giving local businesses a greater stake in the government’s multi-trillion naira annual procurement budget is a great achievement by the Saraki-led Senate that every well-meaning Nigerian should be proud of. For this, the Senate President deserves commendation.

Passing the Long-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill Under Saraki, the Senate has acted with dispatch on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The critical legislation has now been passed as he promised at the start of the year. The bill was stuck in parliament for seventeen years due to political disagreements by stakeholders and vested interests. This has cost the country heavily. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu says the country has lost a whopping N3trillion in delayed investment as a

Saraki...not distracted by attacks

result of the failure to pass the bill.

The PIB is widely considered as a game changer in the oil and gas sector because it will define the overall framework for regulating all activities in the Nigeria oil and gas industry in a way that opens up the industry to massive investments and give the country good value for its resources.

Championing the Search for Solutions to the Power Crisis Under Saraki, the Senate is playing a leading role in seeking solutions to the unending power crisis. Earlier this year it convened a 2-day Power Sector Dialogue for stakeholders on the issue. The event provided a high-level platform for power sector operators and players in the public and private sector to have an honest and solution focused discussion of the key

The Senate under him is doing a very good job of its legislative functions and has focused on the areas that are most important to Nigerians such as job creation and strengthening the economy

issues that are making it impossible for progress to be made in the power sector.

At the event, Saraki delivered a frank speech that exposed the real issues that had held down growth in the sector.

He took direct aim at the inefficient generating companies (GENCOS) and distribution companies (DISCOS). He described as fraudulent the privatization process under which the country’s power assets were sold to GENCOs and DISCOs. He also spoke about how vested interest groups hijacked the process, threw transparency to the winds and sold the assets to people who had neither the technical nor financial muscle to turn them into real value and run them for the people.

But the overall focus of Saraki’s speech was on finding solutions. The Saraki-led Senate is working with the executive branch to accord top priority to fixing the problem. The Senate has been vocal and strong in applying pressure on the generating and distribution companies to deliver on their promise to provide steady power to Nigerians.

Enacting a Fairer, Technology Friendly Electoral Act Another important achievement of the Senate is the speedy and historic passage of the amendment of the Electoral Act 2010. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu described the amended law as the most extensive and technologically friendly in the his-

Making the Budget Process More Transparent and Faster Another signature initiative of the Saraki-led Senate is the move to reform the budget process to bring more transparency to the budgeting process. The reform will also ensure that Nigerians get value for money budgeted for, reduce legislature and executive d and above all break the jinx of late budget passage by the national assembly.

To do this, the Senate is at an advanced stage of amending the 58-year-old Fiscal Responsibility Act with the submission of the report by the budget reform committee. The report recommends that the government present the budget to the national assembly in the first week of September and the national assembly will have two months to consider the budget so that it is passed not later than 30th November each year.

The aim of the reform is to improve budget formulation, enactment, implementation, and monitoring evaluation with a view to improving budget performance.

Breaking Government Monopoly on Railway Services To catalyze growth in the railway sector where government has maintained a non-progressive monopoly, the Saraki-led Senate has successfully opened it up for private sector participation by repealing the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act of 1955. The significance of the move is that for the first time in over 61 years of the railway system in Nigeria, the private sector can move into the sector to build rail lines and operate them as businesses.

This will promote competition and better performance as witnessed in the telecommunications sector.

These are only a few of the very important, ground-breaking work the Senate is doing for the good of the country. It is sad that those who are only bent on pursuing narrow political interests are trying so hard against the overwhelming body of evidence to detract public attention from them. The Senate President is notching up a strong legacy of outstanding performance as the leader of the 8th Senate. This is why despite all the orchestrated attacks, history will be kind to him.

Adakole wrote in from Lagos

19

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

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

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EXCHANGE RATE N305.50//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes NCAA Pledges Executive Order Compliance

PROMOTING MADE IN NIGERIA PRODUCTS

L-R: Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Managing Director of Procter and Gamble in Nigeria, Mr. George Nassar, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ogun State, during the factory tour and Line Commissioning of Procter and Gamble factory in Agbara, Ogun State...recently

NPA, Stakeholders Bicker over Dredging of Calabar Channel Eromosele Abiodun The dredging of Calabar Channel is threatened as major stakeholders in the project and the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) are bickering over who is responsible for the delay in commencement of the project.

The Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman had during a recent interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), stated that the NPA had carried out a detailed investigation and faulted the dredging work done by Calabar Channel Management Company (CCM).

But the Managing Director of CCM Limited, Mr. Bart Van Eenoo has refuted the claims and called on the NPA to do

MARITIME the needful for the dredging which was stopped by the NPA to re-commence. According to Eenoo, all the stakeholders at the Calabar Port including the NPA’s Station Manager in Calabar had alluded to the fact that CCM carried out appreciable work on the dredging.

He added that some of the stakeholders always aboard the dredgers during the cause of the dredging to have a feel of the work done until the NPA suddenly disrupted it without formal communication to CCM. “If we may ask, who is the NPA MD fooling? If no work was done as it is being

alleged by her, why was the initial payment made to CCM when it was on record that NPA participated in all the work done by the CCM as its (NPA’s Project Resident Hydrographic Surveyor and Technical Auditors on the project-CARES Limited) were always on board the dredgers working on the project and certifying for payments only after verification that what is presented by the Consortium tallies with the work done and in accordance with the Joint Venture (JV) agreement?, “he queried. Going down memory lane, he said the NPA openly advertised for the establishment of a Channel Management Company for the Calabar navigation channel, which Niger- Global Engineering and

Technical Company Limited, duly bid and won leading to the establishment of CCM with a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with the NPA. He said the NPA in an advert titled :“Public Notice No.3551: Invitation for pre-qualification for the management of the Access Channels to all Nigerian ports,� and published in several newspapers on Wednesday, April 21,2004, invited bidders which Niger- Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited, leading a consortium of companies submitted bid and won. “The entire contract followed full advertisement in the media Continued on page 20

Ethiopia Airlines Renegotiating Management Contract for Arik Air with FG Chinedu Eze After few months of prevarication, THISDAY can authoritatively report that the Ethiopia Airlines has been negotiating management contract for Arik Air, which was taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in February this year owing to the debts owed it by the owners of the airline.

THISDAY learnt that Ethiopia Airlines has sent delegation twice in the last two months to Abuja to discuss with the federal government and the Nigerian government had also sent a delegation to Addis

AVIATION Ababa.

The focus of the management contract is that Ethiopian Airline will take full management of the airline and also provide technical support.

What this means is that the East African airline will have to second some of its management and technical staff to Nigeria and also code-share with Arik and kick-start some of the international routes, suspended by the receiver manager, when AMCON took over the management of the airline.

THISDAY learnt that the initial plan when AMCON took

over Arik Air was to hand over the airline to Ethiopia Airlines, but some top officials of the East African carrier objected to that because of perceived hostility and the threat by the former management of Arik to take Ethiopian to court if it dared run the airline.

Informed source said that Ethiopia realised that without the cooperation of the then management of Arik Air it would be difficult to succeed in managing the airline, but since then there seems to be armistice between the owner of the airline, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide and the federal government.

The deal with Ethiopia Airline might have become urgent

considering that AMCON has one year arrangement with the airline, which means that by February next year it would hands off the airline, so government must have to either hand over the airline to the owner or arrange for another management to run it.

THISDAY learnt that Ethiopia Airlines which might have contemplated having a stake in the airline but it is now negotiating for purely management contract, which the federal government would have to pay for. But while some industry sources said that that would be a sure way to sustain the operations Continued on page 20

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it has put in place adequate measures to ensure full and sustained compliance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order (EO) at the nations’ airports. Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), recently signed three far-reaching orders to ease business, fast track budget submissions and promote made in Nigeria goods.

On the ease of business, particularly within the airports and aviation-related businesses, NCAA said the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman has directed all Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) to monitor the level of compliance with the Executive Order (EO) alongside their statutory oversight responsibilities at the airports as enshrined in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 (Nig.CARs 2015).

All aviation parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (Nimet) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have since commenced compliance to the order. On its part, NCAA has prepared a standard document outlining its core functions and services, appropriate charges, fees, licenses, waivers and other tax-related processes in adherence to the Executive Order (EO).

The schedule contains mode of communication of oďŹƒcial decisions to the various applicants for our sundry services. This information, together with other vital information, for ease of doing business in Nigerian aviation sector are contained in the oďŹƒcial website of the NCAA.

Promasidor Improves Healthiness

TheCategoryManager,Diary,PromasidorNigeriaLimited,Mr.Biodun Ayodeji has stated that calcium fortiďŹ ed Loya Milk; a premium brand from the company will continue to improve healthiness and talent in children. He made this statement during the second edition of Loya Milk swimming competition dubbed “Loya Milk Swim Meetâ€? for secondary schools’ students held recently at the Grange School, Harold Shodipo Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos, where attractive prizes of over One Million Naira and other consolation prizes were given to participants. He said feedback from the inaugural edition held in December 2016 where 10 Secondary Schools in Lagos participated was very commendable, and that request was made for the competition to be an annual event where talents can be discovered and nurtured. Ayodeji explained that Loya Milk which is fortiďŹ ed with 50 percent calcium believes in the healthiness of children and that this can be achieved not only by providing the best nutrition in the brand but also by identifying with a sport that fosters this promise. According to him, the brand helps to build stronger bones, tougher teeth, and healthier heart which are in line with some of the health beneďŹ ts of swimming.

NAFOHEAD Tasks Members on EďŹƒciency

The leadership of the National Forum of Heads of Federal Government establishments, (NAFOHEADS), has called on their members to continue to discharge their responsibilities with high sense of professionalism to move the nation forward. This was the parting words recently when the association hosted few of their own including those retired and still in active service.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of the planning committee, Alhaji Bello KankaroďŹ , commended members for the foresight in establishing such forum saying that it has helped a great deal in fostering unity among dierent arms of government establishments.

In his welcome remarks, the chairman of the Lagos chapter of the forum, Mr. Ade Adebanjo extolled the virtues of some distinguished members for their diligence and commitment towards the overall objective of the group. Adebanjo said that the group is indeed delighted for the sacriďŹ ce made in getting the forum to where it is today. He noted that the forum will continue to seek for their moral support and advice as they go on to surmount many challenges confrontingthevariousministries.Someofthosewhowerehonoured at the meeting include a zonal director, NigerianTelevision Authority, Lagos Network Centre, Elizabeth Aina Scott who recently retired,

“In the face of the current global economic recession, there is no better time to make our seaports more users friendly and internationally competitive “

Minister ofTransportation

Rotimi Amaechi

20

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ 2017

BUSINESSWORLD NPA, STAKEHOLDERS BICKER OVER DREDGING OF CALABAR CHANNEL and due bidding processes with all the necessary approvals and vetting of the agreement by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) before its execution. It was after a rigorous exercise that our consortium won the bid. It is the same consultants – Mobotek that handled the selection process for the Lagos Channel Management Company and the Bonny Channel Management Company that conducted the bidding process which our company passed the financial and technical bids and was duly handed a ‘No Objection’ Certificate by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), �he added. He maintained that the present management of the NPA has sinister motives against the project as it has blatantly refused to hold any meeting with the management of the CCM since assumption of office but has been hobnobbing with managers of other channels.

ETHIOPIA AIRLINES RENEGOTIATING MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR ARIK AIR WITH FG of the airline, others are of the view that it would give Ethiopian the opportunity to take advantage of the Nigeria international travel market. “If they code-share with Arik Air what the airline will be doing is to gather passengers for international destinations for Ethiopia Airlines, a kind of thing Virgin Atlantic used the defunct Virgin Nigeria to do in the past,� a source told THISDAY. But an operator also told THISDAY that it would be a key way to sustain the operations of Arik Air. “Ethiopian Airlines is committed to Africa and they have shown passion for Nigeria and make sacrifices in this country, which no European airline can make. You cannot compare them to Virgin Atlantic or any other European carrier,� the source also said.

But a source close to Arik Air said that what Arik needs is to be turned into a national carrier, remarking that government is wasting funds on setting up a national carrier.

Group Business Editor

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

NEWS

NSITF, BPP Collaborate on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria Damilola Oyedele and Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have entered into a partnership on the creation of a fully automated business process, to support the ‘ease of doing business’ agenda of the federal government.

The Managing Director of the Fund, Mr. Adebayo Somefun disclosed this when a team from the BPP paid him a courtesy visit recently. He said that the priority of the NSITF management team, was to improve on the existing system.

The collaboration became necessary, he said, as Executive Order 001, 002 and 003 have already become law and all agencies are expected to comply in less than 21 days.

He further stated that the processes of the collaboration have already commenced real time, in all branches of the NSITF to ensure that data provided to the public is accurate.

Commending the BPP for the proactive gesture, Somefun disclosed that the management of the NSITF would constitute a technical committee to work with the BPP, to ensure that the full objectives of the Executive orders were realised.

He reiterated that the Fund would leave nothing to chance in providing accurate information to those who required it.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Regulation and Database Department of BPP, Mr. Aliyu Aliyu, said the agency had begun the development of a

system in which there would be a central database, where all requirements for doing business in all ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) would be listed. He noted that this important project requires cooperation from every agency involved in order to clarify the business requirements of each agency. Aliyu added the BPP has realised that people with genuine business intentions

encounter challenges while using government software, mobile application or website, thus creating a bad impression. “With this in mind, the BPP has set out to ensure that anticipated bottlenecks are reduced to the barest minimum� he said.

The three Executive Orders on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria were signed in April, 2017, by the acting President Yemi Osinbajo. The Orders pro-

mote transparency by directing that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to publish a complete list of all requirements for obtaining permits, licences and approvals, including fees and timelines, in their premises and on their websites within the next 21 days. They also provide that MDAs must communicate with applicants by at least two

methods, and any approvals for applications not received within the specified period will be assumed to have been granted to the applicant by default. Any rejections must be given with valid reasons. The Applicant whose application is deemed granted after the expiration of the application period can apply to the supervising Minister to issue any document or certificate required.

INTRODUCING NEW TRANSCORP MANAGEMENT

L-R: CEO, Heirs holdings, Emmanuel Nnorom; Executive Director, Capital Markets Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna JaloWaziri and CEO, Transcorp Plc, Adim Jibunoh at the Closing Gong Ceremony to introduce the new management of Transcorp‌recently

Gencos: Eligible Customers Guarantee Discos Extra Loads outside MYTO Chineme Okafor in Abuja The recent declaration of eligible customers will guarantee the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) extra loads outside their normal allocation in the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) to satisfy their customers’ demands, the power generation companies (Gencos) have said.

According to the Gencos, the recently approved eligible customers’ regime, would

also lift the limits placed on Discos’ potential power needs as prescribed in the MYTO. Accordingly, the 11 Discos, on a daily basis share the total electricity generated by the Gencos on fractions dictated by the MYTO. But speaking through their trade association – the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) in Abuja, the Gencos said Discos that needed extra load allocations outside the MYTO allocations would be allowed to register

as eligible customers, within which additional bulk power could be channeled to them for their networks.

APGC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Joy Ogaji, told journalists that the eligible customers’ declaration was a laudable step that could help to build competitive trading in the power market.

Ogaji explained that the declaration would also introduce a “willing seller-willing buyers� transactional system for the power market, thus increasing

the market’s efficiency.

She said while the Discos were constrained to the percentage allocations assigned to them, and others getting penalised for taking more than their shares, the regime could provide them the window to take more and not get levied. “The declaration does not in any way spell doom and gloom, Gencos can now sell power to suppressed load centres thereby making up dwindling revenue and pay their gas suppliers,� said Ogaji.

“The distribution companies on the other hand can procure additional power as eligible customers. They will be compelled to increase efficiency with sufficient attention to service improvement in the short-term by reducing the major losses incurred by them along the power chain,� she added. “Customers now have the permission to cooperate amongst themselves, providing the enabling environment and also infrastructure to be classified as eligible customers.

ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

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NCDMB, Dangote Group Begin Collaboration on 650,000bpd ReďŹ nery Ejiofor Alike The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Dangote Group, promoted by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, have commenced collaborations towards ensuring maximum utilisation of local capacities in the construction of the company’s 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

Dangote Group has also pledged among other things, to utilise certified Nigerian service

companies for the fabrication of modules, pipe coating as well as the supply of paints and cables.

In addition, the two organisations will hold technical meetings and undertake a tour of the project site to examine extensively other Nigerian Content opportunities that can be utilised on the project.

Responding to the presentation made by the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, outlining the existing Nigerian Content

capacities and how they can contribute to the refinery project, the Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Mr. Joseph Makoju confirmed that “there are a number of opportunities for collaboration�. “We want to partner with you and we hope to have mutual beneficial relationships,� Makoju said.

Makoju noted that the company planned to set a record on Local Content accomplishment with the petrochemicals plant, which would be biggest single

train refinery in the world.

He identified the Dangote Academy as another platform for collaboration, especially as the institute’s focus will be expanded beyond the cement industry, to include the petroleum industry and other key sectors that the Group operates.

Earlier in his presentation, Wabote commended the President of Dangote Group for investing in manufacturing across various sectors of the economy and creating employments for thousands

of Nigerians.

He expressed confidence that the company’s foray into the downstream sector of the petroleum industry would revolutionise the sector and reverse the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

The Executive Secretary informed the Dangote team that the implementation of Nigerian Content Act in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry had developed huge capacities that should be leveraged for the refinery project.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ 2017

21

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NPA to Enforce Laws against Port Environmental Pollutions Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that it would further ensure that its actions do not impact negatively on the environment through relevant national and International laws, regulations and conventions aimed at attaining a port environment devoid of pollution, oil chemical spills and bio hazards.

Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman stated this while addressing stakeholders at an event marking World Environment Day 2017 with the theme, ‘Connecting people to nature’ in Lagos.

She added that this year’s event could not have come at a better time in view of the need

to bridge the widening gap being faced by the inhabitants who have failed to understand the synergy that touches on the concepts, ‘People and Nature’.

Usman, who was represented by the General Manager Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Yusuf Ahmed, further reiterated that the human environment needs to be properly understood in terms of the basic laws and regulations which need to be strictly followed at all times by the inhabitants.

In her words: “We are to take a critical look at our attitude to the environment and consciously care for it by willingly complying with environmental laws and standards, using friendly technologies and methods in

our industrial processes and productions.�

In his address, the Executive Director Marine and Operations, NPA, Dr. Sekonte Davies charged stakeholders to assiduously come up with relevant laws and guidelines that would effectively assist in the growth of our environment.

He noted that the expected changes in the environment can be achieved aside these relevant laws by the decision of the individuals in the environment to have a change in attitude in their ways of doing things.

Specifically, he said: “Doing the right things would always curb the waste of time and resources by relevant agencies of government towards achieving environmental growth.’’

FG Woos Foreign Investors to Maritime Sector The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has stated that the Nigerian maritime sector is a haven of opportunities for the world maritime industry to tap into.

The minister made this remark at the “Africa @ Nor� session of the recently concluded Nor-Shipping 2017, which held at Lillstrome, Norway.

He assured the audience that Nigeria is a strategic destination for investment opportunities, stressing that Nigeria epitomises a broad spectrum of the continent in Africa. “Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with about 183million people and by extension, with the cumulative population of two landlocked countries of Chad Republic, which is 14.9 million people and Niger Republic with 21.3million people creates a huge consuming market and comparable cheap labour, “he said.

Amaechi also used the opportunity to assure the NorShipping participants that the anti-corruption stance of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the establishment of the National Trade Data Centre are expected to eliminate inherent corporate governance abuses even as he promised the investors that they will have good returns on their investments.

In the area of security, he stated that the enhanced synergies between the various arms of security agencies have resulted in efficient performance. “I wish to assure you that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes a maritime hub for the West and Central Africa sub region, we therefore call on both local and international investors to join hands with us in enhancing Nigeria’s per capital income by supporting

the various developmental initiatives, �he said.

On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated that Nigeria as a maritime nation is endowed by nature with over 850 kilometers of coastline.

He said that the country has six modern port complexes and a fast developing intermodal transport system as well as abundant trained workforce combined with a standard regulatory regime amongst others which are benefits accruable to investing in the Nigeria maritime sector. “We are bounded by two land locked countries of chad and Niger, so we are not just serving goods coming into Nigeria, we are also serving goods going to Chad and Niger Rebublic�, said the NIMASA boss.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Risk Treatment – To Accept, Avoid, Adopt or Adapt

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espite all the rhetoric and money Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÙÙ often treated as a compliance issue that can be solved by drawing up lots of rules and making sure that they Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ÙÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽË› Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? sensible and do reduce some risks that could severely damage a company. But rules-based risk management will not diminish either the Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?ÖÓÒÙÙÎ Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž did not prevent the failure of many ďŹ nancial institutions during the 2007–2008 global ďŹ nancial crisis. Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?ÙÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ăžter understanding of how they can impact businesses and be managed. In the world of ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂœĂ?ËÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ to describe the actions taken to manage risk. Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă?Ă• ĂœĂ?ËÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? the process of selecting and implementing measures to modify risk. Risk treatment Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă Ă™Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ adopting or adapting the risk. Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? next step involves the identiďŹ cation of alternative appropriate actions for managing these ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ results or impact and the speciďŹ cation and implementation of treatment plans.

Since identiďŹ ed risks may have varying Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁ the prospect of loss or damage. Opportunities may also arise from the risk identiďŹ cation ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă? ÞãÚĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• åÓÞÒ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž or outcomes are identiďŹ ed.

Management or treatment options for risks expected to have positive outcome include:

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Nigerians Urged to Develop Competencies for Maritime Profession Maritime experts and practitioners have urged Nigerians especially the youths to develop relevant competence and character capable of making them to excel in their maritime careers.

This unanimous call was made by dignitaries who made presentations at the 2017, Maritime Students Conference, held in Lagos.

Speaking at the occasion, the Rector of Lagos Aviation and Maritime Business Academy, Dr. Emeka Udowu revealed that many captains and master mariners complain bitterly about lack of professional competence being exhibited by most Nigerian youths who work as cadets onboard vessels.

Also, the Principal Partner, Akabogu and Associates, Emeka Akabogu told the students that there was no need for one to seek employment, unless the employee can truly add value to the employer’s system.

He maintained that many maritime companies are ready

to employ only competent persons who can add value to their businesses. “A lot of maritime students have come to me, asking for employment. As a maritime law firm, personally, I always have a need to employ. But most times you discover that some of these students can’t add value to the system you have in place. “I want to use this opportunity to tell maritime students that it is not all about graduating and seeking for employment.

You need to be able to add value to the company you want to work for. If you know you don’t have the necessary skills that will make you add value to a company, don’t bother seeking for employment.

Get the value – adding skills first, equip yourself with those skills before you go seeking for employment�, Akabogu stated.

Acting Chairman, Society of Nigerian Mariners, Olu Akinsoji stated that the institutional problems in the country have

affected the youths and their profession.

He called on the government to address the institutional problems so the youth would have a change of attitude in their chosen professions.

In his address, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said that owing to the growing demand for domestic gas in Nigeria, maritime institutions need to incorporate bunkering practice into their curriculum and intensify training on handling of dangerous and hazardous cargoes.

The NPA boss, who was represented by the General Manager, Monitoring and Compliance, NPA, Iheanacho Ebubeogu, noted that since the economy is diversifying into areas of refining its products, it is pertinent for maritime institutions to respond and groom the younger generation in the handling of the hazardous cargoes.

expanding or continuing an activity likely to create or maintain this positive outcome;

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×ÙÎÓĂ?ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?ÖÓÒÙÙÎ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëœ ÞÙ increase possible beneďŹ cial outcomes;

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ĂžĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă“ĂšĂ&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ to increase the expected gains; Management options for risks having negative outcomes look similar to those for risks with ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ËÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ implications are completely dierent. Such options or alternatives might be: ˞ÞÙ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂŒĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂšËœ ÚÙĂ?ĂžĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă–Ëœ ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă?ĂœĂž Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ activity that may be the cause for that risk; ˞ÞÙ ×ÙÎÓĂ?ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?ÖÓÒÙÙÎ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂžĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of the negative outcomes.

Ă˜ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ? to be compared with the beneďŹ ts obtained or expected.

Risk treatment measures can present a frightening array of hard-to-follow processes and results and unfathomable language and jargon. Ă’Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙÙÖĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ risk managed decisions for the business and for the stakeholders in a managed context.

Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ ÙÚÞÓ×ÓĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ëœ Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž should be embedded as a culture. It should be managed enterprise wide in an integrated Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă–Ăž Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜

the code of corporate governance for public companies in Nigeria (2003). Ă’Ă? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? challenge because of the volatile dynamics of asset markets and the potential impact of decisions made by investment managers. ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•ËŞĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ with a single deal or major market movement. Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă? embedded experts within the organization to Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ËŞĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? managers whose activities are generating new Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ě?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–Ëœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ËŤĂ‘Ă™ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?ËœËŹ aligning themselves with the inner circle of the ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžËŞĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ě?ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă– makers rather than deal questioners. Preventing ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ÙʊĂ?Ă?Ăœ ĚŽ ÞÒĂ? Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĚ?Ă&#x;ÖÞÓ×ËÞĂ?Ă–ĂŁĚ?ÞÒĂ? Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? risk culture.

Because some risks are quite predictĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ě?Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂœĚ?Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ?Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ business function lines. Banks often manage ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ?Ă– ËŤĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ ËŤĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ˍÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËŹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ë› ÞÒĂ?Ăœ companies compartmentalize the management Ă™Ă? ËŤĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ ËŤĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ ËŤĂ?Ă&#x;ÚÚÖã Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ ËŤĂ’Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ ËŤ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËŤĘ¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă?Õ˛ˏ Such organisational silos disperse both information and responsibility for eective risk Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă’Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ăž ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÒÙå dierent risks interact. Good risk discussions must not be confrontational but also integrative. Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ěš Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’ can solve this problem by managing the universe of risks in a structured and holistic manner. Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ the framework within an embedded risk culture Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă?×ÚÒËĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽË› Ă’Ă“Ă? is why successful companies stand out. Most failed companies had relegated risk management to a compliance function; their risk managers had limited access to senior management and ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ë› ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă—ĂŁ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ?ËŞ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ and concentrated positions. ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž actions varies among ďŹ rms; ERM ensures ÞÒËÞ Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ă?ËŞ Ă‹ĘľĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă‹ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ó×ÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• management is an integral part of the decisionmaking process. Risk management does not Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă‘Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’ĂžËž Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă‘Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ÙʰĂ?Ă˜Ëœ with less damaging consequences. .Ëž ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă&#x;Ëœ Ëœ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ëœ Ă? Ě™ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ĚšËœ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ë› Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ÚÙĂ?Ăž Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?ĂĄ Ă™ĂœĂ• Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě‹ Ë› Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ͸Π͸Πͺ͸Πͺ͸͟͞ Ě™ Ă˜Ă–ĂŁĚšËž Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ĂœĂ—ÍźĂœĂ“Ă?Õ×ÑÞ̜Ñ×ËÓÖ˛Ă?Ù×

22

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Firm to Invest $20bn in Aircraft Leasing Facility in Nigeria Stories by Chinedu Eze African Aircraft Leasing Company (AALC) plans to invest about $20billion in aircraft leasing facility in Nigeria. The proposed investment will enable indigenous airlines lease aircraft at cheaper rate and without the present cumbersome processes.

The facility would also include Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre and spares logistics and supply as well as aggregated services solutions. The investment according to the Executive Director, SpringFountain Infrastructure Limited, Mrs. Tokunbo Fagbemi is a partnership with the United States based aircraft manufacturer, Boeing Corporation.

During the agreement signing ceremony recently in

Lagos between Boeing and SpringFountain Infrastructure, Fagbemi said the aircraft leasing facility that would be established in Nigeria would be the first in Africa and would create a robust window for Nigerian operators to access 200 Boeing aircraft in the next 20 years.Fagbemi said currently, there is estimated 19 million passenger traffic per annum, which is projected to rise to over 44 million in the next 20 years, meaning that Nigerian airlines would make more demand on aircraft to be able to meet the rising demand. “If Nigeria is to have 44 million passenger departures per annum, it will require over 100 aircraft to meet this propensity to travel, so Nigerian airlines will need more aircraft.

To boost its international, in-

cluding intercontinental flight potential, the airlines have to improve in both the quality and quantity of the aircraft.

In addition, the aircraft have to be brand new to be at par with their competitors within Africa at the least�, he said. To enable the firm deliver on its proposed investment, Fagbemi said government should create an enabling environment for aviation business to thrive. “We cannot overemphasise for government to create a right enabling environment for the African Aircraft Leasing Company (AALC), OEM led MRO centre, African Aircraft Spare Parts Company (AASC) and Aggregated Services Solutions provider to be able to list and trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Air Peace Boss Commends FG for Upgrading Airports Landing Aids The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema has commended the federal government for providing category two Instrument Landing System (ILS) and improved communication system at nation’s major airports.

Onyema said that this would enable smooth flight operations in December, which is the busiest season for airlines and the high point of Harmattan haze, which lowers visibility and forces airlines to cancel their flights. The Air Peace boss said airlines lost revenues amounting to millions of naira last year due to flight cancellations, adding the failure of the airlines to airlift thousands of passengers to their destinations last December damaged the image and goodwill of the airlines, as passengers did not understand that the airlines were not responsible for the cancellations of flights. “I just learnt that the federal government is about to install landing aids at our major airports so that flights can

operate during harmattan haze and flight cancellations during the period will become a thing of the past. I hail government’s decision on that.

I have no doubt that the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika is all out to make a difference. I have no doubt and I sincerely commend him on this. I also commend him for the speed and timeliness with which he completed the rehabilitation of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. That was unprecedented.

That was also how he made efforts for the airlines to be included in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) forest window, which we benefitted with manufacturers,� Onyema said.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu explained that the federal government has started the installation of Category two ILS, which enables flights to land at low visibility, with the

Kaduna airport and expressed the hope that five more airports will likely get the equipment before December this year.

Onyema said that airlines clamour for enabling environment so they are happy with the minister for facilitating the installation of such critical equipment. “There is evidence that he is very, very passionate about moving the industry forward.

We believe that in the next one and half years all the complaints of enabling operational environment will become a thing of the past from the way he is moving. What we demand now is for people to help him develop the industry. He needs our collective support. This is important because there may be some people commonly known as experts in the industry who may want to derail him from these commendable efforts, so we need to support him to ensure that these so- called experts do not derail him.

ADA, OAS Partner to Provide Helicopter Services to Nigeria’s Oil Industry United Arab Emirates helicopter company, Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has completed steps to invest in Nigeria economy by joining forces with a Nigerian indigenous aircraft charter operator, OAS Helicopters.

The company said the arrival of ADA’s 15-seater full offshore equipped helicopter AW-139 with registration number A6AWH at OAS’ new terminal NAFBASE Airport, Port Harcourt recently completed the take off of ADA and OAS’ relationship, which had been undergoing technical and legal structuring since 2015.

In the partnership, Abu Dhabi Aviation is coming with long years of successful oil and gas helicopter support experiences which started back in 1976 and has developed to over 60 aircraft in active operation

and over 1,000,000 flight hours supporting oil and gas exploration throughout the countries of the Middle East, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. According to Abu Dhabi Aviation’s AFB Contracts manager, Kevin Den Hertog told THISDAY. “ADA had always wanted to invest in Nigeria but had searched and waited to find a reliable and resilient partner which eventually clicked with OAS’ history and ability to remain firm in operation for over ten years despite daunting challenges. “With the level of implementation on the proposed business plan so far, we are quite confident that OAS and ADA partnership will enrich the Nigeria oil and gas aviation.

Important to our success over

the years has been an ever increasing engagement with strategic partners worldwide in the formation of healthy Joint Ventures that support oil and gas exploration in the deepest possible offshore with impeccable safety records�, he said.

The company’s Nigeria operationsLead Pilot, Capt.

Westwood James, also added that ADA and OAS technical partnership was structurally designed to guarantee and deliver credible, safe and stable services in Nigeria oil and gas aviation, and that they are here in Nigeria to drive the design to excellence,� he added.

On his part, the managing director and CEO of OAS, Captain Evarest Nnaji, said that the practical kick off of the partnership.

AIR WATCH Extortion at MMIA Continues Unabated

M

anyNigerianswithinternational travel experience would notice that it is only in Nigeria’s international airports that security operatives conduct physical search of checkedin bags on the screening table.

Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?ÒÙåĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽËœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? ĂŒĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? searched with modern scanning equipment from X-ray machines to full scanners.

Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞËÞĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ trained dogs are sometimes used by security ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă“ĘĽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă’Ă“ĂŒĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÑÙÙÎĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ agriculture produce banned by the US government.

There is nowhere a group ofsecurityoďŹƒcialswould Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;ĂšËœ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž ÚÒãĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– searches as it is presently done in Nigeria. Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?ÚÙÕĂ? ÞÙ ËÎ×ÓÞÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ù×Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă? ÞÓ×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› ĂŒĂ™Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? security operatives-passengers interaction which isavoidedin“thoroughsecurityapparatusâ€?because Ă“Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂŒĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ extortion. The experts said it is a porous process because “the oďŹƒcials may not have the patience and the dexterity to search every bag thoroughly because “our investigation reveals that prohibited goods are still smuggled through the airports in checked-in bags.â€? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ÞÙÖÎ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? of extortion cannot go away “because that is a source of livelihood to those security personnel Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË› has severally made eorts to remove that table but what we got were threats. We have a place ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŽËœ but they will not go there because there will not be any opportunity to meet with passengers and collect money from them.â€?

Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă• Thursday at the international wing of the Murtala Ă&#x;Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă•ĂŁËœ ÞÒÓÙÚÓË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹ Ă“Ăœ ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂœĂŁ Ă?ÙÙÎĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĘĽ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? asked to move the bags to quarantine for examinaĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂœĂ— ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? bag were for human consumption and they are allowed to be taken out of the country.The woman ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÙÖÎ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ̙åÒÓĂ?Ă’ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÞËÕĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ěš Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• ÞÙ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ʎÓÑÒÞ˛ The woman argued that there was no place the directive given to her by the security operatives was in any notice at the airport. She said that she saw the notices indicating what should not be ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ăž Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ÚÖËĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž none indicated the process of taking foodstu to ÞÒĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă?ÙÙÎ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĘĽĂ? are taken out of the country. The security oďŹƒcial lowered his voice and said: “That is the law and we

Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂŒĂ“ĂŽĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ÓÞ˛ Ă&#x;Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ÞÓ×Ă? we can allow you but you have to appreciate us for ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ̙ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ʨà Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă?ʨĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒËÞ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?̚ˏ˛ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‘Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?Ù×Ă? money and the bag was passed. Industry security Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžËœ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ‹ĂŁĂ™ Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙÖÎ

that one of dangers of extortion and collection of bribery by security oďŹƒcials at the airport is that it gives rise to insider threat and makes a mess of security apparatus of any airport. He noted that with Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă?Ë›

Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă‹Ă– ÞÒËÞ Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă? the airports has its Aviation Security personnel who are trained with International Civil Aviation ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ be overshadowed by other security operatives at the airport whose intention appears to be making money through extortion.

The security operatives at these screening desks include oďŹƒcials of the National Drug Law EnforceĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ĚšËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?

Service. Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžËœ ĂŁĂ™ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ě™ Ěš ĂŒĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™ĂŒserved: “An average traveller at the Nigerian airport goes through 15 checks. We are the only country that still operate “dashâ€? table (security operatives Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă• ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă‘Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĚšËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ is table of extortion. The tables have no reason to be there. These 15 checks can be reduced to three.

The tables are a big disgrace to the country. When the security personnel there are told to remove that section of checks they blackmail government oďŹƒcers by bringing prohibited goods they claim were discovered on that table.â€?

The expert noted that pliable security apparatus becomes gullible to pressures by terror groups. Ă–Ă?Ă™Ëœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ëœ Richard Aisuebeogun said that insider threat is a great challenge to airport security because terrorists could use money to secure insider collaborator or through religious or political belief. ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ÞÙÖÎ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ÙÚeratives bribe their superiors to be posted to the Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ ˍÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă?Ù×Ă? of them they leave the airport and be recycled and they come back.â€? He said that it is only in Nigeria that security operatives stay at the departures and mix with passengers while screening bags because luggage screening is done with scanning machines at the baggage hall. ËŤ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă‘Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ when they take it down to the hall they just move them to the carts and take them to the aircraft.

Two years ago we had insisted that the security ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ? ×Ùà Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž the pavement but NDLEA refused and said that the scanning machine at the hall cannot identify one of the substances they look for; whereas what they need to do is to get change or improve the Ă?Ă™Ę°ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?˛ˏ Ă’Ă? ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË›

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Why Running an Airline is Expensive in Nigeria Lack of indigenous expertise, offshore training and aircraft maintenance, experts say, are the major reasons the airline business doesn’t thrive in Nigeria, writes Chinedu Eze and ATOs.�

During the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference held in Abuja last year, it was established by industry experts that the reason why airfares are costly in Africa is because most governments in Africa still see air transport as luxury rather than a catalyst for economic development.

Presenters at the two-day conference talked about heavy taxes government levelled on airlines, the tax on aviation fuel and other types of charges, which invariably are passed to the passengers.

Nevertheless air transport contributes significantly to the economic development of every country. The decision makers, the business moguls, entrepreneurs, government officials need to move fast in their diurnal activities and they need to travel by air. In fact, it has become obvious that without air travel the economy of most countries would ground to a halt.

The conclusion of the IATA meeting was that governments in Africa should cut down on charges and see air travel as a necessity and make it as affordable as road transport so that more people would travel by air because if they do, the aviation sector would galvanise the economy, create thousands of jobs, boost tourism and contribute significantly to each country’s GDP. But beyond the high taxation and government’s perception of air travel as luxury, aviation is underdeveloped in most parts of Africa. In Nigeria, there is high potential that air transport could multiply the number of people currently engaged directly and indirectly in the aviation sector and also the resources generated therein but government need to provide fillip for this potential to be realised.

Training In a speech he delivered on Monday at a seminar titled the Nigerian Aviation Education Infrastructure- Challenges and Potential, organised

by Springfountain and Boeing, the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said the seminar wanted to know what the Nigeria’s aviation education policy is, the experts and the approved training organisations (ATO), the current situation in the aviation education infrastructure and the quality of students, staff and graduates from the Nigerian approved ATO, polytechnics, universities and others.

Sirika noted that these questions were pertinent because their answers would enable government to enact the best public policy and strategy that would evolve a viable aviation industry and produce for the local and global aviation industry highly skilled and capable Nigerian pilots, engineers, technicians, ICT experts, etc. “I believe these questions are asked within the context of the role that Nigeria and Nigerians seek to play within the global aviation industry, an industry that is worth more than $5.2 trillion dollars. It should be noted that airlines alone have consistently generated a turnover in excess of $700 billion per annum over the last five years, and reported profit over $30 billion per annum on the average over the last five years,� he said.

Sirika noted that in the aviation industry the airline and aircraft Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) organisation are expected to generate in excess of $1.8 trillion dollars over the next 20 years, this turnover excludes upgrade services, adding that other service providers in the aviation and aerospace industry such as Boeing, Airbus, General Electric, Pratt and Whitney, Honeywell, etc would generate far in excess of these in their capacity as aerospace and aircraft original equipment manufacturers.

He also noted that the aviation industry globally, expects between 5.8 billion and 7.2 billion passengers to travel yearly by the year 2035, a near doubling of the 3.8 billion air travelers in 2016 (source: International Air Transport Association (IATA)). “The above predicted growth has implications for aviation education and education infrastructure and Nigeria and indeed Africa needs to be properly positioned to be beneficiaries of the

MRO Facility Another factor that makes running airline business very expensive in Nigeria is the fact that airlines ferry their aircraft overseas for maintenance. Ferrying the aircraft overseas costs huge money because the airline would pay for fuel, landing charges, parking charges; it would pay the pilots and engineers that would ferry the aircraft and then it would pay the inspectors from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) that would inspect the aircraft at the maintenance facility overseas.

This is in addition to paying the cost of the maintenance, which could cost from $500,000 to $2 million. These cost the airlines hugely, but if the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility is located in Nigeria, it would at least save the airlines about 50 percent of these expenses.

Sirika

growth potentials. For this to happen, Nigerian colleges, universities and other approved aviation training institutions will need to define the policy and strategy that will enable them train and graduate students who will join the global industry to move this quantity of passengers in a safe, secure and satisfactory manner; after all, it is reported that the top ten fastest-growing markets in percentage terms will be in Africa: Sierra Leone, Guinea, Central African Republic, Benin, Mali, Rwanda, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Madagascar. Each of these markets is expected to grow by more than eight percent each year on average over the next 20 years, doubling in size each decade,� Sirika said.

The minister said he was convinced that Nigeria, as the giant of Africa could do better than the predictions for the above countries “if we pay due attention to germane issues bothering the industry such as the issue of aviation education and aviation education infrastructure. If we properly address these issues I believe that we would have better safety, security, operation, customer service, consumer protection, regulation, economic and social benefits.�

Expensive Expatriates Because Nigeria lacks these highly skilled technical personnel in aviation industry, the airlines have to pay for expatriates and they pay more than twice what they would pay indigenous alternatives. They also get half of the service the indigenous personnel would offer because most of the expatriate pilots and engineers would work six months for Nigerian airlines and enjoy six months holiday, while the

airlines pay first class ticket for their movements.

Sirika said that apart from adequately meeting the human resource requirement in the Nigerian aviation industry, Nigeria and Nigerians could become expatriates in the world aviation industry and also further fulfill the yearnings of the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD) and African Union Agenda 2063 (AU 2063), which canvass open sky for African airlines in the continent. “In doing this, Nigeria and Nigerian aviation professionals working in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe, America will join the world in earning huge foreign exchange and making Diaspora remittances,� Sirika added.

He noted that employment in the aviation industry is expected to remain stable over the next 20 years and beyond, describing aviation as an enabler and an economic multiplier. “People want to fly in a safe and secure environment, this allows people and nations to trade, explore, and share the benefits of economic prosperity. The Banjul accord, YD NDP and African union Agenda 2063 underscores and promotes the need to make Africa and the world a better place. Nigerians who are well educated and well trained can be better positioned to join the world in the world global Aviation market place to offer quality services and thus contribute to Nigeria’s GNP and GDP. “The ability of Nigeria to play this role will largely come from the quality of aviation education policy and the faithful implementation of such policy. This will be complemented by the positive enabling environment and the good quality modern aviation infrastructure that the students, teachers, instructors and professors have access to in their training institutions

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema said the huge capital flight to other countries as a result of non-availability of critical infrastructure such as MRO, leasing companies and others have impacted negatively on the aviation sector, adding that Nigerian airlines would save hugely if the country could establish maintenance facility locally.

As corollary to aircraft maintenance is aircraft leasing and insurance. Because Nigeria lacks technical know-how and it is believed that the operational environment is harsh, it costs Nigerian airlines more to lease aircraft and also the insurance premium for aircraft that operates in Nigeria is relatively very high.

Onyema observed that the stringent conditions given to Nigeria airlines whenever they plan to lease aircraft is exorbitant and that is why many operators consider outright purchase of aircraft instead of leasing at such outrageous costs. “I can confess to you that it has been difficult leasing aircraft to airlines in this part of the world, the conditions given to Nigerian airlines is killing, they tell us we are unsafe, government is not supportive, their planes can be endangered, the condition are outrageous, so we make do with what we have but it is capital flight and there is nothing we can do. “But we will be happy if we can have our own GECAS (aircraft leasing company) in Nigeria, this country will be saving over $500 million every year, if we have our own MRO, because we spend millions on aircraft maintenance I am truly in support of the plan to have a leasing company in Nigeria. This is what we have been yearning for, if this can happen, all the challenges will become a thing of the past. This is a great idea that will create jobs for Nigerians�, he said.

Skills Acquisition Sirika disclosed that over the next 20 years, aircraft manufacturer, according to prediction

by Boeing would manufacture over 39,600 airplanes valued at more than $5.9 trillion because the total number of aircraft in 2015 would increase from 22,510 units to 45,240 aircrafts by the year 2035. This will come from the manufacture of 39,620 new units of various types of aircraft worth $5,930 billion.

It is predicted that Africa would require 1,150 units valued at $ 170 billion.

So he said that the engineers, ICT experts, pilots, etc that would join and participate in the design, manufacturing, operations and maintenance of these aircrafts would be in excess of one million people, adding that there would also be additional need for additional aviation infrastructure to service the increasing fleet of aircraft. “The challenge is how many of these aviation experts and professionals will be Nigerians and how can we implement and benefit from setting up the various infrastructure required?

Is the current Nigerian university system or technical education system able to train, educate and produce experts and professionals that will participate in this $5.9 trillion dollar marketplace?� he rhetorically asked.

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Evaluating INTELS’ Investments in Nigerian Ports EromoseleAbiodun reviewseffortbystakeholderstoimprovethenation’sportspost-concession, positing that INTELS’ multi-billion dollar investments in the ports has made the difference Prior to the ports concession to private operators in 2006, doing business in the nation’s ports was a hellish experience laced with a myriad of problems.

Among the problems was the turnaround time for ships which took too longer time before their cargo could be loaded or discharged.

Most of the few cargo-handling facilities owned by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) were moribund. Therefore, shipping companies had to hire such facilities from private sector sources, leading to extra costs.

Dwell time for goods in port was so long that overtime cargo filled the most active seaports and led to massive port congestion. Labour for ship work was controlled by a mafia that controlled dockworkers unions and had no scruples supplying less than the manpower paid for. Many port premises that could have been put to good use were abandoned, giving maritime businesses less options.

In the road sections of the ports, massive portholes were the norm, rather than the exception, and this did nothing to reduce waste of man hours brought about by snail-like movement of goods to and from the ports.

The resulting congestion led to consignments becoming untraceable as they suddenly disappeared into thin air. And in most of such cases, NPA often seemed helpless in effecting the return of such absconded cargoes, to the chagrin of hardworking businesspeople.

As a result of porous entry points, dangerous miscreants, also known as wharf rats swarmed the ports to also eke out their daily bread, leading to predictable tales of woe on the part of responsible business people.

Post Concession Era Concession has, however, reduced most of the problems in the ports to the barest minimum with the help of terminal operators and free trade zones investment in the sector. One of such operators is Intels Nigeria Limited. In 2006, the federal government awarded the company concession to operate Terminal A (Federal Ocean Terminal) and Terminal B (Federal Lighter Terminal) at the Onne Port Complex, which houses the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. It also operates terminals in Warri, Calabar and Apapa ports.

Established in 1982 at the OnnePort Complex, Intels the oil and gas logistics services giant has over time, become a major participant in the development of the Oil and Gas Free Zone (OGFZ) located in the area.

The company has created an integrated logistics solution that offers a complete array of facilities and services for oil and gas industry operators in the sub-Saharan West African region.

The company provides agency services, cargo services, port management and support services to its clients and also manages its clients’ operations in the areas of pipe racks, stacking areas, ware-housing, enclosed areas, jetties, offices, water tanks, fuel storages, generators, compressors, and other services.

Intels drives its integrated logistics vision in cooperation with the respective government authorities, national oil companies, major oil producing companies and related services companies. With additional support from African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA) and African Institute of Petroleum (AIP) a common philosophy has evolved for managing oil and gas activities on a regional basis.

Intels has created over 20,000 direct and 200,000 indirect employment opportunities together with substantial transfer of technology with a strict adherence to Nigerian content policy.

With over 30 years of experience in ports management and terminal logistics support services in shore bases across Nigeria, Intels has become famous for applying the “One stop shop� solution under its oil services centre concept.

At a recent stakeholders’ appreciation forum hosted in Lagos by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the federal government parastatal presented a special award to Intels Nigeria Limited and commended the company for the huge investment and commitment to

in compliance with the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010,� he said.

The signing into law of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Content Development Act otherwise referred to as the “Local Content Act� in 2010, he said, was in line with the expectations of Intels, “as the issue of Nigerian content has been central to the company’s development strategy.�

He said the company has actively supported its host communities through supporting sustainable projects and comprehensive corporate social responsibility programmes.

Intels, he said, has committed billions of naira to road construction, provision of street lights, ultra-modern markets/lock-up shops and ICT centres in various parts of the Niger Delta.

Other projects undertaken by Intels include school renovation, provision of civic centres, youth secretariats, jetty restoration, women empowerment projects and medical outreach.

port development in Nigeria.

According to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, Intels deserved the recognition because of its unique role in the provision of integrated logistics services in the Nigerian maritime, oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said that government would create conducive environment to enable the businesses of investors in the port to thrive. “The federal government will support and encourage the private sector to lead the transport sector. However, the private sector on their part should engage government through its agencies to bring to the notice of the government their complaints, if any, as well new ideas towards developing the sector,� he said.

In line with its commitment to make Nigeria the hub of oil and gas logistics services in Africa, Intels Nigeria Limited has acquired a 600 tonnes Liebherr crane worth $6 million (N1.83 billion), one of the largest port- handling cranes in the world. The crane, which has been deployed at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, is the largestat any port facility in Africa.

Conducting guests round the sprawling Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone recently, the Head, Administration and General Services of Intels Nigeria Limited, Mr. Chibuisi Onyebueke, said the crane which sits on 104 tyres, is capable of lifting cargoes as heavy as 208 tonnes with a 17-metre boom outreach. “The crane is characterised by rapid and efficient handling of loads up to 208 tonnes.

With its extensive boom outreach, the LHM 600 is the ideal cargo handling solution for the type of very large and ultra large ships operating across the world today,� he said.

He said the huge crane, fondly called ‘Big

Mama’ at the port, was acquired in addition to several other existing cargo handling equipment at the Onne Federal Lighter Terminal and Federal Ocean Terminal. The crane is being operated fully by Nigerians who have been trained abroad on its handling and maintenance.

Onyebueke said Intels, working with relevant agencies of the federal government, has established an oil and gas service centre at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone to serve as a single loading location for the oil and gas industry in sub-Sahara Africa.

The oil and gas service centre has improved the efficiency of personnel in the industry while saving downtime on offshore rigs and providing quick response in cases of emergency. “It also provides the opportunity for better physical monitoring and follow- up of equipment in stock, modularization of areas and better control of supply vessels for the oil and gas industry,� he said.

According to Onyebueke, Intels tailored its services, facilities and operations to support activities in the oil and gas industry. “The highly technical facilities required to support oil and gas related operations also require special equipment and highly skilled manpower to manage such operations which therefore led to higher level of investments by Intels relative to competitors,� he said.

Onyebueke added that Intels remains fully committed to maximising, in a sustainable manner, the use of Nigerian human resources, materials, equipment and services in its operations without compromising the company’s values, quality, health, safety and environment standards. “As a Nigerian company, Intels is committed to maximising the participation of Nigerian businesses and local contractors in its operations

Host Communities Relationship Also, the company’s integrated participatory approach (IPA) identifies integration, participation; communication, interaction, and dialogue remain the critically important elements of community relations development plan. This implies a move away from the ‘traditional’ model of corporate-community relations.

The company’s host communities are categorised. They are: the Oil and Gas Free Zone Communities, Rivers Estate Communities, Inter-Oil Estate Communities, Cross River State Communities, and Delta State Communities.

Among other things, Intels has constructed roads, drainages and street lights; undertook the construction of ultra-modern markets; modern classroom blocks; health; ICT centres; town halls and community centres; skill acquisition centres; public toilets; civic centres; and renovation of traditional rulers’ palaces.

The company has also embarked on an aggressive empowerment schemes in its host communities. This is aimed at qualitatively improving the status of individuals or groups in the host communities.

So far, it has put in place the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS); free medical programme; meetings and visits; sports and traditional events; skills acquisition training. These empowerment schemes cost the company millions of naira as more and more indigenes of the host communities take advantage of them to improve their lot.

FG Rakes $2bn Last week, it emerged that the federal government of Nigeria realised a about $2 billion as revenue from the operation of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) within the last six years.

The Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, disclosed this in Lagos.

According to Umana, one of the keys to attaining greater productivity and growth in the Nigerian economy is making use of the potential of a free trade zone which offers an increase in investment, job creation and exports. He said free trade zones also provide companies with streamlined regulations, reduced tax obligations and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The OGFZA boss added that the federal government is also introducing further reforms into the operation of free trade zones in the country, culminating in the reduction of license renewal duration from 14 days to 48 hours for investors that meet all requirements in line with the ease of doing business policy of the Federal Government. “Statistics show that there are three million companies arising from over 5,000 free trade zones around the world which accounts for over 45 million jobs, all showing efficacy of having an effective free trade zone in a global perspective. FTZ in developing countries can drive growth in different sectors not only in oil and gas, attract increased foreign investment inflow, create employment, transfer skills and technology,� the OGFZA boss added.

25

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Taking Agriculture to the Next Level Tanimola Oyewole in this report, suggests how northern governors and the traditional rule can set up modern farms where farmers from villages under their domain will be required to provide labour on a rotational basis, thereby boosting agriculture in the region Agriculture remains the main occupation of the majority of our rural population.

And every improvement we are able to bring about in the sector will translate to an improvement in the life of the majority of our people.

Agriculture productivity on the African continent is low relative to other continents because of the low level of technology that is being brought to bear in agricultural production. This is evident by the following: r -PX VTBHF PG IZCSJE TFFET QBSUJDVMBSMZ varieties that are best suited for our soil type and are more tolerant of pests and diseases r 4PJM EFHSBEFE CZ QPPS GBSNJOH UFDInique and low fertilizer usage r -JNJUFE VTF PG GBSN NBDIJOFSZ rudimentary hoes and cutlasses very much like the ones used by our parents are still the predominant implements being used by our farmers r -JNJUFE LOPXMFEHF BOE VTF PG TVTUBJOable farming techniques r "CTFODF PG NPEFSO GBSN NBOBHFNFOU skills r .BSLFU GBJMVSFT XIJDI EFOZ GBSNFST the appropriate reward for their labour 4FWFSBM TUBUFT JO UIF DPVOUSZ BSF DVSrently grappling with the payment of DJWJM QVCMJD TFSWBOU TBMBSJFT XJUI NPTU requiring a federal government bailout to FOBCMF UIFN EP TP 4UBUF HPWFSONFOUT UIBU are in such sorry financial state can hardly be expected to deliver on infrastructure and other needed amenities/ service, so communities have to begin to look out for themselves. And Emirs as fathers of the community are very well placed to champion such moves.

The below are some programmes that the Emirs can implement to help address the problems: Demonstration Farms Emirs in the state will be supported and encouraged to set up modern farms where farmers from villages under their domain will be required to provide farm labour on a rotational basis. These will help bring the local farmers in every single village in the state in direct and personal contact with modern farming techniques and the benefits thereof.

The practical application of the above method and the immerse benefit and transformation it can bring about is being played out in the Tsaragi Emirate, and will be held up as an example for others to copy.

The local staples of the community and a few other selected crops will be grown using modern sustainable farming techniques and applying the correct inputs – use of small farm machinery to help increase area under cultivation, small scale drip irrigation to help keep farmer going all year round and hybrid seed along with inputs – fertilizers, pesticides & herbicides will be demonstrated. It is expected that the involvement of the local farmers in the process will help them witness in practical terms the difference that modern farming techniques bring about, and that this would help hasten the diffusion of the knowledge amongst the local farmers around the state.

5IF BWFSBHF GBSNFS JO TVC 4BIBSBO Africa gets just over half a ton of cereal per acre, while the average Indian farmer gets about twice that, the average Chinese farmer about four times that, and the average American farmer about five times UIBU BNPVOU '"045"5 "DDFTTFE Establishment of Equipment Hiring & Extension Services centre Each Emirate should reach out to its well to do sons to join hands with the state and

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh

an experienced business manager to set up BO &RVJQNFOU )JSJOH &YUFOTJPO 4FSWJDFT centre. That will have bulldozers for land clearing, and tractors equipped with plows and planters that will be available for hire at a rate affordable for farmers in the Emirate. This will make it possible for them to put a greater area of land under cultivation.

Agriculture Extension officers will be on hand at each centre to provide farmers with agronomy advice, do farm visitations and help organise them into cooperatives.

4IPSU WJEFP DMJQT PO NPEFSO QSBDUJDF IPX to grow and manage different crops would CF QSPEVDFE CZ UIF .JOJTUSZ PG "HSJDVMUVSF and be available for purchase as video CDs PS .JDSP 4JNT GPS WJFX PO NPCJMF QIPOFT The centres will also stock hybrid seeds for the staples grown in the state along with agro-chemicals – herbicides, fungicide, pesticides, etc Correcting Market Distortion A large portion of the farm produce by our rural state find their way into the cities, but as things stand presently, the middlemen end up with a disproportionate amount of the final consumer price paid for the foodstuff, depriving the farmers the full benefit of their labour and acting as a disincentive for new entrance into the sector. To help correct the situation, farmers in each Emirate will be encouraged to form cooperatives that will in addition to other function be engaged in produce marketing i.e. getting information on the going rate of produce in the cities, and seeking for ways to ensure that their produce are sold for the best possible price.

Every cooperatives will be encouraged to procure at least one DAF truck (if necessary on hire purchase, with the Emir standing as surety). With this, they can directly convey their produce to the city market, cutting out the middle man. The cooperatives will buy the products off the farmers at a more competitive price than the middle men presently offer them and sell the products in the cities at the going retail rate, with the differential going into the funds of the cooperative.

Community Development Officers can

be recruited for each Emirate, who will be charged with ensuring that the funds been generated by the cooperative are directed towards projects that will enhance the community economically i.e. projects that complement the state government’s programmes in education, health care, micro hydroelectric power plants and road projects, etc. rather than the usual town hall, market stall and such other unproductive projects that communities are fond of undertaking. They will be in a position to recommend appropriate small and medium scale enterprises and social welfare projects in the Emirate. The Development Officer will also act as an agriculture extension officers charged with introducing new farmer techniques, low cost farm implements, new crops and other assistance in the area of agriculture.

The general aim been to implement an integrated community development initiative in very Ward similar to those been VOEFSUBLFO CZ UIF .JMMFOOJVN 7JMMBHFT Project (https://dev.millenniumpromise.

PSH EPXOMPBET .71 /FYU'JWF:FBST3FQPSU QEG 5IF .JMMFOOJVN 7JMMBHFT QSPKFDUT have been able to achieve marked improvement in the livelihood of the rural people in the area of health care delivery, water & sanitation, education, infrastructure, and business development with just an annual PVUMBZ PG / QFS DBQJUB PWFS B ZFBS period.

5IF BCPWF JT SFNJOJTDFOU PG UIF .BSLFUJOH #PBSET SVO CZ UIF UIFO 3FHJPOBM governments in the country.

Agro Processing Plants The Emirs can challenge communities and farmer cooperatives to seek attain a position where no un-processed commodity leaves their communities. They will be encouraged to establish mini/ micro agro processing plants to add value to the produce coming out of their comNVOJUJFT " NJDSP 4IFB CVUUFS QSPDFTTJOH plant can transform the local economy of a community, so would a micro rice or sugar mill. The groundnut growers can for instance come together and establish a mini oil mill with finance from the Bank of Industry’s Cottage Agro Product Processing

Fund, this will add substantial value to the raw groundnut, set the community on the first rung of industrial development, create additional jobs in the plant – factory, sales, admin and others. Given the extensive linkage that the plant’s operation has within the community, the multiplier effect of the new monies coming into the community would have a positive impact of a significant proportion of the population.

Agric Exports Emirs can champion the exports of agric commodities grown in their Emirate. Asian business people presently undertake the bulk of the exports, with the huge benefits accruing to them being taken out of the country, when they could have been used to uplift our people.

Summary Agriculture provided the foundation for economic growth and development in several countries around the world. The Emirs can exploit this same potential by empowering its farmers to utilise its vast amounts of arable land. The wealth that will be generated will help ensure that the scourge of rural poverty will be drastically reduced and the inclusive growth that we are all so desirous of will begin to unfold, the way that the earnings from Cocoa, Groundnut and Palm Oil did back in the T 5IF BCPWF SFGPSNT BOE UIF CFUUFS prospects it will usher in, will also make it possible to attract youths into agriculture and help reverse the aging farming population that is threatening the future of agriculture in the country.

Assistance for the implementation of UIF BCPWF DBO CF TPVHIU GSPN -PDBM BOE JOternational organisations such as IITA, the "GSJDBO (SFFO 3FWPMVUJPO 'PSVN "(3'

UIF 64"*% 'FFE UIF 'VUVSF JOJUJBUJWF UIF ( /FX "MMJBODF GPS 'PPE 4FDVSJUZ BOE /VUSJUJPO UIF /JHFSJB &YQPSUT 1SPNPUJPO $PVODJM BOE UIF 'FEFSBM .JOJTUSZ PG "HSJD t0ZFXPMF #VTJOFTT 4USBUFHJTU BU -VCDPO (SPVQ 5FM &NBJM UBOJNPMB PZFXPMF!HNBJM DPN

26

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

LAMENTATIONS OF AN 80-YEAR-OLD ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

09.06.2017

Lamentations of an 80-year-old Adaobi Whyte is a renowned fashion designer, horticulturist, critic/social crusader, mother, politician and author, privileged with only the basic primary education but has over the years developed her knowledge by reading and seeking experience in many other areas of life. In this interview with Mary Ekah, she talks about the inspiration behind her latest book, her passion and aspirations even at the ripe age of 80 What is your latest book all about?

The book is titled, ‘How Africans Vandalise Africa (Focusing Nigeria). It is a book that exposes and laments the destiny, slave mentality and wickedness of the black man; the indigenous slave trade to the cross Atlantic Slave Trade, importation of artificial Christianity and Islam into Africa. Religious exploitation, commercialisation, fanaticism and hypocrisy, colonisation, independence and how Africans have engaged in vandalism and destruction of the continent since independence. They have enthroned themselves as slave masters, dictators and sit-tight-leaders, creating obstacles to the development of the rich continent.

What informed your decision to write a book of this nature?

As I grew up, I watched the Nigeria environment and the Africa environment as a whole and I got so sad because of the happenings around, especially at the way the rich treat the poor. Our leaders establish themselves as slave masters, treating indigenes as slaves; Nigerians are suffering, Africans are suffering. When I take a look at Nigeria and Africa and how the religious and political leaders have destroyed the African continent and the Nigerian nation, this makes me so sad and at the same time propels the urge in me to document everything that I see in my environment.

How old are you ma?

I am 80 years old.

At what age did you start writing?

I started writing from my youth but not on a serious note. What really attracted me was the prickling to know about those things around my environment. There were two cases: The case of divorce and the case of widowhood. So those things I saw as a teenager, that is our tradition on widowhood and our tradition on divorce, made me so keen on knowing what happens concerning those things and other things in my environment, and so I started being inquisitive and wanted to know a lot of things. From that point I continued with that zeal; it was actually in the 80s when I started taking notes of things and jotting them down; but because of my poor educational background – I had only primary school education – I was shy, not wanting people to know my educational background.

So I shied away from people and so missed the opportunities I would have gotten. But, inwardly, I really wanted to read and write.

So it was through the habit of constant reading that I really improved myself. But even after improving on myself, I didn’t have confidence in myself until one day, I read in the newspapers that one American self-educated women was attending the meeting of Nigerian authors in the house of late Bola Ige, and I said to myself ‘so self-educated women are recognised’. And that was about the time that I started picking up the courage in myself. But, then, being self-educated without teachers to examine my English, made me doubt my ability to write. I wasn’t sure if the English I was writing made sense but I just continued reading and writing, just like a hobby and that was how I took it up and today I have authored eight books including: Abuse of the Nigerian Child; Plight of the Nigerian Woman; Dr. Peter Otunuya Odili: Threading the Path of Destiny and Ndoni Kingdom; Peaceful Co-existence and then my latest addition, How Africans Vandalise Africa (Focusing Nigeria), which was recently launched, amongst others story books. And with these, I have been able to prove that determination is the key to success.

What really bothered me at first was the plight of Nigerian women and the abuse of the Nigerian child and that was what my first two books, published in 2002, were focused on. At that same time too, I started documenting my lamentations about Africa and Nigeria environment; but as I was writing, I didn’t know how to break the books into chapters. So I wrote the

Whyte

book and took it to Sun Rays Newspapers in Port Harcourt to the person who was in charge of publishing then. He went through my book and then said: “Adaobi, you didn’t break your book into chapters”. I was like, so I have not yet started; so I took my manuscript home. I started all over again – brought out books from my bookshelves and started to see how I can break my book into chapters and that was how I continued to write and learn till today.

You said you were privileged only with a basic primary education and yet you speak and write so well. What stopped you from furthering your education?

What happened was that my parents lived in the village, while an aunt took me to Plateau State at the age of 11, so by the time I finished standard six, I didn’t see who to sponsor me to read further.

Who is your target for this particular book?

The main target could have been the leaders so that when they read, they would change and stop stealing our money, but will they read or even listen? And when I look at the massive circulation of churches and mosques in Nigeria, I wonder if our leaders are listening to the word of God at all and if they are not touched by the word from God and change, will a mere book change them? Now if I say my book is targeted at the masses; what can the masses do? The masses are helpless. Our leaders are oppressing the citizens so much that they cannot talk. I am particular about the suffering of the masses, the suffering of Nigerians and the suffering of Africans and those who are concerned about all of these are my target. Some of our leaders are so wicked. If they are not wicked, how can one man be stealing billions when the poor man down the street cannot have N18, 000 as a monthly salary? Talk about remuneration package. Why should we have the remuneration package in our 1999 Constitution (as amended)? Is that not the origin of corruption? They call it corruption; I call it stealing because corruption is a more refined word. Let’s call it by its proper name; its proper name is stealing! If our political leaders had not squandered our money the way they have done, we would not have gone into this

state of poverty. Many Nigerians today cannot afford to feed their families and then these our so-called politicians are coming to tell us grammars that are annoying. The Central Bank will come and tell us about policy, the Ministry of Finance will come and tell us about policy. Do we have policy in Nigeria? Is it the policy that encourage stealing?

Now how do you intend to take the message in your book to those that it really concerns?

The book has been launched and right now it is available in Port Harcourt and we are also trying to get bookshops to market the books for us in Lagos. I have been talking everywhere I go, from Port Harcourt where I reside to Lagos and all other places, calling on Nigerians to rise and rally round me; I need some volunteers to wake up and talk but everybody is afraid that the security agents will shoot them down. But Nigerians should know that there is a kind of life you live that even death would have been better off. And this is the kind of life that most Nigerians are living now. Look at the high cost of food items and other basic things of life. My question now is, who do we face? Most of our leaders are not ready to listen, otherwise the words from the Bible and Quran would have changed them. Now my fear is, will this book be stronger than the Bible and Quran which have been with us all our lives? Tell me. This is a very lamentable case and that is why I say that I am a woman of lamentations. I have been lamenting, my heart is weeping, I am crying for the black man. The black man has refused to learn. I am still lamenting and will keep lamenting until things are put in the proper shape in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Before the white man came, they met us selling our brothers and castrating the strong slaves and turning them into eunuchs so that they can serve the rich all their lives. That was the state that the white man met the black man. And so the white man also follow suit and took a lot of Africans into slavery and even moved some of them to Europe. And now why should the black man not respect his fellow black man even when the white man slave masters have been sent packing? Why should our black leaders continue to treat the citizens as slaves?

You seem to have so much interest in the Nigerian politics. Have you had the opportunity to play active politics at any point in your life?

I have been involved in active politics at various times. In Lagos in the 90s I started politics under the tutelage of Dr. Olusola Saraki, the Senate president’s father, Bukola Saraki. I learned politics from him. Those were refined gentlemen. Those were men who were kind to the poor. After living in Lagos for over 30 years, I relocated to Port Harcourt, my capital city. It is in my state that I joined politics properly. It is my movement in the political system that really gave me courage to write this book because it is in this political system that I found that I was able to discover how politicians have been cheating on the citizens.

I have worked in my area so much that I have earned so much respect and my people can trust me and I can sit in my house and mobilise the whole community. I’m on clutches but by the time it comes to mobilising, my clutches becomes a moving train. I am a community leader and I lead both men and women. In fact, I prefer working with the men because our women are very negative, they are more uniform conscious. I tried as much as I could to change our women from this uniform mentality but they did not change and so I followed the men. I work more with the men and that is why I am able to reach the stage I got to in politics today. I am so well respected and recognised in my place because of my activeness that I was given a chieftaincy tile, which no woman in my area has ever been given and up till date, no woman in my community has beaten that record. Today I am regarded as the mother of PDP. I have worked with virtually all the major political parties in Nigeria and that is why I can say categorically that political parties in Nigeria are not useful to the people. Political parties are like clubs from which the vandals that siphon our money come from.

You are 80 years old and still very strong and active. Where do you get the strength from?

The strength comes from God because I can’t even explain it myself. I have suffered from protracted illness for a while now. I have not been able to sit straight and write due to the pains on my back. So I wrote my last three books lying down on my bed. So only God can take the glory for giving me such courage because I am so surprised too of how I have been able to get such courage. Even how I’m able to get these ideas surprises me too.

Can you recall the primary school you attended?

I attended St. Theresa’s Girls Catholic School, Jos and that was in 1948 to 1953.

How did you cope with your activism and political career, being a mother and wife?

As a young wife and mother, I was not so active in community service and politics like I later became. This latter part of me had not developed at that time, maybe it was in the making but had not blown up. When it eventually blew up, my husband was supportive till the time he died and left me a widow. And being a widow I had the freedom to fly as high as I wanted to go. At a point I was made a chief, like I mentioned earlier. I was given the title, Ajuwa of Ndoni Kingdom, meaning the powerful one in the palace.

What word of advice do you have for Nigerians?

My people have a saying that: ‘You have case of murder and case of stealing. Case of Murder supersedes the case of stealing.’ Today we have many problems in Nigeria but the worst problem we have in Nigeria today is stealing in the high places. So my advice to Nigerians is to stop stealing and to also stop seeing their fellow men as slaves. If Nigerians will not stop stealing national funds which they call ‘national cake’, the national cake will collapse – they have cut the cake and it is almost finished.

29/NEWS

09.06.2017

T.B. Joshua at 54: Changing Lives, Nations and the World At a time like this when the nation is passing through some kind of recession, the General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly called TB Joshua, deserves to be celebrated from different perspectives, especially as he has put smiles on faces and has become the greatest friend of the poor and downtrodden in society. Apart from his healing and deliverance gifts, Prophet T.B. Joshua walks tall in several aspects of human endeavours.

The story of his life is an excellent demonstration of God’s ability to use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. With just primary school education, the cleric has established himself as a force to reckon with in God’s vineyard.

His ministry is arguably the most visited Christian ministry in the whole of Africa and has continued to attract scintillating reviews from the international media. Tens of thousands of visitors from across the world have continued to throng the Ikotun-Egbe based ministry in search of spiritual succor.

But it does not end there. The man of God understands the challenges of the troubled world and has maintained a rare reputation for helping individuals; institutions and nations overcome their spiritual as well as socio-economic challenges through crusades and humanitarian efforts.

Through his ministry’s Emmanuel TV Partners, millions of lives, nations and

TB Joshua

destinies have been changed across the world. According to the man of God, true love always searches for whom to help whenever and wherever it is in a position to do so.

How he has been able to maturely manage the bad press emanating from the collapsed building incident remains very phenomenal. He has maintained a calm and unperturbed disposition - a quality that can only be God-given especially in situations of crisis. T.B. Joshua is the only Nigerian pastor that is hardly seen around the corridors of power. You will never find him in any government house because he believes that a true servant of God should be

for all and not frolic around with politicians.

In the last three years, the man of God has received both national and international recognitions for his exemplary service to mankind. He was recently ranked amongst the most famous prophets in the history of mankind.

Born on June 12, 1963, in a rustic village of Arigidi in Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria, Joshua is said to have spent 15 months in his mother’s womb. His birth and early development is also said to be shrouded in mysteries after narrowly escaping a boulder from a nearby quarry which came crashing inches near him in his parents’ house. He attended St. Stephens’ Anglican Primary School but failed to complete secondary school due to poverty. While in primary school, he was referred to as the small pastor and led evangelical activities. His ambition to join the Nigerian Army went crashing after the train that was to convey him developed fault along the way and left him stranded for six days. Prophet T.B. Joshua also washed people’s feet on the muddy corners of Lagos and worked as a poultry attendant to earn a living.

His ministry, The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, alongside the Emmanuel TV Partners, has become synonymous with acts of charity, healing and humanitarian efforts across the globe. Two years ago he was listed among the world’s famous people by www.thefamouspeople.com.

NGO Rewards Teachers, Students to Promote Reading Culture Peter Uzoho In its continuous drive towards promoting reading culture in Nigeria and Africa, AIFA Reading Society has rewarded outstanding teachers and students in junior and senior secondary schools in Lagos State. At its 2017 Little Writers Award held recently, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme: ‘Reviving the Reading Culture: A Prerequisite for self and National Development’, three winners from each of the three categories emerged and were rewarded with lofty cash prizes and other items.

In the Teachers category, Mr. Ajani

Oluyemi of Girls’ Junior Academy, Lagos Island, emerged the star prize winner, and was rewarded with the sum of N150, 000, while Ms Onaneye Salewa of Lafiaji Senior High School, Lagos Island, and Mr. Martins Odiagbe of Magbon-Alade Senior Grammar School, who were first and second runners up went home with the sum of N100, 000, and N50,000 respectively. In the Senior Secondary category, Miss Chidimma Okonkwo of Okesuna Senior High School, Lagos Island, won the star prize award and was handed the sum of N100, 000. The runners up, Miss Alfred Ini-Obong of Magbon-Alade Senior Grammar School and Miss Anani Peace Faustina of AjeromiIfelodun Senior

High School, got the sum of N50,000, and N25, 000 respectfully.

Also, in the junior secondary category, Miss Ibiyemi Wuraola Hafsat of MagbonAlade Junior Grammar School emerged the star prize winner and was rewarded with the sum of N50, 000. First and second runners-up, Miss Bejide Tunmise, also of Magbon-Alade Junior Grammar School, and Miss Marry-Ann Eze of Ajeromi Ifelodun High School, got cash rewards of N25,000 and N15, 000 respectively. In addition to the cash rewards, each of the winners in all the categories received a carton of Cheri Noddle, Bliss Biscuits, Blue Boat Powder Milk from Olam International and a School bag from ACCION

Vincent Ikeotuonye: The Omekannaya Goes Home He was probably the best bass guitarist ever to hit the Nigerian music scene. Those who knew Sweet Breeze, the popular Nigerian music group of the late seventies and eighties may have a clue. Chief Vincent Chukwunyelu Ikeotuonye, popularly called Omenkanaya by friends and family members, was born on December 9, 1952 as the first child to a renowned educationist, first and second republic politician, late Hon. V.C Ikeotuonye, and his first wife, Mrs. Christy Ikeotuonye.

His father was the founder and proprietor of Zixton grammar and public school.

Last year 2016 was a great one for Vincent Ikeotuonye. One of his daughters had got married and the Government of Anambra State honoured him for his impact on the Nigerian music industry. However, on a routine visit to Lagos, a string snapped unexpectedly. A shock note pierced the quiet of his Lagos house, that afternoon, Saturday May 6, 2017. Without warning Vincent Ikeotuonye passed away.

A Vigil Mass and Christian Wake Keep will be held in his honour, today, Friday, June 9 at his country home while a Requiem Mass and internment will hold tomorrow Saturday, June 10 at his country home, Ikeotuonye Compund, Zixton Ozubulu, Anambra State.

Late Ikeotuonye attended Zixton Public School, Zixton Grammar School Ozubulu, Christ the Kings College Onitsha and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) from where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. And, like his late father, Ikeotuonye during his life time was an active politician and philanthropist.

During his second year at UNN, Vincent

Late Vincent Ikeotuonye

Ikeotuonye, then popularly known as Vin Iyk, had hit music stardom along with his other colleagues in the band Sweet Breeze and was one of the few undergraduates who owned a car on the campus in those days. A few years after graduating from the university, he turned his back on the music scene, returned to his alma mater Zixton Grammar School, the great institution built by his father and began a career as a teacher and educationist just as his father had done in 1948 when he returned from the U.S.A. After more than a decade of educating students and rendering community service, Ikeotuonye ventured into the business world of the nineties and gradually became a very successful Defence Contractor, combining this with running the family estate.

According to Iyom Christy Ray Okoye of Raynes Fabrics, late Vincent Ikeotuonye was pound for pound, one of the most fun guys ever. He did not just have a sense of humour. He had several. One could not spend an hour with him and not be charmed.

He was a heroic figure to many people.

He would drive a car or a truck and fix them just as easily as he could politicize or write a song. He was always involved in politics from his days as the co-ordinator of the Olu Falae presidential campaign in Anambra State to his final days as the deputy national Public Relations Officer in the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

He was crazy about soccer and could roar with mirth or outrage when watching matches. He was a gentleman but not the kind to back away from a fight. Late Ikeotuonye was not just a football fan. He was a fan of life. He was a fan of the arts. He was a fan of science. He was a fan of politics and culture. He so loved the environment that he shied away from the blistering light of the city. He hugged the beauty, the green and undulating hills of Nza Ozubulu.

Ikeotuonye was an extremely knowledgeable man and engaged people with the passion of an enthusiast. He lived a life that made for a great tale. He had been struck by tragedy in 2003 when his wife died in an armed robbery attack on his country home, turning him into a devastated but unbeaten widower with five children. No one who knew Vincent could miss the special bond formed with his children through the years of having to bring them up without their beautiful mother, Nkem. Vincent was a great father and he was also blessed with the most devoted sisters. He is survived by his step-mother, five children, six sisters amongst whom is Iyom Christy Ray Okoye of Raynes Fabrics, five brothers, brothers and sisters in-law, a host of cousins and many others too numerous to mention.

Chemstar Paints to Acquire N5m Safety Kits for Workers

L-R: Environmental Consultant to Chemstar, Mrs. Toyin Osaigbovo_ AGM Operation and Chairman HSE Committee, Mr. Cyprian Ukpai_ Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Adedayo Paseda_ and Senior Manager CIPIN, Mr. Taiwo Lateef

Adedayo Adejobi The management of Chemstar Paints Industry Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Finecoat and Shield Paints said it has procured safety kits including safety boots, work wears, eyes goggles, helmets and nose masks, among others safety materials, valued at N5 million for its workers.

This, according to the management, is part of moves to protect and ensure the safety of the members of staff, especially the factory workers, who deal with chemicals which are major raw materials in the paint industry.

The Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Adedayo Paseda disclosed this while declaring open the fourth edition of the company’s Annual Safety and Health Week, which is part of activities marking the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the leading paints industry in the country.

The theme of this year’s four-day Safety Week is: ‘Imbibing Safety Consciousness in Our Daily Activities’, which featured health talk and free medical check, enlightenment and sensitisation campaign on health and safety, as well as lecture on fire and drilling by officers of the Lagos Fire Services.

Paseda, who declared that the company could not compromise the safety and health of its workers for any reason, however pleaded with the workers especially those in the factory to always put on their safety wears and observe the company’s hygiene rules to ensure their safety and good health. The Deputy Managing Director, who frowned at a situation in which factory workers failed to wear the appropriate dress or refused to wear their safety kits while on duty, however, warned that such workers violating the safety and health policy or rule laid down by the company would be sanctioned appropriately.

He said henceforth necessary punitive measures would be enforced by the management, saying in the next few days the materials and kits would be distributed to the workers, as it is done regularly to protect from any health hazard. “By June this year, the management is going to spend the sum of N5 million for the purchase of safety and health kits for the use of the workers. We are going to buy safety boots, work wears, eyes goggles, helmets and nose masks, among others, which will be distribute to them. We are quite concerned about our workers’ safety and health because we want them to remain safe and live healthy life during and after their duties.”

Foundations Celebrate with Street Children Rebecca Ejifoma While children from privileged homes had their share of amusement at parks and all on May 27 - Children's Day Worldwide, Morna International Children's Foundation in partnership with Affluence Childcare Hope Foundation lightened up the mood of about 120 children living on the streets of Ikotun Lagos with goodie-packs and some lunch. These children included male and female from ages two to about 14. They gathered at the Ikotun Oba's Palace in Ikotun area of Lagos. They got packs of food, pairs of new shoes and clothes.

According to the Founder and Executive Director of Morna International Children's Foundation, Mrs. Bukola Afolabi Ogunyeye, "The duo embarked on this collaborative effort for the children because of our similar objectives.

We aim to enroll them in schools and teach them trades."

She added further that they were passionate about what they do. "We want to give them a long term solution like shelter and education now that we know their plights.

We don't intend to just feed them.

"Although this is just the first time we would take street children for some good time, we have done much more projects than this," she told THISDAY. Meanwhile, on how to achieve this tasking objective, Ogunyeye noted that they successfully spoke with some affluent people and other concerned individuals in the community to take it up as a duty to help these vulnerable children.

30/ EVENTS

09.06.2017

The closing service for the 2ND SESSION of the 4TH SYNOD of the DIOCESE OF LAGOS MAINLAND CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) was held at The Cathedral Church of Saint Jude, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, last Sunday, May 28th., 2017. The new Lord Bishop of Diocese, The Right Reverend B.C. AKINPELU JOHNSON, M,Phil., AKC, hosted his first Synod (a formal meeting of church leaders who make decisions and laws related to the church) ... merriam-webster. Here are some of the personalities at the service.

Photographs by multiple award-winning Director of Photography SUNMI SMART-COLE.

The Bishop of Ihiala, Anambra State, The Rt. Revd. (Dr. Israel Okoye, left, his wife Dr. Faith Okoye, the celebrant, The Revd. Akinpelu Johnson and his wife, Olabo.

The Bishop of Ogorimagongon, The Rt. Revd. Oduntan Davies and Mrs. Bisi Osinbajo, mother of Acting President (Professor Yemi Osinbajo).

Lawyer and founder of Vivian Fowler Secondary School for Girls and Hallmark University, Ogun State, Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler, left, and highly successful businesswoman, Mrs. Ivie Ejiwunmi.

The preacher at the service, The Rt. Revd. (Dr.) Israel Okoye, left, and The Right Revd. Akinpelu Johnson.

The woman affectionately called “Mama Mainland”, Mrs. Olabo Johnson, wife of Bishop Johnson, left, and Mrs. Femi Sonaike, an educationist and business woman.

The Lagos Mainland Diocese Master and Director and Conductor of Music, Mr. Emeka Nwokide, left, and the Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Jude Ven. Revd. Feyi Ojelabi.

Some of the Legal Officers of the Diocese, Assistant Registrar, Mr. Bayo Fakunle (Fakunle), left, the Deputy Chancellor Hon. Justice (Mrs.) Bukunola Adebiyi and the Legal Secretary, Mr. Akintola Ejiwunmi.

The oldest member of the Choir, Mr. S.A. Ojurin, a retired veteran photographer, right.

Balogun (Chief) Bisi Omidiora, left, and retired Justice Ibukun Adesalu, the pioneer Chancellor of the diocese.

The Chairman of SODAPEX Ltd., Otunba ‘Sore Osibajo, left, and Chief (Dr.) Olusola Dada, Chairman, ANCHURIA Development Services Ltd.

31/EVENTS

09.06.2017

A happy Bishop B.C. Akinpelu Johnson and his wife, Olabo, after a very successful Synod.

The Bishop of Lagos West, The Rt. Revd. (Dr.) ‘Sola Odedeji.

Ven. Emmanuel A. Adekoya and Mrs. Grace Y. Omotunde.

Dr. Yomi Finnih, CPA, left, and Ven. K.K. Ogundile.

Ven. (Dr.) Dade Sadare, left, Ven. Folarin Shobo, Ven. Ify Ike and Ven. (Dr.) ‘Femi Fatile, vicar of All Saints’ Church, Yaba, Lagos.

Dr. (Mrs.) Bisi Odujinrin and her husband, Senator Dipo Odujinrin.

Ven. (Professor) Francis Fajemirokun and Mrs. Fajemirokun.

Mrs. Bose Aja, left, Mrs. Ijeoma Onwuopa, Mrs. Evelyn Ike and Mrs. Kemi Falile.

The Head of Guide of Stewards, Mr. Sammy Chukwuma, a lawyer, Mr. George Obinna Ihetu (the younger brother of the late World Boxing Champion “Dick Tiger” Ihetu and his wife, Folake, nee Akintola

Popular soloist Ijeoma Anieze and her accompanist, on pianist, ‘Princewill’ Ubani, who is also her fiané.

32 / ENTERTAINMENT

09.06.2017

Rhumbles in Lagos The first edition of Rhumbles, the first boxing and entertainment concert in Lagos put together by ACI Entertainment held amidst pomp and pageantry, writes Peter Uzoho The event which was part of the lineup of activities to celebrate Lagos at 50 had eminent personalities in attendance on Thursday, May 25 in Lagos. Among the top dignitaries present at the event were the Governor of Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Speaker of Lagos House Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, state commissioners, state and federal legislators, party chieftains, sports and entertainment personalities, among many others.

Hosted by top media personality, Olisa Adibua, the event featured two exhibition matches between two females and males amateur boxers. There were also musical performances from ACI Records acts, Buckwylla and Evelle who performed a beautiful rendition of her classic song, Eko Ile dedicated to Lagos at 50. The star music act of the night was Afrobeat legend, Femi Kuti who kept the guests entertained throughout his stay on the stage. Legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt was also on the wheel of steel.

In a keynote address, Lagos State governor, Ambode, commended the initiator of the event, Mr. Wole Adeniyi of ACI Entertainment for inviting Holyfield, who he described as the only living boxing legend to be part of the Lagos at 50 celebrations. Ambode also thanked

Holyfield for donating sporting equipment worth $3 million to the state. "I want to thank Wole Adeniyi of ACI Entertainment for bringing Holyfield to Lagos to celebrate with us. As far as I’m concerned, he is the greatest living world heavyweight champion of all time and we are very proud to have him in our midst.

As a government, we have always wanted to use sports as a way of driving our economy and there is no way we can showcase sports as the catalyst for economic growth than bringing somebody who is a champion; a revered person and for him to use his God-given talent and resources to promote sports in our state.”

In between his speech, an official statement of apology was delivered by the governor who notified the audience that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be unavailable for the charity bout as he had to attend very urgent national issues but he will stand for him. He then went on to present gifts to Holyfield who had joined him on stage.

Standing between Ambode and Holyfield, the referee of the charity bout, Prof. Wole Soyinka however decided to broker peace between Holyield and Tinubu but not without jokingly disqualifying the two contestants. He disqualified Tinubu for

being late and Holyfield for not undergoing a drug test before coming on stage. He however urged the audience to embrace the course of the event which is basically meant for charity.

Holyfield thanked ACI Entertainment and Lagos State Government for the reception given to him in Lagos. He also announced that his Real Deal Entertainment company has partnered with ACI Entertainment to discover future world champions in Nigeria via different initiatives including a boxing reality show which will all be focused on youth empowerment. “If you want to be a world champion, we will give you the baton,” he said.

An obviously elated Adeniyi thanked Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole for the love showed to Holyfield during his stay in the country and also extended his gratitude to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Prof. Wole Soyinka for keying into the charity and youth empowerment initiatives which were the sole aim of the event. “The entire team of ACI Entertainment is grateful to the governor of Lagos State, H.E. Akinwunmi Ambode, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Wole Soyinka and all Lagosians who appreciated the fact that we

brought Holyfied to Lagos to be part of the Lagos at 50 celebrations. It doesn’t end there, our company, ACI Entertainment and Holyfield’s Real Deal Entertainment have partnered to host a boxing reality show in Nigeria and other youth empowerment initiatives that we will soon unveil. I must say that there are whole lot for our youths to benefit as we are about to reposition boxing entertainment in Nigeria just like the immediate post-WW11 era up until 1970's. And we have started the process by bringing the five times heavy weight champion, Evander Holyfield on board as a partner.”

The former governor of Lagos State and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also very pleased to meet Evander Holyfied when he paid him a courtesy visit in his residence. He took time to dress him up like an Eyo Masquerade, a gesture Holyfield said he would cherish all his life.

The organisers have earlier announced that the charity-focused event “is aimed at bringing world attention to some health-related issues in Africa and will also be donating medical and relief materials worth millions of naira to Lagos State Government and other states.”

L-R: Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with President, Boxing Board Control, Alhaji Rafiu Oladipupo and Evander Holyfield

Ambode; Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, Mr. Uyi Apkata; Co-Chairman, Lagos @50 Committee, Prof. Wole Soyinka

Ambode (3rd left), Adijat Gbadamosi (2nd left)_ Funmilayo Kushimo (middle)_ Obasa (left)_ Evander Holyfield (3rd right)_ Chairman, Lagos Amateur Boxing Association (LABA), Hon. Monsuru Liasu (2nd right)and Evander Holyfield

Ambode (3rd right), Imole Adebayo (3rd left)_ Olaitan Ganiyu (2nd right)_ Evander Holyfield (right)_ Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (2nd left) and his Deputy, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun

CEO of ACI Entertainment, Wole Adeniyi

L-R: Ambode; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Co-Chairman, Lagos @50 Committee, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield and his Lawyer, Shevon Harris

33/ XTRA

09.06.2017

Touching Base with the Roots Vincent Obia reports on this year’s International Delegates Conference of the AfricaIsrael Initiative held in Port Harcourt Africa-Israel Initiative is a global organisation drumming the message of love and support for the nation of Israel. Widely tagged God’s own nation, the tiny country of about six million people, should be a model for peace, but it is one of the world’s most troubled nations. It is surrounded by huge enemy nations – one of them, Iran, swearing that it would not rest until Israel is wiped out from the surface of the earth.

Nigeria became one of the African countries with a highly thriving chapter of the AfricaIsrael Initiative, when a branch of the body was inaugurated in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on April 21. The inauguration was part of the three-day 2017 International Delegates Conference of the body, which had the theme, ‘Israel and the Nations’.

Africa-Israel Initiative was pioneered by Christian leaders in 2012 to inspire strong relationship between the nations of Africa and Israel in such areas as culture, the economy, communications and security. The body also desires to ginger Christian nations in the continent and elsewhere to perceive themselves as brother nations and develop strategic regional and global alliances to impact the world via national governments, international agencies and non-governmental organisations, for peaceful co-existence, equity, righteousness, security and stability.

Founded by Erik Selle, a Norwegian cleric and its international president, the body exists in 18 African nations and in Norway, United States of America, and Israel. In its systematic approach to spreading the message of love and support for Israel, AII has held its annual conference in Zambia – 2012, South Africa – 2013, Kenya, where it has its headquarters – 2014, Rwanda – 2015, and Ghana – 2016.

Over the past six years, these conferences have generated the needed awareness on Biblical insights for the global community to hook onto the desired relationship with Israel. They have tried to unite Africa’s political class, business circles, professionals and Christian leaders. The yearly event has also built a somewhat fortified platform to counter racism, anti-Semitism and tribalism among the nations and peoples of the continent. It has put in place an enduring

Help Save Agbabiaka from Breast Cancer

Remi Ajiboye Agbabiaka, a graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, and Kwara Polytechnic, is fighting to survive breast cancer.

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The walk, which kicked off at 8am at the popular Ikeja Shopping Mall, Alausa, saw the crowd walk through Awolowo Road to Allen Avenue seeking the financial support of everyone that was willing to listen to their story; the highly energetic friends moved from Allen to Toyin Street then through Customs road and all the way to Mobolaji Bank Anthony way in Ikeja.

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L-R: Selle, Mulinge, and Iwo, at the conference in Port Harcourt...recently

platform for networking and capacity building for development.

The founding fathers of AII believed that Israel becoming a nation-state in 1948 was a direct fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah: “Now I will rescue and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing,” (Zechariah 8:13), and “Those who bless you, I will bless,” Genesis 12:3, as well as the Psalmist’s “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee,” (Psalm 121:6).

It is remarkable that in all the nations that the young organisation operates, strong emphasis has been laid on the need for Christian communities and others to identify with Israel in its political activities, partner with it in business and various endeavours of life, support it with material things, and pray for the peace of the city of Jerusalem.

Why did God ask for prayers for Israel? Winston Iwo, Bishop of Grace Covenant Ministries, Port Harcourt, who was appointed chairman of AII’s Board of Directors at the conference, answers that God knew that modern Israel would become the focal point for the world’s trouble shooters. Iwo, who has attended most of the AII conferences, says, “It is not enough to know that Jesus came

from Israel and was born in Bethlehem. Israel is the source of Christianity and the church. We do not bear the root, the root bears us.

“Having become Christians, sometimes we forget our root and the fact that we became Christians because we had a Saviour through a covenant made to Abraham that a Seed shall come forth, which was Jesus. The nation which God chose to bring about that Seed was Israel and as a mother, Israel needs prayer and support from Christians around the world.”

Iwo, who is the West African director of the organisation, is also special adviser to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Religious Affairs.

Iwo described the theme of the conference as unique for its ability to awaken the church to its role and responsibility to the people and nation of Israel.

Selle, who was in Nigeria for the first time, told the delegates while inaugurating the Nigerian chapter, “The light of God is in Africa.” Speaking later on the topic, ‘Building on the Foundation: Transforming the Future’, he said Africa had become a blessing to the world even as it was translating into a new centre of Christianity and practically surpassing other regions as a moral and ethical model. Selle

expressed the joy that the fruit of years of revival in Sub-Saharan Africa was glowingly integrated into business, industry and infrastructure as well as in national and church leadership.

He called on the people of the continent to “rise and shine.” He said the continent’s new partnership with Israel, whom he said stood out among global communities in innovation, development, agriculture, creative knowledge and security, was going to uplift the continent to greater heights.

Joshua Mulinge, a Kenyan bishop and vice president of AII, commended Nigeria for the religious and political leadership it was providing Africa. Mulinge, who spoke on the topic, “Israel in the Bible”, told the conference that establishing good relationship with Israel was a step in the right direction because it was through Israel that the Gentiles received salvation.

Those who also spoke at the conference included Yehuda Glick, who addressed the conference from Israel; Emma Ntayomba, Rwandan director of the organisation who took the topic, ‘The Power of Blessing’; Jostein Skevik, who spoke on ‘Biblical Feasts and the Covenants of the Bible’; Shalom Koronge, a youthful Kenyan pastor, who spoke on ‘The Future of Africa: A New Generation’; and Nigeria’s Williams Daka, who spoke on ‘Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem’.

Others were Zilly Aggrey, chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, who urged African nations to emulate Israel in its drive for excellence in media, agriculture and security, and Daniel Tam Cookey, a rabbi and leader of the 19 Jewish communities in Rivers State. Cookey said he was happy that members of the Jewish synagogue in the state were invited to be part of the occasion. He said the world should blame the Roman Empire for the crucifixion of Christ rather than the Jews because the empire authorised the killing of Christ.

Chairman of the conference planning committee, D.S. Ibulubo, said the conference would stimulate and promote the spiritual relationship between Nigeria and Israel as the world was awaiting the return of Christ. He said the new relationship Africa was building with Israel would enable it partake in the promises that God gave to Abraham.

Online Internet Cab Booking Services Debuts in Benin Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City An online Internet Taxi Cab booking services has been launched in Benin City to satisfy the growing request for such services in Edo State.

The all Internet base car rental scheme known as 'Smart Cab' can only be effected from a client mobile phone who will then develop a Driver Passenger Relationship.

Its operations revolve round application which is available on all Android and IOS Devices and has three packages with a base fare of #350, a change of #80 per km/h and #8 per minute while the Smart Saver Vehicles are equipped with free WI-FI services and Anti-Riot Security.

Unveiling the scheme in Benin City, capital of Edo State, the Country Manager, Smart Cab Nigeria, Jubril Arogundade, said the

business which target youths was launched in Lagos on the 28th of February 2017 and that its successes informed the need to introduce the scheme in Edo State.

He explained that the software development company has the potential for riders to get connected to their drivers and enjoined customers in Edo to key into the scheme.

Director Samson's Resources and Benin City Manager Smart Cab, Mr. Samson Bakare noted that the firm is a technology company which is first in the state that has brought gainful opportunities to all.

He said the firm has limitless opportunities for youths car owners and would be client and emphasised need for citizens in Edo to embrace the company.

The public relations officer, Federal Road Safety Commission zone RS.5.1, Mr. George Oshoke encouraged the operators

to go through the established process of licensing drivers who will be engaged in the scheme.

Oshoke stressed need for Nigerians to embrace the nations Road Safety Code in order to reduce road traffic crashes.

The launch also featured goodwill messages from Smart Brand ambassadors who include the greatest exporter of Nigerian music, 9ice, Muyiwa- the comedian and Amazing Cleff.

Other packages in smart cab services are premium class with a base fare of N450, and a charge of N100, per km/h and N10 per minute as well as the pro package with a base fare of N650, and a charge of N120 per km/h and N12 per minute.

The launch was graced by legal experts, security chiefs and a cross section of members of the public.

Cleric Expresses Satisfaction over ongoing War against Corruption Bishop of the Diocese of Ikeja, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Lordship, The Right Reverend Stephen Tunde Victor Adegbite has expressed satisfaction at the on-going war against corruption initiated by the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari while encouraging the presidency to remain focused, dogged and unwavering in the fight.

In a communique issued at the end of the maiden edition of the annual synod held at Methodist Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Opebi, Lagos recently, Adegbite called on other arms of Government namely the Legislature and Judiciary to rise up and complement the efforts of the executive

government in the fight against this scourge that has eaten so deep into the fabrics of our society. He also expressed concern on the state of health of President Buhari, and urged all concerned Nigerians to continue to pray for his recovery while eulogising the Acting President, His Excellency, Professor Oluyemi Osinbajo, for providing purposeful leadership in the absence of the President and calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to pray for him.

Adegbite also called on all tiers of government, especially the Federal Government, to channel their focus on ensuring that Agriculture works effectively, adding, “the diversification of our economy must be given priority if we

are to overcome the recession in which our economy currently lies.”

Synod also urged the Federal Government to ensure the quick signing and full implementation of the 2017 Budget which possesses the right elements of creating jobs for several unemployed people through teaching and agriculture.

He congratulated the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on the giant strides being witnessed in the state especially infrastructural developments while also noting with equanimity the peace that continues to reign in the state despite the religious, cultural and social diverseness of the citizens residing in the state.

34/PERSPECTIVE

09.06.2017

Tackling the Inter-Agency Rivalry Yushau A. Shuaib writes on the need for inter-agency collaboration in order to nip in the bud disturbing inter-agency rivalries among security organs On July 13, 2015, General Babagana Monguno (rtd) was announced as the new National Security Adviser (NSA) by the current administration. He replaced Sambo Dasuki who had acted in that position in the new regime, for over a month after serving as substantial NSA to the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan for about three years.

General Monguno was widely known as a fine, unassuming army officer during his active service years. During occasional visits to my kind in-law, General Garba Wahab and military press officer, Mohammed Yerima at the Army Headquarters about a decade ago, soldiers and officers did refer to Monguno as a Perfect Gentleman in the military uniform.

In fact, it was around that period that I learnt he married his anticipated perfect woman, Nafisah Munir while he was an Army General.

Monguno attended King's College, Lagos and enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy 21st Regular Course. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Architecture and Masters in International Relations.

Some of the positions he held in the military included the Chief of Logistics at the Defence headquarters, Commandant of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); Commander, Guards Brigade; Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, and Chief of Defence Intelligence. He voluntarily retired from the Nigerian Army in September 2013 at the age of 56. He left some legacies behind especially on infrastructural development.

On assumption of office as the National Security Adviser, I had the privilege of meeting him and during our encounters, he was very attentive and receptive to good

Monguno

ideas. He is a man that believes in positive and rapid changes on various national and security issues.

Nevertheless, it is obvious that Monguno is neither a typical Nigerian politician nor act like one, especially on issues that require diplomatic manoeuvrings and assertiveness.

Probably, as a retired army officer and an architect, he may be looking at things from the precision of architectural designs and military mentality.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), is statutorily empowered by Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 to coordinate and support “all security, intelligence, law enforcement agencies and military services to prevent and combat acts of terrorism in Nigeria.” Therefore, the office is the most powerful after the Presidency in ensuring

effective formulation and implementation of comprehensive security and counter-terrorism strategies through synergy.

There is therefore, a greater expectation that ONSA, must be at the forefront in ensuring an inter-agency collaboration. There is no reason to pretend about the prevailing interagency rivalries among security organs, even while they record successes on some fronts, notably the war on Boko Haram insurgency.

Some recent developments are quite worrisome: the heated arguments between the NIA and the EFCC over Ikoyi money; the arraignment in court of Air-Force Chiefs of corruption while shielding past chiefs of other security sectors; the laughable tit-for-tat public parades of members of the Police and NSCDC on flimsy excuses by the same sister agencies; the damning DSS reports on Magu among others are clear signs of intense rivalry amongst the security agencies.

Deeply concerned over the development, the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) recently called on security agencies in the country to avoid inter-agency rivalry which could damage their individual reputation and the government as a whole.

The Executive Secretary of CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), made the call at a special meeting of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) in Abuja sponsored by Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP).

Anas said: “We have observed some disturbing trends, blame games and breaches in information disclosures among agencies of government in the media. We have also noticed conflicting information, disinformation and rivalries among respective organisations through the media. These developments

can damage the reputation of the agencies involved and give Nigeria a bad image.”

Also, the new Chairman of FOSSRA, who doubles as the Director Defence Information, Major General John Enenche urged members of FOSSRA as the spokespersons of their respective organisations to work in harmony and handle information activities professionally and responsibly.

One fact that is of utmost importance is that spokespersons of security agencies have consistently used their meeting platforms to synergise and collaborate in harmonising security information. Through their interactions, they share professional ideas towards eliminating incidences of conflicting sensitive information released to the public by their organisations. However, and unfortunately too, at their level, there is a little they could do to eradicate the conflict.

It is an open secret that, the surest way of getting damaging and destructive information in the guise of classified information, is to look beyond the officially designated spokespersons to the bosses of the organisations who are frequently cited in the media as ‘highly reliable sources.’

For the sake of emphasis and to address this intractable rivalry, General Monguno as the National Security Adviser should devise strategies and method in bringing leadership of the agencies to a round table for mutual understanding. It doesn’t even need to be elaborate engagements, reaching out to each agency with sincerity of purpose, can play the magic. This is a period where we need to guard against all unnecessary bickering within the security milieu. .Shuaib wrote in from Abuja Email yashuaib@yahoo.com

Odili and the Inauguration of Wike’s Pleasure Park Christian Chukwu writes that the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt Pleasure Park by the former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili will conserve foreign exchange for the country and attract visitors from across the world to the state On Saturday, May 27, 2017, former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, led other prominent political and religious leaders from across Nigeria, to inaugurate the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park.

The Pleasure Park is Nigeria's undisputed tourism destination, which was initiated and completed by the Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike-led administration to conserve foreign exchange for the country and attract visitors from across the world to Rivers State.

The project was flagged off as part of the first year anniversary of the Wike administration. Since then, the project site has transformed from the neglected "construction site borrow pit" to an international leisure centre.

Built by Julius Berger, the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park exudes beauty and serenity. It has a climbing tower, beautifully designed natural lake, sporting facilities, two five aside football fields, Mini Golf Course, intercontinental restaurants, kids play centres and mobile gyms.

In his speech while inaugurating the park, Odili declared that that the people of Rivers State were proud of the accomplishments of Wike in the past two years.

Praising the governor for delivering a world-class international park which will make the state a prime destination, the former governor prayed God to grant all the aspirations of the governor for living up to the expectations of the people.

Odili said, "I have travelled to at least 26 countries, I have never seen anything like this. God will ensure that all your aspirations are realised."

The Pleasure Park is on a massive expanse of land suiting for such purpose.

Its architectural design and structural outlay are deliberately crafted. To make it best of its kind, and certainly so, it will afford patrons

Odili (3rd right) inaugurating the PortHarcourt Pleasure Park. Governor Wike (2nd left) and others watch

limitless space for walkout.

People can also engage in other social but recreational activities of choice that are so provided. The approved architectural design has one thing in focus. That is, to give this iconic project a unique sale’s appeal.

Sharing same perimeter wall with the Port Harcourt Barracks of the sixth Division of the Nigeria Army popularly known as Bori Camp, the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park is located along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway.

It is a novel model. An integrated facility it is and does have various features that will offer specific leisure treatment to patrons.

Such active culture of life died in the eighties among residents of Rivers State. The few existing gardens do not have alluring appeal. To state the point bluntly, they do not exist any more. That is why the current effort of government is commendable. It strives to restore such lifestyle with a functional facility of such kind.

This new park, which is rising to fame has a secured neighbourhood that assures of serenity. Everybody can access it from all parts of the city because of its centrality.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Pleasure Park, Wike announced that a modern cinema will be constructed to complement the facilities at the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park.

The governor stated that the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park will attract tourists to the state and also generate revenue for its maintenance.

Speaking further, Wike, who said Odili was invited to inaugurate the project because of his position as a father figure in the state's politics since 1999, stated that all other elected governors of Rivers State either passed through or served the former governor He said, "Omehia was a governor, he worked under him (Odili), Amaechi was a governor, he served him and I am a governor, I passed through him."

Managing Director of Julius Berger, Wolfgang Goetsh, informed that the Wike-led administration initiated, supervised the project and made useful suggestions that ensured its beauty.

To the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Felix Obuah, expressed excitement and satisfaction over the construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park by the Wike-led administration.

Obuah, who described the facility as world class and the first of its kind on African continent, commended the governor’s foresight in providing not only a tourist attraction in the state, but a leisure and recreational centre for families, friends, loved ones, fun seekers as well as games and sports enthusiasts from within and outside the state.

He also described the initiative as exceptional and that, conceived out of the love the governor has for the people of the state, and his drive to boost the revenue base of the state as the park has the potential of generating huge revenue to aid the development of the entire state.

Thanking the Wike for fulfilling his campaign promises and delivering on his mandate, through the construction of various projects across the state, the PDP chairman explained that providing the people with facilities like the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park will help unite families and homes and encourage sustainable peace as well as conducive environment for business and social life to thrive in the state.

He therefore, stressed the need for members of the public to avail themselves of the opportunity the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park offers, saying the benefits cannot be estimated following the different kinds of state-of-the-art facilities available at the Park. .Chukwu wrote in from Port Harcourt

35/ENTREPRENEUR

09.06.2017

‘Lekki Property Market Will Generate Over 70% of Lagos Wealth by 2025’ President and Founder, Africa’s Property Investment Group, Chiudi Kalu in this interview with Mary Ekah reveals how a conference tagged, ‘Cracking the Silent Lekki Property Market’, scheduled to hold in Lagos tomorrow, Saturday, June 10th, will open the minds of smart investors to how they can change their financial levels for better by investing in the Lekki property market is insured deals, and that means anybody who put down his money is not going to lose it. So it is a one-day forum but a life time opportunity.

Why are you so passionate about people investing in real estate business?

I started investing in real estate almost with nothing but today I am privileged, by the grace of God, to have done massive real estate investments that cut across various segments and various locations. Now we are putting up an event tagged ‘Cracking the Silent Lekki Property Market’ investment forum, which will focus basically on how people can take advantage of the Real Estate sector. Now, people usually think that to be in the Real Estate business, you must have so much money and so many at times; they rig themselves out of good deals. Now the idea behind this forum is to encourage people to invest in property within the Lekki market, just like I started too. Anybody can rise from whatever low position they are today to whatever level they want to be through investments in real estate. Real estate investments give people that leverage to be able to become whatever they want to be. The end of recession is when people make more money than they currently have. Money did not run away because of recession, money is present but the challenge is that certain people aren’t able to have access to the money. And where there is plenty for some and scarcity for others, it simply means that we are in recession because money is not circulating to the people at the bottom.

And for anybody to rise and change his status, he/she needs to make a conscious decision to take the opportunity of where people are putting their money and that is what investment in real estate is all about.

And real estate is what can make people make transition from their lowly states to their high states. And the forum on ‘Cracking the Silent Lekki Property Market’ would be affording people that opportunity.

Now let’s talk more about ‘Cracking the Silent Lekki Property Market’ forum. Why ‘Silent’ and how really does it work?

Cracking the Silent Lekki Property Market investment forum is all about taking advantage of the Lekki property market. We can use our idea and expertise to help you as a discerning investor with strong interest in property investing in the Lekki-Epe corridor to profit massively in your own real estate investment. The Lekki property market is an exciting market and more thrilling and profitable. But only about 4,500 out of 180 million people know about this – that is why we call it “The Silent Lekki Market”.

This sort of investment is ‘silent’ because it is not what people talk about and like they say, the best deals cannot be ‘googled’ or televised. It is more like a secret. It is like a cabal, only a certain number of people know about it. And so it is an exclusive deal that nobody wants to talk about. Even the banks don’t want to talk about it and that is why you find out that the banks are willing to give loans more for the Lekki property than they would give for property in other areas. So at this forum, you would have the chance to seek out a profitable Lekki property deal that produces cash-flow from day one. It is obvious that Lekki will generate more than 70 per cent of Lagos wealth by 2025 and the reasons are very obvious to any smart investor. Again, only those who understand the trends can make money investing in what I call the Silent Lekki Property market. Of course, a thorough property evaluation is necessary which is the reason AFPING is putting together a forum where investors can see the figures, facts and returns.

I’m saying that within the next 10 years, $3 trillion dollars will be generated from the

Kalu

Lekki property market. So how do I own a particular percentage of that money, it is by now investing in property within that region. It’s not rocket science for anybody to invest in that region. It takes me taking advantage of the opportunities that come my way. And because there are so many real estate companies on ground, how then do you separate the wheat from the chaff?

This is what this forum is all about. And for anybody who wants to buy property, I will say don’t buy but wait until you attend this forum then you can buy. By then, you would understand the reason why you should buy and the kind of real estate you should invest in. Information is the bedrock for transformation, so how informed I am, will determine the kind of investment choices that I make. So if you feel that the property market has been rigged against you, then you have the unique privilege of overturning the deficit in your favour by understanding and getting involved in the biggest yet most exclusive property market in Africa.

This forum will not only provide you with powerful insights and latest money-making tips in Lekki property investing but will also create a platform for you to meet with professionals and entrepreneurs who have made solid returns in the region as well as the opportunity to invest in what they invested in. This forum will show you offers

that have very good chance of capital growth within 12 months period with high returns.

Now because of the strong market analysis, it is also certain that as much higher returns will be the gains that could be obtained if you get to keep your property but you definitely would not experience a loss on your property investing and that is what this programme hopes to offer.

How do you intend to educate people about this just in a one-day forum?

The forthcoming event is tagged,’Cracking the Silent Lekki Property Market II and will parade speakers like Cofounder/CEO, Arkbridge, Mr. Alex Adefarasin who would speak on the topic, ‘5 Things Investors Must Know about Silent Investing’; Co-investor, Wealth Island, Mr. Tade Cash, will speak on, ‘Cracking the Lekki Property Code Once and for All’ while the Principal Partner, St. Lawrence Chambers, Mr. Victor Adeeko, will speak on, ‘How to Belong to the N1.2 Billion Silent Lekki Market’ and of course, the Founder, AFPING, Mr. Chudi Kalu would crown it all with the topic, ‘Why Your Financial Future Matters with the Silent Lekki Market’. On that day, we are also going to be showing people the deals they can take up. It is going to be exclusive and insured deals that will guarantee between a 100 per cent and 300 per cent returns in less than 18 months. It

Is the forum free of charge and who are qualified to attend?

Everybody is qualified to attend. It is open to businessmen, business development managers, fund managers, mortgage bankers, capital investors, high net worth Individuals as well as upcoming investors and incidentally it is free of charge. But for anybody to attend you must register on www.afping.com; if you are not registered, you cannot be part of the event. We had one earlier, which was the Island edition in Victoria Island, Lagos on May 29, which had over 600 people who registered but most of whom registered so late and were not able to participate. We are giving people another opportunity to attend the second edition, which is the Mainland edition billed to hold on Saturday June 10th at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos by 9a.m..

So the earlier they can register, the better for them because we have limited seats available. We are looking at the peculiarity of the market and one of the things that we would regularly do is to look at various segments that people can invest in. For example, we are looking at the top 10 areas that people can put their money and which can generate wealth because it is not just about Lekki alone but for now, the issue about the Lekki market is because of figure, the market and the potentials of that area. For example, the largest sea port is coming to Lekki. What is the market potential for real estate investors in Lekki? An investor is a person who makes money when other people are buying some particular property. For example, a real estate investor is someone who makes money when other people are renting, so as an investor, what is the value of rents that I see in this particular area? Lekki has dominated the various segments of property investments and it has remained the top three in the past five years consistently, so you cannot go wrong for investing in that market. But you need to be able to understand the facts, the figures and locations for investments and for what purpose are you investing. So the day you buy real estate, is the day you start making money from it but what we have these days is that people buy real estate and for five years, they have not been able to do or gain anything from the property and then the problem that we have in Nigeria, is not land deficit, but housing deficit. Now a lot of people have lands but are they making money from the land that they have? So why not have land where people can always pay you income on that property so that you can make money because when people make more money, they enjoy more leverage as individuals.

How do you guarantee security on investments?

In case of negligence, a partnership has been established between the developer, Arkbridge Integrated Limited and an insurance company, AXA-Mansard to be able to insure the investments of investors. So if there is any negligence on the part of the developer, at least your capital is secured. So even if I am going to lose money, I am not going to lose my capital, and also the developer is also having an agreement with the investors, saying that I will buy back this property from you, if at the 15th month, you tell me that you want me to buy back the property from you, which gives me the opportunity to say yes or no. So I have different choices to make when it comes to the investments.

36/COLLAGE

09.06.2017

L-R: Celebrant's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zenaib Alabi; Wife of the Former Senate President, Mrs. Felicia Wabara; husband of the Celebrant, Alhaji Moumod Laiwola Alabi; Celebrant, Mrs. Bala Alabi; and Children,. Olumide and Mrs. Bunmi Oseni; after the thanksgiving service to celebrate the 60th birthday of Mrs. Alabi in Ikoyi, Lagos... recently

L-R: Air Vice Marshal Olufunsho Martins; Lord Bishop, Lagos Central Diocese of The African Church, Bishop Gabriel Adebanjo; his wife, Lady Evangelist Dorcas Adebanjo and Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ore Falomo at the 50th birthday celebration for Bishop Adebanjo in Lagos...recently.

L-R:Glo subscribers, Flavour Ation and Happiness Omo; Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour anchor, Ebube Nwagbo, other Glo subscribers, Nwapara Ose Sharon, Princess Agunu and Olueh Lauretta, at the Benin edition of the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour in Benin City, Edo State...recently

Nsikak John Nkereuwem and wife, former Miss Victoria Michael Umoh, during their traditional marriage ceremony at Ikot Mbang, Akwa Ibom State... recently…

L-R:CSO, Thisday Newspapapers Group, Mr. Nwachukwu Eugene, Mrs. Quincy Emenike, Associate Priest, St. Micheal's Catholic Church, Mowe, Rev. Father Tobechukwu Ekebosi;carrying Little Chizaram Michelle, Hon. Emenike Sunday Charlesa and Mr. Victor Iseukwu, during the dedication service of Chizaram in Mowe, Ogun State... recently

L-R: Vice Chairman, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Covenant Cathedral, Amuwo Odofin, Most Senior Evangelist Babs Adeboyejo; the celebrant, Mother Celestial Adebola Odusanya; and Shepherd-in-Charge, CCC Ambassador Parish, Ijesha, Akinnitire Akinfenwa at Odusanya 60th birthday celebration in Lagos... recently

L-R: Chief Obafemi Olopade; Matriarch of former CBN governor, late Ola Vincent, Mrs. Edith Adenike Ola Vincent; Primate, African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, Most Rev. Emmanuel J. Udofia; Lay President, Africa Church, Evang.

Bukunola Okunowo and Warden, Arch Cathedral Bethel, Col. Akinsola Aboyade-Cole (rtd), during the dedication of new Church building and vicarage of African Church Bethel Ola Vincent Memorial at Ajara-Topa, Badagry, Lagos... recently KOLAWOLE ALLI

The Couple, Murtala and Olapeju Garba during their Traditional wedding ceremony in Lagos... recently

37/THISLIFE

09.06.2017

Papal Recognition Recognition from ones local church is a thing of pride, but for Chief Victor Umeh, former national chairman of APGA, Chief Ikenna Okafor, an oil magnate and business icon, 17 others, it was not just recognition from the church, but from the head of the church in Rome, as they were invested as Papal knights, reports David-Chyddy Eleke

Chief Victor Umeh (middle) standing beside Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano (ďŹ rst left), and being congratulated by his admirers, shortly after his investiture

Recently, 19 individuals who were deemed to have distinguished themselves in the service of the church and humanity in the Catholic Diocese of Awka were invested with Papal Knighthood and Papal Medals by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor on the recommendation of the Holy Father and Supreme Pontiff of Holy Catholic Church, His Holiness, Pope Francis in recognition of their outstanding and committed services to the church and humanity.

The awardees include: Sir Augustine Emenike Ibeme of St. John's Catholic Parish, Neni, who was awarded a Papal knight of the Order of St Gregory De Great and Lady Pauline Chinwe Ndibe, LSM, LSS of St. John's Parish, Enugwu-Agidi, former director of C.W.O, Awka Diocese, who was awarded a Lady of the Order of St Sylvester.

Others were awarded papal knights of the Order of St. Sylvester and they were Sir Anthony Obi Umeh, KSS of St Martin's Parish, Igboukwu; Sir Charles Ikechukwu Daniel Anierobi, KSS of St. John and Paul Parish, Umubele-Awka; Sir Nkemdilim A.U. Nnonyelu, KSS of St. Patrick's Cathedral Parish, Awka; Sir Paul Amaonye, KSS of St Joseph's Parish, Ekwulobia and Sir Albert Sunday Ezenwafor, KSS (Albertina) of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Ekwulobia.

More awardees included; Sir Jerome Okoye, KSS of St. Dominic's Parish, Adazi-Enu; Sir Victor Umeh, KSS, the former APGA National Chairman of St. Patrick's Parish, Aguluzigbo; Sir Ikenna Okafor, KSS (Ide-Akwaeze) of St. Michael's Parish, Akwaeze and Sir Michael Ifeanyi Ezenduka, KSS (MIFE) of St. Joseph's Parish, Amesi.

The Papal knights also included Sir Francis Nwaobu Chukwuka Nwandison, KSS of St Paul's Parish, Ugwuoba; Sir Emmanuel Nwakanma, KSS (CEO of Apple Cosmetics) of St Paul's Parish, Achalla; Sir Chukwukadibia Emmanuel Onyeneke, KSS ( Igwe Ezejiofor II of Ekwulobia) of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Ekwulobia and the oldest, Sir Anthony Okeke Nwankwo, KSS of St. Theresa's Parish, Agulu.

In his homily during the investiture the auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, enjoined the papal medalists to live a life that reflected them as true soldiers of Christ, willing to die for the faith which they profess. Bishop Okoye who described the Papal award as a call to greater responsibility and life of sacrifice, urged the awardees to live up to the responsibilities that

went with the honour, saying that the honour was not meant for fame but one that led to one's personal repentance and development of more in-depth relationship between the individual and God. He advised them to be on the path of truth, to be men of courage and be different from others by turning down offers which were illegal and bad in the sight of God. He stressed the need for individuals to develop the habit of examining their lives as it would help them in correcting their inadequacies as an unexamined life was not worth living.

Bishop Okoye maintained that the Papal Award demanded the courage to be different and comes with its perceived challenges as such difference was required to distinguish a man of the world from the one for Christ. He stated that the awardees were individuals from various fields of life, including the religious, the academia, business, community, leadership and politics.

He said that the perception mostly held by people that those for the Papal Award were always selected and recommended to the Pope

Chief Ikenna Okafor, one of the awardees of Papal Knighthood of the St. Sylvester

by the diocesan bishop was not entirely true or false. He explained that the bishop's selection and recommendation for Papal Medalists came through the individuals' good deeds and witness presented before the bishop by either the people or parish priest of those involved, as well as other information which the bishop might have gathered during his visit to the parish of the individuals concerned.

Enumerating the responsibility associated with the Papal Award, the Catholic prelate said that the honour was not meant for saints, but would make the awardees better persons, even as he beckoned on them to improve on their service to the church and humanity.

Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who was also at the event thanked the Pope through the bishop for finding the awardees worthy. He revealed that the honour came with a lot of responsibility and urged the awardees to double their efforts in their various endeavours.

For the awardees, it was a day to express thanks to God for remembering their efforts in the building of his house. For Chief Umeh, an

A cross section of those honoured with Papal knights of St. Sylvester

astute politician, he insisted that, "My Papal knighthood will make me to serve humanity more. The Papal knighthood does not make any of us holier than anybody, none of us lobbied to be conferred Papal knighthood.

We simply merited it, and people who have been seeing our good work in the church recommended us to the Bishop, and the Pope ratified it."

On his part, a foremost businessman and oil magnate, Chief Ikenna Okafor said that, the honour would spur him to do more for the church and society at large. “It is a call for higher service, I am only asking God for strength to be able to do more for God and humanity."

Speaking on the role of the knights generally in building the society, he stated that they (knights) are the soldiers of the church, who stand up for the truth and for justice, both for the church and for the nation. "I believe the church is a society builder, and we are soldiers of the church must live exemplary lives that will engineer emulation and subsequent growth in the society," he said.

38/OPINION

09.06.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Between Bravery and Bane of Biafra When it comes to the issues of race and justice, I am left-leaning. It is one thing: I have long held onto the words of Martin Luther King Jr. that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".

That exactly has been the reason behind my sympathy for the Easterners on their subjugation during the civil war that lasted for 30 months from 1967-1970. The war left legacies of death and destruction in which no less than three million people reportedly died with highest casualties on the side of the Igbo people.

Now, 45 years after, the echo of that war has resurfaced with the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kanu was born after Biafra war and his campaign is coming after his forbearers, Colonel Odimegwu Ojukwu, the man who started the freedom war and Ralph Uwazurike (the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra) had suffered defeat in their own quest to keep Eastern Nigeria separately from the Union as an independent state.

But why Kanu has chosen this time to test the water is what I find very difficult to understand.

As with any campaign, time and tools are of essence. Does Kanu have the time and tools to actualise the sovereignty of the land of the rising sun at this time? My answer is no. Yes, Kanu will be famous for his courage and probably move on in life to seek an elective post or build a strong political party in the East in the long run.

The tools that Kanu needs were available to Ojukwu during the war. He had the people and money-at least something enough to wage a 30-month long war-with him.

The time was equally available to him, because

Kanu

Ojukwu's grievance was genuine and coming a few years after independence provided him with ample opportunity for secession.

Besides, a part of Ojukwu's tools was the population size of Nigeria at that time. Nigeria was said to be about 57 million people, of which eight to 10 million were Igbos. Rallying such number for support was not a difficult task unlike today's population size of Igbo people that Kanu must convince to go along with him.

To be sure, Ojukwu had the backing of Tanzania, Zambia, the Ivory Coast, Gabon and France and other nations who supported his campaign of secession. That will be critical to any successful war since no nation has ever gone into war with another without an ally. At the end, the war failed despite the fact that Ojukwu had the time and the tools on his side.

The war failed not because Ojukwu didn't

have the right strategy or the most important element, which is the support from his people, but because Ojukwu confronted a monstrous Nigerian Army, where the Yoruba and Hausa intelligentsias were available to counter his force in addition to the support from Egypt, Soviet Union, Britain and the United States.

For his part, Uwazurike's campaign lacked theme, so he was leading a Janjaweed-like group of people who had their days in and out of detention until they were burned out. It was clear that Uwazurike had no support base from the Igbos, except a few emotional Igbo people.

And while Uwazurike has not given up on his campaign despite the lack of steam, the courage of Kanu and how his words have mobilised thousands of young people unto the streets to stage protests and raised Biafra flag in Abuja, Port Harcourt and other big and small cities in Eastern Nigeria in recent weeks should be praised.

Still, after listening to Radio Biafra and watching the television station online many times to understand where this is going I came to a conclusion that Biafra died in 1970.

Kanu does not have majority of the Igbo people with him, despite the crowd of young people raising the Biafra flag home and abroad at the moment. The Igbo people are extremely divided on the issue of sovereignty.

For instance, many of the callers on the Biafra radio called to express their anger at how Igbos are divided and how the past struggle for sovereignty couldn't take them far just because an Igbo man from Orlu doesn't believe in another from Mbaise, though they are from the same Imo State in Eastern Nigeria.

I can tell that Kanu has the charisma, but he

doesn't have the tools and time. With democracy full-blown in the country, Kanu's best bet will be how to get referendum and that cannot happen through the street approach.

His appeal must be first to the elected political officers throughout the Eastern region and to those representing the region in the Senate and in the House of Representatives. Those people are part of the essential tools that will galvanise his action.

They represent a bloc at the National Assembly that cannot be ignored by the government.

In appealing to these people, Kanu must remember the law 13 in Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power that "If you need to turn to an ally for help, do not bother to re¬mind him of your past assistance and good deeds. He will find a way to ignore you. Instead, uncover some¬thing in your request, or in your alliance with him, that will benefit him, and emphasise it out of all proportion. He will respond enthusiastically when he sees something to be gained for himself."

Put differently, Kanu must not sound like a hero. He should know that even the most powerful person is locked inside needs of his own, and that if you make no appeal to his self-interest, he merely sees you as desperate or, at best, a waste of time.

Clearly from my conscience I believe Kanu cannot win this war just like his predecessors, but before he continues he should pause to look at the video of the event between 1967 and 1970, when images of Biafran babies with bloated bellies and human skeletons were on parade in the war's final days. That should remind Kanu and his followers that there's no substitute for peace.

Editor’s Note: This piece was first published on this page on November 28, 2015

Pregnant Women Blending With Traditional Delivery Homes Checks have revealed that Nigeria constitutes two per cent of the world’s population but contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal mortality due to spent healthcare system. Odimegwu Onwumere writes that as a result of the apparent failed healthcare system, most women have resorted to traditional delivery homes with the attending dangers Despite the promise by the present government President Muhammadu Buhari, which came into power in May 29, 2015, to establish the 17 agendas on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) index, that include providing good health and good living to all and sundry, Mrs. Joy Ebi, 28, a trader at the Oyigbo Main-market in Rivers State, would prefer to die instead of go to government hospitals for a child birth Ebi patronises native delivery homes whenever she’s pregnant. Her three children were delivered in the homes. She would also patronise the native home as she’s pregnant for the next baby. This is in spite of advice from neighbours and relatives to the contrary. However, Ebi seems relaxed in the native delivery homes. She gives her reasons that she feels relaxed, accommodated and loved by the attendants unlike those in the hospitals.

“I’ve my reasons for going to native homes otherwise called quacks, to be delivered of my babies whenever I’m pregnant,” Ebi says. Adding, she enthuses that the native delivery homes attendants are kind unlike those of government hospitals.

“The native delivery homes are receptive, caring and charge little or no money unlike the government hospitals that pose above life and most times deliver women of their children through caesarean section (CS) just for money, whereas most of the women could deliver normally,” Ebi adds.

This is even as pregnant women who patronise government hospitals lament of high costs of delivery in government hospitals. According to reports, “One striking thing is that the charges in these hospitals are not uniform even though they are all run by the Ministry of Health.

“The policy of compulsory blood donation is also a source of worry. Pregnant women are complaining of high cost of ante-natal and delivery services.

"Some are asked to pay N12, 500 for registration

A pregnant woman

while their husbands should donate blood, or pay N10, 000 for a pint of blood.

“This is excluding the money for your drugs and other laboratory tests. If you undergo CS, it will amount to over N200, 000. That’s too much for most of us.”

The rural women seek for delivery homes miles away from their abodes that often lead to some ‘putting to bed’ along their villages bush paths. It is believed that poverty is the reason for their action, because they cannot pay for the apparent mountainous bills pregnant women incur in government hospitals. But poverty is not the blight with Ebi. She is a university graduate and a trader of note in the city.

Apart from the traditional homes, many pregnant women attend religious places for prayers and also choose them as where they would give birth. Chris Ewokor in 2016, reported to BBC Africa from Cross River State, saying, "27-year-old Ransom Linus Martin, four months into her first pregnancy, has come to the Land of Promise church near the city of Calabar for prayers, but it is also where she will be giving

birth.”

Ewokor added that Martin was not alone in her choice upon that campaigners were headlong to end the practice in Southern Nigeria, where many believed that they could be delivered of their babies by ‘God’.

“They do fasting and prayer here, and if you are pregnant you need to go to the place where there is God and there is daily fasting and prayers,” Ewokor impinged Martin, adding, “At the hospital there is nothing like prayer.

They don't pray. They only give you injections.

But as you pray at the church, you get closer to God. On the day of your delivery, God will help you and you will deliver successfully.”

Notwithstanding, some medical pundits are of the view that at the government hospitals, their immemorial snowballing neglect and defective funding have made them equal to native delivery homes that are being operated individually with contemplative resources.

Reporting, Pricewaterhouse Cooper, a global thought leadership organisation noted, “The Nigerian elite class spends $1 billion on medical tourism and their child bearing needs, while the majority bottom poor are left to die in public hospitals or endure the uncertainties of delivering through traditional birth attendants which often end in fatalities.”

The highlight of it is that the dangers of pregnant women giving birth in this clime cannot be overemphasised. In the view of a 2015 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, there were a predictable 814 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in Nigeria. "About half of those deaths were caused by two conditions: uncontrolled bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage, and pre-eclampsia," said the source.

In a meeting held with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, September 28 2016, the Executive Director of the United Nations Populations Fund

(UNFPA), Professor Babatunde Osotimehin who was a former Minister of Health in Nigeria, and the Permanent Secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development, DFID, Mr. Mark Lowcock bemoaned that Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate has levitated to 10 per cent where about 111 women die on day-after-day footing.

“Nigeria constitutes 2% of the world’s population but contributes 10% of the world’s maternal mortality,” said Osotimehin. UNFP also stated that in sub-Saharan Africa, a woman has a 1 in 16 probability of dying during pregnancy or childbirth. The WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) data believes that Nigeria's maternal deaths record is a disaster, if not the highest globally.

“Even though, maternal mortality worldwide has decreased by nearly half in the last 15 years, Nigeria still faces a heavy burden, leading the world in the total number of maternal deaths per year. In 2015 alone, 58,000 Nigerian women lost their lives to pregnancy and childbirth-related causes,” said the data. Those who know better add that corruption, negligence and injustice have been the major factors debilitating the Nigeria's broken healthcare system.

On the other hand, reports of a leading broadsheet in Nigeria had this to say, “The Nigerian Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) and the international NGO, PATH, revealed in a 2016 study how a lack of access to three basic medicines is increasing the threat of Nigeria’s two most deadly pregnancy complications: postpartum hemorrhage and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.”

The source went further, “As of March 2016, there were 13 oxytocin products and four magnesium sulfate products registered in Nigeria that had not yet been judged to meet international quality standards. This increases the risk that maternal health products are poor or unknown.”

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CITYSTRINGS

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

Ejigbo’sValley of Death Ifoshi Road, the major access road for residents of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, has been in a deplorable condition for over two decades without serious attention by the Lagos Government, writes Peter Uzoho The Ifoshi Road...a death trap for Ejigbo residents

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jigbo, located in the suburb of the city of Lagos, transformed from a community to a Local Council Development Area within the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, under the administration of former governor of the state, Bola Tinubu, for administrative convenience, and development.

The community-turned LCDA boasts of thousands of dwellers who cut across all the tribes and languages in Nigeria. The residents who are responsible and patriotic citizens are engaged in various activities to earn a living, ranging from public service, private businesses, religious ministries, among others.

However, the thought of the approaching rainy season every year reactivates fear and feelings of uneasiness among them. To them, it is another period of suffering and pain accompanied with groaning and Lamentations.

This is occasioned by the horrible experience of the people on the Ifoshi Road and all the street roads whenever the rain sets in.

Alighting at the Iyana-Ejigbo Bus Stop, which links the Ifoshi Road, one’s attention is immediately attracted by a terrible jungle in which pedestrians, motorists, commercial tricycle (keke-marwa) and motorcycle operators are struggling to wriggle out of the ditches on the road. You could see both the operators and the passengers sitting on the automobiles tilting sideways as they try to avoid falling into the gullies on the road.

Ifoshi Road is the major access road for a densely populated community called Ejigbo, and this road has been in deplorable condition for more than 20 years with no concrete efforts from the government to fix it. The road links Ejigbo to Idimu and other neighbouring communities in Alimosho. It also links the community to the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway through the Ikotun-Ejigbo junction.

Due to the bad state of the road, a journey of two to three minutes now takes longer than 30 minutes to make, leaving users drenched and perspiring. On a daily basis, accidents are recorded with some resulting to fractures and deaths, especially when there is aggressive struggle for right of passage between the

motorcycle operators and motorists.

In Ejigbo, economic activities have been on the downward trend because there is no easy passage for the residents and visitors.

From workers to shop owners, bus drivers to motorcycle operators, to tricycle operators, school children and to pedestrians, life in Ejigbo is no longer worth living. To them, the simplest option is to vacate the place as there is nothing good about the community again.

The Ifoshi Road has turned to the Biblical valley of the shadow of death. Not only is the Ifoshi Road bad, even the major streets in the community have become eyesores.

Baring his mind on the unfortunate situation, one of the Okada riders, Mr. Okeke Okeke, in an interaction with THISDAY, said they, (the okada riders), make money but don’t make savings because they spend the money on repairing their motorcycles damaged by the bad road. “How can we make savings with this road like this? We’re are suffering a lot here and nobody wants to help us in

Every okada rider here pays the local government N600 everyday and nothing is being done by the LCDA officials to repair the bad roads. The one that marvels me most is that when they collect these levies they will share them among themselves without using the funds to repair the bad roads in Ejigbo. They’re just doing nothing here. And if you protest they will plan and attack you

this community,” Okeke said.

According to him, he has been in Ejigbo for five years and nothing has been done about the road even when the local government officials come to collect money from them on a daily basis.

“Every okada rider here pays the local government N600 everyday and nothing is being done by the LCDA officials to repair the bad roads. The one that marvels me most is that when they collect these levies they will share them among themselves without using the funds to repair the bad roads in Ejigbo. They’re just doing nothing here. And if you protest they will plan and attack you.”

He wondered whether there was something spiritual in Ejigbo that had been hindering development in the area.

Sharing similar views with Okeke, another motorcycle operator, Mr. Gbenga Balogun lamenting on the ugly state of the road and its effect on him, said for years, he had not been able to make good savings from the business, noting that the money comes and goes into the fixing of his bike.

“When I make money, I use it to repair my motorcycle. In a year I buy not less than three tyres and they are very costly. You can’t save because of the expense on the repair of motorcycle which are caused by this bad road. You buy tyre today before two months it has punctured,” he said.

Apart from the damage on his bike, Balogun revealed that his health is also affected.

“After plying through this road with all the potholes and stones, I become weak. I’ll be feeling pains all over my bones and joints and even all parts of my body. At times it will not allow me to work the next day. So here life is not safe at all. We’re just moving here only by the grace of God,” he added.

Sharing his predicament, Essien Essien who runs a restaurant along the Ifoshi Road, complained of shortfall in his income anytime the rain begins. He said due to the bad road, customers find it difficult to come around to patronise him, which he said leads to wastage sometimes.

“Things are not moving in this area due to the bad road. We’re not happy at all.

We’ve cried to the government but nothing

The Ifoshi Road in Ejigbo...abandoned by the Lagos State Gove has happened on this road. It’s affecting us because when people cannot move on the road how can we sell? We’ll cook and at the end of the day the food becomes leftover because we could not sell. People must see road to pass before they can come to patronise us,” he said.

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CITYSTRINGS

The Ifoshi Road...a valley of death for Ejigbo residents

ernment According to him, other traders in the area who come to buy food no longer come because they are not selling and therefore have no money to eat in the restaurant. “It’s all about this road. It’s not passable at all.”

A lot of people have left Ejigbo for places where there are good roads and where busi-

nesses are moving. Ejigbo is no longer the Ejigbo we used to know. Everything here has turned upside down.”

Although the people of Ejigbo are crying about the deplorable condition of the road, but Essien revealed that politicians at the state and local governments had resorted to

using the road project for politics. “They will just come and pick few of the top people in this community and settle them with some money and all of them will keep quiet. They won’t say anything about the road again.

We pay development fee every year to the government but we don’t see any kind of development here. It’s really terrible here.”

To save himself and family from the problem, Essien is praying to God to enable him raise money so they can relocate to somewhere else.

Mr. Israel Olaiya is a dealer in electrical and electronic appliances, whose shop is also along the dilapidated road. He has been in the community since 2000 and, according to him, the road has remained in that same state all through the years. He said all his customers had deserted him because of the poor condition of the road.

“There is no customer again. I will come to shop, sit from morning till night and there will be no customer to come and buy. It’s only some that have sympathy for me that still patronise me and for them to do that they will call me to bring what they need to their house as they can’t come because the road is too bad,” he said.

“We’re begging the Lagos State Government to come and fulfill all the promises they made to us here during election. This road was one of the things they promised that they would do for us when they win. They have won and they have been in power since two years now. So we plead to them again to come and rescue us from this problem,” he added.

On his part, a concerned member of the community, Mr. Olakunle Abdulsalami, decrying the poor state of Ifoshi Road, noted that it had been like that for many years.

He revealed that the only thing the local government usually do was to fill up the gullies with stones which he said was an addition to the damaging effect of the road on the users.“Everyday people’s tyres are punctured because of the stones that have developed sharp edges.”

He said none of the link roads in Ejigbo, from Ifoshi Road to the road linking Ebenezer bus stop, and Daleko to Moshalashi which

We’re begging the Lagos State Government to come and fulfill all the promises they made to us here during election. This road was one of the things they promised that they would do for us when they win.

They have won and they have been in power since two years now. So we plead to them again to come and rescue us from this problem leads to Lafinwa Road, have been done, adding that the people are going through serious pains.”

He added that the residents of Ejigbo had not seen anything that would make them happy. “We’re just suffering and smiling in this Ejigbo. So we are just here like people that have no leaders. We are begging government to remember that we are human beings.

They should come and build this Ejigbo Road to alleviate our suffering,” he noted.

Meanwhile, when THISDAY went to the palace of the Oba of Ejigbo to get his comment concerning the road, one of the palace chiefs, Akinlagun Saheed, said that the king was not on seat. However, Saheed, obliging to make comment on behalf of the king, said the road for sure, was giving the community serious concern, noting that they had been appealing to the state government to help them fix the road.

He disclosed that they “saw in one of the national newspapers a couple of months ago, where the state government said it has approved the construction of Ejigbo Road and other roads but we are yet to see any action.”

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FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

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.

Iran Says 5 Tehran Attackers Had Fought for Islamic State Five of the men who launched an attack in the heart of Iran’s capital previously fought for the Islamic State group, the country’s Intelligence Ministry said Thursday, acknowledging the first such assault by the extremists in the Shiite power.

The attacks Wednesday on Iran’s parliament and the tomb of its revolutionary leader killed at least 17 people and wounded over 40, stunning its people.

The ministry issued a statement on its website with bloody pictures of the men’s corpses. It identified them only by their first names, saying they didn’t want to release their last names due to security and privacy concerns for their families.

It described them as“long affiliated with the Wahhabi,”an ultraconservative form of Sunni Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia. However, it stopped short of directly blaming the kingdom for the attack, though many in the country expressed suspicion Iran’s regional rival had a hand in the attack.

The men had left Iran to fight for the extremist group in Mosul, Iraq, as well as Raqqa, Syria — the group’s de facto capital, the ministry said. It said they returned to Iran in August under the command of

an Islamic State leader and escaped when authorities initially broke up their extremist cell.

The ministry did not identify the men’s hometowns, nor say how they were able to evade authorities. A woman suspected to be involved in the attack was arrested Wednesday.

Commuters in the Iranian capital noticed police on street corners and motorcycles, more than usual as dawn broke. That came after Mohammad Hossein Zolfaghari, a deputy Interior Minister, told state TV that“law enforcement activities may increase.”

“We are focused on intelligence” gathering, he said.

The state-run IRNA news agency also reported Thursday that the death toll in the attacks had risen to 17 people killed, citing Ahmad Shojaei, the head of the country’s forensic center.

The attack Wednesday as lawmakers held a session in parliament and at the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini shocked Iranians who so far had avoided the chaos that has followed the Islamic State group’s rise in Syria and Iraq. Iranian forces are backing embattled Syrian President Bashar

Nearly 70 Dead in Al-Shabab Attack on Somalia Military Base Heavily armed al-Shabab extremists have stormed a military base in Somalia’s semiautonomous state of Puntland, killing close to 70 people and wounding dozens more, officials said Thursday.

Residents said civilians, including women, were beheaded during the rampage.

Officials called it the region’s deadliest attack in years, highlighting the twin challenges facing security forces from the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab and the growing presence of fighters linked to the Islamic State group.

I formerly known and addressed as LOVE OKEZIE now wish to be known and addressed as LOVE OKEZIE WILLIAM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note

The attack began with a blast at the remote Af-Urur camp, roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the commercial hub of Bossaso, before the extremists overran the base and killed soldiers at close range, said Ahmed Mohamed, a senior military official.

Close to 70 people were killed, though an exact death toll was not yet available, Mohamed said.

Abdi Hersi Ali, Puntland’s interior minister, said troops suffered causalities but he declined to give further details.

Residents in the area reported chaotic scenes, with fighters beheading several civilians they encountered. One witness, Abdibasit Hassan, said women were among those beheaded.

Assad while the Shiite power also is supporting militias fighting against the extremists in Iraq.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ALALADE DAMILOLA PAMILERIN now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGBENRO ALALADE DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. /ŵŵŝŐƌĂƟŽŶ͕ ŝƌƚĞů ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ general Public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as CHRISTIANA ADEFUNKE AFOLABI now wish to be known and addressed as CHRISTIANA ADEFUNKE OKOH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as AKINROTIMI ABRAHAM ABDULAHI now wish to be known and addressed as AKINROTIMI AKINOLA ABRAHAM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as MISS MARY ODEGUA AWANOKHUENI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKEMHONYE MARY ODEGUA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note

I formerly known and addressed as ADEOLA OLABOMI IGE now wish to be known and addressed as K> K> KD/ͳ/' ADELEKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as SULEIMAN IBRAHIM now wish to be known and addressed as SULEMAN IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as TAIWO JAMIU OLUSEGUN now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO JAMIU OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as HUSU JUSTINA ALABA now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO JUSTINA ALABA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as ADIGUN ABIMBOLA KAFAYT now wish to be known and addressed as K> EZ t :hͳ /'hE ABIMBOLA KAFAYAT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as FALEYE JAMES IFEOLUWA now wish to be known and addressed as JESULEYE JAMES IFEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please note I formerly known and addressed as AMEACHI KUO NEO now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNNIYI DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, UGWUAGBO DAVID CHIKWADO , am the same person as UGWU DAVID . All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. The general public should please take note.

T H I S D AY Ëž , JUNE 9, 2017

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Supports Food Security Programme Obinna Chima In line with its development mandate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday explained that the food security programme which it initiated in November 2016 on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis has started yielding the desired results.

According to the central bank, with stability in prices, the federal government has decided to buy back the grains from the companies it (CBN) supported then, with the intention to distribute same to Internally Displaced Persons

(IDPs) in the various camps across the country. “The Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is now set to distribute 332,741 bags of Maize, 682,726 bags of Soy bean and 229,360 bags of Sorghum to IDP camps in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba States,� a statement last night disclosed.

The Bank said its decision to support the food security initiative then was necessitated by the desire to stabilise the rising grain prices coupled with dire need for the federal Government to shore up its Strategic Grain

Reserves.

It further pointed out that despite the good grain harvest experienced by farmers, there was a huge demand from other African countries through the land borders occasioned by the fall in naira value. “With the funds made available by the CBN from the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the companies were able to purchase grains from farmers.

And to date, a total of 30,905.08 MT of grains, namely Maize, Soy bean and Sorghum have been purchased and stored in different locations across the country,� it added.

Nigeria to Issue First Diaspora Bond, Says DMO The Debt Management Office (DMO) has announced the commencement of a global offering of Nigeria’s first Diaspora Bond.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the DMO made this known in a statement. It said that the nation had filed a registration statement for the bonds with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

It said that application would be made for the bonds to be admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange Plc. The office said this was to ensure that the bonds were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market.

“The bonds will be direct general obligations of Nigeria and will be denominated in U.S. dollars. “The international Joint Lead Managers are Bank of America Merrill Lynch and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited. “The Nigerian Joint Lead Managers are First Bank of Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa Plc,’’ it said.

It said there would be a series of investor meetings in the UK, the U. S. and Switzerland from June 13.

The office said that pricing was expected to occur following the investor meetings and subject to market conditions.

It said that Diaspora bond was used to raise funds from

Nigerians in the Diaspora to finance capital projects and provide an opportunity for them to participate in the development of the country.

As part of measures to fund capital expenditures, the Federal Government had in February announced its offering of one billion dollars euro bond under its newly-established one billion dollars Global Medium Term Note programme.

The office said that the one billion dollars euro bond, which would mature on Feb. 16, 2032, was eight times oversubscribed in the international market at an interest rate of 7.8 per cent with orders in excess of 7.8 billion dollars.

Fitch Rates UBA’s Senior Notes ‘B’ Fitch Ratings has assigned United Bank for Africa Plc’s (UBA) $500 million 7.75% senior unsecured notes maturing on June 8, 2022 a final ‘B’ rating.

The final rating was in line with the expected rating Fitch assigned to the notes on 23 May 2017. According to a statement by Fitch yesterday, based on Fitch’s assessment on expected recoveries in a liquidation scenario, a final Recovery Rating (RR) of ‘RR4(EXP)’ was also assigned to the notes, implying average recovery prospects. “The final RR is also in line with the expected RR Fitch assigned to the notes on 23

May 2017. The final rating is in line with UBA’s LongTerm Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘B’. In Fitch’s view, the likelihood of default on these notes reflects the likelihood of default of the bank.�

According to Fitch’s criteria, a bank’s IDR usually expresses its opinion on the risk of default on senior obligations to third-party, non-government creditors as in Fitch’s view these are typically the obligations whose non-performance would best reflect the uncured failure of the entity. “Where a bank has a LongTerm IDR of ‘B+’ or below, Fitch usually assigns a RR

to the entity’s issues. RRs provide greater transparency on the recoveries component of Fitch’s assessment of the credit risk of a low-rated issuer’s securities. “A change in UBA’s IDR would affect the rating of the notes and may also affect recovery prospects and the RR. UBA’s IDRs are driven by the bank’s standalone financial profile, as reflected in the bank’s ‘b’ Viability Rating (VR). UBA’s VR and IDRs are primarily sensitive to further asset quality deterioration and capital deterioration as well as continued pressure on foreign currency funding and liquidity,� the agency added.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Ě™

Ěš

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ÍŻĚš

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

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ăž Ù×Ă?Ă?ÞÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž Ě™ Ěš

26,970,297.97

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ă?Þ̚

4,595,579.89

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Þ˛ Ě™ Ă?Þ̚ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?

7,436,917.79

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? Ă?ĂŽË› Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ Ěš

-2,841,337.90

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ě™ Ěš

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜

2,179,174.28

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă?

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MANAGED FUNDS Month

December 2016

Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

MainOne Leads West Africa Data Center Development West Africa’s Connectivity and Data Center Solutions Company, MainOne has reinforced its commitment to building out West Africa’s Data Center capacity at the Data Center Africa Summit taking place at the DataCloud Europe 2017 conference in Monaco this week.

During the event, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Funke Opeke was nominated as one of 50 top influencers transforming the data center and cloud landscape in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The DataCloud Europe conference which has attracted over 1800 Data Center and Cloud executives from more than 60 countries as well as over 90 exhibiting companies, is the foremost networking event for

data center players in EMEA. During the conference, General Manager of MainOne’s MDXi Data Centers, Gbenga Adegbiji, joined an expert panel on the Africa Data Centre Leadership to discuss strategies for achieving improved Data Center and Cloud penetration across the continent. The panel started with a review of the challenges of Data Centers across the continent in comparison to other markets, highlighting low demand as the biggest constraint, due to offshore data hosting of content. With improved access to Internet services on the continent, leading content providers are finding that the high latency experienced with serving Africa from offshore does not effectively engage the market and have started

establishing beachheads for content in data centers on the continent.

In his comments, Adegbiji asserted that despite the limitations, the opportunities for data center growth are enormous given the upsurge in the use of ICT services and mobile broadband, the migration towards a digital economy with Internet underpinning a lot of services across the region, better adoption of e-Governance, e-Health and e-Commerce initiatives and businesses looking to host their growing digital information locally. According to him, MainOne is anticipating the growing demand and has started building its second Tier III+ data center in Sagamu, a blooming industrial cluster in South-West Nigeria.

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55 Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 7 JUNE 2017 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $46.78 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $46.97 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

T H I S D AY ˾ , 9 JUNE, 2017

49

MARKET NEWS

Market Year-to-Date Growth Hits 22.5% on Continuing Bull Run Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian equities market continued its bullish trend yesterday as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index rose further by 0.77 per cent to close at 32,937.98. As at the yesterday, the market had recorded year-to-date growth of 22.56 per cent.

Market capitalisation added N86.9 billion to close higher

at N11.4 trillion.

A total of 46 stocks appreciated, 14 declined, while volume and value of transactions rose by 5.8 per cent and 18.8 per cent in that order. Forte Oil Plc and International Breweries Plc led the price gainers with 10.2 per cent apiece. Cadbury Nigeria Plc rose by 10.15 per cent just as Seplat Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, and UAC of Nigeria Plc added 10.14 per

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

cent, 10.13 per cent and 10.1 per cent per cent respectively.

May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and Transcorp Plc garnered 9.7 per cent, 9.5 per cent,7.3 per cent and 5.3 per cent in that order.

Similarly, Transcorp Hotels Plc appreciated by 5.0 per cent as investors reacted to the information of that the company has reopened its executive floors and lounge

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

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

19 19 31

of its flagship Transcorp Hilton Abuja after renovation.

According to the company, the reopening marks a milestone in the on-going $100 million renovation project of the historic and award winning 5-star hotel, leading up to its 30th anniversary commemoration this year.

Commenting on the development, Managing Director/ CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Valentine Ozigbo, had said:

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

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

“Our guests have grown to expect nothing less than the very best from us. That includes the pinnacle of customer service, overall comfort, and a level of aesthetic appeal rivaled by no other hotel in Nigeria.

The complete overhaul of the executive floor and lounge is a testament to our commitment to delivering extraordinary experience to our guests.”

Also commenting on the new executive rooms and suites, the

General Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Etienne Gailliez said: “We are excited to attain this milestone of our renovation project. Our Guests are really going to love the truly impressive transformation of the executive floor guest rooms and lounge. We are proud to work with owners who have a deep understanding of our industry and embrace our brand culture of creating a rewarding experience for our guests.”

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

Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ëž T H I S D AY

50

MARKET NEWS

Takaful Insurance:  Cornerstone Distributes N6million Surplus Ebere Nwoji Cornerstone Insurance Plc is distributing over N6million to about 200 customers who patronise its Takaful Insurance products in keeping with the Takaful Islamic insurance principle.

The company, which is currently doing this in different parts of the country, said beneficiaries are those who have had no claims over the years on different Takaful insurance products purchased from the

company.

Takaful is a  truly cooperative insurance concept for the mutual benefit of all participants and the community as a whole .The main purpose of  the system is to bear one another’s burden rather than solely being a profit oriented enterprise. Any surplus in the Takaful insurance policy is shared among participants only and the investment profits are distributed among participants and shareholders on the basis of Mudaraba or Wakala models.

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

Cornerstone Insurance, which is the first insurance company to secure approval from the National Insurance Commission ( NAICOM) to play in Takaful insurance market segment, recently commenced sharing of the policy surplus to its various policy holders.

Group Head, Halal Takaful Nigeria of Cornerstone Insurance,  Hajia Thaibat Adeniran, presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Lagos said it was meant to reassure the product buyers that

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 7-June-2017, unless otherwise stated.

they can also benefit from their insurance policy even when they have no claim.

She explained that the forum was one of the means of appreciating the customers and to ascertain from them the challenges they encounter.

She said the beneficiaries, include those who had made claims and those without claims over the years, adding that the distribution of the surplus bonus distinguished the ‘Takaful’ from the conventional insurance principle which makes it difficult

for those without any claim to get anything at the maturity of the policy.

She said the ‘Halal Takaful’ is a win-win situation which makes it possible for all customers to benefit from claims payment as well as receive bonus payments even when they had no claims. “Apart from participants who are in the scheme, we equally invited other potential customers so that they can see the essence of the ‘Takaful’ and the products it provides for them. We also

use this to appreciate those who have not had any claim over the years,� she stated.

She explained that the Takaful insurance is based on two principles which includes principle of Alumadaruba and  Tabaru.

According to her, Alumadaruba principle  means Islamic investment, which gives opportunity for surplus profit or loss, while the general business based on Tabaru that is welfare or sadaka or give away.

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 159.29 160.33 25.59% Nigeria International Debt Fund 223.83 225.23 5.57% 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 0.75 0.75 6.60% 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 18.89% 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 15.28 15.74 23.76% ARM Discovery Fund 335.49 345.60 16.82% ARM Ethical Fund 24.00 24.73 7.44% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.26% 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 134.70 135.64 28.06% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.27% 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 10.94 11.22 16.88% Women's Investment Fund 90.65 92.98 7.16% 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 18.85% 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 1,077.82 1,078.95 6.62% FBN Heritage Fund 129.95 130.95 16.51% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.01% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $109.14 $109.52 5.85% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $108.44 $108.83 5.91% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 139.58 141.55 23.94% 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 1.20 1.22 28.72% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.75 2.75 6.86% 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 2,440.98 2,473.30 10.58% Coral Income Fund 2,261.13 2,261.13 7.45% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.03% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.67% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.94 1.96 15.39% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.59%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@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 1.07 1.09 8.15% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,033.50 1,033.50 5.02% 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 12.55 12.65 29.80% 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 1.12 1.14 12.83% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.58 10.65 1.87% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.32% 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 119.32 120.35 17.22% 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 1.31 1.31 4.98% 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 2,026.36 2,037.90 10.66% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 159.34 159.34 3.49% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.90 0.91 17.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 199.53 199.53 6.76% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.39 156.50 18.96% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.39% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,684.02 8,784.14 14.51% 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 1.25 1.26 6.52% United Capital Bond Fund 1.34 1.34 13.56% United Capital Equity Fund 0.77 0.78 1.06% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.17 1.17 11.11% 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 11.80 12.02 21.85% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.45 12.59 13.85% Zenith Income Fund 17.96 17.96 8.67%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 126.92

1.01% 2.38%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.88 94.75

9.98 96.51

12.46% 25.02%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 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

3.82 7.80 15.19 19.49 129.25

3.86 7.88 15.29 19.69 131.25

38.21% 10.89% 26.15% 22.06% 0.28%

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.

51

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Clark’s PANDEF Wants FG to Arrest, Prosecute Arewa Youths Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the umbrella group of the Niger Delta people,

yesterday called on the Federal Government to immediately arrest and prosecute members of the Arewa youth groups that handed down the ultimatum

NBS: Labour Productivity Rose to N684.43 in 2016 Ndubuisi Francis iØ ÌßÔË Labour productivity rose from N471.94 in 2011 to N684.43 in 2016, representing a 45.0 per cent increase over the six-year period and a decline of 4.7 per cent between 2015 and 2016.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in its 2016 Q4 2016 Labour Productivity report stated that labour productivity increased to N783.51 in Q4, 2016 from N713.77 in Q3, N636.30 in Q2, N605.27 in Q1 and N706.95 in Q4, 2015.

Therefore, for the period under review, labour productivity increased by 9.8 per cent on quarterly basis and 10.8 per cent year-on-year.

The estimated total number of hours worked increased by 0.48 per cent between Q3 and Q4, 2016, and increased 1.9 per cent between Q4, 2015 and Q4, 2016.

The report noted that the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2016 which saw a rise in labour productivity represented the highest levels since Q1 2015.

However, while the overall level of productivity was high, there were several challenges that generally impacted on output and labour, and indirectly on labour productivity, keeping it below optimal levels.

Some of these issues faced during the quarter were issues that spilled over from Q1 through Q2 and Q3, 2016.

The report pointed out that in the review period, investment in

the economy was still relatively low, though some government investments were recorded during the quarter, adding that the volume of private investment and foreign direct investments were still considerably low compared to previous years.

Power was relatively stable during the quarter, which partly accounted for the increase in labour productivity but was still lower than the required levels, the NBS said.

Although there was a contraction in the economy in Q4 in real terms, which was accompanied by an increase in the unemployment rate, the growth in labour productivity implies a gradual increase in labour efficiency employed in the economy, the third consecutive quarterly rise.

Labour productivity refers to the quantity of labour input required to produce a unit of output, although it is recognised that labour is not the only input utilised in the production process.

High labour productivity can be an important signal of the improvement in real incomes (wages of labour). It also has implications for the conduct of both monetary and fiscal policies.

It is recognised that labour productivity is not necessarily an indicator of the effort of each worker, but it still provides a useful measure of the rewards to labour as a factor in the production process.

Minister Defends Inclusion of Eastern Corridor Rail Line in External Borrowing Plan KasimSumaina ÓØ ÌßÔË The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi ChibuikeAmaechi, yesterday defended the inclusion of the eastern corridor rail line in the 2016/2018 external borrowing (ROLLING) plan of the federal government rail project before the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.

Amaechi, while briefing the Chairman,SenateCommitteeonLocal and Foreign Debts, Sen. Shehu Sani, at the National Assembly, Abuja, noted that the present administration was only implementing contracts awarded by past Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, forrailwaymodernisationinthecountry.

According to him, “Prior to the resolution of the Senate, this administration had taken steps to incorporate the eastern corridor and indeed the North-east corridor that was not provided for by the previous administration in 2006 and 2014 rail projects development.”

He explained that the situation necessitated the sourcing of financial option to which the Federal Ministry

of Finance has been directed by the president to take appropriate action.

The minister said: “The coastal rail line already has its route alignment passing through Aba in Abia State and Onitsha in Anambra State, both of which are in the South-east geopolitical zone.

“These projects for which the approvalof the NationalAssembly of $5,214,914,368.33 co-financed by China Eximbankwereneitherconceivednor approvedbyPresidentMuhammadu Buhari’s administration, rather, this administration pursued the projects vigorously in view of their importance to the development of the socioeconomic lives of the citizenry.

Amaechi stated that it was in realisation of this, “the administration, in order to meet rail transport needs across all the geopolitical zones of the country, is seeking the approval of $5.8 billion from the Senate for the accommodation of the projects in the South-east and the initiation of same in the North-east geopolitical zones of the country.

for Igbos to vacate the Northern region by October 1, this year.

PANDEF said emphatically that its call, being a patriotic one, is to save the country from unnecessary disintegration.

The Pa. Edwin Clark led PANDEF maintained in a statement signed by Dr. Alfred Mulade, member, Central Working Committee(CWC) that the call by the Arewa youhts must be nipped in the bud and that the Federal Government should arrest, detain and prosecute them for treasonable felony.

“PANDEF insists that this call by Arewa yourhs, must be nipped in the bud and the

Federal Government should, as in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, arrest, detain and prosecute them for treasonable felony, with immediate effect. In this matter of threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria, there must be no sacred cows.

“Whilst we do not support Nnamdi Kanu and the various seccessionist organisations in the South-east, for reviving the call for Biafra; and whilst we have to restate that the South-south is not part of the said Biafra, we take the view that this regrettably dangerous statement by the northern youths, is unwittingly lending profound support to demands of the Biafra agitators

which is totally unacceptable to every patriotic Nigerian and a violation of the constitution” it said.

PANDEF considered the statement by Arewa youths as tragic and more treasonable than the offence allegedly committed

by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB for which he was held for about a year adding “not only that in this statement, a potent threat to the corporate unity of the country, but in our view, appears the most dangerous statement ever made by any group to the unity and existence of Nigeria since the end of the civil war.

“We must not forget how

we came into the civil war that lasted 30 months and the avoidable calamities it wrought on our country. 50 years thereafter, now things have changed a great deal, loyalties and commitments should be total of all Nigerians to a Nigeria where all will be free to stay in any part of the country” it added.

PANDEF said further “this statement by the Arewa youths which strikes at the very roots of Nigeria, we believe, is indeed, an attempt to divide and break up the country, whose unity is guarranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

WE ARE TOGETHER...

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State sharing a joke with former PDP governorship aspirant, Goddy Jedy-Agba at a recent function in Abuja

Shorefac, Navy Partnership Worry Security Sector House C’ttee under pressure over investigation Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË There are indications that the proposed partnership between Shorefac Consortium Limited and the Nigerian Navy which would result in the commercialisation of the Maritime Services Department of the Navy is causing worry due to its potential to undermine national security.

On February 21,2017, the multinational made a proposal of a business model to the Ministry Defence to deliver 100 fast boats to the Navy along with an offer of maintenance.

The proposal would be at no cost to the federal government, but to recoup its investment, the company would become a commercial partner to the Navy, which would be expected to provide security services at a cost to international oil companies (IOC) and other owners and operators of offshore assets.

The major worry, sources told THISDAY, is that engaging a consortium with such strong international affiliations to partner a key arm of the nation’s armed forces can cause undue exposure of the country to

foreign interference.

The potential to undermine national security recently caused the House of Representatives to mandate its Committees on Navy and Defence to thoroughly examine the business proposal.

The matter was brought before the House on March 28, 2017,

by Hon. Johnson Agbonyinma in a motion titled: ‘Need to Stop the Commercialisation of the Nigerian Navy by Shorefac

Consortium Limited and others for the Purpose of Crude Oil and Liquefied Natural Gas Diversion to Global Destinations which Undermine Nigeria’s National Security’.

Agbonyinma had noted that the proposed venture may be part of a plot to indulge in the illegal diversion of Nigeria’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas to other destinations while using the Nigeria Navy as a

legitimate front.

“Concerned that commercialisation of any sector of the armed forces would bring about profiteering that is devoid of allegiance to national causes, and ultimately erode the core military values of order and discipline as personnel would begin to compete to be part of the lucrative commercial business,” the lawmaker had argued.

Nigeria to Export Certified Yams to UK, US OlawaleAjimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË Thefederalgovernmentissettoachieve amilestoneintheefforttorestoreNigeria intotheagro-commoditiesexportmarket by exporting its first consignment of certified yams to the United Kingdom and the United States on June 29.

The feat is government’s deliberate attempt to rebound into the export market after several decades of lost grounds arising from poor quality control and subsequent rejection of its agricultural exports.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh disclosed yesterday that government had instituted a number of initiatives and interventions that would enable

this happen.

He noted that the Presidential Committeeon‘EaseofDoingBusiness’ wouldcomplementthisarrangementby dedicating ports solely for agro exports and reinforce checks on the quality of produce from the country for foreign exchange earnings.

TheministryhasengagedtheNigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to maximise the utility of facilities at the Ikorodu terminal for that purpose.

OgbehsaidtheNigerianAgricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) has been empoweredtomakeitmoreresponsive to issues of safety and phytosanitary standards in food exports, so that its reports will be acceptable globally.

Accordingtohim,thiswouldforestall

the national embarrassments arising from the rejection of food exports on account of quality deficiency.

Government has also set up a standing committee backed by the UnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopment Organisation (UNIDO) and consisting of membershipfromcriticalandrelevant agencies of the federal government.

The agencies are NPA, Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Agency for Food and Drug AdministrationandControl(NAFDAC), StandardsOrganisationofNigeria(SON), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC),CentralBankofNigeria(CBN), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), among others.

52

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Again, Oando Clarifies Involvement in Port Harcourt Refinery, Says Its Not Buying Plant FG shops for $1.2bn to revamp refineries Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË The Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu, appeared before the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources yesterday, to correct allegations regarding Oando’s supposed role in the privatisation of the Port Harcourt refinery.

“As indicated in the rejoinder statement we published, I must explicitly state that no mandate for the concession, sale, equity transfer or privatiSation of the Port Harcourt refinery or any of the nation’s refineries has been signed with Oando. As a crude exporter and supplier of refined products to the country, it is intuitive and patriotic for us to be interested in the refurbishment and upgrade of the refineries.

“Our proposed participation as a local partner in this effort is an opportunity to drive the country forward and accelerate the process to see product security realised in this dispensation. We share the vision of the Nigerian Government

to become a petroleum product self-sufficient country in the short to medium term, and ultimately be a net exporter. The Port Harcourt refinery remains a national asset, under the full control of the NNPC as far as we are aware,” Tinubu said in a statement to the Committee Chairman Senator Kabir Garba Marafa of Zamfara state.

Nigeria’s refineries have continued to lie in a perpetual state of disrepair and encounter capacity utilisation challenges due to sporadic crude supply, lack of funding, challenged maintenance execution, and bureaucracy.

Also, the Federal Government said it would need about $1.2 billion to repair and bring the three refineries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, up to 100 per cent production level.

It said that in this regard, it was looking for financiers to take this up and not concessioning the refineries as previously reported.

The Senate initiated a hearing

following reports which indicated that the Port Harcourt refinery was due to be sold via a privatisation or concession exercise with Oando and Eni as the preferred consortium.

Initial findings from the Upper Legislative Chamber show that the NNPC is still at a preliminary stage of information gathering regarding the proposed refurbishmen. Aniebor Kragha’s, the NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, Refineries, indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive has always been a non-privatisation of the country’s refineries.

However, President Buhari has always supported the potential engagement of strategic investors with refining experience and funding capacity to collaborate with local players who understand

Nigeria’s downstream oil market to revamp the refineries.

In a bid to strengthen international relations, ENI (an Italian oil and gas company), committed to supporting the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries, specifically the Port Harcourt refinery in which it has a long history of technical involvement.

Earlier this year, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Chairman of the Board of the NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu met with ENI CEO, Claudio Descalzi, to discuss further cooperation between ENI and the Nigerian government within the energy sector.

The NNPC and ENI, through its local subsidiaries, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Nigerian Agip Exploration

(NAE), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote new activities which would significantly boost Nigeria’s social and economic development.

In the upstream sector, oil and gas production operations would increase with an increased focus on development and exploration activities in the onshore, offshore and Ultra Deep Water operated areas. The parties also agreed to explore a potential collaboration on refined product security via technical services for the rehabilitation and enhancement of Port Harcourt refinery, while power generation and access to energy would be further enhanced by doubling the power generation capacity in Okpai IPP through the fast track development of its Phase II, making it one of the largest

combined cycle power plants in Africa.

The MoU also set the basis for the assessment of the electricity national grid reliability alongside efficient renewable energy projects, to secure energy accessibility in Nigeria’s most remote areas.

ENI/NAOC’s decision to partner with Oando to explore technical and funding options to support the government’s refinery rehabilitation efforts is understandable taking into consideration the long standing working relationship going as far back as 2002 when Oando acquired acquired ENI’s downstream business in Nigeria (Agip Nigeria Plc) and more

Cont’d on Pg 53

Morocco’s Admission in ECOWAS is Anti-Nigeria, Akinyemi Warns Former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, yesterday said that the admission of Morocco into ECOWAS was meant to whittle down Nigeria’s influence in the sub-regional body, and by extension, the world.

Akinyemi also said that the recent admission of Morocco into the regional organisation, was an anti-Nigeria move.

“Having failed to find any rational benefit to ECOWAS by expanding membership to Morocco, I can only conclude that the move is to whittle down Nigeria’s influence in ECOWAS. “And by extension, in the world, as Nigeria’s status as a regional power is facilitated by its role in ECOWAS. “Nigeria has only one option.

Let the West African Heads of State and Presidents drop this whole issue of expansion to the

Mediterranean.

“Or Nigeria should serve notice that it would terminate, not suspend, but terminate her membership of ECOWAS,’’ he said.

According to him, this issue is the biggest challenge to Nigeria’s foreign policy since the civil war.

Akinyemi noted that Morocco’s admission into ECOWAS would now make her benefit from the Arab League quota, as well as from the West African quota.

“The United Nations, African Union and all international institutions now use the concept of regionalism in the distribution of both appointive and elective posts.

“ECOWAS cannot unilaterally expand the boundary of West Africa to the Mediterranean,’’ he stressed.

US Scholar: How Nigeria Can Achieve Structural Reforms OnyebuchiEzigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË As the search for the best way to address the shortcomings of the country’s federal structure continues, a colloquium moderated by a world renowned United States scholar, Prof.

Richard Joseph has said that country must adopt a different approach if it hopes to resolve the contending issues.

Prof. Joseph said that the first thing he feels has been contentious was the use of the word, ‘ restructuring’ which according to him sparks off undue anxiety when it is used.

He said that rather than continue to talk about restructuring, it would better and more receptive if leaders focus on reformswhereprogresscanberecorded on the issues on incremental basis.

“IamsimplysayingthatNigeriahas had a number of meetings over time

including the 2014 National conference which brought people together and it is now time to really find out what is the appropriate format because you don’t want to be repeating what you have done before.

“Soyoumustdecidehowtophrase it so that you don’t cause unnecessary anxiety or bring up something no one would want to have a conversation on. The second one I think is that you should consider what is the appropriate format and approach,” he said.

The forum put together by Nextier Capital with assistance from the US embassy in Abuja had as its topic, “Discussion on Nigeria’s Future Development Agenda, Fostering growth and positive change through dialogue.

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Aliko Dangote; Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; Chairman, Senate Committee on Agric, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, at the MoU signing ceremony between Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Nasarawa State Government on Tunga Sugar Project in Nasarawa State, at Abuja ... yesterday

Dangote, Nasarawa State Sign MoU on Sugar Refinery, Plantation Partners Oyo govt in N9bn rice production, to establish farm in Kogi Jonathan Eze ÓØ ËÑÙݘ Ademola Babalola ÓØ ÌËÎËØ ËØÎ Yekini Jimoh ÓØ ÙÕÙÔË Nigeria’s dream of becoming self-sufficient in sugar production is soon to be realised, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between Dangote Sugar Group, and the Nasarawa state Government, in an epoch making venture for a $700m sugar project that is unprecedented in the history of the country.

Also in Ibadan, the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that over 10,000 farmers will benefit from Oyo State Government/Dangote Group N9bn rice production partnership.

The Group has also declared its intention to establish the largest farm in Kogi State. The President of the group, Aliko Dangote made

the pronouncement yesterday in Lokoja during a courtesy visit on the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The signing ceremony of the deed of acquisition, lease and development agreement took place at the National Sugar Development Council, Sugar House, Abuja, Thursday.

President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the integrated sugar complex to be located in Tunga, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, comprises 60,000ha sugar plantation and two sugar factories with capacity to produce 430,000tpa of refined white sugar representing about 30% of the country’s consumption and would be the largest plant in Nigeria.

The sugar project would also provide 30,000 jobs for teaming youths in Nasarawa state.

The richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote said the Phase II of the project, when extended to cover 100,000ha will make the sugar plant, the largest in Africa.

Dangote Group has already committed the sum of N250m for community development of Tunga in line with its corporate social responsibility initiative to improve the people’s well-being.

He said the project is to further align Dangote Group with the present government’s policy of diversifying the economy, by a renewed focus on the non-oil sectors like manufacturing, agriculture and solid minerals, where the group is already well-positioned and is a leader.

“Agriculture is a key sector in the industrialisation of any nation, therefore, Dangote Group in support of the Federal Government transformation agenda in agriculture developed

a sugar backward integration project plan targeted at the production of 1.5MT/PA from various sites across Nigeria, in 10 years.

“We are acquiring about 150,000 hectares for sugar plantation in Adamawa, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Niger states.

“However, we intend only to concentrate on Adamawa, Taraba and Nasarawa states in the phase I of the sugar project with a target to produce about 1.08m tons of white sugar in the next five years”.

Aside the over 100,000 employment opportunities that will be generated from the sugar plantations in addition to job creation, sugar sufficiency and the extended values chain, the group will establish integrated sugar mills, generate electricity, produce animal feeds amongst others.

53

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA AGAIN, OANDO CLARIFIES INVOLVEMENT IN PORT HARCOURT REFINERY recently via upstream and DSDP Joint Venture (JV) contracts.

At the Senate hearing, the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Mineral Affairs,Dr.IbeKachikwucommended Oando’s willingness to participate in the rehabilitation process saying “We are very grateful for any company or companies that has shown an interest in the refinery rehabilitation efforts.”

With the refinery privatisation scheme proven untrue, the Senate has been widely applauded for its oversight of the NNPC, reinforcing the long-running mandate of the Buhari administration regarding transparency and accountability by all arms of Government and within the private sector. The hearing is also testamenttotheFederalGovernment’s effortstoimplementpertinentandactive

reforms to develop a more stable and enabling oil and gas landscape withinthedownstreamsectortotackle capital flight, negatively impacting jobs, infrastructure growth, public service provision, and ultimately the country’s GDP. “We acknowledge that Oando was quoted out of context and we hope that they understand that this committee was set up as a matter of oversight and in the interest of Nigerians because we represent Nigerians. When the time comes, we will instruct the NNPC to carry out this rehabilitation process in the most transparent manner. We advise Oando as a responsible company and good corporate citizen to guard its future statements in public, but applaud the fact that the minute they were misquoted by the media,

they put out a statement to correct the facts,” said Senator Kabir Garba Marfa, the Chairman of the Joint Committee.

The crude processing nameplate capacity for the nation’s refineries stands at Port Harcourt - 210,000 bpd, Kaduna - 110,000bpd, and Warri - 125,000 bpd. However, all three refineries supply a fraction circa 19% (2,009kt) of the nation’s Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) requirement (10,800kt) on an annual basis. This equates to an import burden on the Federal Government in excess of $7bn annually and annual export refining margins of ~$768m.

A long-winded privatisation exercise under the auspices of the Bureau of Private Enterprises (BPE) was held from 2003-2007 for the Port Harcourt refinery with Blue Star Oil

ServicesLimitedemergingthepreferred bidder with a successful bid of $561 million. Almost immediately Blue Star opted out of the investment, and was fully refunded by the Nigerian Government. The premise for refinery privatisation was subsequently shelved.

In light of the current financial and technical deficiencies of the NNPC and avid interest from private companies to spur the sector, the current administration publicly called on private partners, local and international, to support the reformation program and get the refineries back up and running to full capacity.

This reinforced a commitment made by President Buhari and Kragha in March 2017 proposing a new approach to the rehabilitation

of the refineries via private-public partnerships (PPPs).

Via its midstream vehicle, Oando Gas & Power, Oando has often taken up the mantle of supporting the government in economic advancement through PPPs. Its first mover role in the gas sector has seen the development of almost 300km of pipeline infrastructure in the South-West and South-East regions of the country, providing innovative energy solutions to key industrial hubs and over 23 million people.

ENI/NAOC has substantial expertise and local knowledge as a refiner of international standing, and has successfully built and run five refineries in Italy and Germany. The company built the the Sannazzaro refinery, similar in complexity to PHC refinery with a capacity of 200kbbl/d,

and owns the proprietary technology that delivers Europe’s most efficient refinery. Eni also produces 4 million boepd, a stark contrast to Nigeria’s estimated 2 million boepd.

“As a company, we have always consistently worked together with the Government in creating solutions for theoilandgasindustryandthecountry at large. We are not new to working hand-in-hand with the Government in creating infrastructure to be able to utilise a common carrier for the entire industry to benefit from.

What has been agreed upon at this stage is the opportunity to try and establish a framework for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery, which will then go through appropriate regulatory approvals, where necessary,” Tinubu said.

Northerners to remain restrained in the face of any provocation from any quarter and to debate intelligently.

“We assure them that we shall be firm and resolute in honestly and painstakingly pursuing what we all know is a noble and just cause without hurting anyone.

“We have taken time to analyse the reactions that trailed our declaration, and were nauseated by the comments of some disgruntled Northern political power mongers.

“We are particularly disappointed by the treacherous positions assumed by Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai and Kashim Shettima who in pursuit of their blind ambitions for the vice-presidency, chose to side with the secessionist Igbos against the interest of peace-loving Nigerians.

“El-Rufai and Shettima are openly known to be waiting in the wings for Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari to die so they can further their plots to seek the presidency.

“It appears that characters like el-Rufai have no limit on how low they can fall in their inordinate desire to achieve their long held dream of power grab at the expense of the peace, well-being and the stability of our country.

“We would like to assure el-Rufai and his ilk that we shall continue to expose their recalcitrant treachery and opportunistic proclivities. We also assure them that the drive for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria in which the Igbos are not partners, will continue unabated.

“Similarly, we are irked by the hordes of lies and misleading innuendos issued by Kashim Shettima, ostensibly on behalf of 19 Northern governors in which

he referred to us as faceless and violent.

“By our antecedents and track record, no politician or leader of honourable pedigree and impeccable character will associate us with such fabrications and this goes to prove that Shettima has disconnected from reality as he gets intoxicated by immoral wealth and property acquisition at the expense of people of the state suffering the devastation of Boko Haram.

“We urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency, to initiate the process for a peaceful referendum to allow the Igbo to go. LET THEM GO.”

AREWA YOUTHS’ THREAT: POLICE TIGHTEN SECURITY NATIONWIDE, IG ORDERS ARRESTS nearest police station.

He said: “As a result, the Force is calling on Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, to desist forthwith from the ultimatum and any further act that can precipitate tension and cause a breach of the peace anywhere in the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring the activities of these groups and will apply full weight of the law on any violator of the law or anyone who attempts to molest, mistreat, panic and cause fear in the mind of any other Nigerian anywhere in the country.

“The Force wishes to advise traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their subjects, adherents, children and wards not to allow themselves to be used by any group(s) to cause a disturbance of the public peace and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians anywhere in the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to respect the diversity of the people and ensure that the rule of law prevails everywhere in the country.”

Also, the IG ordered the CP in Kaduna State to investigate and arrest members of the Arewa youth coalition for issuing ultimatum to Igbos to leave the North, in compliance with the directive of the state governor.

Speaking to journalists and

the CPs present before the closed door meeting with the senior police officers, Idris said that no individual or group of persons had the right to ask any individual to leave his or her place of residence in any part of the country.

He ordered other state CPs in the North and AIGs in the various zonal commands to do same.

“As Commissioners of Police and Assistant Inspectors General of Police, we have the responsibility to stop this group of persons from carrying out their threats.

“I want us to be at alert to ensure that such persons or group are stopped at all cost from carrying out their threats.

“No individual has the authority to stop anybody from looking for his daily bread,” he said.

He explained that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live in any part of the country he or she chooses.

Arewa Youths Adamant

Remain

But the threat of their arrest and the condemnation did not seem to dissuade the Northern youth groups from their position yesterday, as the coalition insisted that Northern Nigeria would not be part of a federation that includes the Igbos.

In a statement after its meeting in Kaduna, the group also called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency initiate the process for a peaceful referendum

to allow the Igbo to go.

The statement signed on behalf of the youth groups by Abdulazeez Suleiman, however, said the coalition had never called for violence or war against the Igbos, adding that the group’s statement on Tuesday was distorted.

The coalition maintained: “Some elements have for reasons best known to them, mischievously distorted the intent of our original script by alluding such words as ‘violence’, ‘threat’, ‘war’ and ‘mass action’ to it.

“We find this mischievous because as cultured thorough bred Northerners, we have never anywhere and at any time, under whatever circumstances, called anybody to violence as a means of conflict resolution.”

The group also lashed out at el-Rufai and the Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF), who is also the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, for taking sides with the Igbos because of “selfish political ambitions.”

The coalition said: “In strict observance of that tradition, we never employ violence as a means of pursuing our interest, and at every opportunity, we opt for peaceful engagements and implore people to eschew violence in all its ramifications.

“This informs why a majority of discerning Nigerians, not necessarily Northerners alone, understood and identified with our express call for the Biafrans to be allowed to actualise their long-held secessionist aspiration.

“We restate that we have never

called anybody to violence and that people should discountenance the elements of fear and threat introduced by the distortions of merchants of mischief.

“We wholeheartedly endorse the moves made variously by our leaders to allay those fears and urge people to be peaceful and law-abiding while at the same time resolutely insisting on having the right thing done by allowing the Igbos to have and move to their dream country in accordance with the universal fundamental right to self-determination.

“We restate our determination and commitment to ensuring that the North will never partake in any contrived arrangement that would still have the Biafran Igbo as a component.

“We reiterate our call on Nigerian authorities and recognised international bodies such as the ECOWAS, AU and UN to hasten the initiation of the process for the final actualisation of the Biafran nation and with it the excision of the Igbo out of the present federation.

“Despite the minor distortions that caused some measure of anxiety, we make bold to say that the cheerful responses to our position which flowed through the internet and by way of personal telephone conversations nationally and universally has resonated that peace-loving Nigerians who have been tormented and menaced by the irredentist proclivities of the Igbos are overwhelmingly desirous to put an end to it.

“As we acknowledge this outpouring of patriotic support across the nation, we implore people, particularly our cultured

S’East Govs Call for Calm However, the South-east Governors’ Forum, in its first official reaction to the ultimatum by the Northern youth coalition, called on all Igbo sons and daughters resident in Northern Nigeria to go about their lawful engagements without fear of intimidation, hindrance or molestation.

In a statement in Abakaliki yesterday, the Chairman of the forum, who is also Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. David Umahi, further called on all serious-minded patriots, particularly the religious leadership in Northern Nigeria, the leadership of other sociocultural groups, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and all the service branches, to rise up with voices of peace and wisdom to counteract the quit order issued to Ndigbo by the Northern youths.

SHAKA MOMODU

BACK PAGE – THIS REPUBLIC FASHOLA’S GRAND FAILURE for one more proof why the economy fell into recession, look no further.

Did members of the council need maps and surveys to understand the fierce urgency to fix that road - the international gateway into Nigeria? If yes, then shame on them all.

The question for Fashola is who in the federal executive council doesn’t know that the Lagos Oshodi/Airport road is a disgrace to Nigeria? Who in that council hasn’t passed through that road and let out a sigh of disappointment when returning from abroad at the state of the road? Maybe, the honourable minister has not.

Now that acting President Yemi Osinbajo has by executive order granted Lagos State permission to fix the road without Fashola’s drama, or strict adherence to “debate and vote” by council members, will it diminish or enhance the way government works? Did the acting president even review the maps and surveys before granting Lagos permission to reconstruct the road which had been awaiting debate and voting for months? Why didn’t the minister just write a recommendation to the president, with justification, seeking expeditious approval of the request by the Lagos State

government? Would that not have been a more pragmatic approach?

What if the voting had taken place and gone against the request, does it mean the road would have been left in the same state of disrepair? Or perhaps, a narrower form of it which Fashola’s ministry had proposed would have been built? Who loses in such a scenario? Is it not ironic that under Fashola, access roads to two critical premier infrastructure - the international airport, Ikeja and Apapa and Tin Can ports - that investors need to do business are in an unpardonable state?

In the conundrum of what

these people say and what they do, or lack of it, I probably may have lost my sanity to this season of anomie where one can hardly distinguish between facts and fiction, truths and falsehoods, realities and propaganda. In many great cities around the world, bridges and flyovers form the architectural allure that give urban landscapes character and form. With advancement in engineering possibilities and innovation in technology, designs have become more spectacular and ever more daring and aesthetically beautiful - a testament to a city’s progress. They have become the cynosure of all eyes.

They receive regular checks and top-notch maintenance to keep them structurally fit and safe for vehicular traffic.

But here, the managers of our cities lack the maintenance culture. It is absolutely vexatious for our leaders to utter patriotic urgings to citizens of this country when they can’t fix such ordinary basic infrastructure as roads. Their appeal for understanding in the face of failure has become a constant irritation to us.

Many of us are even struggling to understand the motivation that drives our public officials, and what they mean when they exhort us to be

patriotic and make sacrifices for the betterment of the collective.

These officials of state usually regale the world at conferences - local and foreign - with tales of how opportunities abound here and the certainty of huge return on investments. They promise all sorts of enabling infrastructure to further the Ease of Doing Business for investors to risk their capital. It has become such a boring routine only meant for the cameras. Let me send them a message if they claim not to know: No one takes them seriously anymore because nothing ever happens after the applause at the end of their posturing.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Appeal Court to Deliver Judgment on Edo Guber Poll Today Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ ÓÞã Appeal Court in Benin City, will today deliver judgment on the appeal filed by the

governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu against the ruling of the Edo state governorship election

FG to Address Extrajudicial Executions The federal government has expressed commitment to addressing all forms of extrajudicial executions, irrespective of gender, race, religion and colour.

The Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Amb. Olusola Enikanolaye, said at UN Human Rights council 35th regular session on Wednesday in Geneva..

According to a report by the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Dr Clement Aduku, quoted the Permanent Secretary as saying said that the country always condemned such act and remained resolutely committed to taking every necessary measure to address any challenge in this regard.

He said Nigeria would also recognise the need for continuous training of the police and security forces, including capacity-building to enhance their duty of care and protection.

“Where they seldom occur, the Nigerian government is committed to full investigations and where necessary, prosecution of perpetrators so as to serve as deterrence to others.

“This serves as good example, among many initiatives, put in place by the Nigerian government.

“We, therefore, call upon

state governments to put necessary mechanisms in place to uphold the right to life and prevent impunity by police and other security agents.”

Enikanolaye said the delegation took note of the report by the Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Executions on the right to life.

“We share the view of the Special Rapporteur that arbitrary deprivation of life is bound to result from systemic discrimination.

“This condition needs to be improved to enable all people to enjoy equal rights to life.

“Similarly, deprivation of basic conditions that guarantee life, such as access to essential health care, could be considered a violation of the right to life.

“The Nigerian Constitution upholds every person’s right to life.”

According to him, Nigeria remains committed to taking further steps to ensure that the key elements of gendersensitive perspective identified by the Special Rapporteur is properly addressed.

He added that the national disposition was with the view to strengthening comprehensive application of critical norms and standards related to the right to life, in accordance with national laws and international obligations.

Airtel Builds Multimillion Naira, Ultra-Modern Apartment for Fire Victims Sunday Okobi Nigerian telecommunications services provider, Airtel, has built and donated a multimillion naira, ultra-modern twobedroom apartment to victims of a devastating inferno, the Aina family, in fulfillment of its pledge to the beneficiary in the just concluded Airtel Touching Lives Season 3.

Aina family, one of the several grantees who appeared in the philanthropy series, had been struck by severe challenges of life, losing four children in the fire accident that also consumed their building as well as all their material possessions.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, led a team of Airtel executives, comprising the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Emeka Oparah, to inaugurate and hand-over the well-finished apartment to the Aina family, yesterday in Magboro, Ogun State.

Speaking during the brief ceremony, Ogunsanya expressed heartfelt condolences to Mr. and Mrs. Aina over the loss of their children while commending them for demonstrating courage, resilience, and hope amid overwhelming challenges.

According to him, “While we can do little about the past, there is so much we can do about the present and our future.

And that is why we decided to step in to help this good family to rebuild their future.

I must say the future of the Aina’s family is very bright, and I encourage everyone to walk with them in getting the best out of the future.”

The Airtel boss also stated that the telecoms company is committed to empowering the underprivileged to realize their dreams, noting that through the Airtel Touching Lives platform, Airtel has directly impacted hundreds of people and households just as it has positively impacted the lives of many Nigerians.

petition tribunal, which upheld the election of governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Justice Ahmed Badamasi, led Election Petition Tribunal had on Friday, April 14, 2017, upheld the election of Governor Obaseki of the APC, who was declared winner of the September 28, 2016 governorship election in Edo state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

THISDAY gathered that the

five man appeal panel led by Justice M.B Dongban-Mensem, had communicated to counsels to the parties that judgment on the matter will be delivered today.

Ize-Iyamu had through his Counsels led by Yusuf Ali (SAN), appealed the judgment, asking the appellate court to rely and use the evidence of the first appellant as recorded by Justice Gilbert Ngele (Member 1) of the lower Tribunal instead of that of the Tribunal’s chairman,

Justice Ahmed Badamasi.

He also sought an order deeming the record of his evidence by Justice Ngele, made onJanuary 30, as the correct record of his evidence-in-chief at the lower court, therefore raised five grounds for the application including that the Tribunal’s record compiled and transmitted to the appellate court contained an incorrect rendition of IzeIyamu’s evidence by Justice Badamasi, the appellant prayed for a leave of court to correct

the said record of appeal and use the supplementary record of appeal they transmitted to the court.

Counsels to both parties argued their briefs on Tuesday May 30, 2017 where Obaseki’s counsels led by Wole Olanipekun urged the court to dismiss the appeal, saying the grounds of appeal were watery, adding that the crux of the petition, which was alleged noncompliance, was abandoned at the trial by the appellants.

NOTHING TO HIDE

L-R: Director Procurement, Shehu Mohammed; MD, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria; Ministerof Land Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Sabiu Zakari during an interactive session between the Minister and Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on the omission of South East in the proposed Railway project to be executed with a loan from China Exim Bank by the Executive yesterday in Abuja.

CAN Asks 36 State Assemblies to Pass Legislations against Open Grazing Christopher Isiguzo ÓØ ØßÑß The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday in Enugu asked the 36 states Houses of Assembly to initiate strong and effective legislation against roaming of livestocks and open grazing to forestall the continuous killings by suspected herdsmen in various part of the country.

The CAN President, Dr. Sampson Olasupo Ayokunle made this call when he led other officials to donate relief materials including bags of rice and beans as well as cheque of undisclosed amounts to victims of suspected herdsmen attack in the state.

Beneficiaries of the gesture included the 13 women whose husbands were killed during the herdsmen attack in April 2016 at Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

Others are the leadership of Christ Holy Church of Nigeria and Catholic Church in Nimbo as well as the victims in Attakwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

Ayokunle said the legislation should not be

seen as hatred against a Nobody should on the basis particular group or interest of any purported provocation of anyone but should be for destroy the lives of others. the respect “we have for No Nigerian deserves to die human soul and for us to pre-maturely especially when do things henceforth more you are in your backyards and decently and in order as done they come to the backyards and continue to kill them and in other parts of the world.

“We are saying these things that is a crime anywhere in because of the value Christian the world.

“I believe that a strong Association of Nigeria attaches to the lives of human beings. legislation can prevent that,

especially indiscriminate roaming and grazing everywhere in this country should stop henceforth.

Nigeria has gone beyond that level; there are other countries of the world where livestock’s keeping and animal rearing like, Austria and elsewhere in the West, they do not allow indiscriminate roaming of any herdsmen.

FIRS Introduces Six Revolutionary Online Tax Solutions The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced six key electronic solutions (e-Services) to enhance convenience, transparency and round the clock processing and payment of taxes.

Some of the e-Services, which could now be accessed online, are taxpayer registration (through e-Registration); payment of Stamp Duties (through e-Stamp Duty); payment of taxes (through online payment: e-TaxPay, Remita); receiving of electronic receipt after payment of taxes (through e-Receipt); filing tax returns online (through e-filing) and online Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) through electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (e-TCC solution).

The Executive Chairman,

Tunde Fowler, who stated this in Abuja, said the e-Services innovation represent “a revolution in tax administration in Nigeria”.

According to him the introduction of the new solutions is one of the key steps to make FIRS services convenient, easy and available everywhere and at all times.

“It is a revolution in tax administration that combines innovation, convenience and transparency”, the FIRS Chairman said.

“The idea behind the six ICT solutions is to make tax payment as easy as ABC, to bring convenience to our taxpayers. The ICT solutions which we are bringing to the doorsteps of taxpayers will ensure that taxpayers could pay,

get receipt, and get TCC, from the comfort of their homes and offices anytime, anywhere in the world and round the clock. This saves the time of taxpayers, is transparent, fast, easy to use and convenient,” Fowler said.

According to him, the implication of e-Receipt, for example, is that when tax payments are made, an electronic notification will be automatically sent to the taxpayer’s email and or phone number within 24 hours after payment.

He said “If for any reason a taxpayer loses the print out, they can access FIRS e-Receipt platform by logging into the FIRS website and download their receipt. This process eliminates manual interventions.”

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017

55

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

A F C O N 2 0 1 9 Q UA L I F I E R

Rohr Says Eagles Not Under Pressure as S’Africa Storms Uyo Baxter: Bafana Bafana not intimidated by Nigeria’s stars Okon Bassey in Uyo Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has admitted missing key Nigerian star players like John Mikel Obi, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, Victor Moses and dependable defender, Leon Balogun ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash with South Africa on Saturday. They are all nursing one form of injury to the other.

Speaking at a media parley at the Ibom Le-Meridien and Golf Resort in Uyo yesterday, the Franco-German gaffer however stressed that he had no choice but adapt to the situation by bringing younger players into the Eagles.

Rohr: “We are without some of our important players in the team.

We miss our captain, John Mikel Obi who is injured. We miss our goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme who is injured as well. We will miss a very important defender, Leon Balogun who is not here, so we have to reconstruct the team to beat South Africa.

“It will not be easy to beat them (Bafana Bafana). It is very difficult for me to name my starting 11 from the 24 players in camp because everyone is fit,” observed Rohr while fielding questions on the preparation of the Eagles for the game.

Despite the setback caused by the absence of Mikel and others, Rohr flanked by some of his players insisted he’s not under any pressure.

“Nobody is telling me how to do my work; I work independently with my assistants. There is no pressure on me to field any players.

“We have good players from Nigeria in this team, I have some fine players. We have good players who can play well for this country.

No pressure on me, the team is open to all good Nigerian players,” Rohr stressed.

While also fielding questions from reporters, Super Eagles interim Captain, Ogenyi Onazi, said the objective of the team in Uyo is to win the game and subsequent ones and qualify Nigeria for AFCON 2019 in Cameroon as well as the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

He said: “We want to do our own and make sure we win the match on Saturday. Definitely we need the prayers of all Nigerians.

We just want to let them know that it is not going to be easy.

“We need your support; you should come out and support us to make sure we get the three points on Saturday,” stressed the Turkey based player.

Also speaking, an Akwa United FC player, Alhassan Ibrahim, who is one of the home- based players in the team, said that he was excited selected for the national team.

Ibrahim said that it was an honour for him to be selected to feature for Nigeria at the national level out of the three players invited by the coach.

He noted with pleasure the cooperation he enjoyed from the experienced senior players since he joined Eagles training camp in Corsica and Paris.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana of South Africa and their technical crew arrived Uyo yesterday with their Head Coach, Stuart Baxter, warning that his wards are not intimidated

by Super Eagles profile in Europe.

Baxter, the players and crew who checked into the Ibom Le-Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort at about 2.07 pm yesterday afternoon said the South African national team players are unfazed by the status of clubs where most of the Super Eagles ply their trades.

According to him, playing as a unit remains more important to him than having individual star footballers stressing that, “We don’t have the big stars but we have a team. Every Africa nation faces the same problem but then the coaches try to balance the stars and others.

“We are not going to be defensive or careful because Nigeria has good players. We should not be intimidated by anybody. David had beaten Goliath but this is not a case of David and Goliath because there is no David and Goliath in this game.

“Nigeria is the favourite for this game but will South Africa be intimidated? No. Though the Super Eagles have more time to train but that is the way it is.

“We are confident in the way we are approaching the game at the moment but the players know what to do together the job done.

The players are hopeful ahead of the game but not intimidated,” Baxter emphasized.

Speaking on the effect of the weather on the team, Baxter who is making a return to the team after an eventful first stint said that though humid and warmer, his players have not complained about conditions as they are professionals.

“The weather is okay. South Africans can adapt to the weather.

It is warm and a bit humid. I am not used to it but the players are not complaining and they have told me to get used to it,” he concluded.

FIXTURES Group J: Niger v Swaziland Gr FRIDAY Group L: Tanzania v Lesotho, Cape Gr Group A: Sudan v Madagascar Verde v Uganda Ve Group E: Libya v Seychelles SUNDAY SU SATURDAY Group D: Benin v Gambia, Algeria Group A: Senegal v Equatorial Gr Togo vT Guinea Group F: Ghana v Ethiopia Group B: Malawi v Comoros, Gr Group G: Zimbabwe v Liberia Gr Cameroon v Morocco Group H: Central African Republic Group C: Burundi v South Sudan, Gr Rwanda vR Mali v Gabon Group J: Tunisia v Egypt Group E: Nigeria v South Africa Gr Group K: Zambia v Mozambique, Gr Group F: Sierra Leone v Kenya Guinea-Bissau v Namibia Group G: Democratic Republic of Gu Note: Hosts Cameroon, 12 group No Congo v Congo Brazzaville winners and three best runners-up Group H: Ivory Coast v Guinea wi after six match-days qualify for 2019 Group I: Botswana v Mauritania, aft tournament. tou Burkina Faso v Angola

South African players and officials on arrival at the Ibom Le-Meridien and Golf Resort in Uyo... yesterday

Onazi Versus Hlatshwayo: A Tale of Interim Captains Rival captains Ogenyi Onazi of Nigeria and Thulani Hlatshwayo of South Africa have set a fiery tone for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this weekend.

The Group E showdown in Uyo offers the South Africans another chance to beat their fierce rivals for the first time in an official match after six losses and three draws since 1992.

“We do not want to forget that South Africa partly contributed to us not going to the 2015 Cup of Nations,” said Onazi, standing in as skipper for unavailable John Mikel Obi. “This time, we must restore our pride and make sure we get the

three points off them on Saturday.

“Nigerians do not forgive losers easily and it is our responsibility to make the country proud whenever we are in action,” added the Turkey-based midfielder.

Hlatshwayo, a centre-back from South African champions Wits, was named captain this week by new England-born coach Stuart Baxter.

“It will be a baptism of fire as captain, but we have come close to beating them in our last two meetings and I think they are there for the taking this time.

“Although Nigeria are a proud and arrogant team, I believe we have now overcome that

psychological barrier of not having beaten them in an official match.

“This will be a grudge match.

We denied them a place at the 2015 Cup of Nations and they will be out for revenge, which might work to our advantage.”

Apart from being a bogey team for South Africa, an in-form squad, home advantage, longer preparations and several warm-up matches make Nigeria favourites.

But German coach Gernot Rohr cautioned against overoptimism ahead of the first-round fixture in a group completed by unpredictable Libya and outsiders the Seychelles.

“Our team is young and the

future looks bright, but there is still considerable work to do,” said the handler who has transformed the “Super Eagles”.

Inheriting a team that failed to qualify for the 2017 Cup of Nations, Rohr plotted World Cup victories over Zambia and Algeria to bring a 2018 finals place in Russia within sight.

Baxter begins a second stint in charge of “Bafana Bafana” (The Boys) in a confident mood despite the loss through injury of midfield enforcer Hlompho Kekana.

“We are capable of hurting Nigeria. We want to be a big nuisance to them -- to be their worst nightmare.”

Exciting European World Cup 2018 Qualifiers Live on StarTimes As Europe comes alive again this weekend in rounds of World Cup qualifying matches, StarTimes has concluded arrangement to beam live coverage of all the matches from the various centres across Europe to its subscribers.

Starting from today, Friday June 9 in Group H, Estonia will host Belgium while Bosnia and Herzegovina play at home to Greece.

In group B, Latvia will square it up with Portugal while Sweden tackles France and Netherlands

will meet Luxembourg in group A with all matches kick-starting at 7.45 pm.

Saturday June 10 qualifying matches will involve countries in Group F: Slovenia versus Malta and Scotland versus England.

Group C is Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland; while Group E will see action between Kazakhstan and Denmark all at 5:00 pm.

Also in Group E are Montenegro, Armenia; Poland and Romania at 7:45 pm on ST World Football.

Group F includes Lithuania and Slovakia at 7.45pm. In Group C are Norway versus Czech Republic; Germany playing San Marino at 7:45 pm on Sports Premium channel.

The qualifying matches continue on Sunday June 11 with matches in 11 centres. Finland in Group I takes on Ukraine; Kosovo takes on Turkey; Iceland versus Croatia Group D will feature Moldova against Georgia, Republic of Ireland versus Austria and Serbia versus Wales.

Others are FYR Macedonia vs

Spain; Italy vs. Liechtenstein all in Group G at 7:45 pm.

StarTimes has assured all that football viewers can enjoy the best, exciting and exclusive World Cup matches and other thrilling sporting actions on its ST World Football Channels 244 and 254.

Speaking on these coming World Cup matches, Acting Brands and Marketing Director, StarTimes, Mr. Qasim Elegbede, said StarTimes remains committed to delivering quality sporting contents to its subscribers.

NCAC Plans Cultural Golf Competition Jonathan Eze Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe has said plans are in top gear to ensure a groundbreaking cultural golf tournament is staged which promises to be the first of its kind in history.

He revealed this at the recently concluded women’s golf day held at the IBB International Golf Club, Abuja.

Runsewe told a vast array of women golfers who turned up

to mark the occasion promising to make the proposed cultural golf tourney a truly Nigerian cultural platform where all kits of the golfers shall be made in Nigeria.

He announced that, “Our fabric is our pride; we are going to make all the golfers dress in our local textile outfit during the tournament” He added, “My vision is that any culture approach we initiate should result in creation of jobs for Nigerians. Culture is all about sports and we need all these in

our upcoming events.”

Runsewe said he had done a research recently and discovered that, if Manchester united, Chelsea and Arsenal play today, they would not make one-third of the appearance fee of the renowned golfer, Tiger woods. He further stated that golf is the biggest network in the world going by the huge benefits it can bring to the economy of both the developed and the developing nations.

“It’s a game that ensures one’s body chemistry is actively alive when playing, worries are forgotten

on the course”. He enthused while thanking the organisers for taking the game to the next level saying but for the lady golfers, “what we are still enjoying here would have been difficult, that is why I never take your support for granted.”

As part of activities for the occasion, some beautifully made souvenirs were donated to support the event by the NCAC DG which included, ipad bags made in adire material, the customised pin crest of the council and some children school bags made of Nigerian fabrics as well.

Friday, June 9, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Onu to Nigerians “In the past 56 years, we have been dependent on foreign commodities.We have relied on massive imports, we have sacrificed jobs. But we now want to move our economy away from that direction into an innovation driven-economy” – Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu making a case for Nigerians to sacrifice and re-orientate themselves from the consumption of foreign goods to made in Nigeria products in order to conserve foreign exchange and stimulate the local economy.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

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Fashola’s Grand Failure

B

abatunde Fashola is a man after many people’s hearts. He is loved by many for his “performance” during his time as the governor of Lagos State. It is hard not to begrudge him for his incredible streak of luck in capturing the imagination and love of the people for his supposedly “good work”.

But he is also loathed by some critical and discerning minds for leaving a legacy of mismanagement, inflated contracts, misplaced priorities, and alleged abuse of office in using public money to feather his nest. He has been held to no account since he left office; instead he is celebrated by his supporters and his party as the wonder boy of his generation. In saner societies where accountability is taken seriously, he would have been made to account for his stewardship in Lagos.

Even his mentor, Bola Tinubu acknowledged recently that he was worried the huge debt Fashola left behind would hamstring his successor from delivering on his campaign promises. Such is Fashola’s legacy.

If I may ask, how many Nigerian public servants can boast of Fashola’s luck to be showered with such effusive love and affection after such incredible mismanagement of public resources? How many can boast of his eloquence - even when he is uttering lame and rubbish excuses for his poor performance, still manages to convince his devout supporters to excuse his grand failure? How many can boast of his diction, his self-assured righteous posture - just to gain acclaim from less discerning Nigerians? Not many. As a matter of fact, I know no one. He is one of those who got away by exploiting his gift of the gab, and has been busy assaulting our sensibilities with crimes allegedly committed by others.

Following the allocation of three critical portfolios, viz. Power, Works and Housing to him to head, he was rightly or wrongly described as the prime minister and the actualiser of Buhari’s change agenda. Many celebrated this designation, thinking he would be the lightening rod of the Buhari administration.

However, I had looked forward to his ministerial tenure with particular indifference, knowing full well that his accomplishments as a governor were grossly overstated by every stretch of the imagination, when matched with the resources that were at his disposal, while his failings were dismissed with a wave of the hand as fabricated falsehoods to undermine his brand by hack writers and revisionists.

But somehow, there was a tinge of hope that his appointment might just be beneficial to Lagos in their convoluted change. Of course his appreciation of the enormous challenges facing this mega-city (or should I call it mega confusion?) was a factor in that hope, and that he would do much more to give the state some federal lift, considering that he was scathing about the Goodluck Jonathan government’s performance in Lagos. Nearly two years after, and under Fashola’s watch, federal infrastructure in Lagos is in worse shape than ever. It is puzzling as to why someone who repeatedly told the public that Apapa, especially, was a mess because the then PDP-led federal government deliberately wanted it so - would now forsake the same Apapa under the APC-led federal government. Was all that rhetoric on the

Fashola stump just the good boy playing dirty politics?

We need answers from Fashola now.

With criticisms swirling around him for the unpardonable neglect of Apapa, Fashola, ever adept at finding excuses, pulled another reason to buy some respite for his unedifying performance.

He promised work would soon commence on Apapa road, but that the government needed N100 billion to fix the road. My questions for Fashola are: What kind of road does he want to build with N100billion? Is it going to be paved with gold or diamond? Was the road design done in heaven? How many roads are being targeted for fixing and what is the total kilometre stretch?

Looking at how he ran Lagos, I am worried about this outrageously offensive cost being peddled

by Fashola to fix Apapa road. This is a man who built the 1.358 kilometre Lekki-Ikoyi bridge on a shallow part of the lagoon for over N29 billion.

Only recently, the Bureau of Public Procurement was reported to have queried Fashola (you can see his double standard regarding Lagos’ request to reconstruct Oshodi/Airport road) over the award of contracts worth N166 billion in violation of the laws guiding contract awards in the country, particularly the manner Fashola’s ministry was said to have selected contractors for the projects.

The cost of the Apapa road must be subjected to a thorough investigation. It is even more so, considering that it is to be constructed with concrete which we are told is cheaper alternative to the asphalt option. While we desperately want the roads in Apapa fixed, we must not allow the fleecing of taxpayers in the name of constructing Apapa road.

Fashola also disclosed that the design and other requirements needed for the reconstruction of the road were ready, adding, “I just want to appeal to the residents of Apapa and to people whose livelihood depends on Apapa, that Apapa is one of the priority roads under our Ministry of Works to solve roads that lead to critical ports.” I don’t believe this man. And please let no one believe him or be fooled by his persuasive eloquence.

Come to think of it, his ministry gave this same response over a year ago and up till now, there has been no meaningful action. They even mobilised Julius Berger to site to carry out repairs at the foot of the Ijora bridge when the situation became embarrassingly unbearable and became a death trap to a record number of trucks and their huge containers. Beyond that, nothing serious has been done on the roads. And since then, the

situation in Apapa has progressively deteriorated with huge losses to the economy. It’s now so bad that residents and a few remaining businesses appear to have resigned themselves to fasting and prayers for God to touch the hearts of all those connected to fixing the roads.

Who would have thought that right under Fashola’s nose, federal roads in Lagos, particularly in Apapa, the port city of the nation’s premier sea ports, Tin Can Island and Apapa ports, would be in these deplorable conditions? Access to the ports either through the Ijora bridge or the Oshodi/ Apapa expressway is a hellish preposition. From Ijora bridge, you are immediately confronted by a nightmarish gridlock that stretches kilometres in all directions as a result of the huge craters right in front of the Forte Oil filing station inwards Apapa, stretching past Flour Mills of Nigeria on the very strategic artery.

Descending into the once beloved ports city, you have two choices, depending on your destination.

None of these choices is palatable. You either take the Liverpool diversion or drive straight through front of Flour Mills of Nigeria. And of course the Oshodi Apapa expressway axis from Coconut bus stop is a disgrace to this country.

From near impassable craters to the sheer nuisance of massive haulage drivers, Apapa writhes in agony and urgently needs to be rescued.

The entire stretch from Airways bus stop to the Liverpool roundabout is a complete mess, with craters substituting for potholes everywhere. The flyover bridge above the roundabout leading to Tin Can Port, right up to Coconut bus stop is in a criminal state of neglect and dilapidation.

Let’s even leave the unacceptable state of Apapa roads for a moment. Take a look at the state of the maze of flyovers owned by the federal government snaking all over Lagos and tell me whether what you see makes you happy and proud as a Nigerian? They are in such a state of total neglect that you are left to wonder whether our leaders have any sense of shame or feel revulsion at the sorry state of infrastructure in the state. All the protective barrier railings on nearly every bridge or flyover are gone, leaving motorists and other road users to frightening consequences. The asphalt on most of the bridges, especially the Ijora bridge has eroded from wear and tear, exposing motorists to bumpy rides. It is high time we called out our leaders for their failure. We must hold Fashola to account using the same standards he set for others.

Fashola is in a unique position to help Lagos but he hasn’t done much in that direction. In March this year, Lagos formally accused Fashola’s Ministry of Works of sitting on its request to allow it carry out a total reconstruction of the Oshodi/ Airport road. Can anyone out there spot the tragic irony here?

As a governor, he was always running his mouth about how the PDP was deliberately neglecting his “beloved Lagos” because it was then an opposition party state.

Fast forward 2017, this same Fashola as a federal minister was being accused of sitting on the progressive vision of Lagos by the Lagos State government for refusing to grant it permission to take over the reconstruction of Oshodi/Airport road.

The minister’s response to the allegation was

not only telling but revealing. Here are excerpts: “The ministry has presented the memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State government to the federal executive council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State government in 2016. Due to the fact that two of the roads also connect Ogun State, the federal executive council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other state government…

“Federal executive council memoranda are debated and commented upon by all members and in cases of roads, surveys, maps and other materials have to be provided to assist members understand the location and connectivity of the roads, (in this case four roads), in order to assist how they vote on the memorandum.”

Frankly, it’s been a long time I saw such drivel written as an official government response to justify failure. The argument that two of the roads also connect Ogun State, it requested the input of the state, is an excuse to do nothing because it is neither rational nor logically persuasive. Where action and substance was needed, Fashola gave us a spectacle.

I am very convinced Lagos State will not embark on the construction of the section of the road that is outside its territory. Why does Ogun State have to be consulted before federal roads within Lagos are handed over to Lagos State, even if such roads connect Ogun? If Ogun is interested in constructing the section within its state, then let it apply to the federal government just like Lagos did, period!

Fashola went further in that statement to lecture the public on the “workings of government”, saying that it is an intricate sequence of processes, consultations and collaboration, even requiring a debate and voting to decide the fate of projects.

“Equating processes with a lack of cooperation is therefore akin to creating a storm in a tea cup,” he said.

Can you believe that Fashola was the one lecturing us on the “workings of government”?

He was telling Nigerians that members of the federal executive council would have to debate and vote on the memorandum on a matter as ordinary as granting permission to Lagos to reconstruct the airport road neglected for a long time by the federal government. Fashola was somewhat oddly boastful of his new-found knowledge of the “workings of government”. It was even implied in the statement that since it took 10 months for the federal government to reach a decision when the Kaduna State government applied for permission to take over two federal roads in the state, Lagos would probably have to wait for that length of time, or even longer, to also get a decision.

I must confess I am talking as one who doesn’t know the “workings of government” like Fashola.

But 10 months or more to take a decision as routine as granting permission to a state to take over a federal road in such a disgraceful state is a general reflection of the lethargic decision-taking process of these self-righteous change agents. One can imagine the many critical issues waiting to be debated and voted by the federal executive council before decisions are taken. If you are looking Continued on page 53

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