Friday 30th June 2017

Shell Lifts Force Majeure Raising Nigeria’s Crude Output by 226,000bpd NNPC signs $700m oil exploration agreement with Schlumberger, First E&P

Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency report Nigeria’s crude oil output is expected to rise by 226,000

barrels per day, as the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has lifted the force majeure declared on exports of Bonny Light, Nigeria’s reference crude oil

grade.

This follows the completion of repairs of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by operator, Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Limited.

The development was a boost to efforts on the recovery of Nigeria’s crude production heavily impacted by militancy in the Niger Delta, a situation that prompted the

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to exempt the country from the production cuts, which the cartel has extended until March 2018.

This is coming as crude oil prices rose to a two-week high yesterday, extending a rally into a sixth straight session Continued on page 10

NEC Extends Duration of FG’s Financial Support to States... Page 10

Friday 30 June, 2017 Vol 22. No 8107. Price: N250

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In New Executive Order, Osinbajo Gives Tax Defaulters Nine Months to Pay Up Amnesty expected to add $1bn to public funds

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja In a bid to boost non-oil revenue and ensure that every taxable individual and corporate citizen is captured in the tax net, Acting President

Yemi Osinbajo yesterday signed an Executive Order to give bite to the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).

VAIDS outlines the federal government’s plan to increase

tax awareness and compliance, and grant taxpayers a time-limited opportunity to regularise their tax status without penalty.

To be executed jointly by federal and state governments,

VAIDS focuses on the national duty of all Nigerian companies and citizens to pay their taxes, wherever their income is earned, wherever they reside, and no matter how rich they are.

The Executive Order was signed by Osinbajo during the launch of VAIDS at the Conference Hall of the State House, Abuja.

Over ten state governors, the Minister of Finance, Mrs.

Kemi Adeosun, and other top government officials were in attendance.

In his address, Osinbajo said it had become inevitable Continued on page 10

Presidency: Service Chiefs’ Tenure Already Extended Till December Senator Iroegbu and Paul Obi in Abuja The air of uncertainly that has enveloped the military establishment over the tenure of the service chiefs, whose tenure, based on the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, would expired on July 13, 2017, THISDAY has learnt, is unwarranted since three of the service chiefs got one-year extensions last December.

A senior official in the presidency who provided clarification on the issue, when contacted yesterday, allayed concerns over the expiration of the service chiefs' tenures, saying they were not expected to step down till December this year.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is away in the United Kingdom receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment, had on July 13, 2015, appointed General Gabriel Olonisakin as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai as Chief of Army

Staff (COAS), Vice Admiral Ekwe Ite-Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), and Air Vice Continued on page 12

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OUR GIRLS HAVE THE WORLD ATTHEIR FEET…

Two of the Chibok schoolgirls – Joy Bishara (fourth left) and Lydia Pogu (fourth right) – who escaped from Boko Haram captivity in 2014, flanked by U.S. President Donald Trump (third left) and his daughter, Ivanka (third right), when they met with the U.S. president on Tuesday at the White House, after their graduation from high school. The two girls are slated to attend Southeastern University in the U.S. on a full scholarship in the next few months

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NEC Extends Duration of FG’s Financial Support to States Seeks private sector funding for prisons, wants inmates engaged in agriculture Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The National Executive Council (NEC) yesterday extended the lifespan of the federal government’s financial support to various states of the federation, to cushion the biting effects of the recession.

Rising from its monthly meeting presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House, Abuja, the council also said it resolved to extend the support in view of pending settlements to some states and local governments.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo, who said the council also received the report on the forensic audits of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), gave the balances in various federation accounts as of June 28.

According to him, the

Excess Crude Account balance stood a $2.3 billion; Stabilisation Account balance, N28.5 billion; Natural Resources Account balance was N87.6 billion; while the balance in Ecological Account was N28.9 billion.

“Council was briefed on the budget support to states because of dwindling revenue and budget implementation.

The programme was meant for a year but because of the recession, the acting president said the facility should continue pending when other claims of states and local governments are settled.

“The committee of NEC set up to review or carry out a forensic audit of the ECA and FAAC submitted its interim report. As of today, 10 of the 18 MDAs have been audited; audits of five others are still ongoing; three are yet to start.

“Council agreed that we should submit a full report at the next NEC meeting,” Dankwabo submitted.

In his own briefing, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, said the council was briefed by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and Comproller-General of Prisons on the state of the prisons and resolved that there was need for a declaration of emergency on the state of Nigerian prisons.

He also said NEC tasked the governors to deploy all within their powers to salvage the prisons, including the engagement of private sector participation.

Umahi said NEC also agreed that some of the inmates could be engaged in farming.

“The Minister of Interior and CG, Nigeria Prisons briefed council on the state of prisons and inmates

throughout the country.

The situation they painted was quite pathetic.

“I visited the prisons in my state for the first time recently and what I saw was terrible...

So it was agreed that governors should on their own develop initiatives to manage the prisons.

For instance, some have transferred prisons from the urban centres.

“NEC agreed that governors should support the federal government on prison matters. States that have the capacity to build prisons should go ahead and do so, including the involvement of private sector participation.

“The minister said 70 per cent of inmates are awaiting trial. Some of them can be converted to labour use.

Ten per cent of them are condemned, meaning 20 per cent are convicts. Some of the prisoners should also be engaged in agriculture

activities.

“NEC agreed that the governors should do a number of things to decongest the prisons and the chief judges of the states should frequently visit the prisons.

“Governors should either sign the death sentences of those condemned or commit them, because it is risky leaving them after their trial has been concluded.

So NEC resolved that there should be a declaration of emergency on prisons,” he said.

Umahi also reported that the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, briefed the council on the state of SDGs in the country and came up with recommendations, among others, that a commission on SDGs should be set up to commence a quick assessment of the situation

on the ground.

Other recommendations he listed included: building synergies between federal and state governments on SDGs; sensitisation and advocacy at the subnational level and follow up, while governors should have commissioners or special assistants to oversee SDGs in their states and also come up with state action plans.

Also briefing, the Director-General of National Action Council for AIDS, Sani Ali, who reported that three million Nigerians are living with HIV/AIDS, said the council deliberated on the need to increase HIV funding.

According to him, there was need to set aside 0.5 per cent of the monthly federal allocation to fund HIV treatment, noting that more than 70 per cent of the current one million victims being treated are funded by development partners.

overall benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Osinbajo, who emphaised the need for taxation, quoted Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, who said: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

The acting president also disclosed that because of the importance the administration attaches to VAIDS and the quest to rewrite the nation’s tax trajectory, the federal government has declared every Thursday “Tax Thursday”, to create awareness among Nigerians on the payment of taxes and the accrued benefits.

Osinbajo noted that the government’s goal was to add at least 4 million taxpayers into the existing tax roll by 2018.

The Executive, Order which he signed would ensure that VAIDS, as designed by the Ministry of Finance, is backed by the full force of the law, culminating in tax compliance and punishment for offenders after the grace period.

Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world at 6 per cent.

In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the government has resolved

to change the narrative through vigorous pursuit of the VAIDS. She said: “During the last eight years, Nigeria has failed to reduce its debt levels despite high oil prices and nominal GDP growth. We have inherited a situation where our debt and underdevelopment are getting worse not better.

This cannot continue.

“Neither can the behaviour of some of our richest citizens and multinationals operating in Nigeria – who seem to consider paying tax to be optional.

“From 2018, international law will make it easier than ever to track these evaders down and punish them.

“This scheme is in line with similar initiatives launched in 2016 in India, Indonesia and South Africa.

We know they work, we know it’s the right thing to do and the treasury desperately needs the money.

“Finally, the proceeds of this scheme will not disappear. We will provide regular updates on the funds collected to date, and how those funds are being put to very transparent use.”

Various goodwill messages were presented at the launch of VAIDS, including that of the Chairman of the Nigerian

Governors’ Forum, who is also the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

He assured that all the states were in support of the VAIDS project and will support it fully in a bid to rewrite the poor tax situation in the country.

Before the launch of VAIDS and the nine-month amnesty granted to tax defaulter, Osinbajo had said the federal government was expected to raise more than $1 billion under the programme.

The funds raised will enable the government to reduce borrowing needs, allow investment in vital infrastructure and spur development, he had said last week.

Nigeria plans to increase spending this year by 21 percent to 7.4 trillion naira, according to the 2017 budget signed into law this month.

The fiscal plan, aimed at spurring economic recovery from its first recession in 25 years, requires funds to help Nigeria plug a deficit the government expects will amount to about 2.2 per cent of GDP. Tax evaders in the country are subject to imprisonment of up to five years, payment of penalties of up to 100 percent of tax owed plus a compound interest rate of 21 percent per year, as well as forfeiture of assets.

Before the downward slide in prices, oil had traded at a 2017 peak of $55 per barrel in 2017.

Prices recently slipped to the lowest in 10 months but have since rebounded more than 7 per cent, stretching their bull-run to the longest since April.

Reuters reported that the global benchmark, Brent crude futures were up 35 cents yesterday at $47.66 a barrel, having touched a two-week high of $47.83

earlier in the session.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 33 cents at $45.07 a barrel, after registering an intraday high of $45.24, also a two-week peak.

U.S. government data showed on Wednesday that domestic crude production dropped by 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 9.3 million bpd last week, the steepest weekly fall since July 2016.

Reuters quoted some analysts and traders as

saying that the decline was related to temporary factors such as the shutdown of some oil production sites due to Tropical Storm Cindy in the Gulf of Mexico and maintenance in Alaska.

Global oil supplies remain ample despite output cuts by OPEC and other producers by 1.8 million bpd since January.

OPEC and its allies, trying to reduce a crude glut,

IN NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER, OSINBAJO GIVES TAX DEFAULTERS NINE MONTHS TO PAY UP for the government to do something about the low level of tax compliance.

According to him, people feel indifferent about corruption in the public service because they see it as government money since they do not pay taxes.

Osinbajo said: “When people pay taxes, they pay more attention to what government is doing.

There’s a greater level of political and social consciousness.

“Taxes are not only about boosting government revenues. When people pay taxes, they hold the government to account more.”

Osinbajo disclosed that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures, Nigeria has a taxable class of no fewer than 69 million people, regretting that only 14 million are currently in the tax net.

He noted that only 214 of taxpayers, irrespective of status, pay N20 million or more annually, while about 900 taxpayers pay N10 million per annum.

Providing more demographics, the acting president said all the 214 taxpayers are based in Lagos, adding that of the 900 also paying N10 million, all but two are based outside Lagos.

Osinbajo lamented that

from what he saw during the electioneering in 20142015 when he traversed the length and breadth of the country with President Muhammadu Buhari, there was a fair spread of high networth individuals, who did not give room for Lagos exclusively producing the number of the biggest taxpayers.

“All of these 214 Nigerians who pay N20 million or more in taxes annually are to be found in Lagos State. I’m sure in this room (and I’m not looking at anyone), there are another 214 people who earn more than N80 million annually,” he said.

Osinbajo’s comment, which drew applause from the audience who felt he was referring to the cross section of governors, ministers and other top government officials, added that “tax evasion is not limited only to wealthy Nigerians and also not limited to individuals. Many companies maintain three sets of books”.

The acting president said a situation where people evade tax would no longer be tolerated, hence the initiative, VAIDS, adding that a tax amnesty will run for nine months, effective July 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, to give room for tax defaulters to voluntarily declare their assets and

pay commensurate taxes.

He stated that at the expiration of the period, defaulters, irrespective of their status, would face prosecution, noting that the government was imploring tax evaders to do the right thing and rapidly come clean for the good of their country or face the full consequences of the law.

“This is an offer in the spirit of national reconciliation and rebuilding and must be taken as such. In addition, because we understand that some taxpayers may have challenges raising taxes, we have built in a system that will allow those owing to pay over a period of time subject to conditions.

“Upon expiration of the scheme, we will consider those who have failed to take advantage of this offer or who have declared falsely, to be willful tax defaulters and economic saboteurs.

“We will then proceed with aggressive investigation with a view to criminal prosecution. We will also publish a tax defaulters list to name and shame those who default,” he said.

The acting president assured that the proceeds of VAIDs would not disappear, as they will be applied transparently and invested in key infrastructure projects and other services for the

SHELL LIFTS FORCE MAJEURE RAISING NIGERIA’S CRUDE OUTPUT BY 226,000BPD after a decline in weekly U.S. production eased concerns about deepening oversupply.

The six-day bull-run is the longest since April, which ended with oil price hovering around $51 per barrel.

With the lifting of the force majeure on Bonny Light, Nigeria’s crude export will exceed 2 million barrels per day, as the export of the Bonny grade is set to reach 226,000 barrels per day in August, up from 164,000

bpd in July, according to the loading schedules.

A Shell spokesman, Mr. Bamidele Odugbesan confirmed to THISDAY yesterday that “the force majeure on Bonny Light exports was lifted effective 12:00hrs (Nigerian time) on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 after the repair of the sabotage leak”.

The 600,000 barrels per day capacity, 100-kilometre NCTL built by SPDC and commissioned in 2010, feeds

the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State.

SPDC sold the pipeline and Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 to Aiteo in 2015 as part of its divestment programme for onshore assets in the Niger Delta.

NCTL and the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) remain the two major pipelines used

by SPDC and some other producing companies to evacuate crude from the eastern Niger Delta to the export terminal.

Continued on page 12

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NEWS

Presidency: No Big Deal Leaving Presidential Jet Abroad Says NAF 001 enjoys waivers Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The presidency yesterday lampooned individuals and groups who have been critical of the prolonged stay of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 001 presidential airplane assigned to President Muhammadu Buhari at a London airport, saying they lack understanding of the workings of presidential foreign trips.

The social media at the weekend was agog over the high cost of maintaining the aircraft at the airport everyday, alleging that since May 7 when the president returned to London to treat an undisclosed ailment, the nation has been spending £4,000 daily to keep the aircraft in London.

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, had said aircraft conveying world leaders usually enjoy waivers and where waivers are not granted, payment would not exceed £1,000 daily, in contrast to the claim of £4,000 made by critics.

Describing the claim as misplaced, Shehu reeled out what he described as achievements of the Buhari administration’s justifiable reasons for the development and asked Nigerians to ignore the critics and give the government a chance.

“The presidency is constrained to decry criticism, mostly on the social media, on the retention in London of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed

NAF 001 by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by heads of state all over the world.

“It is important to state that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, there is no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation.

“From an operational point of view, this country’s Armed Forces, as represented

by the Nigeria Air Force, are not to abandon their Commander-in-Chief in whichever circumstance he is.

This is a standard operating procedure.

“We have also read claims about outrageous fees allegedly paid by Nigeria.

The published amounts are totally untrue. Aircraft conveying heads of state all over the world usually enjoy waivers, even where payments for parking are

differentiated by aircraft categories.

“We have been assured that where the waiver is not granted, payment will not exceed £1,000, which is a quarter of the amount being peddled.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this president is not the first to have a presidential aircraft standing by for him, as he will certainly not be the last.

“All past heads of this

country have had this privilege, and the part that surprises the most is that leaders who in the past travelled with three Nigerian aircraft did not suffer this trenchant criticism.

“We appeal to Nigerians to ignore opposition campaign aimed at derailing this administration’s big plans for the country. This is a government that is constructing the Second Niger Bridge, the Mambila

Power Plant, the East-West and North-South standard gauge railway lines.

“We are a government that has saved this country an annual loss of two trillion naira from fraudulent petroleum subsidy schemes by influential citizens and their children, and rid the public service of about 50,000 ghost workers.

“The Buhari administration certainly deserves a chance,” he said.

Vice Marshal Abubakar in December last year, while the tenure of General Buratai would not expire till next year.

General Olonisakin, by virtue of his age or length of service in the Nigerian Army was due for retirement last December, but had his tenure extended

by Buhari.

The presidency source further revealed that Buhari

also extended the tenures of Vice Admiral Ite-Ibas and Air Vice Marshal Abubakar by one year at the same time, as both of them were also due for retirement.

According to him, “Mr. President’s decision to extend their tenure was strategic because he believed that Gen. Olonisakin, as the head of the Armed Forces, could not be retired in the middle of the war against

Boko Haram.

“So, Mr. President decided to extend not only Gen. Olonisakin’s tenure, but that of the Chiefs of Air and Naval Staff by one year.

“In the case of Gen. Buratai, he was a member of Course 29 in the Nigerian Army, meaning that he has not attained the retirement age or maximum length of service yet.”

crude oil production and reserves growth, amongst others.

Baru further stated that the projected increase in gas output would be useful to the corporation in its bid to sustain gas supply to existing electricity generation plants in the country, as well as other planned power projects billed to come on board within the period.

The Managing Director of First E&P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, who signed on behalf of his firm, stated that the partnership would infuse a novel asset development model which combines his company’s local knowledge and market position as an indigenous operating company, with Schlumberger’s financing and broad technical capabilities.

Adeyemi-Bero added that

the joint project team would strengthen his company’s project delivery abilities and the model would offer the upstream sub-sector a credible alternative, funding and technical partnership model for growing production and adding reserves.

Vice President of Schlumberger, Patrick Schorn, who signed on behalf of his company traced the advent of the multinational oil field service provider in Nigeria to the first commercial oil find in Oloibiri in the 1950s when Schlumberger played a role in Shell’s drilling effort.

Schorn noted that the partnership with NNPC and First E&P would provide Schlumberger the opportunity to leverage on its reservoir knowledge, oilfield services, and project management expertise to

lower development costs and maximise value for the partners.

NNPC equally explained that the OMLs 83 and 85 are in shallow waters, 40 kilometers offshore the Niger Delta, with the corporation holding 60 per cent interest in the licences, while First E&P, the operator of the joint venture, holds the remaining 40 per cent.

It noted that apart from providing funding for the development of the fields, Schlumberger would also provide other oilfield services to the joint venture on a limited exclusive basis.

It added that a joint project team would be established to drive technology transfer whilst leveraging on the global technical expertise of Schlumberger and the extensive local knowledge of the partners.

PRESIDENCY: SERVICE CHIEFS’ TENURE ALREADY EXTENDED TILL DECEMBER Marshal Sadiq Abubakar as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS).

Based on the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, their appointments as service chiefs are tenured for two years, but could, at the pleasure of the president, be extended in so far as they have not reached the retirement age of 56 and/ or attained the maximum length of service.

However, owing to the absence of Buhari, who also holds the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, concern was beginning to mount in the military over their fate and questions raised as to if Acting President Yemi Osinbajo could appoint new service chiefs to replace them or not.

According to sources in the Armed Forces, some

senior military officers have already started positioning themselves as possible replacements, based on the hope that the two-year rule will be enforced.

But the presidency official explained there was no uncertainty over the service chiefs since Buhari had extended the tenures by one year of General Olonisakin, Vice Admiral Ite-Ibas and Air

SHELL LIFTS FORCE MAJEURE RAISING NIGERIA’S CRUDE OUTPUT BY 226,000BPD agreed in May to extend the supply cut through March 2018.

OPEC exempted Nigeria and Libya from the curbs due to unrest that has sapped these countries’ production.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed a tripartite agreement with two firms – Schlumberger and First Exploration and Production (E&P) – to produce and add up to 193 million barrels of crude oil and 800 billion cubic feet of gas to Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves.

The corporation said in a statement yesterday from its spokesman, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, that under the agreement, Schlumberger would provide more than $700 million for the development cost of the

Anyala and Madu fields in the Niger Delta under Oil Mining Licences (OML) 83 and 85, offshore Nigeria.

NNPC explained that the development was part of its plan to grow Nigeria’s crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels by the year 2020. It noted that it was a major boost to attain the target.

According to it, the Anyala and Madu fields would in turn add 193 million barrels of crude oil to the current reserves of 37.2 billion barrels and an additional 800 billion cubic feet of gas to the nation’s proven gas reserves, currently put at 197 trillion cubic feet.

In terms of daily production, NNPC said the fields would produce up to 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day and 120 million standard cubic feet of gas

per day by early 2019.

The statement quoted its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru as saying at the signing ceremony that the development was an innovative approach to funding joint venture operations in response to the challenging economic environment.

Baru explained that the approach was novel and aligned wholly with the government’s aspiration to increase crude oil and gas production, reserves growth and monetisation of Nigeria’s enormous gas resources.

He added that apart from serving as a test case for future funding mechanism, the approach was in sync with the realisation of the corporation’s 12 Business Focus Areas (BUFA) which he said would ramp up

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COMMENT

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

AFRICA’S SHADOWS OF SHAME

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Nzongola – Ntalaja, an intellectual of repute, dissects the problem with the continent, writes Okello Oculi

he Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) promotes a culture of high quality intellectual discourses as a fertiliser for development and advancement of democracy.

Between June 19 and 23, 2017, it hosted Professor Georges Nzongola - Ntalaja, a citizen of Democratic Republic of Congo who taught Political Science at the University of Maiduguri during the 1977/78 academic session, and later served as a United Nations consultant on ‘’Governance’’ in Nigeria from 2000 to 2003. His current appeal is his tour of several African countries to review their implementation of aspects of development and ‘’good economic and political governance’’ as stipulated by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and, therefore, has a rich harvest to share with Nigerians. Below is what I teased out from his lectures at the University of Abuja and the National Defence College.

While at Maiduguri in the late 1970s, he would travel to Ndjamena, capital of Chad, to buy groceries imported from France, including wines. The town was a poorly endowed remnant at the edge of a French colonial empire in Central Africa – which once consisted of Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Cameroun, Ubangi Shari (now Central African Republic) – administered from Libreville. The French historian, Jean Suret-Canale, asserted that French colonial officials and companies were so harsh in exploiting labour from local peoples that over five million perished of exhaustion and famine.

Ndjamena still carried marks of exploitation without development.

On returning there in 2017, evidence of oil wealth was evident in tall modern buildings and boulevards. Trips they used to make into Cameroun in rickety ferries have been replaced by an impressive bridge. These new infrastructure, however, gobble up all oil revenues and leave nothing for villages only a few kilometres from the capital.

The desert-covered North and low-rainfall middle section of the country exist in desperation and decay. In this sorry state Chad is typical of most African countries. Most African leaders are divorced from their peoples.

In his home country Congo, Nzongola-Ntalaja quoted an American publication which claimed that President Mobutu Sese Seko and Moise Tshombe once owned villas in France and Switzerland; and Joseph Kabila has misappropriated US$64 billion while the country’s roads and social services have collapsed. In this matter the three leaders lacked the vision which colonial officials showed. Belgian officials imposed compulsory reallocation of population from scattered rural areas to line villages up alongside roads constructed by forced labour.

Each community was commanded to clear five metres on either side of the road to ensure their motorability. Mobutu and Kabila have not needed agricultural products from local farmers and therefore neglected roads.

Chad also vividly shows a phenomenon in African politics since the 1980s, namely: the emergence of influence-consuming “First Ladies’’. Madame Debby has won a cabinet minister job for her brother, while her father is the country’s ambassador to Ivory Coast.

Her equivalents have been Laurent Gbagbo’s wife. Mwai Kibaki’s Lucy in Kenya was much lampooned for slapping a journalist, while Janet Museveni is a cabinet minister. When challenged by a Belgian journalist, Kagame wondered why the journalist was not concerned about looting of Congo by Belgium for over one hundred years; and

EVIDENCE OF OIL WEALTH WAS EVIDENT IN TALL MODERN BUILDINGS AND BOULEVARDS. THESE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, HOWEVER, GOBBLE UP ALL OIL REVENUES AND LEAVE NOTHING FOR VILLAGES ONLY A FEW KILOMETRES FROM THE CAPITAL. THE DESERT-COVERED NORTH AND LOW-RAINFALL MIDDLE SECTION OF THE COUNTRY EXIST IN DESPERATION AND DECAY. IN THIS SORRY STATE CHAD IS TYPICAL OF MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

defended a preference for women as candidates for parliamentary elections by recalling that it was men who conducted the devilish genocide in 1994.

In his caustic critique of Africa’s leaders, Nzongola-Ntalaja singled out Paul Kagame of Rwanda as a leader who is running an efficient, accountable, anti-corruption; and is vigorously committed to serving the people. Kagame has, in his view, been plundering resources from D.R.Congo side by side with Museveni in Uganda.

The difference between the two is that Kagame sells diamond and tantalite from Congo in the international market and gives the money to the government to use for developing the country; while in Uganda the money is shared among top military officials.

His criticism of Kagame’s elongation of his tenure was challenged at the National Defence College since a leadership rotation formula imported from foreign polities may not guarantee the clean and patriotic leadership shown by Kagame. It is doubtful that a ‘’democracy’’ that allows corrupt leaders to ruin achievements of good governance by a clean and visionary leader would be in Africa’s best interests.

Professor Nzongola-Ntalaja is a strong supporter of China’s investments in Africa. He noted that although Belgium has been a leader in building railways in countries as far away from Europe as Argentina and Brazil, it was China who stepped forward in the critical 1970s to build the railway line from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lusaka in Zambia. It enabled Zambia to continue supporting liberation struggles in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia and Angola because she could continue to export her copper and receive vital imports. In the 21st century, China has built a railway across mountainous territory to link land-locked Ethiopia with Djibouti’s port; as well as a new line from Mombasa port on the Indian Ocean to Nairobi on the highlands in central Kenya. The line is expected to link markets in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Kabila’s government signed a deal worth US$9 billion for China to build railways, bridges across Congo River, roads, hospitals and educational structures. The World Bank opposed it, claiming that it was based on unfair trade. Kabila retorted that the transaction was based on barter since China would be paid with raw minerals dug out by Chinese workers; and not through regular trade. Under severe pressure, the amount of money was reduced to $6 billion.

While the World Bank may have been irritated by a possibility of Congolese officials signing a deal if it involved a lucrative bribe, their wrath may have been salted and animated by the raw fact that China was the beneficiary.

Nzongola’s accent; wide breadth of knowledge; contempt for criticism by scholars whose countries looted Africa with colonial dictatorships, and arrogant optimism about Africa’s future, were much valued by students and academics at Abuja University.

Under conditions in which a university exists without a highly rated library; senior academics were washed away into brain drains, and decay of ‘’reading culture’’ remains stubbornly destructive, this investment by CDD in hosting him is visionary and of utmost importance.

Prof. Oculi is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

THE FARMERS’MINISTER

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Ayo Oyoze Baje pays tribute to Akinwumi Adesina, former Minister of Agriculture, for winning the World Food Prize

he heart-warming news that our own Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, current President, African Development Bank and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under President Goodluck Jonathan has been named the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate could not have come at a better time. With Nigeria experiencing a turbulent economic-political period, the award comes as a breath of fresh air. What makes it more cheering is the fact that it is a well -deserved laurel for a distinguished Nigerian. Adesina epitomises a beacon of hope in our long, dark tunnel of ignorance, poverty, apathy and self-inflicted woes.

As one of his consistent admirers over the years, the focus is on the lasting lessons we all could glean from him on professionalism, pragmatic leadership, selfless service, patriotism and can-do it spirit. It would be recalled that in 2008 when I was the Editor-in-Chief of Strata Media Organisation, Adesina granted our rich Foodbusiness International magazine, a twopage, pull-out interview. The incisive interview not only sold out, but got the members of staff academically enriched and thoroughly inspired. Adesina was then the Vice-President (Policy and Partnerships), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

He used that opportunity to canvass subsidy for African farmers. Said he: “When I say

smart subsidies, I mean the private sector has to distribute the inputs, the government supports the farmers together. We also have to make sure it is a targeted subsidy” that would benefit the poor farmers. “The government has to make sure that the farmers are provided with proper extension services, to be very efficient.” What made him sad was when “I see so many graduates of agriculture all across Africa roaming the streets, looking for jobs. It is a bizarre thing”.

Good enough, he walked the talk when he eventually became the Minister of Agriculture.

As aptly captured by Kenneth Quinn, President, the World Food Prize, the Hall of Laureates, described Adesina as “someone who grew out of poverty, but whose life mission is to lift up millions of people out of poverty’’.

Inspiring, is it not?

These are reflected in his breakthrough achievements all through his career. The list is long but let us have a taste of the pudding. As the vice-president of AGRA he introduced initiatives to exponentially increase the availability of credit for smallholder farmers across the African continent. Not done, he galvanised the political will to transform African agriculture.

Back in 2006, as the Associate Director for Food Security at the Rockefeller Foundation, Adesina played a critical leadership role in organising the Africa Fertiliser Summit in Abuja. That summit was described as absolutely essential in

igniting the campaign to spread a new Green Revolution across Africa, which led to the creation of AGRA. Furthermore, as Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria, from 2011 to 2015 he successfully transformed the country’s agriculture sector through bold reforms. He it was who introduced the E-Wallet system which broke the back of the corrupt elements that had controlled the fertiliser distribution system for 40 years. In addition was the creation of programmes to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production as well as to make cassava become a major cash crop. The related value chain he clamoured for saw the input of 20 per cent cassava flour to 80 per cent wheat flour in the making of composite bread. Also, the ‘Nagroprenuers’ scheme he introduced made way for the training of 750,000 young graduates in commercial farming.

As Quinn rightly noted, the reforms he implemented increased food production by 21 million metric tonnes and attracted $5.6 billion in private sector investments. This earned him the reputation as the ‘Farmers’ Minister’.”

Incidentally, Adesina has become the first person from the agriculture sector to ever lead a regional development bank. His receiving the World Food Nobel Laureate Prize “would give impetus in the coming decade to his profound vision”. Adesina is also the 46th person and the sixth African to win the World Food Prize.

That explains the presence of the former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to the U.S. and Chargé d ‘ Affaires, Ambassador Hakeem Balogun to savour the momentous occasion.

Note that they were not there as Igbo, Yoruba or whatever but as proud Nigerians to identify with a son of the soil, holding the greenwhite-flag of unity and progress, peace and prosperity for the whole world to see.

In retrospect, Adesina’s sterling achievements as the Minister of Agriculture was one issue that stood former President Goodluck Jonathan in good stead. Adesina won the prestigious Forbes Magazine Africa Man –of- the- Year Award. And in 2015 the country won an award from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO) for achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on halving the number of hungry people in the country by 2015.That was during the two-day summit by Rockefeller Foundation with the theme: ‘Realising the potential of African agriculture’.

Unfortunately, the bitter truth is that Nigerians are hungrier now than they were in 2015. The lesson here is for us to stop politicising sensitive and critical issues on good governance. What would have happened if Adesina’s vibrant and virile vision for the agriculture sector had been sustained till now? Your answer is as good as mine.

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T H I S D AY •FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017

EDITORIAL THE FURY OF FLOODS The authorities could improve on measures to prevent flooding

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n the last one month torrential rains have wreaked serious havoc on lives and property in several parts of the country. But nowhere has the impact been as much as Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where no fewer than 300 houses were recently submerged, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

But to the extent that it is a national problem, government at all levels must come together for lasting solutions.

From Lagos to Nasarawa, Kebbi, to Warri, the resultant floods which accompany annual rainfall have continued to destroy homes and valuable property. As a result of this development, thousands of Nigerians are now being rendered homeless, many roads are becoming impassable and lives are being lost. Yet our worry stems from the fact that as bad as the situation may seem today, the worst is not over.

Elementary science teaches that as global temperatures rise, the oceans get warmer. And when water heats up, it expands leading to rise in sea levels as we have been witnessing BLOCKED DRAINS, in several countries ESPECIALLY IN AREAS in recent times. It is WHERE FLOOD WATERS therefore no surprise EASILY ACCUMULATE that in several coastal AND GENERATE A cities across the world STRONG FORCE, SHOULD today, climate change is creating a situation BE CLEARED AND where too much SUBSEQUENTLY KEPT water comes at an FREE unexpected time, or in unexpected places and causing serious problem.

However, in our country, flooding cannot be solely explained by the factor of nature. The habit of the people indeed plays a crucial role in what has been happening over the years anytime it rains. In several states across the country, most of the drains are blocked due to the indiscriminate dumping on the roads and drainages disposable empty cans and water nylons, among others. This dirty attitude quite

Letters to the Editor

naturally leads to blockages of canals and man-holes resulting in the type of floods that occur regularly.

There were also several buildings that have been erected on drainage channels. This ugly trend must stop while the authorities in many of the 36 states should ensure that all those buildings are pulled down for free flow of water.

I T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOlAJI ADEBIYI, JOsEph UshIGIAlE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOlA BEllO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOlAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OlUsEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOsA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOlA BEllO, KAYODE KOMOlAFE, IsRAEl IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OlUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS pETER IWEGBU, FIDElIs ElEMA, ANThONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEh ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS hENRY NWAChOKOR, sAhEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOlA TAIWO, UChENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOsERI GENERAL MANAGER pATRICK EIMIUhI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOlUFAshE DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION ChUKs ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

t is noteworthy that floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss and they have caused untold damage in the last couple of years, especially with prolonged rainfall over several days. Hundreds of thousands of our citizens who were rendered homeless in recent years as a result of flooding are still in internally displaced peoples (IDPs) camps.

There are, however, precautionary measures usually taken in times like this which we have repeatedly prescribed on this page and which we repeat for those for whom it is not too late. For the safety of their families and other tenants, landlords should have the roofs and the walls of their houses checked by professional builders for possible structural or ageinduced weaknesses that may increase the vulnerability of such structures during the rains. We also enjoin that blocked drains, especially in areas where flood waters easily accumulate and generate a strong force, should be cleared and subsequently kept free. It is a shame that Nigerians continue to die every year as a result of floods that could be prevented.

We must commend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that has, through its seasonal rainfall prediction and periodic statements, give warnings on areas of possible flooding and violent thunderstorm during every rainy season. Unfortunately, most of the warnings are hardly ever heeded.

Yet the focus should at all times be on prevention and pre-emptive intervention, because little is gained when resources that should be put into developmental initiatives are dissipated in dealing with avoidable emergencies and calamities.

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

UFUK DIALOGUE AND GLOBAL PEACE INITIATIVE

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lobal peace initiative, conflicts resolutions and inter-faith dialogue have become expedient in the prevailing regional militancy, insurgency and insurrections across states and continents of the World. Governments of nations in the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) are at all times setting up relevant security committees headed by service chiefs and membership drawn from high-profile security agencies to combat consistent attacks coming from militant groups.

Yearly, defence ministries of many nations have also taken chunk of the budget with large amount to procure military weapons and sophisticated war equipment to fight insurgency and terrorists groups.

To proffer solutions and canvass positions for harmonious co-existence, Ufuk Dialogue Foundation and global peace promoters, Muslim and Christian leaders converged at the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja recently to review peace dialogue initiatives, conflicts resolutions and inter-faith approach to peaceful co-existence.

The conference/annual dinner organised by the foundation was the fourth edition and drew participants from within and outside Nigeria.

At the conference top government functionaries of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration including the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung; Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Bawa Abubakar; presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, among other dignitaries argued that peace and conflicts resolutions remain the only way out of the increased wave of regional militancy in Nigeria.

Ufuk Dialogue Foundation was founded in 2011 in Abuja to promote dialogue, culture of co-existence, mutual understanding, and to establish a common inter-faith, intercultural and intellectual platform, information and exchange of ideas among communities The principal goal of Ufuk Dialogue is to promote peace in the world and contribute to harmonious co-existence of the adherents of different faiths, cultures, ethnicity and races.

And for that to be achieved, everyone must be respectful of the environment and to all creatures with right to exist, believe in the sanctity of human rights and democracy.

Ufuk Dialogue Foundation is also promoting advocacy, education and creating

awareness in Nigeria, in science and spiritual thought and exploring life and existence from a wide scholarship of humanities and natural sciences.

The non-governmental and non-profit organisation serves societal peace, love, and friendship wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good by striving to bring forth the common values of humanity; values such as understanding, tolerance, respect, and compassion.

The President of Ufuk Dialogue, Mr. Kamil Kemanci, took time to shed light on the danger, devastation and destruction caused by the absence of peace around countries of the World.

He said the fight against terrorism can be achieved through dialogue, peace initiatives and conflicts resolutions rather than armed struggles which had caused devastation, lack and deprivation amongst citizens.

Kemanci said the individual who is conscious of divine creation is a hero of affection because he is concerned about every existence and has mutual respect and understanding for one another. However, in our contemporary world we suffer and witness persecution, despotism, oppression, conspiracy, murder and pressure on the individual’s conscience and watch a section of people destroy the society in the name of religion.

Although, there were some recent provocations based on conflicts that appear to be religious oriented, I hold the belief and hope that Nigeria is strongly proceeding towards a peaceful and happy future and thanks to the broad minded people and the educated generations who view the future with hope.

There is no doubt that in Nigeria we have the militants from the Niger Delta region, Boko Haram from the North East, the Indigenous People of Biafra from the South East and a few other regional terrorists’ groupings attacking oil installations, educational and power infrastructure. The institute for peace and conflicts resolution in Nigeria took detail account of the importance of Ufuk and came to the conclusion that the foundation should be recommended to partner with strategic agencies of government to drive peace initiatives projects of the government.

Ofem Uket, Abuja

NIGERIANS IN PRIVATE PRISONS ABROAD

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here are too many reports of Nigerians in foreign prisons these days. The last report published in a national paper on June 28, 2017 said that the number of Nigerians in private prisons in Libya is over 2,000. What is the meaning of private prisons? Aren’t these detention camps without government control?

How long shall we continue to hear such sad news of our citizens being kept in prisons or of those who lost their lives in the seas?

If the Nigerian government can create jobs and provide enabling environment for its citizen, I don’t think Nigerians within the age of 20 to 35, who constitute the most productive part of our human resource would be dying just to travel out only to be locked up like animals in a zoo.

Assurance Ovie, ANEEJ, Benin City

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017

17

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Ripples as Amosun Endorses Ogun West The decision of the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to support a candidate from the marginalised Ogun West Senatorial District to succeed him, is causing ripples among aspirants from the district, writes Femi Ogbonnikan

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f late, there appears to be an auspicious hope in the horizon for the Yewa/Awori people to produce the next governor of Ogun State going by a recent pronouncement of the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to cede the baton of the state leadership to Ogun West senatorial district, come 2019 general elections.

The announcement was received with applause in the entire Yewa/Aworiland, there are however those who consider the governor’s statement as a booby trap.

Observers of Ogun State politics suspect the governor might be adopting a diversionary tactic. They also think the governor may renege on the promise and switch to Ogun East Senatorial District (Ijebu/Remo) to pick a successor.

Amosun’s decision to throw his weight behind Ogun west is also causing ripples among the people of the Ogun east who naturally believe that it is their turn to produce the governor. To them, the development was an attempt to spite them, having been assured that the seat would be opened to them just like their counterparts in the west. They see the governor’s decision to support the west as a betrayal.

A youth leader and a public commentator, Ifemosu Michael Adewale, while reacting to the governor’s decision to shut out his kinsmen from the 2019 governorship contest said: “Yes, I have envisaged this thing long time ago, that this will only divide the Yewas, because Amosun knows vividly well that his own anointed candidate won’t be supported by the people, thereby causing chaos among the leaders in Ogun West.”

He said that Amosun was only interested in his own survival by taking full control of the APC machinery in the state.

He assured those seeking to take a shot at the governorship seat from Ogun west not to fret saying that they stood a good chance of emerging victorious.

He said: “As event unfolds, let me remind our contestants from Ogun East that at any slightest opportunity, there is always a room to take advantage.” He however, urged them to mobilize the youth in order for them to succeed.

According to him, the next governorship election in Ogun State will be decided by the youth. He suggested that anyone serious about winning should mobilize the youth.

While making a case for Ogun West senatorial district, preparatory to the 2019 governorship contest, at the constitution of Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) Consultative Advisory Committee at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Friday, May 26, 2017, Amosun had enthused thus: “We are in the month of Ramadan a sacred month, the month that we need to tell ourselves some truths, because as for me someday l will die and stand before my creator and he, will ask me how l spent my life, whether l allow equity, objectivity and fairness in my dealings with fellow human beings..... let me tell you the truth “I am not God o, but my position on the issue of my successor and continuity in Ogun State is that “If anybody comes out from Ogun central to contest for the governorship in 2019 l won’t support the person and l will also come out and campaign against him.

If anyone also come out from Ogun East, l may not campaign against the person but

Amosun.... wants Ogun west to produce the next governor

l will not give him my support. If there is anyone l so much respect, adore and cherish that person is Awujale of ljebuland, but yet l will not support someone coming out from Ogun East. But in 2019, I will support the candidature of Ogun West.

“But the west too must put its house in order and not go and bring us any ‘tekobo’ (someone from Lagos) No! No!, not even that person you are thinking of, that one is not even in the race, Ogun state is not a place where a perambulator will just come and want to govern, we are the pacesetters, we have got state’s anthem 20, 22 years before other states start copying us, so Ogun West should put its house in order, because as they are scheming we are unfolding their plots.

“Apart from the ‘tekobo’ that is well known to all of you, they are planning to send another two or three other ‘tokobos’ but we will resist them. Ogun is now about 43 years. Imagine this a; a senatorial district has not had a shot at the governorship slot, is it fair? Let give Ogun West a chance. If they too are allowed

Amosun’s decision to throw his weight behind Ogun west is also causing ripples among the people of the Ogun east who naturally believe that it is their turn to produce the governor.

to produce the governor then, there may not be basis for rotations and henceforth everything will be based on merit since the distribution would have gone round, so the task is now on Yewa to give us a son-of-the- soil or do we want to say as exposed and educated as we are in Ogun State that we don’t have human materials among us who can govern us?”

It is common knowledge in political parlance that, every governor will try as much as possible to choose who succeeds him. Therefore, no one will be surprised if Amosun jettisons his support for Ogun West to pick someone else from another district.

Thus, Amosun’s case would not be an exception in determining where the baton goes in 2019, as he has the state APC’s structure in his grip.

But among political watchers and pundits, it is predicted that the ruling APC in Ogun State may soon become fragmented as aggrieved governorship aspirants, among those who are being labelled “tokunbos”, with intimidating pedigrees might decide to fight back, float new parties and contest the number one seat on another platforms in order to actualise their dream. At the same time, not losing the sight of the two strong opposition parties (PDP and UPN) in the state which may spring surprises by taking advantage of the division within APC. If the crisis is not properly managed, it may jeopardize the chances of the aspirants from Ogun West.

Likely to be in the race are Otunba Olatunde Rotimi Paseda of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), from Omu - Ijebu; Chief Tolu Odebiyi, the scion of Sen Jonathan Dynasty and a native of Iboro, in Yewa North Local Government, the present Chief

of Staff to the Ogun State Government and Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (aka GNI).

Also pulling the string from the Ogun East district is Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, heir apparent of the billionaire business mogul, Sir Adebutu Kessington, who is currently representing Remo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

But GNI holds sway in the entire Yewa/ Aworiland, being an indigene of Imeko, in Imeko-Afon Local Government, on account of his experience, having attempted the governorship race twice in 2011 and 2015.

He is still warming up for the third attempt.

Sen Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (aka YAYI), a Pahayari-born politician from Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government, currently representing Lagos West Senatorial district at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, is not leaving any stone unturned in his governorship bid, come 2019. He is an anointed son of the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is not in good terms with Amosun.

Although, rejected by Amosun, Adeola continues to pull a lot of crowd. He has been traversing every nook and cranny of Ogun State, winning more ‘souls’ into his camp.

Virtually almost all those who served under Amosun during his first term in office had turned against the governor. Also a bulk of the erstwhile chieftains and supporters of the feuding PDP in Ogun state, have shifted grounds and defected to Yayi’s camp. They are the bastion upon which Yayi has been building his political empire across the three senatirial districts in the state.

Except the governor matches his words with action, his hope of handing over to a governor from the Ogun West may become a mirage.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Between Peace-loving Igbos and Secessionists Relishing his youth service days in Asaba, Delta State, Yushau Shuaib, posits that there’s a world of difference between peace-loving Igbos spread across the country and a handful of secessionist agitators holed up in the hinterland

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he sweet memory of my youth service year in an Igboland of Asaba, Delta State in the 90s, is what I have continued to relish whenever a discourse on tribalism, sectionalism and the likes are on the front burner in my beloved country, Nigeria. As non-indigenes, especially young Northerners, we were well-received, accommodated and accorded respect and dignity. In fact, we freely walked into the Palace of the Paramount ruler, the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien for supports and guidance whenever the need arose.

Since then, I have had a proper perspective and understanding of the Ndigbo whom I have as friends. In this tension-soaked period where various sectional groups issue reckless and unguarded threats, it is necessary to further distinguish between a peaceloving Nigerian Igbo from a Secessionist Biafran agitator.

The Ndigbo, as I know them, are spread across every nook and cranny of Nigeria. The Igbo speaks local dialects and respects the culture of the host communities. He believes every part of Nigeria is a home away from home and adopted same as the place of residence.

Experience has shown that if you go to any community and you cannot find an Igbo person there, your best bet is to leave that town immediately.

Any city without an Igbo person is not business-like. On the other hand, a Biafran agitator is not exposed to other parts of Nigeria besides the Igboland and might have grown in the diaspora where he only learns the distorted history of Nigeria from myopic and eccentric points of views. The agitator hates other Nigerians and possibly believes in violent confrontation towards the actualization of his dream of the Republic of Biafra.

Meanwhile, the successes of an Igbo entrepreneur is more visible outside the shores of Igboland with enormous investments in hospitality, housing estates, spare parts, automobiles and manufacturing industries among others in different regions of the country. However, the business enterprise of a Biafran agitator is restricted within his ‘Biafra-land’ without a vision for expansion outside the South-eastern region. The primary activity of an agitator is in constant pursuit of hate speeches through empty threats and arrogance posture. This is not the Ndigbo that I know so well.

An Igbo politician is a bridge builder, who establishes and sustains friendship across the Niger. The likes of Uzor Kalus of Abia, Rochas Okorochas of Imo, Peter Obis of Anambra among others are clear examples of successful Igbo businessmen who transcend geographic boundaries of Nigeria in wise investment in the productive sector, before venturing into politics to support the Igboland.

Unfortunately, the Biafran agitator has completely lost touch with the reality of our existence. The secessionist has forgotten that the map of the SouthEastern region of the 60s has completely changed in the new millennium where the minority tribes are no longer in that realm but in mostly Niger Delta region of the South-South. The Biafran politician fantasises on annexing other resourceendowed territories by visualising Ijaw, Urhobo, Kalabari, Ibibio, Ikwere, Efik, Igala, Idoma and Edo into the illusionary Biafran Republic. Some of these ethnic nationalities have in recent times come out to dissociate themselves from the

Kalu.....a detribalized Nigerian worthy of emulation

so-called Biafra agitation.

The Nigerian Igbo believes in oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria, he speaks Nigeria, breath Nigeria and will never

In series of his videos and audios, available online, Nnamdi Kanu engages in lousy intimidation and nauseating statements.

It is just ridiculous, however, that rather than condemning him and bringing him to order, some respected Igbo leaders, who have themselves built bridges across the length and breadth of this country, celebrate and even stand behind him over his treasonable case in the court.

leave Nigeria. An obvious example is the fact that Igbos in Kano populate the vast Sabon Gari District whose population is more than most big cities in the SouthEast. Apart from occasional sectional skirmishes which may not necessarily be their faults, the Igbos in the North are well loved by Northern leaders even protected by Arewa youths.

The Igbos are allowed to acquire properties and establish businesses in every northern part of the country, but the Biafran sympathisers have continuously denied outsiders from owning lands for business related activities in the SouthEast. This glaring discrimination currently creates the disparity of inequality of business ownerships where an average Northerner can quickly relocate without losing a dime, while the sheer volume of investment of a South-Easterner can never be easily recouped or transferred even in decades.

It is necessary to point out that the modern day’s Biafran agitators hate Nigeria and Nigerians and have described the country as a zoo. The main agitator and Supreme Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) known as Nnamdi Kanu has not only publicly threatened to wage war against Nigeria in a bloody and violent confrontation but has also described any Christian that attends “a Church with a Yoruba Pastor as an idiot, imbecile and not fit to be a human being and worse than Boko Haram.”

In series of his videos and audios,

available online, Nnamdi Kanu engages in lousy intimidation and nauseating statements. It is just ridiculous, however, that rather than condemning him and bringing him to order, some respected Igbo leaders, who have themselves built bridges across the length and breadth of this country, celebrate and even stand behind him over his treasonable case in the court.

While the rantings of Biafran agitators had gone on for a while without a reply, it was the reckless declaration of the ultimatum issued by the so-called Arewa Youths as counterbalancing response to the inciting statements that reawakens the consciousness of Nigerians to the danger of hate campaigns.

While it may be justifiable to unleash a ferocious dog against a neighbour’s untamed mad dog, we should nevertheless tame the fury of Arewa youths who may have the exact mindset of Kanu’s IPOB. Some may not issue empty threat, they can just misbehave like the mad dogs.

As Nigerians, we should deploy common sense through dialogue to resolve the contentious issues of our nationhood.

After all the hullabaloos and threats, I am so sure that no one is going anywhere. We should remain united and stop the dirty politics of ethnicity, widely played by sponsored and misguided youths. The illadvised agitators from both parties must have read slanted history books since they were not witnesses to the history.

Shuaib wrote in from Abuja

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017

BUSINESSWORLD R A t E s NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A s

A t

M A Y

NIBOR 21.3750% 21.0038 %

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

22.5331% 24.6856%

1 8

NITTY 1-MONTH 3-MONTH 3-MONTH

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

2 0 1 7 20.1827% 19.3855% 16.2693%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

21.3861% 21.5058% 22.4006%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.35//1US DOLLAR* *As At LAst FRIDAY

Quick Takes Pilots Oppose Qatar Plan to Buy AAL

BUSINESS HANDSHAKE

L-R: Executive Director, Stanibic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay; a former Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle, during Stanbic IBTC Bank Platinum Private Banking Exclusive Dinner, Themed; ‘Helping You Stay Ahead’ held in Lagos … recently

Airlines Lose N20 Billion Annually to Bird Strikes Chinedu Eze There are indications that Nigerian airlines might be losing as much as N20billion to bird strike annually, as the frequency of such incidents has increased over the years without efforts to curtail them by concerned authorities.

Some airlines operators told THISDAY that bird strikes have become very regular that they have to make provisions for the possibility of changing aircraft engines many times in a year.

A bird strike is when a bird enters the jet engine of an aircraft; it usually damages such engine, and forces the airline to replace the engine when it happens. Usually, the aircraft is grounded until a new engine is fixed on the aircraft and tested.

AVIATION A source told THISDAY that it was not only that the airlines lose huge resources on bird strikes as the engines are condemned, but oftentimes, the aircraft is grounded for days until a new engine is acquired.

On average domestic operation, a Boeing 737 generates N5million everyday it is put on air and when it is grounded for about 10 days, the airline loses about N50million.

The process of acquiring a new engine could take longer time than 10 day and the cost of the engine of Boeing B737 classic, which could still operate between 3000 to 4000 hours before overhaul is between $3 and $4 million; that of next

generation aircraft like Boeing B737-800 is between $6 and $8 million.

Although the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has insurance coverage for environment hazards, the airlines said that the agency does not compensate them when their aircraft are damaged by bird strikes.

However, THISDAY learnt that FAAN’s Environment Department takes measures to reduce the presence of birds at the airports but the measures have not effectively kept the birds at bay; rather, almost every week, there are reports of bird strikes at different airports in the country.

But the President, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Nogie Meggison said that before now, bird strikes occur over five

to six times monthly but it has been reduced to a minimum of about four or two monthly, which implies that bird strikes could occur more than 24 times annually.

But an insider told THISDAY that this is debatable because bird strike incident “happens every other week and I am not sure that the airlines report to AON whenever it happens.”

The Accountable Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Dana Airlines, Obi Mbanuzuo, said that bird strikes are one of the challenges facing airlines especially during the rainy seasons.

“In Africa, it is warm all the time and there are a lot of grasses and vegetation around Continued on page 20

Apapa Gridlock: Customs Agents Urge FG to Grant Waivers on Goods Eromosele Abiodun The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has called on the federal government to consider the difficulty in accessing and exiting the ports in Lagos due to the terrible condition of the access roads and grant waivers, concession to goods held up at the ports.

NCMDLCA stated this in a petition addressed to the acting President, Yemi Osinbanjo and signed by its national president, Mr. Lucky Amiwero.

The bad condition of the roads, they stated, “has assumed an alarming proportion leading to

MARITIME daily destruction of loaded goods that always fall on cars, trailers and sometime on persons.”

According to him, “as a member of the Presidential Committee on the Realisation of 48 hours Clearance of Cargo from Nigerian Ports and Borders, Presidential Task force on the Reform of Nigeria Customs Service Committee on Port problem and inter- Ministerial Committee of National Facilitation Committee (FAL) (IMO) and The Task Force on the Review of Port Charges, we are indeed, concerned about the state of our port access roads in

the Lagos area that account for almost 75/80 per cent of cargo throughput in the country.”

They pointed out that the clearance of goods from Lagos ports is associated with high demurrages, rents, risk of carriage and continuous delay, “which have heightened the cost of transportation, increase the number of days to access and exist the port with the attendant carriage risk of continuous falling of containers due to terrible condition of the access road within the port area. This has greatly increased the cost due to Inconsistency, Lack of Transparency and predictability in the Clearance of goods, which requires government urgent

intervention.”

NCMDLCA said the deplorable condition of the port access roads linking Apapa, Tincan Island, PTML Lily Pond and Brawal with serious damage portion, deep potholes and flood around the roads, always experience falling containers from trailers on private moving cars and sometimes persons.

“The effect of the negative impact created by the damaged road, portholes, the gridlock on the port access road, necessitated NCMDLCA to petition the federal government under the late President Musa Yar’Adua on the state of the port access roads and Continued on page 20

US pilots have ordered the stoppage of the bid by Qatar Airways to buy 10 percentage of American Airlines Group Inc (AAL). The airline had said earlier that it didn’t solicit the proposed investment, which prompted American shares to rise to 2.6 percent of $49.68 last Thursday The Allied Pilots Association, which represents American’s pilots, blasted the offer. “This is an action of aggression by the Qatar government and we take strong offense to that,” said APA spokesman Dennis Tajer. “They are flush with cash because the government is subsidising them. Now they want to come into our house and start buying the furniture. This has got to be stopped,” he said. In a statement last week, Qatar Airways said it “believes in American Airlines’ fundamentals and intends to build a passive position in the company with no involvement in management, operations or governance. “Qatar Airways has long considered American Airlines to be a good Oneworld Alliance partner and looks forward to continuing this relationship,” the carrier said.

Qatar Airways plans to make an initial investment of up to 4.75 percent will not exceed 4.75 percent without prior consent of the American Airlines board.” American, United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) are locked in a battle with Qatar, Emirates and Etihad over the Gulf carriers’ efforts to expand in the US while being heavily subsidised by the governments of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Boeing Rolls Out New Aircraft

Major aircraft maker, Boeing has introduced new aircraft, B737 MAX to compete with Airbus 321.

The aircraft was unveiled at the Paris Air Show.

Boeing was said to have packaged its Paris Air Show introduction of the 737 MAX 10 not only with 240 orders from 10 customers, but also with something different: The increases in its stock price moved Boeing last week into the top spot of the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

During the week, Boeing shares gained nearly 3.4 percent, while Apple Inc. shares dropped 4.5 percent, moving Boeing into first For Boeing, it is probably a day not to worry about the slowdown in the overall number of aircraft orders, particularly in the wide-body segment, where Middle East turmoil has slowed growth at some of the biggest purchasers of wide-body aircraft. Boeing said on Monday its new airplane, the 737 MAX 10, would have the lowest seat mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced and would be available in 2020. Among the early customers were India’s SpiceJet, which ordered 40 MAX 10s, placing 20 new orders and converting 20 737 MAX 8 orders; GE Capital Aviation Services, which ordered 20 MAX 10s by converting existing MAX orders, and German tour operator TUI Group, which said it will convert 18 orders to MAX 10 orders.

Ethiopia Voted Most Welcoming Country

Ethiopia has been voted the World’s Most Welcoming Country by global followers of Rough Guides; one of the leading travel publishers known for its “tell it like it is” review; providing traveller’s up-todate content and authoritative contemporary writing.According to the review, digital followers of Rough Guides were asked to share their experiences of the most hospitable places around the world and voted Ethiopia witnessing the unique features as: a profoundly beautiful East African country with a history that stretches back many thousands of years, never colonized and with the tribal customs and hospitable traditions largely maintained intact.Chairman of the EthiopianTourismTransformation Board, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam and GCEO Ethiopian Airlines expressed his delight on the vote of confidence and remarked, “Warm Hospitality is a unique culture for Ethiopians but we are extremely happy that visitors witnessed it with their vote of confidence and rated our country as the “Most Welcoming Country” in the entire World. I invite all my fellow citizens of this beautiful country of ours to thank our guests for their vote. Let me take this opportunity to invite international tourists to include Ethiopia in their immediate travel plan.

“The port access road constitutes a stumbling block to our International Maritime traffic as it has limited trade Facilitation process by constituting death threats to port operators“ President NCMDLCA

Mr Lucky Amiwero

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BUSINESSWORLD AIRLINES LOSE N20 BILLION ANNUALLY TO BIRD STRIKES the airports. If you go to the United States, their airports are concrete. Birds like vegetation, because of this, the airports are supposed to have bird prevention measures to scare off the birds but unfortunately some of our airports do not do that.

One of our bird strikes was in take-off and the other one was in landing. The damage can take a lot of money to fix,” Mbanuzuo said.

THISDAY learnt that in April, this year, a Dana aircraft, MD 83 with registration number 5N-SRI departed the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos for Port Harcourt, but had to make an air return to base barely few minutes after departing the airport.

The passengers in the aircraft were delayed for some time before the airline was able to make another aircraft available for the passengers, as the airline disclosed that the aircraft was grounded for days before APAPA GRIDLOCK: CUSTOMS AGENTS URGE FG TO GRANT WAIVERS ON GOODS its implication to the nation’s economy . The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria then directed that action should be taken by the Minister Federal Ministry of Work, Housing and Urban Development through a letter and copied the President of the NCMDLCA dated 21st of July 2009 with references/ PSP/21/92 OF 2009.

“Eight years after the approval by the President in 2009, the port access roads leading to the economic gateway to the nation that contribute almost 40 per cent of non -oil revenue to the national coffers are still not rehabilitated till 2017. The neglect is a serious setback to the nation, as the bad potholes, flooded port access roads and the gridlock constitutes almost 25 per cent of the cumbersome, lengthy procedure and port process, which accounts for associated delays and the highest Port cost in the sub region that encourage cargo diversion to other neighbouring country’s Port and places the nation at the bottom of ease of doing

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

NEWS

Osinbajo Urged to Intervene in NPA, INTELS Face-off to Save 20,000 Jobs Stories by Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigerian Importers Integrity Association (NIIA) has said that no fewer than 20,000 jobs in the Niger Delta region could be lost as a result of the face-off between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited.

NIIA President, Mr. Godwin Onyekazi said it was unfortunate that a simple business disagreement, which could have been amicably resolved “at the coffee table”, was allowed to degenerate to the point where more than 20,000 jobs are on the line.

Onyekazi said: “INTELS is a major operator in oil and gas, maritime and real estate industries. It is one of the largest employers of labour in the country and in the Niger Delta region. It should therefore concern any wellmeaning Nigerian that NPA is unable to amicably resolve and manage its differences with such organisation. “We have also read that INTELS is being persecuted because of its perceived links to a top politician in the country. This political dimension to the entire saga makes the intervention of His Excellency acting President Yemi Osinbajo imperative.

“We do not think that companies operating in the country should be subjected to political persecution especially at this when the Federal Government is pushing hard for peace to reign in the Niger Delta region,” Onyekazi said.

He said the competition for oil and gas logistics is international and the loss of

business by INTELS is the loss of business by Nigeria.

“It is an exercise in delusion to think that there is any other facility in-country that can provide the type of services INTELS is providing to the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas majors will simply move to Angola, Sao Tome and Principe or South Africa to enjoy the kind of services they enjoy at INTELS if INTELS is no longer in position to provide such service. “The implication of this is huge revenue loss to the country and loss of jobs in the Niger Delta region,” he said.

The NIIA President also called on the federal government to provide palliative measures to cushion the effect of Ijora-Wharf road closure for one year on port users. While commending the government for deeming it fit to repair the Ijora-Wharf Road, which he said has been abandoned for several years, Onyekazi said the same attention should be given to the Port Harcourt and Onne Ports access roads.

Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja last month issued an interim order directing the NPA and

four others to maintain the status quo in a suit filed by INTELS Nigeria Limited on the de-categorisation of terminals at the nation’s seaports.

INTELS is asking the court to, among other reliefs, issue an order stopping the NPA and other defendants from implementing the proposed policy review. The defendants in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, NPA, the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Federal Ministry of Transport.

INTELS, in the suit is seeking

a declaration that the five lease agreements it entered into and executed with the 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants in respect of the Warri New Terminal, Warri Old Terminal, Federal Lighter Terminal B, Calabar Terminal A and Federal Ocean Terminal A, all dated October 24, 2005 for 25 years’ renewable leasehold were still subsisting.

The plaintiff is also praying the court for a declaration that the defendants are duty-bound to honour, perform and fulfill their contractual obligations as stated in the five lease agreements.

BEHOLD OUR NEW PARTNER

L-R: Country Leader, Ernest and Young (EY) Nigeria, Mr. Henry Egbiki; Partner,EY Nigeria Actuarial Services, Mr. Rotimi Okpaise; Advisory Partner Services, Nisi Bunmi Akande; and Deputy Head of Markets, Mr. Ashish Bakhshi, at the appointment of a new actuarial services partner in EY Nigeria held in Lagos etop ukutt

Decategorisation of Terminals: NPA Will Chase Oil Majors Out of N’Delta, Group Warns Rivers State entrepreneurs and investors have accused the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, of playing out a script that could destroy the budding Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State, an action which they said could force the oil majors to exit the Niger Delta region.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt at the weekend, the President of Rivers State Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF), Ibifiri Bobmanuel, said a recent terminal decategorisation

policy of NPA under Usman was done deliberately to remove “the attraction and business verve” enjoyed by investors at Onne Free Zone, which is the fastest growing free zone in the world.

He said the policy would lead to an “exodus of business”, thereby crippling the zone.

According to him, “Oil companies have their head offices outside the Niger Delta. The only thing that forces them to domicile some aspects of their operations in the oil regions is Onne Port because of the

status it enjoys. Otherwise, most companies would prefer to stay in Lagos to interface with the oil multinationals, especially when it has to do with major oil deals.”

Bobmanuel said most fabrications done for the oil majors were being done in Onne because of the equipment shipped there, else, they would prefer to do it outside the oil region, in the absence of the force of law.

He said the decategorisation of terminal and removal of the oil and gas status enjoyed by

Onne Free Zone “is going to harm the Nigerian economy when the time comes”.

He added: “When the impact comes, I wonder if the people may revolt because of hunger and this may affect many things.

The presidency needs to review the situation and redress the Onne matter.

“If you say anybody can clear anything anywhere, you are simply saying, Onne, you are dead,” he said.

He wondered why the federal government through the Acting President would order oil majors

to return to the oil region, only to also remove the advantage of Onne as a dedicated oil and gas hub.

“I wonder why some people cannot smell the coffee. All of this is deliberate. Give Onne another four years at most, it dies,” he said.

“We in the region expect that for the singular fact that Rivers State is closest to the industry in the region, the FG (Federal Government) would make seaports here very functional.

This would automatically boost buying and selling.

Customs Intensifies Campaign against Trade Malpractices, Smuggling The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said that it has renewed its campaign against trade malpractices and smuggling as part of efforts to implement the ease of doing business policy of the federal government.

To that end, the NCS said that it has come out with series of posters and flyers, urging importers and agents to make genuine declarations.

According to a statement, the agency also urged members of the business community,

particularly importers and their agents, to avoid importation of prohibited items and harped on the need to pay appropriate customs duty always.

After the recent approval by the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, for the service to commence electronic auction of seized and condemned goods, the customs had released a video sensitising members of the public on the forthcoming auction regime.

Aside pasting enlightenment posters at strategic points of various customs formations, its recent drive is seen across various social media platforms where it hopes to bring information about its activities closer to the masses in an easy to understand and cheaper to access format.

As a way of bringing its officers in sync with recent directives by acting President Yemi Osinbajo on the need to facilitate legitimate trade in the

country, the customs’ recent moves is seen as an awakening to officers and stakeholders to always ensure compliance with rules.

Commenting on the development, spokesman for the service, Joseph Attah, said that the management of customs is keen on improving on transparency level of its relationship with stakeholders.

Attah, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs added that where there is improved compliance

among importers and agents, cargo clearance at the seaports, airports and border stations will be faster. ‘’Our campaigns are targeted at a broad audience base because the more we dominate the various conventional and new media outlets with the true information for public consumption , the more difficult it becomes for unsuspecting members of the public to be misled or scammed.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Stakeholders Suggest Ways to Explore Opportunities in Maritime Industry Peter Uzoho Maritime industry players have said that good management models, strategies, and policies are needed to tap from the huge opportunities in the industry, which they said could serve as alternative source of revenue to Nigeria and Africa.

Delivering a lecture at the 2nd International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference and Exhibition, held recently in Lagos, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Nike Akande, said Nigeria has marine resources to develop a sustainable blue economy that would be used to support the traditional economy.

The event with the theme: “Dynamism and Maritime Investment in Africa,” was organised by ZOE Maritime Resources Limited.

Akande stated that these potential needed to be managed and harnessed to provide additional capacity for government to generate more revenue, create jobs and reduce poverty and unemployment in Nigeria.

“The exploitation of inherent potential and opportunities in a blue economy is a major motivation in presenting this public lecture. I hope to see this event making a business case for the development of a

sustainable and vibrant blue economy in Africa, ”Akande said.

According to her, there is a compelling need for diversification of African economies that depend heavily on minerals and commodities, and have coastal resources to leverage on, to grow their economies.

Akande noted that some African countries were faced with declining government revenues and slowing growth.

“Accompanying these are rising inflation, worsening poverty level, rising unemployment rate and weakening consumer demand, ”she added. The Convener of the conference and Chairman, ZOE Marine Resources Limited, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, explained that the aim of the conference and exhibition was to attract foreign direct investments into the maritime industry in Nigeria as well as to stimulate the Nigerian ports as the hub of maritime activities in the West and Central African Sub region through panel discussions and networking sessions.

She said that the conference sought to address the lapses in the industry and find solutions to them, noting that Nigeria has the courage and ability to tackle these

challenges because it has the greatest cargo share in Africa. She also stated that the industry was still developing adding that Nigeria has a long way to go in harnessing its resources for the benefit the citizenry.

In a communiqué read at the end of the conference by one of the Rapporteurs and Senior Associate, SPA Ajibade & Co, Mrs. Adetola Ayanru, the stakeholders suggested that audit of existing legislations be carried out; make amendments where necessary; and new legislation must be put in place to encourage the exploration of the opportunities embedded in the blue economy.

The communiqué reads in part, “there should be compliance with international standards by shipping agents and operators in safe-guarding the welfare of boarding officers in the duration of inspection activities.

There should be clear and transparent declaration of actual description by the exporter to enable adequate preparation by the inspecting officer. Inspections of waste management facilities to ensure they are carried out according to law by the relevant agencies to ensure a cleaner environment.

Unites Academy Partners Cisco on ICT Olympics for Girls Emma Okonji Following gender discrimination that has led to lack of confidence in girls to enjoy the value that information and communications technology (ICT) has to offer, Unites Academy Foundation, a non-governmental organisation has partnered Cisco, a technology solution company, to address the ugly situation among girls.

According to the Foundation, girls are particularly at a disadvantage as they are often not encouraged to take up courses in Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) fields, which are hugely male dominated fields.

This has therefore created a misconception and stereotype that girls are less wired for technology and ICT careers than their male counterparts.

In order encourage girls to take a career in science and technology related courses, Unites Academy Foundation, last week in Lagos, organised the second edition (south-west regionals) of the National ICT Champions Olympics for girls.

The competition, which took place at the Queens College gymnasium, was aimed at providing a platform for the girl child to demonstrate their skills in ICT, inspire girls in Nigeria to embrace ICT and encourage entrepreneurship skills and ICT competency among girls.

Students from Queens

College being the host school, FGGC Sagamu, FGC Akure, FSTC Yaba, FGC Ijanikin, FSTC Ikare, FGC Ikirun, FGC Idoani, FGGC Akure, SMAC, FGGC Oyo, FGC Ogbomoso, New Estate Baptist School, FSTC Ijebu Imushin, and eight other schools were in attendance.

While welcoming the female students, the Director/Principal of Queens College, Chief Mrs. Bola Are, said: “The world is now a global village courtesy of ICT and so girls must use ICT to develop their brains, impact their lives positively and add value to society.”

The Director, Secondary and Basic Education, Ministry of Education, who was represented by the Director/Principal, Kings College Lagos, Mr. A.O.Thomas emphasised the importance of the young women’s experience from the competition which would be beneficial to them in the future. The Executive Director of Unites Academy Foundation, Mr. Toyin James Olatayo stated that inspiring and encouraging young girl’s interest in technology would empower them to take their rightful positions as future leaders in a competitive world and position them to become innovative and successful future leaders. He reiterated the determination of Unites Academy Foundation to close the gender digital divide by deciding to establish a network of Internet of Things (IoT) innovation centres in secondary

and tertiary institutions.

After three hours session of creativity and applied skills in Computer System Assembling and Troubleshooting, Logo Design, Quiz Competition, ICT Presentation, Internet and Networking Skills, Game Development and Coding, the results of winners were announced.

For the ICT Quiz, FGGC Akure won, while FGC Ijanikin was announced as first runner up, and SMAC as second runner up. For Computer System Assembling, FGGC Sagamu won, while Queens College was announced as 1st runner up, and FSTC Yaba as 2nd runner up. For Logo Design competition, Queens College won, while FGC Ijanikin was announced as 1st runner up and FSTC Ijebu Imusin was announced as 2nd Runner up.

For Scratch Programming competition, Queens College came first, FSTC Ijebu Imusin was the first runner up and SMAC was the second runner up. Medals were presented to winners in various levels of the competition. Queens College won two gold and one silver medals. FGGC Akure won one gold medal, FGGC Sagamu won one gold medal, while FGC Ijanikin won two silver medals.

Also, FSTC Ijebu Imusin won one silver medal, and one bronze medal. SMAC won a total of two bronze medals, while FSTC Yaba won one bronze medal.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Risk Data: Information is Power Data - its reliance and integrity ultimately drive risk management outcomes and decisions. It has been established from previous writings that Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is about timely scrutiny and proactive management of risk across businesses.

For an ERM framework to be deemed a success, it must be seen to deliver better informed and timely decision-making capabilities.

A top-down perspective on enterprise risk management (ERM) is what typically obtains. This approach underestimates the importance of data, which is the core bottom-up enabler for ERM, and compromises the bigger-picture requirements of a sound ERM framework, including the longer-term strategic advantages of a solid data foundation.

Obtaining the right information at the right time, which is appropriate to the business aspect, is at the very heart of risk management. This information might be in the form of data, specific stress situations, influences, judgement and assumptions.

Data is not very useful on its own but it is at the very core of risk intelligence after it has been ordered into logical information using various means.

The starting point is to focus on the business aspect that is under scrutiny. Then a list of possible data sources should be listed under external and internal headings before resources are allocated to the obtaining of the information. It is a mistake to narrow the field of possible areas of data too soon, because that can create bias.

For example, just looking at past data to predict the performance of a particular risk is a bit like a pilot guessing the flight plan for an airplane. One degree of error at the commencement of the journey could result in a final destination that is several kilometres from the correct place.

Past data is useful, but it needs to be interrogated closely to look at where there are aberrations in the risk trends and to examine reasons for any changes.

Where there is little data to rely on, then other sources of information should be gathered which are relevant to the risk area under examination. With operational risk, there is usually the challenge of little internal data, such as incidents, accidents, near misses or recorded errors by which a good forecast of the future performance of the risk can be assessed.

Capturing the correct data can prove critical to ensuring that the right people discuss, monitor and manage the risks appropriate for consideration at each level of the organisation.

Deficiencies in raw data are not the only obstacle to achieving this objective. When poor data is combined with the management of risk in silos, ERM is fundamentally undermined.

Silos are perhaps inevitable for day-to-day, local operational purposes, but this approach to management of risks is inadequate for the organisation as a whole.

Once a holistic view of key risk data has been achieved, material improvements in operational efficiency both at the local level as well as at the enterprise level can be achieved.

The source of data now brings to question.

Incident reports, near misses and insurance

claims are grist to the mill for risk analysts who are looking for data upon which to analyse risk, but often the near misses are ignored, which is quite unfortunate as they are most useful for being able to predict how risk is performing.

Complaints from customers are also a rich source of information about risk performance, and trends from these complaints can be indicative of risk management improvement requirements. Care should be taken in order to encourage an open reporting environment so that people do not falsify the information provided if they fear punishment.

Key performance indicators, audit reports and management reports are also great areas for tracking risk changes. For that purpose, dashboards are more useful, particularly if trends can be tracked.

External information is most useful when trying to benchmark one organisation’s risk performance against another and being able to predict the way in which a risk might change.

To understand how limitations in data availability across the enterprise frustrates the holistic management of individual firms, one only needs look at the recent subprime crisis, which morphed into the liquidity crisis, and then the economic crisis, which in turn led to the wider contagion that we experienced post 2008. Ultimately, banks did not have access to the data needed to enable the robust management of risk across the enterprise.

The federal government recently launched the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP), with the objective of restoring the country to a positive and sustained growth path, investing in the Nigerian people to improve their living standards, and building an economy that is globally competitive.

With little information on the number of initiatives being put in place to ensure effective implementation, the source and reliability of the data that will be employed is critical to its success. The task force constituted to drive the implementation will rely on a continuous supply of rich and reliable data from The National Bureau of Statistics. Any flaws in the source data will result in less than optimized achievement of this noble government objective.

Risk information is founded on getting the right source and type of data and manipulating it so that the data reveals the knowledge that leads to information.

The seeking of the right information to support the risk analysis is a process of hard work and deliberate strategy.

Whilst short cuts can be made, assumptions jumped to, and gut feeling used; there is no substitute for solid supporting data which is relevant to the risk activity in hand.

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

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AVIATION

AIR WATCH

FAAN Explains Leaking Roof at MMIA Chinedu Eze The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has explained that the licking roof of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport was a result of the on-going works at the terminal.

The agency said the upgrade was coming on the heels of the executive order issued recently by the Presidency aimed at “improving ease of doing business in Nigeria”. The Authority said it is doing everything possible to improve the quality of its services in line with the order.

“FAAN management in compliance with government policies has since initiated practical steps

to improve on safety and security architecture of the nation’s premier airport and also improve comfort and passengers experience.

“Consequently, upgrade of facilities is on-going in different areas at the International Terminal building of MMIA Lagos and as a result we are experiencing challenges as we have to keep up with our core operations going on while the upgrade continues,” the agency said.

FAAN said sequel to this on-going works, “we recently experienced some leakages from the roof at the ‘D Wing’ of the terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, owing to a heavy rain accompanied by wind storm. This is directly connected to the civil engineering works going

on at the roof top at that location, which temporarily interrupted our engineers who are replacing the old roof with new ones at that instance.”

The agency said it was practically impossible to work at that location due to its height and slipperiness while the rains lasted, but work immediately resumed after the rain subsided, and the integrity of roof was restored.

It clarified: “We want to state clearly that this defect did not affect operations in any way or at any time at the terminal. FAAN assures passengers, airport users and the general public of her commitment to a safe, secure and improved facilitation at the nation’s airports,” FAAN said.

NAHCO Takes over ET Handling in Kano The Nigerian Handling Company Plc (nacho aviance) said it has started handling Ethiopia Airlines in Kano.

The company said with the recent commencement of the passenger and ramp handling of Ethiopia in Kano, it has now made a complete haul of ET’s passenger services and ramp handling in Nigeria.

The cut-over of the airline’s passenger handling and ramp handling on June 18, 2017 in Kano now means that nahco aviance handles these segments of the ET business in all its destinations in Nigeria.

The company said: “Before

the latest addition, the foremost ground handler had been in charge of the ET’s passenger and ramp services in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.

“The new development came just as nahco aviance signed a deal to handle Turkish Airline (TK) Freighter Service to Kano. The new service which is expected to commence July 4t, 2017 would see the ground handler increase its strong partnership with TK whose entire cocktail of businesses it handles in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the new busi-

nesses, the Lagos Regional Manager of the Company, Mr. Biodun Oyebade on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer, said it was a welcome and comforting development.

“The new business is a welcome development. I am very happy we now handle ET, the flagship African Airline in four locations it flies into in Nigeria and the fifth location also coming soon,” Nahco said.

It disclosed that the airline operates average of 56 inbound passenger flights monthly into Lagos/Abuja and Kano; second only to Lufthansa Airline.

Global Standards the Key for Sustainable Russian Aviation Growth, Says IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the Russian Federation to implement global standards and best practices, in order to maximise the economic and social benefits generated by its growing air transport sector.

IATA noted that strong demand for connectivity is evident in over 12 per cent growth this year for passenger services and robust growth in air freight, noting that the latest estimates show that aviation and aviationenabled tourism supports 1.1 million jobs and 1.6 percent of Russian GDP. “The positive impact of global safety standards, including the IATA Operational Safety Audit, and investments in new aircraft are reflected in improved safety performance. There have been no fatal jet aircraft accidents by Russian carriers over the last three years. When looking at the all- accident data for

2016, however, there is still a gap between Russian performance (one accident per 400,000 flights) and the global average (one accident per 620,000 flights),”IATA said.

It noted also that there was a need to further strengthen aviation’s economic and social benefits, which could be achieved with an even greater implementation of three key global standards.

IATA therefore called on Russia to ratify Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14), an important global treaty to give greater powers to states to prosecute unruly passenger behavior; volunteer for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a global agreement for a market-based measure to help achieve carbon-neutral growth for aviation by 2020.

Seventy nations have already volunteered to implement CORSIA from 2021 and ensure that the benefits of

the recently-ratified Montreal Convention 99 treaty are felt, by ensuring customs and border authorities are ready to accept paperless cargo shipments.

“Russian aviation is on an upward curve. The new optimism can be seen in everything from the preparations to receive millions of visitors for the 2018 World Cup, to the desire to create a new generation of passenger jets.

To write the next chapter in the successful development of Russian aviation, the country must continue to align with global standards and best practices. Ratification of MP14 and volunteering to join the CORSIA carbon offsetting agreement would send a powerful signal that Russia is taking a leadership position in global aviation affairs,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac. De Juniac is in Russia meeting with government and business officials.

Aero Raises the Bar with Maintenance Facility

T

he desire of airline operators to have Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, is gradually becoming a reality.

In the next six weeks, Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors would start C-check maintenance of Boeing classics, Boeing B737-300, B737-400 and B737-500 in addition to Bombardier Dash 400 and helicopters.

The airline has sent the necessary manuals to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for audit and approval and is currently negotiating with Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) for partnership and the extension of its hangar to fully take in Boeing 737 aircraft.

Spokesman of the NCAA, Sam Adurogboye told THISDAY on Wednesday that Aero already had the regulatory body’s certification for the maintenance of smaller aircraft, including helicopters as well as to carry out A and B checks on bigger aircraft; but now that it wants to do major maintenance on bigger aircraft, NCAA would audit its facility, manpower and other requirements to ensure that what the airline is able to do dovetails with international standards and practices.

THISDAY also spoke with the CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, who gave details on the airline’s readiness and what it has achieved since February when he took over the management of the company.

Sanusi said that the airline has 58 years aviation experience and that is what it would bring to bear on the new effort of effectively and efficiently carrying out C-check maintenance of Boeing 737 aircraft.

“We have agreement with my management team on how to conduct C-checks in Nigeria.

We are confident that this will be achieved within the next six weeks with our skills and manpower. We have sent manuals to NCAA for variation to conduct checks on Boeing 737 classics,” Sanusi said.

He explained that the maintenance hangar the airline has now is not elaborate enough to fully take in a B737 aircraft, but it is already discussing with a parts and tooling company to extend the hanger farther.

“We have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company and we are talking with companies with established MRO like South Africa Airways (SAA) Technical to ensure that our maintenance meets international standards.

SAA Technical said it is willing to sign agreement with us after the hangar extension. We are also in touch with approved maintenance organisations in order to ensure we carry out top quality maintenance,” Sanusi said.

He said that the airline would start C-checks on Boeing 737-300, 400 and 500 and later go up to also carry out maintenance of the new Boeing 737 models known as the NGs-Next Generation. The airline is already maintaining Bombardier Dash 8-300 aircraft.

On whether other airlines would patronise its maintenance facility, Sanusi said that the airlines would patronise the facility because they know that it cannot obtain approval if it is not qualified to carry out maintenance of the aircraft effectively.

“Aviation is a highly regulated sector, so other airlines will bring their aircraft to us because they know that without approval we won’t be carrying out maintenance. C-check package has checklist, where everything to be done is written down and you must follow the checklist and anyone you completed is signed off,” Sanusi explained.

He noted that there is a lot to gain if Nigerian airlines could be maintaining their aircraft

Sanusi

in Nigeria. One, it would save the money that would have been incurred as expenses ferrying the aircraft overseas; two, it would also save foreign exchange as every expenditure overseas is dominated in dollars and the airline which aircraft is under maintenance in Aero facility could come and inspect how the work is going on, a privilege the management might not have if the maintenance is being done overseas.

“If the airlines have the capacity to supervise us that will be good. They will know that we are doing it according to international standards. We are already doing certain levels of maintenance for other airlines,” Sanusi said.

The Aero CEO also said that when he took over the management of the airline in February the management team reviewed the number of serviceable aircraft available and arrived at the first goal, which was how to stabilise the airline.

“We agreed to go back to the core competences of the airline, which is oil and gas services for the helicopters. We have two helicopters now and the third one will be ready in July, 2017. We are doing a bid for major contract now and when we secure the bid we would have additional three helicopters to execute the contract with. Presently we have two Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft and one Boeing 737.

Soon another Boeing 737 will be brought in from maintenance in France so we have two Boeing 737 aircraft, three Dash 8 and two helicopters,” Sanusi said.

Aero currently operates schedule flight services in addition to its oil and gas services. The Aero CEO said the airline operates from Lagos to Port Harcourt, Abuja, Warri, Asaba and Sokoto.

Sanusi said the airlines load factor has improved beyond expectation and has gone up to over 70 percent, noting that “it is amazing how the load factor grew from between 40-50 to upper 70s.

This shows we are a good airline with five decades of experience and we have also improved our on-time performance.

On the workers that were laid off, Sanusi said the airline was yet to raise money to pay them disengagement entitlements but noted that some of the engineers who were laid off might be reabsorbed for the MRO. Aero, which seemed to have gone off the radar of existence last year, has bounced back and with its MRO services, the airline may have more years to provide service to Nigerians.

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AVIATION

Of Open Skies for Africa African states have met severally to allow an open sky policy, such that the continent’s airlines are shielded from impediments that hamper them from operating from one country to another in the region, but so far this plan has been strewn with hurdles, writes Chinedu Eze The European Union enjoys a certain level of open sky, whereby an airline can fly to many destinations across countries in the continent.

Although individual countries like the UK have their peculiar immigration regulations; that if you have Schengen visa you may not fly to the UK, but many countries in the region allow seamless flights from one city to another.

This promotes easy movement of individuals among the member nations; it saves the airlines the usual scarce resources and promotes tourism and other businesses from one country to another.

Yamoussoukro Decision The Yamoussoukro Declaration signed in 1999 called for liberalisation of African skies for African airlines, aimed to establish a single African air transport market by avoiding market restrictions imposed by bilateral air service agreements or immigration hindrances. So far, many nations in Africa are yet to embrace this policy and the implementation of this policy is believed to be the gateway to creating strong airlines in Africa that would contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of many countries in the continent.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) after conducting a research came to the conclusion that implementing the Yamoussoukro Decision (Declaration) will transform intra-African air connectivity. The report was done by independent economic consultants, Inter VISTAS. It outlined the benefits that would accrue if 12 African nations were to implement the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision.

IATA explained that the Yamoussoukro Decision committed 44 signatory countries to deregulating air services and to opening regional air markets to transnational competition. The implementation of this agreement, however, has been slow, and the benefits have not been realised.

IATA also said the additional services generated by intra- African liberalisation between just 12 key markets will provide an extra 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in annual GDP. This would also include a potential five million passengers a year, which presently are being denied the chance to travel between these markets because of unnecessary restrictions on establishing air routes.

IATA noted that aviation already supports 6.9 million jobs and more than $80 billion in GDP across Africa. The InterVISTAS research demonstrates that liberalisation would create opportunities for further significant employment growth and economic development. The jobs and GDP impact for the 12 countries in the study are listed in the table below.

Nation

Additional Employment Algeria 11,100 Angola 15,300 Egypt 11,300 Ethiopia 14,800 Ghana 9,500 Kenya 15,900 Namibia 10,600 Nigeria 17,400 Senegal 8,000 South Africa 14,500 Tunisia 8,100 Uganda 18,600

Additional GDP (USD millions) 123.6 137.1 114.2 59.8 46.8 76.9 94.2 128.2 40.5 283.9 113.7 77.6

About two years ago in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Aviation experts from all over Africa and beyond declared that for air transport to grow and for African airlines to benefit from passenger traffic in the continent, African states must implement the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD).

The aviation stakeholders in the continent said African airlines have to work together and this would be enhanced by the open skies treaty in order to curb the incursion of non-African

mega carriers from the Gulf states, Europe and the US, which presently have 80 per cent of the market, while African airlines only have 20 per cent of the traffic in the region, down from 60 per cent control about 20 years ago.

Implementation IATA Vice-President, Africa, Raphael Kuchi, told THISDAY recently in Cancun, Mexico that the open sky policy was about to be implemented by some countries in Africa; but some declined from participating.

“There are some countries which have said they don’t think they are ready and you cannot force a country to be ready to embrace open sky. For instance, Angola is a typical example, they said they are still restructuring their airline and when their airline is ready to compete they will open up. So until then you cannot say they are resisting, they have given you a reason why they are not doing it now. But on Yamoussoukro, I am sure last year I mentioned to you that some progress has been made and we should always not think that nothing is moving, there is some trust, albeit on a bilateral basis, now what we want to see is multilateral arrangement, that all countries and all operators in the country and the continent can benefit from,” Kuchi said.

However, Kuchi said about 21 countries are ready to ratify and embrace the Yamoussoukro Declaration.

“As we speak, we have 21 countries of the 54 countries in Africa that have said they are prepared to open up their market to other African carriers. Now, the thing is for the AU and its agencies to fast track the processes of actually actualising this. You know it is one thing for states to say, I want to open up, but what is the process? What do I need to do to show that I have opened up? If I have opened up and an airline wants to fly into my country what should that airline do?

Should it just get one day and start flying there, at least there should be some minimum requirement,” he said.

On whether the open sky for Africa policy would work, travel expert, Ikechi Uko told THISDAY on Monday that he believes it would work if the countries that already have airlines begin to implement the policy, then other would join with time.

“I believe it is workable. A coalition of willing countries that have airlines can start it, say Kenya Airways, South Africa Airways, Ethiopia Airlines and others. They can do something like Star Alliance, which initially people were reluctant to join but later others realised that the alliance has so much benefit but by then it has become difficult to join because you have to meet strict conditions. They code-share with their members and partner with their members

and are reluctant to partner with non-members; so they protect their market and are reluctant to open that market to non-members.

“So the 21 countries that have signified interest in the open sky policy will make it work. It does not need AU endorsement. They should go for visa on arrival, which will make it easier for passengers to travel. These 21 countries should open their borders,” Uko added.

He noted that Africa Airlines Association (AFRAA), African Union and IATA are looking forward to the implementation of the policy so the 21 countries that have endorsed the kick-off of the policy should fix a date the implementation would start.

Uko however express regret that while Nigeria endorsed the open sky policy, Nigerian airlines seem not to want it.

“However, only two countries have opened their countries fully and that is Ghana and Rwanda. If seven more countries open their airspace that way there would be a remarkable change. Nigerian airlines will benefit more from the policy because their saying that they are not ready is a fallacy. There is a huge market for the Nigerian airlines to dominate and that market is West and Central African market,” Uko said.

Dominance by Foreign Airlines This policy was expected to kick-off this year but only the aforementioned 21 countries have expressed their readiness.

The experts who deliberated over the policy noted that the international carriers that erode the African air traffic market employed less than one per cent of Africans in their airlines, but if the region’s airlines are empowered through government’s support, they would employ thousands of people in the continent as they strive to dominate their region in intercontinental travel. Among the government’s support the experts crave for are the lowering of taxes, introduction of stricter measures to stop multiple entry of international carriers to African nations, removing bottlenecks in the supply of aviation fuel and reducing the charges on the product so that airlines can buy cheaper fuel from the continent. They also want government to enhance credit facility for airlines in the continent through single digit, long term loans and assist in manpower development for the acquisition of technical skills in the industry.

Apprehension On the fears being expressed in some quarters by some countries and some airlines in the region that opening the skies would enable established African carriers to stifle newly established airlines, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam dismissed the

fear and described it as perceived fears instead of real ones, noting that today non-African airlines have 80 per cent of the traffic of the intercontinental air travel from the continent; yet the region gains nothing from the domination of these mega carriers. But if African airlines are empowered, it would be a catalyst for economic development of the continent, create thousands of jobs in each country and also enhance movement of people from one part of the continent to another.

“Twenty years ago the combined African airlines market was more than 60 per cent of the intercontinental traffic between Africa and the rest of the world. Back then there were airlines as big as Air Afrique, Ghana Airways, Nigeria Airways, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) owned airline. The DRC today doesn’t have an airline, but the DRC then had an airline operating more than 30 jet airplanes.

They all died because there is no support from their governments. They were not able to fly to their neighbouring countries as much as they did at that time; 20 years later. We are not able to fly freely to a neighbouring country,” the Ethiopian CEO said.

Gebremariam said that before the regional airline, Asky was established in West Africa; it was difficult to travel from one country to the nearest one by air, so a traveller who wished to travel to Togo from Ivory Coast would have to go to Paris first, from there he would connect flight to Togo.

“This has to stop and the only way it can stop and save our brothers and sisters the hardship of travelling to north and back to south is to open the markets in Africa. Today the 60 per cent market that we had in intercontinental traffic 20 years ago is down only 20 per cent.

How many people do the foreign airlines that fly to your country, employ from that country?

10 to 20 people, maximum, but if you have your national airline in Nigeria, it is going to employ thousands of Nigerians. This is as much as Kenya Airways does in Kenya; as much as Ethiopian Airlines does in Ethiopia.

So job creation for Africans is also at stake,” Gebremariam said.

The Ethiopian Airline CEO urged governments in Africa to create enabling environment for indigenous airlines to thrive.

“When I said enabling environment it means a lot, starting from governments in Africa having to treat their national carriers as strategic assets, as policy instruments for economic development. This is because aviation, air connectivity, air mobility are a critical economic growth drivers and also essential public service. In a continent where other modes of transport are still underdeveloped whether rail or road, the only way for people to connect is by air,” Gebremariam added.

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INTERVIEW

Govt Should Use Fiscal Policies to Create Jobs Unemploymentremainsoneofthefundamentalchallengesthatsuccessivegovernments in this country have not been able to address. In this interview with Ugo Aliogo, Mr. Akindele Afolabi, a Human Resource consultant speaks on this and other related issues.

Excerpts: What in your view is the most pronounced unemployment problem in Nigeria today?

I think one of the challenges we are facing in the area of unemployment is that we are not creating enough jobs, despite increase in the workforce year in year out. Some may not agree with this position as they have vacant roles that are not being filled because they cannot find candidates with the right skill set. People with this opinion may then argue that lack of skills is the single most important problem. I still hold on to the view that we are not creating enough jobs. Where we have about 2.6 million people entering the labour force annually and less than a million jobs are being created. This is a big issue in our hands.

We usually have situations where applicants far outnumber available positions.

What do you make of that?

I think that further validates my earlier position that we are not creating enough jobs. In as much as unemployment is a global phenomenon and we cannot always have enough jobs to go round; countries have tried to keep the rate low. But I feel we are not doing well in keeping the rates low here.

Currently unemployment rate is put at 13.9 percent of the active labour force of over 80 million. When you combine this figure with the number of entrants to the labour force per annum 2.6 million, then you can see why we have such a very high number of applicants per vacancy. If we are going to keep our unemployment rate below double digits, we must be creating about seven million jobs annually.

There is this complain about the quality of Nigerian graduates forcing employers to spend huge sums retraining new recruits.

Do you agree with this?

My concern is not even how bad it is, but how worse it would be. We have a situation in our hands that requires a state of emergency.

We need to question the essence of our tertiary institutions in facilitating learning, behavioural change and skills acquisition. I feel the best way to measure the effectiveness of a system is to look at the results being generated. If our tertiary institutions are meant to prepare people to solve societal problems, but we are churning out graduates who don’t even understand societal problems or do not have the basic skills; then we need to restructure our educational system.

To further underscore how bad the situation is, we now have graduate finishing schools and other programmes. These initiatives are aimed that helping graduates to get ready for the workplace and acquire skills. There should be no need for finishing schools if the tertiary institutions have done a good job in transforming the minds of their students and inculcating in them basic skills of the workplace.

The world is changing and business automation is fast taking over most jobs. The way work was done 10 years ago is different from the way we do it now. Globalisation is making the place we work not just a physical space, but anywhere we can use our skills productively. Therefore, we should begin to consider how competitive the graduates in our tertiary institutions are in the whole picture.

One major effect of this is that the jobs they are meant to do will be exported or automated which will further compound the graduate unemployment problem.

Let me state here that the poor quality of the graduates turned out by our tertiary institutions is not the only reason why most employers retrain the graduates. Globally, organisations train fresh graduates so that they can be properly inducted into the systems of the organisation.

This however, does not negate the fact that

Afolabi

we churn out poor graduates that need to be retrained.

What do you make of this emphasis on paper qualification rather than on skills acquisition?

Let us look at this by first understanding some wrong assumptions that impact on how we go about seeking for jobs. The first is a general view that job is what you get after graduation or whenever you realise that you have needs to be met so that you can have a source of income to meet those needs. A second is that to have a good job, you must have good qualifications.

These two misconceptions are compounding the problem of unemployment in Nigeria.

We need to move away from the concept of job as a source of income. Job is not a good source of income in my own assessment, so I will advise anyone who wants to get a job to have a good source of income to look elsewhere. What organisations are looking for is a problem solver.

To solve a problem, you need the right skills and not just qualification. Our educational system places more focus on paper qualifications than skills acquisition. The society celebrates someone who makes a first-class or a second class upper than a second class lower or third class honours.

The system of evaluation in our higher institution is designed such that it helps to identify the first class student but not necessarily the best skilled hands. Unfortunately, employers are not looking for just first class

graduates, but graduates with the skills to solve the employer’s problem.

Having a first class has no direct positive correlation with having the workplace skills.

Neither does having a third class has a positive correlation with not having the workplace skills.

Every course studied in the university has a skill element as well as the theoretical part.

But when you focus only on the theoretical part and you evaluate students mostly on that; then you have created a wide gap in the skill area. This doesn’t solve the problem in an organisation.

I am not disregarding having good educational grades. But my point is our focus should be more on using our tertiary institutions as a platform to develop skills; more than a platform to classify students using grades that are associated with their theoretical knowledge of their subjects.

If we refute the above argument and submit that our educational system promotes skill acquisition, there is yet another problem. It is obvious that there is a gap between employers’ skill requirement going by the quality of the graduates and the skills the higher institution might be teaching.

What some countries have done that makes getting good grades in school relevant to the employment world is that they facilitate employer and higher institutions partnership in curriculum development.

I will therefore recommend this synergy between employers and our institutions of learning as a way out to close the gaps.

Additionally, I will suggest that our school evaluation system should not be more about the theoretical knowledge but more of testing on skills acquired. There should be a sizable weight allocated to skill acquisition in determining the final grade of a student.

What do you make of government policy on job creation, do you think we are getting it right?

We should commend the present administration for taking initiatives towards job creation.

The skills acquisition programmes, agricultural loan, and single digit interest loan for Small Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are steps in the right direction.

If examined critically, one will realise that there is nothing new in these initiatives undertaken by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Before now we had National Directorate of Employment (NDE); National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP); Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) and others set up by different administrations.

Yet unemployment is on the rise.

This implies that we are not confronting the real problems of unemployment. If government train people in certain skills, they also empower them with loans to start up the business. Agricultural loans are given out to encourage farmers, but what provision is made to accommodate their produce in a profitable way.

We lack adequate investment in agricultural processing and storage facilities which make CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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INTERVIEW

GOVT SHOULD USE FISCAL POLICIES TO CREATE JOBS one Child Policy in 1980 to curb population growth, but this was reversed to two children in January 2016 as they noticed they are having an ageing population. Nigeria can adopt such policy to help the economy.

Such policy is even more important when we consider what automation and robotics is gradually doing to jobs globally. We are going to have fewer jobs in the future, so we cannot afford a continuous rise in our population.

Secondly, I don’t think we have been using data to our advantage in this country. Different government regimes have attempted solving the problem of unemployment in one way or the other, still no solution. We need to have a data to tell us why certain initiatives in addressing employment have worked.

We also need a data on the composition of our population in 10 – 15 years’ from now we can start planning for it.

When we are not even certain about the actual population figure of Nigeria, how can we make effective plans based on the figure we have? Though these may seem unconnected to job creation but they are very essential.

a large quantity of the produce, especially the perishable ones either waste or sold out at ridiculous prices that are not profitable for the farmers. Some get discouraged and are not able to expand their capacity and that is where most government efforts in this area end.

A country where 45 percent of harvests are lost due to lack of storage facilities should not expect to make a major headway in creating employment through agriculture if that problem is not addressed.

Despite the present administration’s claims that it is creating employment, it has actually recorded a negative growth in job creation in the public sector since the third quarter of 2015, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). I will like to state here that government has no duty creating jobs, its job is to facilitate job creation.

Meanwhile, the informal sector accounts for over 70 percent of jobs created in Nigeria. Jobs are created mainly by the informal and private sectors. What government needs to do is to facilitate job creation by these sectors.

Nigerians are skilful and they can create jobs by themselves. All they need is the infrastructures (dependable power supply, good roads, security of life and property) to support them. They also need good policy that protects their products from competition from imported substitutes.

If with the poor state of infrastructure in the country and with the depression, about 145,000 jobs were created in the informal sector in third quarter of 2016 (compared to 429,000 created in same quarter in 2015), we can begin to visualise what number of jobs will be created if the infrastructural support were there.

Yes, we should commend our government for making job creation an agenda, but government needs to revisit its approach to job creation so that its effort will not be wasted.

You have been a professional recruiter for years. Can you explain some of the recruitment challenges you have noticed over the years?

I have observed that the skills gap is a major problem many recruiters are facing. Ironically, the rate of unemployment is high but the number of vacancies that are not filled too is high. I have earlier spoken about the perception of job as a source of income, rather than a problem to be solved. This mind-set has not done well for a large part of our workforce in how we prepare for the world of work.

When people don’t approach a job as a problem to be solved, it reflects in how they spend time and resources to develop themselves.

This problem is transferred to a recruiter who sees a candidate first from the resume and assumes that it might be worth it speaking to the candidate.

Are there some standards you think we need to be aware of as a country in the attempt to enhance employment and job creation?

If we need to promote employment opportunities, we need to be aware of certain factors such as building the informal sector, have a change in orientation towards skills acquisition more than qualification.

Furthermore, they should see employment and job creation not as a campaign promise by any political party but a national issue that requires continuity. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme has been in existence since 1973 and has continued till date regardless of the government in power. This is because it was set up by a decree. Policies and initiatives to enhance employment and job creation should enjoy similar back up and continuity.

They are not policies to be implemented in a double term of a government and to be changed by another government in power after 8 years.

We need a long term plan. We should also know that job creation is not possible without infrastructural development.

What are the strategies you think the country can adopt to curb unemployment in Nigeria?

The current government seems to be promoting entrepreneurial education and skills acquisition; these are good initiatives, but government must also facilitate the conditions that can make entrepreneurship thrive. These conditions are

Afolabi

absent at the moment and will continue to rubbish every effort at promoting job creation.

Nigeria needs to take seriously the issue of diversifying the economy. The over dependence on the oil and gas sector is a great menace to us. Nigerian economy went down recently just because the price of crude oil fell in the international market. Many jobs in other sectors were lost as a result of that. Countries are moving away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

This shows that building an economy on revenue from oil and gas is not sustainable.

Venezuela may have proven this right. We need to open up our economy such that more jobs that are not tied to oil and gas can be created.

We should get serious with our solid minerals which are wasting away.

We can invest in the tourism sector. In Nigeria, there are good tourism centres. If we are able to harness the potentials of this sector, it can generate revenue and create employment opportunities. But the sector has been neglected.

We are not used to job creation but job seeking. Entrepreneurship is being pitched as a solution to unemployment when in actual sense it should be the main driver of the economy.

People who have been groomed to seek job, find it difficult to change their mind-set. The worst part is that they expect the society to understand that they are qualified to work, but there are no jobs. The informal sector which is where most jobs are created, cannot grow with this mind-set if our graduates are not flooding the space.

Government should also look at how it can use fiscal policies to promote job creation. I believe taxes should be used more to encourage people who are creating jobs than just a source of revenue for government. There are some encouraging practices in this area. But if it is not promoting job creation and helping the jobs created to survive, then it is not good enough. If Nigeria cannot stop out rightly the importation of certain products that are killing the growth of local industries; then it should impose stringent taxes on such companies. Then use the income to boost local production while at the same time giving the local industries some rebate. Funding is a major problem for most businesses that want to scale up in Nigeria, but accessibility to bank loans is a big issue. Interest rates for borrowers coupled with

infrastructural decay don’t usually facilitate the expansion that could have been. This is one area the government needs to look into.

What role should our educational system play in human capacity development?

One of the objectives of our education policy is to raise individuals to fit well into the society. I would say our educational system should act as a facilitator of this process. This implies that our educational system should jointly develop curriculum for the students with major stakeholders such as employers of labour. Our educational structure should also be research driven so that they can be up to date with new discoveries that impact positively on the students and the society at large.

Our system of teaching, where the lecturer is assumed to be the embodiment of absolute knowledge should be de-emphasised if we are going to raise people that can think analytically.

Lectures should be opened to debates where students can challenge the views of the lecturers with facts. The lecturer as a facilitator should be able to stir the students towards arriving at a meaningful conclusion without feeling his ego has been deflated.

If we don’t encourage students to think independently and be confident enough to voice out their views during lectures, then we may be raising timid leaders. We have a culture that promotes respect in Nigeria, but this should not be a stumbling block in our educational system especially when the information you need about anything is available online. Our lecture rooms should be a debate room and not a dumpsite.

Are there some unconventional ways of reducing unemployment that you want to recommend?

If the figures by the NBS were anything to go by, then we need a radical approach to reducing unemployment. 2.6 million people are said to be joining the labour force annually, while less than a million jobs are being created.

This is not a trend that should be encouraged to continue otherwise the social crises that could arise from this will be too much for the country to handle in few years to come. I will therefore suggest a drastic measure taken at population control. China implemented a

The world is talking about the fourth industrial revolution, growth in artificial intelligence, robotics and other areas, is there any implication of this on employment in Nigeria and what are they?

This is a major issue that is surprisingly not being addressed in Nigeria. Perhaps we think it is a distant challenge or we assume we are immune to it. This is why I am advocating that we begin to rethink our careers. There are major implications of this on our employment scheme in Nigeria such as loss of job. Though there is an argument that more jobs will be created, but the net jobs available is still going to be negative. This is a big problem for Nigeria because we need to be creating at least 7 million jobs annually to grapple with keeping our unemployment rate below double digits There is also digital colonisation. The challenge here is that the hub of the incubation of these ideas is not resident with us. What we will see is that software/applications that are not developed here in Nigeria will start to take away the available jobs from our people. We need our own silicon valley as much as we have Nollywood to incubate new ideas. New skills are going to be required in the next few years. This means that we need to start asking ourselves what the skills of the future are and begin to develop them.

Furthermore, the nature of job is going to change. We are used to people flaunting years of experience in getting jobs but there is going to be less focus on years of experience but more on skills. Anyone, regardless of age or years of experience, who has the relevant skills will get the job above those who may have been doing similar roles for years. Skill is going to trump experience. Our approach to career management needs to change. Organisations will place less emphasis on training staff because the return on investment (ROI) will be seen to be infinitesimal. Employees therefore will need to start taking ownership of their own career development. With the growing rate of automation, leading to job loss, more talents will leave paid employment to work as freelance. They will be able to support multiple organisations at the same time. This is also good for employers as they would not have to keep such people on their payroll anymore as they can always get them when they need their expertise. This is already happening How can people survive this?

We should understand that there will be victims and there will be victors, it all depends on what people begin to do now. I recently published an article on my blog title ‘why every employee needs to be an entrepreneur’. This is not about starting a business, but emphasising that we all need to be entrepreneurial in mindset.

And what that means is having a pig headed discipline towards problem solving. We all need an eye for the future and begin to do scenario planning. This should give us an idea of what skills we should be acquiring, what new things we should be learning, where our jobs are threatened and what we should do.

Additionally, we need to understand the skills of the future and start developing them. This requires thinking differently, asking questions and making projections.

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

‘MY HUSBAND IS VERY SUPPORTIVE'

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

28/COVER

30.06.2017

‘My Husband is very Supportive' Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, is a passionate and renowned teacher whose innovative ideas in managing education in Anambra has brought the state accolades from national and international organisations. In this interview with Peace Obi, she said she would gladly return to the academia where she belongs and spoke on the supportive role her husband has played in her career

Omenugha

What was your growing up like?

Well, I lived a very sheltered childhood life because I lost my mother when I was 11, so my father became my only parent for quite a long time. So, I developed a great bond with my father, but before my mother died, honestly, I had learnt a lot from her. She was a teacher and before five years, I was already in primary school because I had to be in mother’s class normally just to stay and play but eventually when they took exam, I came first. My mother couldn’t believe it and that was how I started studying. So, at 10 years, I was already in secondary school and at 15, I was out of secondary school. So, enjoyed a lot of love from my parents because my parents were so much in love and they showed me love a lot.

What was your best subject in your primary school days?

As always, English and it has always been.

Do you still keep in touch with your childhood friends?

Yes, one in particular. My father was a principal, so we were moving from one village to the other.

Sometimes, we stay like one, two, three years in a town and move to another town. From Neni to Adazi Nnukwu and from there to Adazi Ani and you know, just like that. So, we were always on the move.

Who among your parents inspired you?

Both of them. My mother loved me because she was very charitable, that aspect of her was very fantastic and she was also a great disciplinarian.

My father loved novels, so when I was growing up, in primary I had read all the classics like Mount Zuma’s Daughter, Allen Porterman, King Solomon. At primary school my father will make you read them. My mother will teach me poetry and make me sing and dance. Oh, my God,

when I think of them, I will say, I don't think I have been such a wonderful parent because I didn't take my children through all those things but they are all doing well but my mother was fantastic and my father was fabulous.

What are your hobbies and how do you relax?

I used to read novels a lot, but I haven't been having time to do that now. So, if I want to relax, I just take comfortable position in my room and watch movies. Already, with the kind of job I do, I go out a lot. Oftentimes, I am on the field, I don't have time to go out.

What do you do to keep fit?

I got to the gym most evenings or I dance. I have a small gym in my house.

As a top government official, how has it been managing your home and office?

Well, I have a very supportive husband that has made life a lot easier for me. In it all, time management is crucial but the ones I am not able to do, my husband helps out.

What is your best delicacy?

Ukwa (Breadfruit)! I am very real. When it comes to food, I prefer our local delicacies. For the Ukwa, I prefer it prepared naturally without adding fish and all the sort. My love for Ukwa may be because I have been a village person all my life. It has been my favourite food right from my childhood.

What is the secret of your beautiful and elegant look?

Secret! Nothing special. I try not to stress myself unnecessarily.

How can busy women like you keep a successful marriage/relationship?

Honestly, what I do with my husband is very interesting and unique. He knows when I have the time, not just having the time but I bring out time no matter how busy I am to make him special delicacies. It is not often, but when I do that, he is just so happy about it. Once in a while I give him a taste of my cooking and when I do that you could feel his joy and appreciation.

So, I tell every busy woman that no matter how busy you are, you must create time for your family and spouse especially. And of course, occasionally when I am at work I could send him a text of how much I found him loving and supportive and that kind of a thing. I mean what every woman needs to do is to keep making her husband know that he is in control even if she is up there in her career or profession. It is very important! And of course, I make him to go with me to some occasions. And frankly speaking, each time I go out with my husband, I feel so happy. I mean, he is so protective, caring and loving.

Let me say this again, as a wife let your husband know that you value him, no matter what height or position you have attained in your career or even in the society, he will always be there to support you. You will have nothing to fear as you climb the ladder of success and fame. But as soon as you begin to show him that you are this or that, you are sure to have problems with him.

So, you mean you are still in love with your husband several decades after you said I do?

Oh, Mike will be my husband in the next world, if there is such! I keep saying that and it is true because he is a great man. He was the one who looked after my six children here in Nigeria for me to go to Britain to do my Ph.D. And it is not easy for a man to look after small children. My last baby was less than two

years then when I travelled abroad to further my studies. He did all that so that I can go and improve myself. My husband is a great man.

What do you think could be responsible for the high rate of divorce and failed marriages/ relationships?

Young people are yet to learn some basic principles that make marriage to work. Failure in marriages that sometimes leads to divorce is a problem of lack of understanding and unwillingness on the parties involved to make the necessary sacrifices for the union to grow and blossom into a successful marriage. A successful marriage is an institution where the two people involved are deeply committed to making it enjoyable.

The man and the woman have a role to play.

And for any marriage to succeed, couple must understand their roles and diligently play it.

They also need to ensure that they have this healthy lubricant, mutual love respect. Every relationship needs it for it to be enjoyable and successful. Women should also learn to accord their husbands the due respect irrespective of who they are in the society. They should be given their proper place.

What are some of your favourite books and authors?

All the classics. I read novels a lot. Achebe of course is my favourite, I have read Things Fall Apart more than a million times. And any book I can lay my hands on.

At the end of your tenure as the Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, what is your next career plan?

I will go back to the university where I belong.

Well, I am on leave of absence, I am on loan to Anambra State Government. So, I will go back immediately.

29/PERSPECTIVE

30.06.2017

Nigeria and the Unemployment Monster Emmanuel Onwubiko and Queen Onwughalu write that youth unemployment has ballooned out of control in Nigeria Something very unusual in Abuja happened on Monday June 19th 2017.

This incident has to do with a young man in his early thirties who was so well dressed that he successfully mingled with other business executives and government officials at a particular five star hotel in the central business district of Abuja.

But the clean dress of this smiling young man was only a façade because right inside this man was a groundswell of worries and poverty- induced anxiety.

He sat very close to us during the tea break but apparently wasn’t allowed to partake in it because he couldn’t produce his official invitation.

This young man looked at us and gestured to us that he hadn’t eaten since the last twenty four hours.

But we told him that we have just few cash to buy fuel for the car but that if he wouldn’t mind eating the remainder of the food of one of us but he gladly jumped at our offer and before you could say Jack, this guy had swallowed all the meals we passed on to him from one of us.

This scenario is a testament to the crude reality of the effects of economic recession and unemployment. On daily basis in our official function as human rights defenders, we come in contact with a variety of young persons searching for sustainable means of livelihoods.

At the last count, our non-governmental organisation has built a data base of curriculum vitae of hundreds of young persons who drop them off every day in our office looking for openings of any kind for them to be gainfully employed. Few years back, we were compelled to write to the then Labour and Employment Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, to ask that he set up a functional data bank of genuinely unemployed youths in Nigeria and he assured us that his office will actualise this aspiration.

But as we write this joint article we can report that no such project is in place even when it was once a component of one of the annual budgetary projections. A data bank of jobless youths is critical because scientific statistics helps in proper placement of job seekers in their appropriate places when vacancies exists in both the public and private sectors. Then entered the economic recession which means that unemployment has ballooned out of control.

Youth unemployment in Nigeria is indeed a time bomb that is ticking and threatening to explode with devastating consequences if no deliberate but workable actions are adopted by all and sundry to reverse the trend.

But is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Is there the faintest possibility that officials of government that run the economy can confidently overcome these challenges?

Well, the statistician general of Nigeria Dr. Yemi Kale and the finance minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun seems to be singing contradictory tunes on the question of when exactly the current economic recession will end.

The end of economic recession could significantly signpost the beginning of good development for millions of our unemployed youths because once the productive sector becomes vibrant it means that more hands would be constructively engaged. But we don't seem to know when this blistering monster of economic recession would end.

Whilst the Director General of the National Bureau of Statistics Dr. Yemi Kale is of the view that recession would abate by next year, the Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun appears to be more interested in the political angle of the response to the question by optimistically saying it will end soon.

Optimism alone doesn't solve economic recession or depression. Be that as it may, it seems the Finance Minister is anchoring her optimism on the year 2017 budgetary projections.

Incidentally, the major government agencies that are expected to stimulate youth employment have just been allocated appreciable quantum of capital budget but the problem is with the implementation going by the often known tradition whereby capital budget of most ministries often witness a little less than fifteen per cent implementation profile yearly.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma of the current government recently published a citizen budget

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige

guideline for the just signed 2017 budget which we received directly from his office.

From this booklet, the following cheering news are contained: the Niger Delta Development Commission would receive N64 billion from the statutory transfer, the Universal Basic Education gets N95.18billion,Science/Tech-N41 .7b;Youth/ Sports-N5.44;Defense ;N139.29b;EducationN151.92b;Health -N55.61; Interior-N63.76b; Social Intervention-N150b; Agriculture-N103.79b; Water Resources-N104.24;MITI-N81.73b ;TransportN241.71b;Works,Power/Housing-N553.71b.

We will return to these specifics shortly.

First, we make haste to emphatically state that unfortunately, the federal government plans to proceed with the privatisation of such publicly owned assets such as the Liquefied Natural gas (LNG) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. LNG is unarguably Nigeria’s best run public enterprise.

This move may create unemployment and may end up in the transfer of our national assets to few privileged individuals with connections to the powers-that-be.

We say this because in the citizens' guidelines to the current budget given to us, an information shows that already government has earmarked N35 billion as revenue expected from sales of government property and privatisation proceeds.

You may then wonder how cheap these refineries and other national assets are about to be sold away. This is sad and pathetic, if you ask us.

There is however nothing to show what government intends to do to re-invest this paltry proceeds into other productive ventures that could create job opportunities for our large army of jobless youths.

This is because in the same 2017 budget this government is going cap in hands to foreign lenders to borrow. A total of N1.66 trillion is budgeted for debt servicing.

We know that this debt servicing and selling off of national assets are two items that would benefit the cronies of government officials and contractors who usually sponsor candidates for elections.

We say so because if you read through a particular item in the book on economics edited

by Simon Cox, it will become clearer that selling off national assets at the long run may not necessarily create employment opportunities for those who need these lifesaving openings

amongst the vibrant young population.

In the book titled: ‘Economics: making sense of the modern economic’, the writer argued thus: “A fashionable strand of skepticism argues that governments have surrendered their power to capitalism- that the world’s biggest companies are nowadays more powerful than many of the world’s government."

"Democracy is a sham. Profits rule, not people.

These claims are patent nonsense. On the other hand, there is no question that companies would run the world for profit if they could. What stop them is not governments, powerful as they may be, but markets," they submitted.

"Governments have the power, all right, but they not always exercise it wisely. They are unreliable servants of the public interest.

Sometimes, out of conviction, politicians decide to help companies reshape the world for private profit. Sometime, anti-market thinking may lead them to help big business by accident. And now and then, when companies just set out to buy the policies they want, they find in government a willing seller. On all this, presumably, the sceptics would agree."

The writer also argued in this powerful book that: "But they miss the next crucial step: limited government is not worth buying. Markets keep the spoils of corruption small. Government that intervenes left and right, prohibiting this licensing that, creating surpluses and shortages-now that kind of government is worth a bit. That is why, especially in developing countries with weak legal systems, taming capitalisation by regulation or trade protection often proves such a hazardous endeavor.

"If NGOS succeeded in disabling markets, as many of them they would like to, the political consequences would be as dire as the economic ones. It is because the sceptics are right about some things that they are so wrong about the main thing,” so the writer of the aforementioned book averred.

A deeper reading of the year 2017 budget does not bring out the practical steps that this government intends to adopt to create the much needed jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths searching frantically for jobs.

Does government actually understand that youth unemployment is a major threat to national security?

Those who support government based only on their political affiliation would argue that

the chunk of money allocated to such critical sectors such as Agriculture and Rural Development, Science and Technology amongst a few others represents the resolve of the Buhari's administration to tackle the hydra-headed monster of unemployment.

But come to think of it, we have established the fact that successive governments including the current one have bad history of implementation of capital components of the budgets.

How does government intends to make sure that the young graduates who have chosen to embrace professional agriculture can access the credits from the Bank of Agriculture or Bank of Industry to take off smoothly? It is true that government said it has begun the recapitalisation of these lending institutions but it is still factual to state that these two critical funding bodies hardly make any significant impacts in the drive to create employment opportunities in the informal sector such as professional agricultural practices such as running farms and such others like fish and animal farms for profitability.

A peep into the latest statistical data of unemployment should tell the government officials that there is fire on the mountain.

In Quarter two (Q2) of year 2016, the labour force population (i.e. those within the working age population willing, able and actively looking for work) increased to 79.9 million from 78.5 million in Quarter one (Q1) of 2016, representing an increase of 1.78 per cent in the labour force during the quarter.

This means 1.39 million persons from the economically active population entered the labour force that is individuals that were able, willing and actively looking for work.

This magnitude of this increase between Q1 and Q2 2016 is smaller when compared to Q4 2015 and Q12016, which was an increase of 1.59m in the labour force population.

Within the reference period, the total number of person in full time employment (did any form of work for at least 40hours) decreased by 351,350 or 0.65 per cent when compared to the previous quarter, and also decreased by 749,414 or 1.38 per cent when compared to Q2 of 2015.

The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics like most countries in the world now uses a variant of the ILO definition such that the unemployment is the proportion of those in the labour force (not in the entire economic active population, nor the entire Nigerian population) who were actively looking for work but could not find work for at least 20 hours during the reference period to the total currently active (labour force) population.

Accordingly you are unemployed if you did absolutely nothing at all or did something but not for up to 20 hours in a week. Underemployment however occurs if you work less than full time which is 40 hours but work at least 20 hours on average a week and /or if you work full time but are engaged in an activity that underutilises your skills, time and educational qualifications.

These are critical information gleaned from the official website of the Bureau of National Statistics of Nigeria.

We think government should concentrate part of this national budget to engage in the massive capacity building of the youth population because trained manpower is the driving force of most of the well to do economies like China and Japan.

Government should invest more in information technology and work on strategic engagement of young persons to do technology transfer from friendly advanced economies such as China or Japan.

It is better to teach the youths how to fish than to spoon-feed them with fish. Another sector to be tapped into is Sports Development because sports are now big time foreign exchange earners for such big nations like Brazil.

Nigerian young talents must be looked for and developed for exports because by so doing the revenues accruable from their extremely impressive salaries and sign on fees can contribute a lot towards national development. *Onwubiko and Onwughalu wrote in from Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Abuja Nigeria). Email huriwa@gmail.com

30/ NEWS

30.06.2017

IK Steele Returns with Big Plans for Nollywood

NIMASA Clinches TELL Awards

Mary Ekah

Solomon Elusoji

Having been away from his fatherland for a while, US-based Nigerian actor and movie producer, Ike Onuoha a.k.a IK Steele is coming back to Nigeria with great plans to take the Nigerian movie industry to another level. The Hollywood actor who has featured in a couple of American award-winning films, during a recent visit to Nigeria revealed his plans. Popularly known as Ik Steele, he has moved from being a mere actor to producing award-winning works. He got his big break in Hollywood when he starred in Stephen Spielberg hit movie, The Terminal. He has since worked with top American celebrities like Beyonce, Kanye West amongst others.

“I’ve been away from the county of birth for a while because I was doing a lot of other stuffs in the United States.

Now I am back in the country for a few things – one to give back to my community and my place of birth with my expertise and knowledge in production,” he said, He started out as an actor in LA after doing some acting gigs. ”I started doing back stage of production. “First, I went to Hollywood to be an actor just to act while I was there I found out that you need to do more to get noticed, so I had to learn the back-end production which is how to shoot, how to edit, how to produce and that’s been my journey so far,” he recalled.

Speaking on his Nollywood experi-

Onuoha

ence, he said, “My conceived notion about Hollywood all changed when I went there. So I got to Hollywood and then I found out that I had to pretty much learn everything from scratch. So I started taking acting classes, going to auditions and doing whatever I could do to survive in Hollywood. But I thank God because I had a five to nine jobs while I was pursuing acting. That was what kept me - The ability to pay bills and not be homeless because I could go into lot things. So Hollywood has embraced me and I also embraced the truth about Hollywood in all aspects

of it.”

IK Steele has so far produced a couple of movies: “My personal movie that I did produce and I starred in was called ‘The Immigrant’. I made it in 2007 so we got very great reviews. We won best short film in a lot of festivals. We got nominated for awards, and went to quite a few festivals back then; Chicago Black Film Festival, also San Francisco Black Film Festival and many others. We also went to a number of other festivals and we were well received.”

Speaking on his views and plans for Nollywood, he said, ”Back in 2008, we went to Cannes in 2008, while there, I met quite a few number of Nigerians.

They came to the festival so they saw the film and they told me to put it up for the Nigerian Film Festival, but honestly, I have to be honest, I didn’t care for Nigeria film festivals at that time, so I didn’t follow through. I could care less because I was looking at the bigger film festivals but I guess that’s the reason why I’m here now. This is my place of birth, I cannot not be a part of this beautiful industry called Nollywood. I want to learn and participate in what goes on here too,” he said.

Still on what he intends to bring on board, IK Steele said, “I can bring on board a lot of great collaborative efforts as the style of the production as far as going into mainstream Hollywood market because there’s a way Hollywood does films which we are almost getting there.”

Investment in Women Boosts Economic Development, Says Finnish Minister Peace Obi The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications, Anne Berner, has called for more commitment by nations of the world in improving their investment in women, saying that women empowerment are key to economic success. And that no economy can afford to ignore the huge potentials such investment offers.

Speaking at the16th Meeting of Nordic and African Foreign Ministers in Abuja, recently with a theme ‘Ensuring Sustainable Development through Trade and Investment: The Africa-Nordic Engagement', Berner noted that education remains a vital tool in the development process of any nation.

Adding that Finland success story centres on her belief and commitment to ensuring high quality education is accessible to all.

"Education is an important factor contributing to economic growth, and an area where Nordic partners have added value. In Finland, we believe that the key to our economic success has been in ensuring high-quality education for all.

What is very clear is that girls' education makes economic sense, in addition to being just and fair. Investment in women boosts economic development, competitiveness, job creation and GDP. No economy can afford to ignore such a huge potential."

Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury and Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari

Stressing on the timeliness and importance of the theme, the Finnish minister said that it would dominate a prominent space in the meeting's agenda. Speaking on the strong Nordic-African relations, the minister noted that what started as a traditional development cooperation with a few countries has developed into something much more.

Speaking also, the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ms. Pirjo SuomelaChowdhury noted that the meeting gave a unique opportunity for stakeholders to discuss important issues linked to trade, investment, peace and development. She

added that trade promotion is her main focus in Nigeria. "Last year we had a very successful visit to Nigeria by our Deputy Minister for External Economic Relations, with a business delegation, and I am looking forward to more exchanges and increased trade between our countries.

There are many more win-win opportunities, and mutually beneficial trade relations can go a long way in promoting sustainable development, and a better life for Africans as well as the Nordics."

The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama along with his counterpart, the Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu and several other African ministers, noted that the meeting availed the participants an opportunity to hold a fruitful bilateral talks with participants and that both sides were keen to and expressed openness to further cooperation in several areas.

Finland is one of the five Nordic countries that in addition consist of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. They cooperate closely in the Nordic Council, and have had common labour market and free movement of citizens since the 1950s. They share an economic and social model – market economy combined with welfare state – and are all well developed economies with a strong emphasis on good governance and gender equality.

Search for Common Ground Tasks Nigerians on Religious Harmony Olawale Ajimotokan The Search for Common Ground has tasked inter-faith leaders in Nigeria on the need for religious harmony. The Global Director Religious Engagement of Search for Common Ground, Sharon Rosen, made this appeal at a national conference on the protection of holy sites.

Rosen also appealed to religious leaders to address the factors influencing youths into attacking places of worship.

Besides, she called on religious leaders to adopt the Universal Code of Conduct in Nigeria and the cross section of proactive strategies employed by different countries

on how to prevent attacks on holy sites.

“Following similar deliberations in the North-east, North-west and North-central, religious leaders and other stakeholders met here to deliberate on the applicability of Universal Code against the peculiarities of other religions. By implication, the world is working towards the situation whereby Christians who run to a Mosque or Muslims who run for safety to a Church are guaranteed protection, because a universal code exists to that effect, it means that the military barracks would not be the only sanctuaries or safe heavens in moments of murder in a country such as Nigeria,” she said. With practical

examples, Rosen alluded that in Indonesia, books on comics were presented to young people on how to protect sacred places, while in India, cross sectoral cooperation was applied between Muslim and Hindu children about cleaning up of holy sites.

Rosen added that moderate voices can be amplified such as in Bosnia, where Muslim and Christian leaders, stood together in condemnation of a destroyed cemetery.

The Search for Common Ground is an international non-profit organisation operating in 36 countries. Its mission is to transfer the way the world deals with conflict away from adversarial approach toward cooperative solution.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), recently, clinched the Public Organisation of the Year award at the inaugural TELL Awards for Excellence held in Lagos.

The award was as a result of the agency’s outstanding achievements in 2016, under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Taking into consideration the importance of hi-tech, the Peterside administration instituted a medium term strategy through digital transformation to hasten processes at NIMASA. The process allows stakeholders to register their vessels and transact all other transactions digitally with a click of a button on their laptop.

In April this year, NIMASA, in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation, hosted the 3rd Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations at Abuja, establishing Nigeria’s presence in the marine industry. Interestingly, Peterside was elected as the AAMA Chairman during the conference.

Also, the agency is undergoing a rebranding, in order to align it with other foremost Maritime Administrations in the world.

The Chairman of the TELL Awards Committee, Mr. Babs Alasa, noted that the award was an honour well deserved, pointing out that Peterside has repositioned NIMASA for greater recognition within and outside Nigeria in a short period. “NIMASA has done very well under Peterside and even President Muhammadu Buhari recognised this and congratulated him when he was unanimously elected as the Chairman of AAMA,” he said.

‘Picture Perfect’ Hits Cinemas July 7

Picture Perfect producer, Biodun Stephens

Mary Ekah The multi-talented actress and film maker, Biodun Stephen is set to dazzle the audience yet again with her new movie Picture Perfect, which is due to be Picture Perfect producer, Biodun Stephens released in cinemas nationwide on July 7.

The film maker is known not just for making successful movies but also for telling simple, yet great and compelling stories. Her critically acclaimed 2015 four-man comedy movie, ‘The Visit’ has been described as rich in every sense. It raises many issues like infidelity, cultism, genital mutilation and drug trafficking. Also, Ovy’s voice focuses on the unfamiliar angle of seeing life from the point of view of a physically challenged person and also the familiar story of sexual abuse. Like the others, Tiwa’s Baggage also tells a simple but pure story. While it dwells on a cliché kind of dilemma often faced by unmarried mothers, it also focuses on where some of the issues common to this kind of dilemma originate from.

Her new movie, ‘Picture Perfect’ is a beautiful blend of comedy, reality and a jot of romance. According to her, it will change how citizens perceive thugs and also try to reveal the unfortunate situations many find themselves by no fault of theirs. It tells the story of a fashion designer played by Mary Remmy Njoku, who meets a notorious area boy, Jobe played by Bolanle Ninalowo when her car breaks down in his hood. What seems to be a distressing situation turns out to be a blessing, only to go completely sideways when he sets up home beside her shop.

According to the actress turned producer, Biodun Stephen: “Picture Perfect was inspired by my tailor. At first glance, the story seemed like one of a damsel in distress, but it is more than that. It is not just your regular story, the title, ‘Picture Perfect’ lies at the very core of the movie, which is about what makes a perfect father figure. Sometimes the picture perfect fathers are found in the most imperfect human beings.

“The movie is all encompassing; it has comedy, love and more. It has been screened exclusively to a few people and they cannot stop talking about how exciting it is. It is one of a kind and without a doubt; the audience are going to love it.”

31/LIVING

30.06.2017

Unparalleled Access to Agriculture Data for Stakeholders Mary Ekah A representative of Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. Patrick David, has said that the AMIS CAPI system which cost $600,000 (N240 million) would provide an unparalleled access to agriculture data to various stakeholders across the country and, in turn, bring remarkable growth to the agriculture sector. He revealed that following the food crisis that caused extraordinary increase in the prices of food to about 150 per cent in 2008, AMIS was established as an inter-agency platform to enhance food market transparency and encourage coordination of policy action in response to market uncertainty at the request of Agriculture Ministers of the G20 in 2011. David made the statement recently in Abuja during the official handover ceremony of Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system developed through the Agricultural Market and Information System (AMIS) project to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In a bid to ensure Nigerians have easy access to more data on agriculture, FAO Nigeria had handed over the CAPI system developed with the support of AMIS for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. AMIS is an inter-agency platform housed in FAO and

Mr. David Patrick, Representative of the Ag FAO Rep Nigeria doing the official handover to Dr Bukar Hassan, Perm Sec and representative of Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh

this particular project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. AMIS was initiated in 2011 by the Ministers of Agriculture of the G20 countries to improve food market transparency, coordination and monitor price volatility. As part of the deliverables of AMIS, CAPI System was developed in Nigeria for the collection of agricultural data. The CAPI system will be

Chidoka Advocates New Charter for Nigeria Immediate past Minister of Aviation and former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Chief Osita Chidoka has stressed the need for a new charter for Nigeria that would inculcate the spirit of nationalism among Nigerian youths. Chidoka made the remark while delivering a lecture at the ‘Youth Governance Dialogue’, an annual one day conference organized by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) recently.

Chidoka, who was the lead speaker at the event, spoke on the topic ‘Towards a Guiding Political Philosophy for a Democratic Nigeria’.

He decried what he described as the absence of national philosophy within the polity and emphasised the need for leaders to pass on the right values to successive generations.

“Our national aspirations should inspire the next generation and provide them with the existential meaning of Nigeria; a meaning that transcends geography, natural resources and ethnicity. To grow Nigeria, we must build a society that harnesses human resources, provides equal opportunities and develops capacity for innovation,” he said.

According to Chidoka, the leadership question remains key in the search for answers to Nigeria’s political problems. “Many have argued that the trouble with Nigeria is leadership and others have asked ‘When is a Nation?’ Some insist that the absence of ideology is at the root of our political crisis. In all the views, the constant is the agreement that there is trouble with Nigeria.

The leadership question is key,” he stated.

Chidoka encouraged the youths to take a stand on critical national issues such as fiscal federalism, revenue derivation and sharing, size of government and its role in the economy. “Do not let any political party or aspirant deceive you with promises of building bridges where there is no river. Insist that the existential questions confronting our nation must be answered by those who seek to lead us,” he admonished.

Earlier in his opening remark, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State who chaired the event said Nigeria was blessed with a highly talented and skilled youth population. He called on the political class to properly mentor and support the youths with policies that would encourage them to aspire to leadership positions.

Imperial Leather Launches Deodorant Body Spray

L-R: Osas Ighodaro Ajibade; Managing Director, PZ Cussons Consumer Business, Alex Goma; Funke Akindele Bello; and Brand Manager, Imperial Leather, Abiodun Buari at event

Mary Ekah Imperial Leather recently launched into the Nigerian market, a range of deodorising body sprays in three variants - Japanese Spa, Softly Softly and Active. This is in line with the brand’s mission to offer luxurious personal care experiences for all the family through her unique, inspiring, long lasting fragrances that excite and appeal to the senses. Imperial Leather is poised to continue to leverage its expertise in perfumery by providing innovative and affordable quality personal care for the Nigerian consumers of today and the future.

With a passion for fragrance since the 1700s, the Imperial Leather story began in the 1700s

when Count Orlof, a member of the wealthy Russian aristocracy, asked a London perfume house to create a fragrance that captured the distinctive aroma and atmosphere of the Russian Court. The perfume house crafted a distinctive fragrance, by blending a symphony of ingredients, including Turkish Rose, Lavender, Cumin and Precious Amber. The fragrance was called 'Eau de Cologne Imperiale Russe'. After the scent came into the ownership of Cussons, it was chosen as the signature fragrance for the launch of a new soap brand called Imperial Leather. That the fragrance continues to be used to this day, more than 240 years after it was created, is a testament to the skill of the perfumers who originally developed it.

domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) for supervision and monitoring, following the handover ceremony to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Hassan, who represented the minister said, “the

only way agricultural production can be sustained is when the farmers can be able to reach out to various markets to sell their products and make some returns to enable them to invest, and therefore today's programme gave us a unique opportunity to move away from traditional marketing system to a more digital and sustainable method where we will be able to ensure that whatever we have produced and the figures we are going to have, in terms of production, is accurate, and therefore food security will be ensured.” The CAPI system is also equipped with capacity to provide near real-time agriculture data, through crowd-sourced data from various players in the agriculture value chain. The platform has a web-based repository that will provide easy access to agricultural data producing agencies and other agricultural market stakeholders across Nigeria. The CAPI system will also impact the ability of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to execute their mandates by reducing cost of data production as it will eliminate cost of printing paper questionnaires, hiring data entry operators, and use of courier services.

Speaking at the handover, the National Project Coordinator, Mr. Olutayo Oyawale, said the CAPI system would provide an unprecedented access to agriculture information from various stakeholders across the country that will, in turn, deliver tremendous growth for the agriculture sector.

Richie Hits Nollywood with Culprit Richie Akpikpi, a Sweden-based Nigerian, is back to his roots after 17 years, to produce a movie titled ‘Culprit’. The Edo State-born had studied Civil Engineering in the University of Florence, Italy, before going to Sweden to pursue his career in construction. He is teaming up with Saheed Apanpa, the experienced Nollywood director, who has done films like Dark Closet, Last Date, Dagger, All for the Money and many more. On why he has decided to come to Nigeria, he said "I am in Nigeria to invest in the land of my birth. There's no place like home and charity, they say, beings from home."

Culprit is an action thriller about a character called Cain. Cain is heart broken when the love of his life Abby tells him she can no longer see him because her parents do not approve of their relationship. She meets Tejiri a rich spoilt kid and they begin a relationship. Her parents approves of Tejiri because his family is in their social circle and tribe. Tejiri is every girl's dream husband and every parent's dream Son-In-law but it is only his girlfriend that knows his vices and when she can no longer tolerate his excesses, they started having issues.

He drops her off in the middle of the bridge without her phone. Luckily for her, Cain shows

Akpikpi

up right on time and rescues her and they begin a relationship again. Suddenly, a lot of deaths begin to occur around Abby. She loses her dog, her dad and then her mother. She is next in line when she surprisingly discovers who the real killer is and is shocked to find out his motive for the killings. So who is this real killer? And what’s his motive?

M&M School Win Wonderland Carnival

Proprietress, M&M Schools, Ajasa Command, Ipaja, Mrs. Margret Ajifola and CEO Wonderland, Mr. Tayo Adeyemo flanked by pupils of the school at the event

M&M School, Ajasa Command has won the 2017 Wonderland Children’s Day carnival held at Abesan Estate, Keda field. M&M had a total of 80 points to top the overall table after an impressive performance in athletics, match-past, cultural exhibition, drinking competition. 2015 Champions, Shalom Schools, Baruwa, Ipaja, finished second with 74 points while third place went to Childs Fountain Schools, Gowon Estate.

Other participating schools were Globalight Schools, Egbeda, Kingdom Schools, Ipaja, All Saints Academy, Baruwa, Mayor Schools, Meiran, Ambassadors Schools, Idimu, and Marigold College, Ipaja.

In some of the events decided, Shalom Schools won the 4 by 100 metres relay race in the boys and girls category. M&M finished second in the

boys category with Child Fountain School coming third. The girls silver medal went to Globalight Schools, Egbeda while M&M came third. M&M School took the top spot in the match-past category ahead of Shalom Schools and Kingdom Schools.

The main excitement of the day was in the drinking competition sponsored by Viju Milk and Ribena.

In the nursery section, which was sponsored by Ribena, Roda Micheal of Shalom School came first ahead of Bisola Anisere of M&M School and Amanda Nwazoto of All Saints Academy.

The boys section was won by Jomiloju Ganiu of Shalom Schools beating Ebube Elueme of Globalight School and Korede Ogundare of M&M. The primary section was won by Chibuzor Anyagura of Shalom, beating SamadFasasi of M&M and Moses of Child Fountain School.

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Reminiscence of a Festac Church As part of activities marking its 40th anniversary, the Church of the Pentecost,Anglican Communion, Festac Town, Lagos, recently launched a book on the institution’s history and presented awards of recognition to some of its worthy members. Mary Ekah who covered the event, reports Festac '77, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture was a major international festival held in Lagos, Nigeria, from January 15 to February 12, 1977.

The month long event, which showcased various African cultures at one of the largest residential estates in Nigeria that later took the name, Festac Town, is adjudged by many as an event that brought about retrogression to the nation in all ramifications – spiritually, economically and otherwise.

Immediately after the cultural event that same year, the Church of the Pentecost (Anglican Communion), sprang up in Festac Town. Its establishment was spearheaded by a group of Christians who believed that the Festac ‘77 was purely idolatry and that it portended evil for the nation and so there was the need to start a process of spiritual purification after the end of the festival.

Waxing stronger 40 years after, the church is celebrating its milestone achievements in Festac Town, both spiritually and physically. So during one of its 40th year anniversary year long activities, the church launched a book that gives a historical background of its existence. Titled, ‘Mustard Seed of Faith: History of Church of the Pentecost (Anglican Communion), Festac Town’, the book recounts an event of 40 years – how a church founded immediately after the Festac ‘77 cultural proceedings brought Christianity to the town 40 years ago, weeding away the idolatry activities believed to have trailed the festival.

Put together by the historical sub-committee of the church under the leadership of the Vicar of Festac, Archdeaconry, Ven. Israel Omotunde Owoyele, the 256-page book talks basically about the existence of the church and its activities from inception till date. The book, which contains eight chapters, recounts the events of Festac ‘77 host by Niggeria and its aftermath effects on the nation and how the church eventually come in to restore the nation’s glory starting from Festac Town.

The occasion was not just an expository on how the church brought spiritual liberation to Festac Town but was also an opportunity to give awards of recognition to longstanding and worthy members of the church.

Owoyele, who was visibly excited about the event of the day, said, “I feel great, giving glory to God that I’m the Vicar when the church clocked 40. It is a privilege and I thank God.” Owoyele resumed at the Festac church in January 2014 and has been the Vicar for barely four years. He was overjoyed that God has helped the church to make remarkable and monumental achievements during his tenure. “Within one year, this building, which cost over hundreds of millions, was expanded without having to borrow from anybody nor indebted to any bank.

We were able to achieve such strides because members of the church were so committed,” he said. He explained further that the inspiration for the church’s 40th anniversary came from the Festac ‘77 cultural events, adding that the significance of the number ‘40’ in the Bible cannot be over emphasised.

“The Festac ‘77 was celebrated and immediately after the event, the church started. And today we are 40 and we think we should celebrate.

Some of those who planted the seed have died, only very few who can tell the story, are alive.

We also felt that we need to put something on records for posterity and that is where the idea of compiling a historical book on the church came from and that is part of what we are celebrating today. I thank God for the people He has given to me. They are so committed and as I opened my mouth as an oracle of God, they listened, believed and followed me and what we are seeing today is a testimony,” he said.

On what informed the choice of those awarded at the anniversary, the Vicar was quick to say that the award was based on good work, hard work and good legacies, noting however that those awarded were expected to assist in raising funds for projects on ground. Like a place of worship for the youths and also a place for Sunday school service. He revealed further that during the grand-finale of the church’s 40th anniversary coming up in December, there would be a service of appreciation where all worthy members of the church will be given

L-R: Chairperson, Anniversary Planning Committee, Lady Adenike Okudoh; Representative of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ngozi Opara; Historical Chairman, Pa Olagbaye Solomon; The Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji; Bishop Egba West, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ogundeji and Vicar of Festac Archdeaconry, Ven. Isreal Omotunde Owoyele during the the event PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Mr. and Mrs. George Emefiele jointly receiving thier award at the event

various awards and duly appreciated. Even those who have passed on long ago will be given posthumous awards.

Taking a cursory look at the state of the Nigeria nation, Owoyele said, “The Nigeria nation is pitiful. When you look back to when we were growing up, we grew with the fear of God in us. But this present generation of Nigerians lack the fear of God and that is why you see people doing all sorts of evils. For instance, how can somebody just enter another person’s house and then murder the children, father and pregnant wife and even open her womb and bring out the unborn baby? And then the government is helpless. How can some people break the wall into a school and kidnap the school children and yet the government is helpless in locating them? How can the Arewa youths come out and announce that certain tribe should leave the northern states? Where is Nigeria then? How can people abandon money in bureau de change and nobody can identify the owner? How can money be loaded in cabinets in a building and yet they cannot identify the owner? Who owns these monies? Can money just grow there? It’s pitiful! And the most pitiful is that government is even perverting justice. They negotiate with terrorists. All these problems are caused by our leaders due to their greediness and the lack of fear of God.” He said therefore that Nigerians need to go back to God. “We can go back to God by listening to God’s voice. The voices we have been listening to all this while are the voices of men and the voices of men are of Satan and

that is why such voices are loudest but the voice of God is succulent, you need to be patient and attentive before you can hear it.” He was optimistic however that God’s greatness is upon the land, adding, “Nigeria is still redeemable.

God loves us so much. If what has happened in this country happens in another country, it will be no more. So if we go back to God, He will do for us what no man can do and then His glory will return to us in this nation.”

Speaking on the role of the church in nation building, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Right Reverend James Olusola Odedeji, said the church ensures that there is godliness and unity in the nation and that people live together in one accord. “The church is to ensure that Nigeria is worth living in and that where ever you originated from, you should be able to find your foot wherever you find yourself and that is the way to go.”

Commenting on the significance of the theme of the anniversary, ‘From Glory to Glory’, he said, “This church started 40 years ago as the first church in Festac Town. It started soon after Festac ‘77, which was a kind of cultural and idolatry event but when the church started, the glory of Festac was restored, the place has been opened up ever since and the former evil that was associated with the place has vanished. So they have moved from the level they were before to a higher level of success. And for this nation too, it is going to be alright, so we should not be discouraged.

God can still help us to get to our promise land.”

He advised Nigerians to remain together and be prayerful, while everyone contributes his own

quota to ensure that the country becomes better.

Asked if the Festac Archdeaconry was qualified to become a diocese, he said, “It is a matter of time. Nobody is denying it and it will be our joy when that comes, but the creation of a diocese is not in anybody’s hands. It is a sensitive issue and we have to be very careful about it.”

Chairperson, 40th Anniversary Planning Committee, Lady Adenike Okudoh, said part of the celebration was to further raise funds to assist in the building of a befitting place of worship for the younger ones such as the Sunday School children and the youth of the church as well as having a modern hall that can eventually be a source of revenue to the church and thus reduce the financial pressure on parishioners. She said it took several sleepless nights especially for the historical sub-committee that put together the book to put the 40th anniversary event together.

“Surely the work was enormous but much greater and reassuring was the One who called and commissioned us – Jesus Christ. He has enabled us to go through all the planning and preparations.

We are today retuning all the glory and honour to Him for a successful anniversary.” She advised parishioners to be zealous about God’s work at all times, noting, “Jesus gave us a commission to go out and evangelise and that was the last commission he gave to us before he went back to the Father. The church is about evangelism to encourage other people who have not known Christ to come to Christ.”

One of the awardees and a ranking member of the church, Prince Ifeanyi Okezie, a Geologist by training said, “I feel elated and fulfilled that God has blessed and endowed me to be able to contribute to the propagation of the gospel of Christ by contributing my little quota. I am a ranking member of this church and I have been here since my cradle days, which means that I have been a member of this church since my childhood. I went to primary, secondary and even the university from and I got married to my wife here and also have dedicated my children here. There is salvation here, there is blessing here and there is love here. Since my mother brought me to this church many years ago, I have been undaunted in my fellowship in the church and God has enabled me to do a lot of things for Him.” He urged other member of the parish not to be reluctant in using their resources to propagate God’s work. Quoting the Bible he said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you," adding, “There is blessing in giving. There is the power of multiplicity in giving because once you give, it will be given back to you in great measure.”

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Ethiopian Airlines Places Repeat Order for 10 A350-900 Aircraft Signs commitment with Boeing to purchase two 777 freighters Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline group in Africa, has placed an order for 10 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, enabling further development to its fast expanding long-haul route network. Last June, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier to operate the A350 when it took delivery of the first of 12 aircraft in order.

Today the carrier operates a fleet of four A350s, two of which are on lease. Today's order tops-up the Addis Ababa-based carrier's fleet, enabling it to pursue its growth strategy and objectives over the coming years. Ethiopian Airlines' A350-900s are configured in a two class layout seating 30 passengers in Business Class and 313 in Economy Class. The spacious, quiet interior and mood lighting in the cabin contribute to superior levels of passenger comfort and well-being.

"Operating the youngest fleet in the industry with modern and comfortable customer features in cabin is one of the four pillars in our 15 years strategic road map, vision 2025, and this order placement for additional A-350s is one component of this strategy. The performance, operational and cost efficiencies we have achieved with our initial A350-900s have resulted in these additional 10 aircraft order placement and thereby suffice our everexpanding global network. We will deploy the additional aircraft on our long haul routes connecting Addis Ababa with destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia," explained Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. "Ethiopian Airlines' repeat order is a resounding endorsement of the A350, its suitability, flexibility and unmatched economics.

We are delighted that the innovative aircraft -the A350- is closely associated with the world's fastest growing and profitable carriers," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

Ethiopian's crew

The A350 features the latest aerodynamic design and materials, including its carbon-fibre fuselage and wings. It is powered by new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Together, these advanced technological features translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions in addition to significantly lower maintenance costs. Ethiopian operates the youngest and most modern fleet with an average fleet age of less than five years.

Meanwhile, Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ethiopian Airlines has announced a commitment to purchase two 777 Freighters at the 2017 Paris Air Show, valued at $651.4 million at list prices. The order will be reflected on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website once it has been finalised. The airline also announced an order for 10 additional 737 MAX 8 airplanes. The 10 737 MAX options being exercised were part of a deal signed in September 2014, completing the

largest ever order for the 737 MAX in Africa.

Ethiopian now has firm orders for 30 737 MAX 8s. The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website. “Building one of the largest cargo terminals in the world and operating new-generation, high-performance aircraft reflects our commitment in expanding and supporting the exponentially growing imports and exports of our country in particular and the African continent in general. The commitment to purchase 2 B777 Freighters is expected to boost the Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services,” said GebreMariam. “The 737 MAX will form a key component of our strategic roadmap, vision 2025, enhancing our single-aisle fleet and keeping us at the forefront of African aviation.

This is a continuation of the longstanding and commendable business partnership we had established with Boeing.” The 777 Freighter, the world's longest-range twin-engine freighter,

is based on the technologically advanced 777200LR (Longer Range) passenger airplane and can fly 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometers) with a full payload of 112 tons (102 metric tonnes or 102,000 kg).

"The 777 Freighter’s range capability, combined with its enhanced cargo capacity, makes it the perfect airplane for Ethiopian to continue to profitably grow its global freighter service, linking trade routes between Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia," said Ihssane Mounir senior vice president of Global Sales and Marketing Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are also delighted to be able to announce an additional order for 10 737 MAXs. This order is a continued endorsement by Ethiopian of the 737 MAXs efficiency, range, reliability and operating costs.” The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 3,700 orders from 87 customers worldwide. Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the flag carrier of Ethiopia.

During the past seventy plus years, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence. Operating at the forefront of technology, the airline has also become one of Ethiopia's major industries and a veritable institution in Africa. It commands a lion's share of the pan African network including the daily and double daily eastwest flight across the continent. Ethiopian currently serves 100 international and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet.

Mrs. Tourism United Nations Launches a Foundation on Breast Cancer Awareness As part of efforts to address the challenges of women going through the pains of cancer, Mrs. Tourism United Nations, Ebele Enemchukwu, yesterday launched a foundation on Breast Cancer Awareness. The W.A.B.I.O. Foundation which was officially launched at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the distinguished chairmanship of Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa.

The W.A.B.I.O. Foundation is a NonGovernmental Organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, through which the Founder, Ebele Enemchukwu has set out to remind women, as well as the girl-child that they can be all (and more) they want to be irrespective of marital or birth status.

“Having our focus on women empowerment and improving maternal health, our defined

target group are single or married women and girls who have had children, either of their own volition or otherwise. This way, we constantly contribute at creating an improved society made up of more confident and independent women in our society.

“For this unveiling, we desire to emphasise on Breast Cancer Awareness among the womenfolk especially the underprivileged, thereby expanding on our 2016 efforts, as the issue is still very much with us. Working with health professionals, we desire to begin periodic counseling, screening, and continue with the next phase distribution of testing kits to 5,000 women. This will be followed by a robust M&E framework for compliance and feedback until we win the ignorance war. In line with this, our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Eke Grace Ngozi, delivered a paper on ‘Understanding

Breast Cancer’.

Ebele Enemchukwu is a wife and mother of three children, and hails from Anambra State.

She has worked in the telecommunications industry for 11 years, and currently works as a Training Specialist with one of the Telecommunications Companies in Lagos, Nigeria. She holds a B.Sc. in Microbiology and an M.B.A. from the University of Lagos.

Ebele is equally the current Mrs. Nigeria United Nations (national title), as well as Mrs. Tourism United Nations World (international title). It’s been from one act of charity to another ever since clinching these titles. With Ebele’s reign as Beauty Queen coming to a successful end in July this year, the W.A.B.I.O Foundation is therefore the vehicle on which future charity projects shall run, but with greater focus on women and the girl-child.

Enemchukwu

Lufthansa is Europe’s Best Airline 18 million surveyed passengers choose Lufthansa as Europe’s best airline Lufthansa has been voted the ‘Best Airline in Europe’. The award was given at the Paris Air Show on 20 June 2017 in Le Bourget. The market research institute Skytrax, which specialises in aviation, surveyed around 18 million passengers from over 160 countries worldwide.

“This award reaffirms our passengers heading out of Nigeria that they are flying with the best European airline to their top choices in Europe like Paris, Brussels, Vienna, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Scandinavia, Italy or Spain,” says Robin Sohdi, Lufthansa General Manager Nigeria.

In the survey, passengers from across the globe spoke in favour of the German premium carrier, thus acknowledging the services offered

by Lufthansa. Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO at Deutsche Lufthansa AG: “The service offered by our crews on board and on the ground as well as our investments over the past few years in the fitting of our cabins and lounges, in addition to the service and digitalisation, have paid off. The Skytrax Award is evidence that Lufthansa passengers appreciate

Lufthansa officials receiving the Europe Best Airline Award

our quality. The combination of premium service and excellent facilities has impressed passengers worldwide and made us Europe’s number one.

Our offer has never been better.” On receipt of the award, Carsten Spohr thanked the employees of Lufthansa in particular, who made this success

possible with their excellent work.

Lufthansa also won the award of ‘Best Airline in Western Europe’ as well as the award ‘Best First Class Lounge Dining’. Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines had been nominated for the award as ‘Best Airline in Western Europe’.

Austrian Airlines won the ‘Best Airline Staff Service in Europe’ award for its employees.

The survey was carried out by the market research institute Skytrax, which specialises in aviation. As part of this, the services on board as well as the airline services at the airports were rated. Skytrax has been carrying out the annual survey since 1999.

Recently, Global Traveler magazine, a wellknown travel industry trade publication in the United States, hosted their fifth annual “Leisure Lifestyle Awards” at the Sofitel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. The award winners are based on the nominations of the magazine’s readers, as well as its staff. Recipients include airlines, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators, etc. Lufthansa was awarded with “Best Premium Economy Class.”

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Ume-Ezeoke: No Govt Can Tackle Housing Gap without Robust Primary Mortgage Institutions MD/CEO of Homes and Homes Real Estate Solution Limited, Dr. Ikem Ume-Ezeoke, is one of the leading names in the real estate industry. In this interview with journalists in Lagos, Ume-Ezeoke who established his firm in 2004 believes that housing deficit will be reduced drastically if the federal government provides cheap land and long term mortgage through Primary Mortgage Institutions. Anayo Okolie was there The present government has a robust idea but I feel their major challenge is funding. As brutal as one can be, funding is not the only major setback; one of the significant setbacks is having experienced professionals design a proper framework to deal with the problem. Getting money to build houses might work against the system if the system is not properly planned and zoned out. I think we should create enabling environment to have more ideas on the table where various people in building environment can interact for more robust ideas. A proper road map would create various options where people would key into modules suitable for them in home acquisition. This is sensitive but doable.

What was your growing up like?

Growing up was fun, lucky and humble. I grew up in the eastern part of Nigeria under a strong and strict modest Catholic family. My father was a business man and my mum was a flexible business woman who was always there for her children. We were not special children. We were not given all we want, but we were taught respect and modest living. Education was the only thing on the lips of our parents. We were never treated special; I attended public schools.

What were the landmark experiences that shaped your upbringing?

Major landmark experiences were when my Dad withdrew me from school in the city and enrolled me to another secondary school in a village. He said my standard performance was dropping and I needed to concentrate more. I was taken to an aunt who would wake me up and strained my ears early in the morning on how I had been spoilt in the town. I spent some time with her before I was sent back to the city.

The second one was when my Dad insisted I work after secondary school before enrolling into university. Both experiences were very significant in my life because I saw my young mind recreating itself and saw life differently and independently.

How did you find yourself in real estate business?

I had my first degree in Estate Management (Bsc) from Enugu State University (ESUT). By dint of hard work, I had to practice what I studied.

Although, Estate Management was not my first choice, it was not very popular and it was also a five year course. I didn’t find any justification in spending five years for the programme that wasn't what I wanted; but through divine providence, I enjoyed studying that because the course modules touched on other areas that caught my interest, especially the ones on law, surveying, building construction, geography, urban design and architecture. Estate Management allowed you an opportunity to be a guru in environmental sciences and building industry outside the core provision of the course in valuation and property management. It broadened my mind so well and it made it easy to be at home with other professionals.

How did you become one of leading names in the estate industry?

I feel such answer should be provided by you.

I haven't seen myself as a leading name yet; but trust me it feels good to hear one is grouped as a leader in the field of his endeavour where you have veterans who have done so much for the industry and the community. A number of awards we have, I feel were God-given and we really appreciate that. We haven't even done 25 per cent of what we intend to do. The housing shortage or gap we have in this country is a sort of worry and this should make professionals in same industry to come together more often and create contents, create more alliance with the government to deal with housing deficit.

Have you had challenges that left you with regrets professionally?

Challenges are part of life and one shouldn't be afraid of that. It should be expected in every strata of one’s life. The more you achieve or ascend in life, the more challenge you encounter. I think challenges make one more mature in terms of how you reel out solutions and apply such to cure whatever you encounter in life. When you come out from challenges, one tends to learn more; it defines who you are, your future becomes clearer, you have a better view of life and how you shape your options and choose your steps. Challenges are good for everyone, especially the young ones.

Ume-Ezeoke

Are there lessons you have learned in the industry and how do you think people can learn from such lessons?

The lesson I have learned in the industry which I think by extension apply to other industry, is that integrity pays, both personal and professional integrity. People should be able to remember your name in your absence and give you element of credibility. That is what everyone needs to forge ahead, and that, to a large extent, expands your reach and your success. One shouldn't take anything for granted. What you have decided to do should be done well because those are the things that speak for you in your absence.

They are your legacy. I pity us when I see our focus on financial gain and allowing our integrity tilt. Once we start compromising our integrity to the safe custody of money, we start losing the divine purpose of life.

How do you think the key challenges in the housing sector can be minimally addressed?

You can't minimally give a solution to key challenges of housing sector. The housing sector is a huge sector and it defines, to a great extent, the success of a nation and by extension the government. Housing needs in Nigeria should be a great worry and it's a great worry. The first critical thing to do is to realise this as a challenge and call for stakeholders and every professional in the sector for more frequent interaction, select the right people to draw up road map for housing deficits. The major challenge that Nigeria has is appointing the wrong people to make decisions in critical sectors they don't belong.

Housing sector doesn't require so much to resolve; first on top of the list are funding, cheap land provisions and then mortgage. There are few Primary Mortgage Institutions in the country.

And you hardly find any that provides long term mortgage for home subscribers. Apart from that, job security also is another challenge because those houses should be subscribed by people who have jobs and viable businesses.

Another area to look into is creating more urban centres, decongesting the cities and creating more urban centres. The three major cities we have in this country outside Abuja are Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. What are we doing to create additional mega cities and renew the existing ones to decongest these cities and reduce heavy cost on housing or property acquisition? Plans should be made so that people stay wherever they are and have equal measure of lifestyle they think lack in their community. We should improve on our community infrastructures and amenities to reduce rural-urban migration. Recently, Lagos is

seeing heavy migration of people and we fear for the future plan; although, the government is doing well to tackle that.

Further to this, we need to have a defined workable plan and only professionals who understand the housing gap can put it together.

The state government and federal government, I feel should look at the credibility of the people they allocate lands and partners to provide houses for the masses. Having a robust purse does not guarantee the developer would deliver. I feel the government should be the biggest player and only experienced people who understand the gaps should be allowed or invited to run the show.

Apart from funding, there is a lack of proper road map on how housing deficit could be reduced.

I know we are plagued with the challenge of raising funds but that's not our major problem.

Understanding the problem is key, which we obviously lack. We need professionals who will come up with proper directions. This could happen when we constantly have frequent interactions to dissect the problems with clearer defined solutions.

No government can tackle housing gap without robust PMI who would be saddled with creating long term loans. Although, various licenses have been approved and grouped for various PMI to play, they are also saddled with raising funds to provide to subscribers.

Government has even gone forward to provide a mortgage refinancing company, but have the issues been resolved? We need to go beyond those to resolve the matter and this is where you need experienced professionals to handle such critical issues.

Further, the government should rather be the biggest player. They should come out with a clearer blueprint where they should design a module and create confidence on the masses and work with the masses funds to provide affordable houses on buy as you earn basis and within comfortable timelines. Land shouldn't be given out to people who show financial adequacy but keep those lands idle for a long time due to lack of knowledge or waiting for them to appreciate to sell off. Reduce the process of land acquisition and encourage home acquisition because of bottleneck provided in land acquisition in Nigeria. Reduce rural urban migration by providing infrastructures and amenities within the communities to increase lifestyle in those areas.

What is your assessment of President Buhari administration's housing policy?

What would you consider as your most significant contribution to your community?

Having my little experience shared among my peers. When you don't have money to give, at least you can share your little knowledge to boost mankind. The purpose of life is to impact humanity in every little way. This is foremost on my mind. You don't have to give money if you don't have, it shouldn't also be inadequate or less when you don't give money. Your knowledge is wealth and that can also be tapped or donated to help humanity. These I have given in my little way and willing to share more for people who can find value in it to take.

Your contribution and achievements in the real estate industry are enormous. How do you intend to replicate these achievements in your state, Anambra?

I think if my state requires my services to help in closing housing gap which is also by extension a national issue, they can afford to pay me to come. However, my state has enough and experienced professionals who handle their portfolios. The area I can make recommendations is on land allocations to people who have less experience to provide housing been given such.

People shouldn't be given lands because they are financially adequate only. There should be more to that and those should be critically reviewed.

New and fresh ideas should be sought. We should think of things to design that would take away the breath of any investor, no matter how lowly placed, to think of saving to own a home. Most of the ideas we sell still discourage investors who write off the idea of playing into a scheme because they don't have the bulk money. I think this might be the fresh idea one might suggest or nurture for the government; but apart from those, my state government is adequate I believe.

Other areas I would suggest is for government to get more involved in creating homes rather than giving out to investors or businessmen who provide at premium and it becomes difficult to acquire. The framework for such is what lacks in the system. These are areas of critical structure which would create more jobs and more revenue for the states. If you want to predict or see the future, start creating it immediately, it starts now.

You have won several high profile awards both local and international such as African Achievers Awards, The integrity International Award you won in Ghana last year, The Leadership Awards for Excellence and you were recently nominated for the prestigious Black Caucus Award for Leadership by U.S. Congress in City of Georgia. How do you feel having acquired this much?

Those are man-made accolades billed to encourage one to strive for best. Such keeps one on his toes. It feels good to realise your little efforts by the side is being recognised in as much as one isn't on the limelight. I appreciate God so much and all those who felt I deserve such even when I know I haven’t done anything.

I encourage everyone to do his/her best and never compromise excellence and integrity.

35/XTRA

30.06.2017

Giving Succour to Business Owners With focus on economic development, there is an increasing focus on supporting operators of small and medium scale enterprises so that they can compete favourably, writes Peter Uzoho Some Nigerian financial institutions have continued to exhibit an increasing reliance on income generation from non-core areas of business to overcome challenges in the economy.

The tough operating environment that was occasioned by the country’s slide into economic recession had put some strain on the bank’s liquidity due to the rise in non-performing loan in the industry.

But despite the challenging and fiercely competitive environment, Fidelity Bank Plc has continued to trudge on as its financial intermediation role is being felt in almost all sectors of the economy. Most especially, the bank’s support for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) shows its commitment to nation-building and Nigeria’s economic development.

The bank which reported a solid financial performance in the first quarter of 2017, posting an appreciable growth in its profit and gross earnings for the period ended March 31, 2017, has bright prospects of delivering improved numbers this year due to the improving macro-environment.

Fidelity Bank’s unaudited result released at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had shown that the bank’s gross earnings rose by 18.8 per cent from N34.4 billion in March 2016 to N40.8 billion for the corresponding period in March 2017. Similarly, Fidelity Bank’s profit before tax in the period surged by 20.5 per cent from N4 billion in 2016 to N4.8 billion in 2017, just as it recorded a growth in net interest income, deposits, loans and other performance indices.

Speaking on the results, Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo had said the double digit growth in earnings and profit underscored the disciplined execution of the bank’s medium-term strategy and a business model that enables it to continue to deliver improved performance in line with its 2017 financial year targets.

“Gross earnings growth was driven by a combination of increased yields on earning assets and an absolute growth in the volume of earning assets which led to a 24.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in interest income,” he said.

The Fidelity Bank helmsman also spoke on the impact of the bank’s efforts at reducing operating cost.

“Our cost optimisation initiatives continued to deliver cost savings, as total operating expenses declined y-o-y by 10.4 per cent to N14.4 billion, this was driven by a decline in over 60 per cent of our operating expense lines in Q1 2017.

“We will continue to optimise our cost profile without impacting service delivery through the disciplined execution of the initiatives from our recently completed business optimisation project,” he explained further.

Ranked amongst the top Nigerian lenders, Fidelity Bank has a strategic retail distribution network with a presence in the major cities and commercial centres across the country.

Rising from the recent rebranding exercise, the bank has become one of the most visible bank brands in Nigeria, gaining accolades and recognition for its superior e-banking products and services and promoting small businesses.

Support for SMEs Fidelity Bank’s SME financing strategy is delivered through a multi-faceted approach that includes robust business advisory, practical handholding and guidance of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to building sustainable businesses.

Globally, access to finance is a critical success factor in the growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Available statistics show that in developed countries of the world, MSMEs are the major drivers of growth in their economies.

The existence of an environment that is conducive to doing business is very important in this regard and partly responsible for this development in developed countries.

That is why Nigeria cannot afford to be

Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo

an exception if she intends to be in the top 20 economies of the world by year 2020 according to Vision 20:2020, the nation’s economic blueprint.

That was why in order to chart a course towards analysing the barriers MSME face in the country, Fidelity Bank has continued to expand its support for MSMEs across the country.

Financing opportunity for MSMEs To the Executive Director, Lagos and South-west, Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the focused on MSMEs cannot be overemphasised because they are the engine of growth in the economy.

She further explained that figures clearly show that MSMEs should be the focus going forward. But Onyeali-Ikpe noted that one of the barriers to lending MSMEs face is insufficient documentation.

“The funds we are giving out are depositors’ monies and we need to account for them. So, for a customer to qualify for an SME loan, you need to have a bankable transaction.

“That is, you must have a clear picture of what you want to do. You have to know your market, the set of people that demand your goods or services, you must have your financials, a stable management and the company must be registered. Of course, you must have an account with Fidelity. We have short-term, medium-term and long-term funds to lend,” she added.

On his part, Okonkwo, who said the financial institution supports over 500,000 MSMEs annually, reiterated that Fidelity Bank has

a Managed-SME unit.

“We do not want to bank SMEs haphazardly, and we therefore created a Managed-SME division. That division focuses on providing solution to challenges faced by SMEs through a multi-faceted approach.

“This is an inspiration for everybody to know that you can start small and become a Dangote of your own in the future. We have a major component in our managed SME unit that helps entrepreneurs with business management skills. A lot of people may have capital and other things required to start a business, but they don’t know how to go about it. So, we created this unit to provide support services, complemented by a host of other resources that we provide,” he added.

Accessing CBN’s MSME fund Owing to the bank’s strong focus on MSMEs, it has so far disbursed about N2.2 billion out of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) N220 billion micro, small and medium size enterprises development fund (MSMEDF).

Also said the bank has also received repayment of N400 million, pointed out that the CBN is very committed to the disbursement of the fund.

The bank is a key partner in the central bank’s quest to promote MSMEs. Mr. Akinola Bamiji of the Development Finance Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, urged operators to take advantage of the N220 MSME development fund that had been put in place by the central bank. According to him, the central bank had also put in place policies and initiatives to support SMEs.

Eligible enterprises to be financed by the fund include agricultural services, schools, restaurants, artisans, cottage industries, trade and general commerce and all other agencies that can repay. The fund is majorly channelled through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) like microfinance banks, commercial banks and development finance institutions.

At the launch of the fund, the CBN had stated that it was designed to further enhance access to finance by MSMEs with the following major objectives: provide wholesale financing windows for PFIs; improve the capacity of the PFIs to meet credit needs of MSMEs; provide funds at reduced cost to PFIs; enhance access of women entrepreneurs to finance by allocating 60 per cent of the fund to them; and improve access of NGOs/ MFIs to finance.

The CBN official added: “To address the challenge of funding by MSMEs, we put in place the N220 billion MSME fund. We have participating financial institutions that disburse the funds for us. For commercial and development banks, they have the capacity to access as high as N50 million as a single obligor, but they cannot do it on group basis.

They have to identity a project and the owner of the project must come with a bankable business plan and with that the bank can access the fund from the CBN. “But we have realised that most of the entrepreneurs don’t have what it takes to take their business to the next level and because of that, we have put in place an entrepreneur development centre in each geo-political zone of the country.”

36/COLLAGE

L-R; Pastor (Mrs) Florence Alao-Akala,Celebrant/former goernor of Oyo state,Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and his wife,Yeyeotun of the Source,Chief(Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala during the 67th birthday celebration of Alao-Akala in Lagos...recently

30.06.2017

L-R: Mrs. Idowu Omije, Bunmi Bashorun, and Mrs. Funke Mogaji, during their Installation/thanksgiving service ceremony as the Mother in Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Luli Central Parish Iju-Ajuwon, Ogun State...recently...

DAN UKANA

L-R: Mayor of Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh; Vice President United Nations Association of Greater Boston, Dr Arese Carrington; a former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon; and President UNAGB, Richard Golob at the United Nations Association of Greater Boston, Global Citizens Gala held in Massachusetts, USA...recently PHOTO: UNAGB

Former Inspector General of Police, Tunji Alapini, Solomon Arase and Managing Director House J Hotel and Resorts, Bayo Fatusin during the wedding ceremony of daughter of Lagos State commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni in Lagos... recently.

L-R: Secretary to Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, Kwara State APC Chairman, Ishola Balogun Fulani, Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed,Olupo of Ajase Ipo, Oba Sikiru Atanda Sanni, Olosi of Osi, Oba Saliu Abdulkareem and Head of Service,Kwara State, Hajia Zahra Omar cutting the state''s 50th Anniversary cake at the metropolitan square, Ilorin...recently

L-R: Pastor Oluleye Kayode, his wife Oluremi and, Pastor Mojisola Ogunsuji during the chartering of Four Square Gospel Church, Excellent Assembly, Ibafo Ogun state,...recently

R-L: President, United Friends Club of Nigeria, Mr. John Ogonna; The Couple, Mr and Mrs. Patrick Amadi; with other members of the Club, at the presentation of cheque to the couple their wedding ceremony in Lagos... recently

37/THISLIFE

30.06.2017

Orji (middle) inaugurating the motorised borehole with overhead tank Umuezu Village...recently

Water at Last

Emmanuel Ugwu writes about the sheer joy of a rural community in Abia after they took reception of a borehole spilling out potable water It was a novel experience for the people of Nsirimo, a rural community in Umuahia South local Government of Abia State when potable water started gushing out from a motorised borehole with overhead tank. They had waited so long to drink potable water, but recently their wish turned to reality when the borehole, sunk by the federal government, was inaugurated at Umuezu Village. Their joy knew no bounds as they erupted in songs of praise.

As the Nsirimo rural dwellers rejoiced, the man representing Abia Central at the Senate, Senator Theodore Orji, who attracted the project, was on hand to share in the joy of his constituents. He presented the keys of the water facility to the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Adolphus Ugwunna and charged the community to guard the project against vandalism.

He noted that with the inauguration of the water project, the absence of potable water in Nsirimo has ended after decades of agony.

He said that he had been deeply touched by the ordeal of the people, hence his decision to bring the project to the community was strategic. The former governor of Abia, who is the deputy chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, also pointed out that Nsirimo was special to him due to the huge number of supporters he has in the area.

“Nsirimo is very dear to my heart. I could have sited this project anywhere. When the need for this water project came, my mind went straight to Nsirimo and I am happy that it was sited at the appropriate place. It is a debt I owe you for voting for me and ensuring that I am a Senator today. That is what it should be and that is what leadership should be,” he said.

According to him, his joy was all the more profound that the project was sited in his constituency, adding that he has made it a point of duty to ensure that his signature constituency projects exists in all the six local

governments. The federal projects Orji attracted and distributed across his senatorial district include water projects, road projects, erosion control, light (electricity) projects, as he has given out transformers to virtually all the communities in Abia Central.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, lauded Senator Orji for his role in attracting the water project to the community which is in dire need of potable water, “It might interest you to know that this project and many others like it were attracted

by Senator Orji. He attracted two roads in Umuahia North L.G.A, whose construction has almost been concluded,” he stated.

The minister, who was represented by the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mr. Ebere Simeon Oziri, took time to advise the people to own the project and guard it jealously so that it would fulfill the purpose for which it was brought to them. He said: “The people of Nsirimo should be aware that this project belongs to them and should therefore do everything to protect it. The project is expected to serve the people and not exploit them. They should set up a mini committee to manage it.”

Ogbeh appealed to the community to cooperate with government in its efforts to improve the welfare of the people, noting that “one way of doing such is by embracing every project attracted for the people as well as protecting it.”

Some stakeholders of Nsirimo, who spoke at the occasion, expressed the feelings of the people over the water project. Former Transition Committee Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government, Hon. Randy Ukanwoko and the anchor person for the project, Hon. Peter Asagwara commended Senator Orji for attracting the project which they said was sited in a village that has no access to water, thereby ameliorating the hardship and water challenges faced by the village.

The motorised borehole

Earlier in his address, the President General of Nsirimo Amaise Development Union (NAIDU), High Chief Ezeji Raymond Nwosu commended Senator Orji for the water project, which he described “true dividends of democracy to the grassroots and true essence

of representation.”

According to him, “representing the people without positively affecting the lives of people is no representation hence, “Our distinguished Senator here is actually representing the good people of Abia Central well at the Senate."

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CITYSTRINGS

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

Betara (first left) presenting generators to some of the members of his constituency

A Lawmaker’s Shower of Love Biu, Shani, Kwara-Kusar and Bayo Local Government Areas of Borno State are fast becoming the food baskets of the state, all thanks to the effort of Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, representing the area in the House of Representatives.

Michael Olugbode reports

B

iu, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar and Bayo Local Government areas of Borno State populated by about 1.5 million people, is largely agrarian with over ninety per cent of the working class farmers. Many people in the four local government councils can be described as poor as their farm bring forth little yields; a large population finds it difficult to eat decent meals and life has been unexciting.

Many have unsavoury tales of how life has treated them unfairly with hard work but little to show for it. They are definitely hard working but with heaven given little rainfall, it has become an uneasy task to get good harvest and subsequently rich pocket has become a dream.

Hamisu Inuwa, is a man in his late twenties, an indigene of Kwaya-Kusar, who has been living in the area since birth, two years ago he can barely feed his wife and four children. He is a farmer whose farm yield was really poor and his situation was obviously pitiable as he found it difficult to bring food on the table and feel a lesser man. He constantly look to the heaven to open up to water his farm, and any time there is a gathered cloud, he goes about celebrating but his celebration is always cut short with little rain and little harvest.

He had given up on the heaven shower for it had not always come and once it came, it was much more little than could impact on his farm and pocket. He had no

money to procure the irrigation system that would have watered his farm and reverse his fortunes.

He had given up on farming and was contemplating leaving Kwaya-Kusar for a big town and take up any menial job to keep body and soul together, until he had a chance meeting with Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, the member representing Biu, Shani, Kwara-Kusar and Bayo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The donation impacted positively on our lives, the water scarcity became a thing of the past and now I no longer hire water pump machine for my irrigation activities, which has boost my farm yields. Before the gift of water pump machine from Hon. Betara, I was not producing more than 10 bags of crops, but on getting it, I now produce 30 bags

This meeting will forever be remembered

by Inuwa, whose situation had remained changed ever since. He was given a water pump by the lawmaker that assisted him to pump water from a nearby borehole which was equally built by Hon. Muktar Betara.

With the irrigation system functioning, Inuwa now is proud to be called a farmer and do not dream any longer to look for jobs in big town. He started harvesting so much more from his farm and his family begin to feed better. With richer pocket, Inuwa about a year ago took a second wife who just gave birth to a boy.

Recounting his experience, Inuwa said: "I am a farmer and due to water scarcity the yield from my farm was little and I found it difficult to feed my family, I was not the only one affected, it was a problem that affected everyone in our local government, we presented our complaint to some elders who approached Hon. Betara, he dug borehole for us and brought a water pumping machine for each of the farmers, he did not stop here, he doled out money which we used to buy seeds and till our farms.

"The donation impacted positively on our lives, the water scarcity became a thing of the past and now I no longer hire water pump machine for my irrigation activities, which has boost my farm yields. Before the gift of water pump machine from Hon. Betara, I was not producing more than 10 bags of crops, but on getting it, I now produce 30 bags. This has equally assisted me to take

good care of my family, I used to find it difficult to feed my moderate family of a wife and four children but with my new economic status just last year, I married a second wife and she just gave birth to a son; and feeding has not been a problem, all thanks to the Honourable."

In Shani, the case of Abubakar Imam, a man in his thirties was not different from Hamisu Inuwa, he could hardly feed his family as output from his farm was nothing to write home about. He even took to shoe cobbling to supplement his income, even with this life was really hard. Balance diet was far from his table as they had to eat anything that was available and it was only during festivals that meat was eaten. His children attended school in tattered uniforms with no shoes and there was no other way to describe his situation than poor.

He said his situation and that of many others changed when Hon. Betara decided to donate water pumping machines and dug boreholes which improved their farm produce yields and subsequently their income. "The Honourable decided to give about 100 of us water pumping machines and our stories have changed, we now have improved produce and better than what we used to be."

Imam said: "Though I cannot be said to be rich now but I am better than what I used to be, I am no longer into shoe cobbling as I am now fully involved in agriculture and plant all manner of seeds throughout the

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CITYSTRINGS

Betara (3rd right) presenting refrigerators to members of his constituency

Residents of Biu fetching water from one of the boreholes drilled by Hon. Muktar Betara

Some of the students displaying the notebooks donated by Hon. Muktar Betara

One of the hospitals equipped by Hon. Muktar Betara

Some of the ambulances donated by Hon. Muktar Betara to his constituency

An overhead water storage facility built by Hon. Muktar Betara in his constituency

year during both raining and dry seasons, we are feeding well as a family and my children are no longer in tatters and have shoes on their feet, all thanks to Betara."

The farmers of Bayo and Biu have the same tale of a turnaround because of donation from their lawmaker. Some said farming was becoming boring and unproductive until Betara came to their aid and made farmers kings again.

They however said his impact is not only felt in farming alone but cut across other fields and all other individuals. Sale Iro said: "Hon. Betara's gesture and development for our people is beyond description. He sponsored education of our children, got them employment at the federal level. For instance, he got jobs in the Nigerian Police Force for over 30 youths, 15 in the armed forces, six others employed into some federal government agencies. I benefitted a lot from the lawmaker's gesture. For example, I got a tricyle, which assisted me to boost my earnings. This has increased my capital and boost my agricultural yields. Initially, I was producing only 10 bags of rice but now I produce 50 bags as a result of the water pump machine he gave me."

It is not only the men that are being assisted by the lawmaker as Mairo Adamu would attest to. She said: "Hon. Betara has improved

Hon. Betara's gesture and development for our people is beyond description. He sponsored education of our children, got them employment at the federal level. For instance, he got jobs in the Nigerian Police Force for over 30 youths, 15 in the armed forces, six others employed into some federal government agencies

our lives through series of human development programmes and poverty alleviation intervention. In fact, he has done more than any single politician has done to improve our living standards far. He improved the lives of women through distribution of skills acquisition materials. In fact he was the first to initiate women empowerment scheme, he gave us capital of between N30,000 to 50,000, this he gave to over a thousand women to start a business, skills acquisition materials such as sewing machines, spaghetti-making machines, among others were given to women.

His intervention has really changed the lives of women for better."

One needs motivation to do some of the things the lawmaker is doing for his people in the face of the present politics in the country; and according to Hon. Betara, his motivation is seeing his people happy.

He told our correspondent that: "You have seen it yourself, they are very happy. If you look at the situation now, the recession the country is into today, we need to assist our people. As a legislator, these are not things you get from the National Assembly, but the generators, the sewing machines, the deep freezers are part of my intervention

of constituency project given to me by the government. But the money I share to my constituency is part of my contribution to my people."

On his intervention in poverty alleviation, he said: "I cannot count all, I have given out cars to people in my constituency to start commercial transportation, since I was first elected I cannot count the numbers, I know I have given out more than 500 vehicles, when motorcycles were still allowed for commercial transportation I gave out over a thousand motorcycles, I have equally given out countless tricycles for commercial transportation, in the last Assembly alone I was able to give over 100 tricycles. All these are for commercial purpose and not for a luxury ride. Monetary assistance to my people is a regular thing which I cannot count, I just cannot remember all, I have given a lot of money for businesses."

Definitely in Nigeria today due to high poverty level, the impact of a lawmaker cannot be restricted to motions and arguments on the floor of the Assembly but his impact must be felt in the pockets and on the tables of members of his constituency and this Betara has been able to do effectively well.

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WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

The Rulings of Sadaqat al-Fitr - 2

By Mufti Faraz ibn Adam/Darul Fiqh

H

aving said this, it will be permissible for a husband to discharge of Sadaqat al-Fitr on behalf of his wife. Equally a father can pay on behalf of his mature children. (Sharh Fath al-Qadir, 2:289-290) A woman who has the quantum will be obliged to pay the Sadaqat al-Fitr herself, irrespective whether she is married or not.

(Imdad al-Fatawa, 2:110) Mature children who are in possession of the quantum will also be responsible to pay Sadaqat al-Fitr for themselves.

A point worthy of mentioning here is that a male isn’t responsible to pay Sadaqat al-Fitr on behalf of his parents, minor siblings or his relatives. However, if he did dispense of Sadaqat al-Fitr on their behalf, it will be permissible. (al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, 2:903) In conclusion, every male and female is responsible to give Sadaqat al-Fitr when they are eligible to do so.

What to Give Islam is way of life which can be practised in all eras and all locations. Many injunctions are based on simple and common articles. For example, the calendar is based on the sighting of the moon, salah is centred on the positioning of the sun, fasting is founded on dawn and dusk, the sentence of an adulterer is executed by stoning. Likewise, the valuation of many monetary advancements within the Islamic code of law, revolve around simple grain and cereal widely available in the markets.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with

him) said, “We would give Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every minor and adult, the free and enslaved in the era of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) one sa’ of foodstuff or one sa’ of cheese or one sa’ of barley or one sa’of dates or one sa’ of raisins. (Sahih Muslim, 2:106) ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) instructed us to give Sadaqat al-Fitr of one sa’ of dates or one sa’of barley. ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Umar mentions that the Sahabah later gave two mud (½ sa’) of wheat in place of dates and barley. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:411) Shaykh Bashar Bakri Arrabi in his annotation of the great Hanafi work al-Lubab states one sa’equates to 3.2 kg. This is supported by various other texts and commentaries. Thus, ½ sa’ is equivalent to 1.632 kg. (al-Lubab fi ‘l-Sharh al-Kitab, p.169) Based on the aforementioned ahadith, Imam al-Kasani mentions one should give: 1. 1 sa’ of barley or 2. 1 sa’ of dates or 3. ½ sa’ of wheat or 4. 1 sa’ raisins 5.

(Bada’i al-Sana’i, 2:540) Imam Ibn al-Humam has mentioned that for everything besides wheat one should give 1 sa’and for wheat he should give ½ sa’. He endorsed that this view is shared by Mu’awiyah, Ta’us, Sa’id Ibn Musayyab, Ibn Zubayr, Sa’id Ibn Jubayr and many other prominent individuals.

(Sharh Fath al-Qadir, 2:228) It is permissible to give the value of the above in cash, instead of the actual grain.

However, according to Imam Muhammad

al-Shaybani, only the value of wheat should be considered (not the value of barley or dates).

(Radd al-Muhtar, 3:322) By virtue of the inferred meaning (dalalah an-nass), the scholars have pointed out that the goal of Sadaqat al-Fitr is to enrich the poor and suffice their need. This enriching and sufficing is easily done with cash and other commodities. Thus, it will be permissible to give anything which has a value to it. Again, one will give whatever values to 1.6 kg of wheat. (al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, 2:909-910; Bada’i al-Sana’i, 2:543) So, it is permissible to give the authentically narrated items in their respected quantities or to give the value of 1.6 kg of wheat.

When calculating the price of wheat, one will consider the price and value of the area they dwell in.

Ibn Nujaym al-Misri states “Commodities will be evaluated in the city or areas there are in.” (al-Bahr al-Ra’iq, 2:400) The Time of Dispensing Sadaqat al-Fitr The dispensing of Sadaqat al-Fitr becomes compulsory upon an individual with the break of dawn on the day of ‘Id [al-Fitr, the 1st of Shawwal]. (Bada’i al-Sana’i, 2:544) It is recommended to pay the Sadaqat al-Fitr before attending the place where ‘Id salah will be performed. (Sharh Fath al-Qadir, 2:305) It is permissible to pay Sadaqat al-Fitr prior to the day of ‘Id. ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Umar said, “People used to give Sadaqat al-Fitr a day or two before the ‘Id. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:411) In today’s climate, it is better and preferable to pay the Sadaqat al-Fitr many days in advance. The whole idea of Sadaqat al-Fitr is to benefit and suffice the poor on the day

of ‘Id. Discharging of it prior to the ‘Id salah in the masjid or musallah, as it is common practice in the west, defeats the purpose and objective of Sadaqat al-Fitr. Hence, one should ideally pay the Sadaqah in adequate time so it can reach those who are worthy of it in due time. (Kitab al-Fatawa, 3:362) If somebody failed to pay Sadaqat al-Fitr prior to the ‘Id salah, it will be permissible to discharge of it afterwards. Although to delay it is discouraged and disliked. (Nur al-Idah, p.162) The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “If one pays Sadaqat al-Fitr before thesalah, it is considered an accepted charity, if he pays it after the salah, it is considered an ordinary charity.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, p. 263) There is dispute amongst the classical scholars with regards to exactly how many days in advance can Sadaqat al-Fitr be paid. The preferred view is that it will be permissible to pay even before the onset of Ramadan.

However, to discharge of it in the month of Ramadan is the most preferred course of action, as all the scholars agree to this. (Kitab al-Fatawa, 3:363) The Recipients of Sadaqat al-Fitr The scholars are unanimous that the recipients of Sadaqat al-Fitr are identical to that of Zakat.

This is based on the following verse: “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Surat al-Tawbah v. 60).

44

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Survey: FIRS’ Approach on Transfer Pricing Audit Adversarial Peter Uzoho The approach of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Transfer Pricing (TP) audit, with respect to taxpayers is adversarial and aggressive, KPMG Transfer Pricing Awareness Survey 2017 has shown.

A transfer price is the price at which divisions of a company transact with each other, such as the trade of supplies or labour between departments. Transfer prices are used when individual entities of a larger multi-entity firm are treated and measured as separately run entities.

The report was presented at the KPMG Tax Breakfast Seminar held Thursday, in Lagos, with the theme: ‘Transfer Pricing Audit Global Perspective & Nigeria’s Experience.’

According to the survey administered on 52 persons, mainly Tax Managers/Directors, Chief Finance Officers (CFOs) and Heads of Finance in leading organisations across major industry sectors in Nigeria, with responses on TP compliance, TP audit, TP controversy and dispute resolution, as well as Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). It showed that 46 and 36 per cent of the respondents considered the FIRS stance on

TP audit as ‘aggressive’ and ‘very aggressive’ respectively, while only 18 per cent viewed the Service’s stance as ‘friendly.’

The survey also showed that majority of the companies (73 per cent), preferred a less adversarial approach of TP dispute resolution between them and the Service through the Decision Review Panel (DRP). It further revealed that given this preference for a less adversarial approach, the FIRS would have to reconsider its delay in implementing its Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) provision, to ensure that taxpayers with high risk transactions can seek for certainty in the pricing of such transactions.

Also revealed by the survey was that 57 per cent of the respondents believed that the assessment of additional tax liabilities by the revenue agency was material. It noted that it was important for companies to comply with all the TP documentation requirements and proactively perform TP diagnostic reviews to ensure they mitigate their TP risk exposure before undergoing TP audits.

Further findings of the survey indicated that FIRS needs to pay more attention to the TP area of

tax administration, stressing the need for it to enhance capacity, training and development of TP staff. To achieve this, the findings suggested that the agency should obtain support from multilateral agencies to implement a medium to long term secondment training programmes for staff.

These staff, it noted, would learn more and develop faster if they worked with their counterparts in more matured tax administrations outside Nigeria. It also said the staff would then be able to dispense international best practices in TP administration in Nigeria. However, it stated that with the recent wave of TP audits, adequate care must be taken by companies to ensure that safeguards are in place to avoid costly errors during TP audit process.

It highlighted such safeguards as, ensuring that dedicated TP personnel track and compile all relevant TP documentation and supporting documents to defend the arm’s length nature of the company’s related party transactions, adding that taxpayers may outsource the TP function to external TP specialists who are able to assist the company in mitigating TP risks.

Capital Hotels Records N5.37bn Turnover in 2016 Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Capital Hotels, owners of Sheraton Hotels, Abuja has declared a turnover of N5.37 billion for the year 2016, representing an increase of 14.48 per cent as against N4.69 billion recorded in 2015. The company also revealed that its gross profit rose by 28.03 per cent to N1.59 billion in 2016, while profit after tax increased by 158.9 per cent to N1,274.45 billion, compared to N492.26 billion achieved in 2015.

The chairman of the company, Mr. Victor Oyolu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the 36th annual general meeting, where he attributed the increase to

the net foreign exchange gain arising from the depreciation of the naira. However, despite this turnover, the company has refused to pay dividends for the third year in a roll, but rather pleaded with the shareholders.

This, it attributed to the ongoing renovation involving about 112 rooms in the first Tower of the hotel. Oyolu noted that the objective of the renovation was to enhance the outlook of hotel and give a memorable experience to other stakeholders for guest loyalty, stressing that the renovation was being funded mainly from the internally generated revenue.

The chairman lamented that in spite of the hike in electricity

supply by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), electricity supply from the national grid was low during the year, adding that the quantity of diesel consumed for the running of the power generating plants was higher than expected.

The chairman expressed optimism that with the international price of crude oil recovering and with the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERPG), also geared towards restoring economic growth, the purchasing power of consumers would be stimulated, noting that the revenue of the hotel would be positively enhanced.

Heritage Bank Restates Commitment to Deepen Agro-business Heritage Bank Plc has reiterated its commitment to further deepen the drive to support agribusiness value chain in order to fast track food security and sufficiency in the country.

The MD/CEO of the bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, who disclosed this, said Heritage Bank would not relent in boosting the agric base of the nation and; making farming profitable to stakeholders and attractive to the youths.

Specifically, he affirmed that the bank would focus on supporting the agric space via financing farmers to purchase modern technology; as the funding will bring about transformative development in the sector. According to him, the bank would support the drive for cash crop commodities that would boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, which the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has always been cautious given the dangers the continuous reliance on imported food items pose to its efforts to

create jobs as well as develop and diversify the economy.

A statement from the bank, quoted Sekibo, to have said this through the Group Head, Agriculture Finance of the bank, Mr. Olugbenga Awe, who also affirmed Heritage Bank’s commitment to the development of agribusiness and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“Our support cuts across the entire value chain with focus on large corporates and small holder farmers. We encourage value addition and ultimately export,” he said.

He, however, noted that the bank’s support goes beyond food sufficiency to increasing cash crop commodities that would boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

Heritage Bank, he also stated, was effectively tackling the bottlenecks since it has long identified the opportunities in agribusiness, thereby offering solutions to ease of doing business in the sector.

“For ease of financing, we

would be better off with functional commodity exchanges as a country. We can start by refinancing commodities through a warehousing receipt system, gradually we will move to crop receipt.

“With commodities exchange, the value-chain is strengthened and the whole system is structured. Exchange helps in reducing the long marketing chain, it helps in enforcement of commodity standards, it provides price certainty and in some cases storage and warehousing facilities,” Awe suggested. He further noted: “If we sustain the current momentum on rice, we shall surely export rice in the nearest future, and the operative word here is sustaining the momentum. However, there is need for strategic alignment on objectives. The current focus by government is on small holders’ farmers using the instrumentality of the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP)

by Central Bank of Nigeria.”

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,970,297.97

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,595,579.89

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,436,917.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,841,337.90

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

--Currency in Circulation

2,179,174.28

--Banks Reserves

3,318,344.71 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Month

December 2016

Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55 • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 28 JUNE 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $44.48 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $44.23 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), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), 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

45

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

29-Jun-17

28-Jun-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

204.98

200.00

2.49%

3,492,963,207,876.90

10.95

18.72

5.68

3.90%

4.38

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

158.72

154.53

2.71%

1,258,506,892,943.36

3.58

44.29

4.01

2.27%

7.59

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

35.70

36.00

-0.83%

1,050,693,098,296.80

4.49

7.94

2.53

4.96%

2.08

910.00

910.00

0.00%

721,317,189,320.00

10.00

91.02

3.97

3.19%

23.36

20.90

20.58

1.55%

656,186,720,127.40

4.13

5.06

1.29

8.61%

0.93

06 United Bank for Africa Plc

9.47

9.00

5.22%

343,567,114,269.34

1.99

4.75

0.90

6.34%

0.77

07 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

32.44

30.90

4.98%

324,400,000,000.00

2.85

11.37

2.07

0.31%

2.30

08 Presco Plc

73.00

73.00

0.00%

289,844,824,285.00

0.03

2,496.60

4.06

1.78%

6.93

9.55

9.10

4.95%

276,262,129,076.05

13.18

0.72

0.72

5.76%

0.61

465.00

460.00

1.09%

257,289,295,545.00 -82.02

-5.67

4.06

3.42%

0.68

11 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

13.31

13.15

1.22%

244,232,526,671.65

0.68

19.68

0.42

4.66%

0.39

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

50.00

48.60

2.88%

227,745,090,500.00

3.71

13.48

1.04

6.00%

0.91

13 FBN Holdings Plc

6.20

5.91

4.91%

222,550,815,310.40

0.21

29.88

0.42

2.42%

0.36

40.85

40.85

0.00%

154,547,651,812.50

0.81

50.31

2.21

0.12%

13.22

9.00

9.00

0.00%

108,000,000,000.00

1.20

7.50

0.64

5.56%

1.63

16 Guinness Nig Plc

71.50

71.50

0.00%

107,671,005,442.00

-3.06

-23.38

1.04

4.48%

2.73

17 International Breweries Plc

30.57

30.57

0.00%

100,705,200,489.60

0.02

1,356.74

3.78

0.82%

9.18

272.10

272.10

0.00%

92,383,891,847.70

43.58

6.24

0.32

5.15%

3.92

7.53

7.18

4.87%

90,620,680,271.82

0.29

25.94

0.20

9.96%

0.47

250.02

248.00

0.81%

90,156,027,405.24

22.61

11.06

0.96

2.88%

4.20

21 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

27.99

27.99

0.00%

73,452,398,864.13

-1.19

-23.46

0.17

7.15%

0.74

22 Forte Oil Plc.

52.70

52.54

0.30%

68,640,754,128.10

2.22

23.75

0.46

6.55%

1.58

23 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

91.00

90.00

1.11%

58,293,723,033.00

-0.05 -1,992.33

0.63

2.42%

2.63

1.46

1.50

-2.67%

56,532,656,240.50

-0.03

-50.16

0.95

0.00%

0.65

25 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

58.49

58.49

0.00%

55,794,195,900.00

5.15

11.36

3.88

0.17%

3.28

26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

39.45

39.45

0.00%

52,074,000,000.00

-2.89

-13.64

0.37

3.80%

0.74

1.32

1.26

4.76%

38,230,613,113.44

0.39

3.41

0.25

12.12%

0.21

17.99

17.99

0.00%

34,556,350,322.13

3.37

5.34

0.46

5.56%

0.46

29 Sterling Bank Plc

1.06

1.01

4.95%

30,517,843,213.56

0.18

5.91

0.27

8.49%

0.36

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.30

1.20

8.33%

30,108,505,658.40

-0.29

-4.43

0.14

0.00%

0.13

31 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

13.65

13.00

5.00%

25,637,457,846.00

-0.16

-86.50

0.86

9.52%

2.32

32 FCMB Group Plc

1.28

1.22

4.92%

25,347,469,799.68

0.72

1.77

0.14

7.81%

0.14

33 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

9.29

8.87

4.74%

24,613,282,531.62

0.91

10.19

1.35

5.92%

3.06

34 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

20.45

20.45

0.00%

24,455,674,179.60

3.51

5.82

1.70

1.47%

1.43

35 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

22.97

20.90

9.90%

22,970,000,000.00

5.69

4.04

1.60

0.44%

0.62

36 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.14

2.14

0.00%

22,470,000,000.00

0.25

8.53

1.08

2.34%

1.11

32.00

33.25

-3.76%

22,400,000,000.00

2.29

13.97

3.29

3.59%

9.81

38 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.66

3.66

0.00%

21,527,622,953.70

0.91

4.04

0.56

3.83%

0.72

39 Wema Bank Plc

0.55

0.56

-1.79%

21,215,956,344.55

0.07

8.19

0.39

0.00%

0.44

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.76

1.77

-0.56%

13,957,147,878.08

-0.40

-4.35

0.29

9.09%

0.42

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.24

1.25

-0.80%

12,862,202,946.88

0.42

2.95

0.58

9.68%

0.69

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

10.21

10.21

0.00%

12,830,679,990.86

0.22

46.64

1.15

0.98%

1.19

43 Unity Bank Plc

0.73

0.76

-3.95%

8,533,216,697.66

0.19

3.91

0.10

0.00%

0.10

44 Skye Bank Plc

0.61

0.64

-4.69%

8,466,983,860.10

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

49.18%

0.08

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.52

0.52

0.00%

6,959,023,891.04

0.18

2.89

0.89

5.77%

0.42

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.07

3.05

0.66%

4,986,351,562.50

0.36

8.59

0.63

6.51%

0.77

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.80

2.74

2.19%

4,812,499,986.00

-0.90

-3.10

0.76

25.00%

0.14

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.60

0.58

3.45%

4,158,122,688.00

1.48

0.41

0.15

8.33%

0.48

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.65

2.57

3.11%

3,975,000,000.00

0.21

12.55

0.52

1.89%

0.60

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc 05 Zenith Bank Plc

09 Access Bank Plc 10 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc 15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

18 Total Nigeria Plc 19 Oando Plc 20 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

24 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

27 Fidelity Bank Plc 28 U A C N Plc

37 Cap Plc

TOTAL

10,905,687,961,322.30

TOTAL MARKET CAP

11,504,805,211,935.90

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

94.79%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 28-Jun-17

Close 29-Jun-17

Change %

32,657.30 11.29

33,269.84 11.50

1.88 1.88

137.49 10.70

140.06 10.91

1.88 1.88

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 28-Jun-17 29-Jun-17 %

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Diamond Bank Plc United Bank for Africa Plc Cadbury Nigeria Plc Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

20.90 1.20 9.00 13.00 30.90

22.97 1.30 9.47 13.65 32.44

9.90 8.33 5.22 5.00 4.98

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 28-Jun-17 29-Jun-17 %

Skye Bank Plc Unity Bank Plc Cap Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Wema Bank Plc

0.64 0.76 33.25 1.50

0.61 0.73 32.00 1.46

-4.69 -3.95 -3.76 -2.67

0.56

0.55

-1.79

Market appreciates by 1.88% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, June 29th, 2017 ended on a positive note as the stock market closed green as investors risk appetite continues. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Also, trading activities decreased in volume as 439.23m shares worth of N4.81 billion in 4,594 deals exchanged hands today.

This is an increase from 386.24m shares worth of N3.30 billion in 4,372 deals which exchanged hands on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms are: United bank for Africa Plc, Access Bank Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc; United Bank for Africa Plc and Nigeria Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

Brent crude oil price slides to US$47.37 per barrel.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 1.88% (+612.54) increase to close at 33,269.84 from 32,657.30 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N11.50 trillion from N11.29 trillion of prior trading day.

Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 1.88% to 140.06 from 137.49 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N10.91 trillion from N10.70 trillion of the previous trading day.

Market breath closed positive today as 34 stocks gained on the bourse while 14 stocks also declined, leaving 60 stocks unchanged. Topping the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc as it emerged as the day’s toast of investors with a gain of 9.90% to close at N22.97 per share. It was followed by Diamond Bank Plc with a gain of 8.33% to close at N1.30 per share. Others on the gainers list include: United Bank for Africa Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Skye Bank Plc lead with a loss of 4.69% to close at N0.61 share. It was followed

by Unity Bank Plc with a loss of 3.95% to close at N0.73 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Cap Plc, Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc and Wema Bank Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

46

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, 30 JUNE, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Unilever Nigeria Applies to Raise N58.9bn Via Rights Issue Ebere Nwoji Unilever Nigeria Plc has formally applied to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to raise about N58.851billion fresh capital through Rights Issue.

In the application made through its stockbrokers, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Unilever will be issuing 1,961,709,167 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N30.00 per share to

shareholders on the basis of 14 new shares for every ordinary shares held. If successfully raised, it will amount to N58.85 billion, which is lower than the N63 billion approved by the shareholders at the last annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos. The directors had proposed to shareholders at the AGM to approved that the authorised share capital of the company be increased to N5

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

billion (from N3.03 billion) by the creation of additional 3.95 billion new ordinary shares of 50 kobo and to raise up to N63 billion by way of Rights Issue, subject to obtaining regulatory approval. The funds would be used to finance short term bank borrowings and enhance its operations among other reasons.

Unilever Nigeria had increased its revenue by 17.8 per cent from N59 billion recorded in

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

2015 to N69 billion while Profit After Tax (PAT) jumped by 157 per cent from N1.19 billion in 2015 to N3.07 billion in 2016.

Addressing shareholders at the 92nd AGM, the Chairman of Unilever Nigeria, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha said that the company has once again demonstrated business resilience under very difficult circumstances. He asserted that the company’s

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

performance showed its commitment to grant shareholders returns on their investments “The company’s performance for the year ended 31 December 2016 showed sustained growth and resilience even under depressed economic conditions.

Although Unilever Nigeria has not been insulated from the tough economic environment, we have remained focused on our short and long term growth

ambitions with strong emphasis on operational intensity, cost efficiencies, growing market share across key categories as well as reinvesting behind our iconic brands,” he said.

He noted that even in this period of economic downturn, Unilever Nigeria is dogged about ensuring sustained and steady growth in the company’s operations to achieve improved returns on investments.

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

47

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017

MARKET NEWS

NIPCO May Extend Mandatory Takeover Bid for Mobil Shareholders Goddy Egene Nipco Investment Limited (NIL) may extend the time frame for the minority shareholders of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc to sell their shares. Following the successful acquisition of 60 per cent equity stake of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc

by NIL from ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, it applied to regulators to acquire additional shares from minority shareholders.

The application for the

takeover bid opened on May 30 and was expected to close yesterday. However, indications emerged that there may be an extension for the minority shareholders to accept the offer.

The financial transaction, which is being handled by Cordros Capital and Zenith Capital as financial advisers, has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

NIL had explained that the takeover bid is in compliance with Part XII,

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

Section 131(1) (a) of the Investment & Securities Act (ISA) of 2007 and Rule 445 of the SEC’s Rules & Regulations, which requires NIL to make a mandatory takeover bid to all the other shareholders of Mobil Nigeria.

“This offer period represents the opportunity for qualifying minority shareholders of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, who tender their shares to earn cash consideration of N417.12 per ordinary share tendered at

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 28Jun-2017, unless otherwise stated

a satisfactory premium in comparison with the current market price of N250, which the shares are being traded on the floor of the NSE last Friday,” the company said.

The Managing Director of Nipco, Mr. Venkataraman Venkatapathy recently told the capital market community that the acquisition of majority shares in Mobil would bring economy of scale to the firm, benefit Nigerians and grow the economy.

“We would be adding

new businesses and works towards increasing the production of its lubes which has remained a cherished brand in the lubricant market,” he said.

The Nipco boss explained that to all discerning investors the deal is a big welcome to a new dawn and new era that will usher in stability, prosperity, sustainability and growth in the downstream sector in particular and the industry in general.

“The deal will

definitely make the Nipco group bigger not only due to the acquisition but also the additional new business lines to be introduced to make the company one of the most proficient and best run out fit in the industry.

The group overall goal is to increase Mobil presence and efficiency across the nooks and crannies of the country and expand its retail footprint to a minimum of 300 at the earliest and make it a vibrant one,” Ventakapathy added.

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 159.91 161.05 26.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 224.15 225.66 5.74% 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 0.74 0.75 6.08% 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 19.11% 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 15.66 16.13 26.84% ARM Discovery Fund 339.58 349.82 18.25% ARM Ethical Fund 24.45 25.19 9.44% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 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 129.69 130.60 23.30% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.32% 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 11.37 11.67 21.52% Women's Investment Fund 91.37 93.71 8.01% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 19.10% 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 1,089.71 1,090.79 7.71% FBN Heritage Fund 134.31 135.38 20.44% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.94% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.51 $109.49 5.54% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $107.73 $108.71 5.51% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.36 148.45 29.98% 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 1.24 1.27 33.51% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.77 2.77 7.87% 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 2,569.72 2,613.61 16.63% Coral Income Fund 2,298.50 2,298.50 9.23% 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 18.87% 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 17.73% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.97 1.99 17.03% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.04%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.07 1.09 8.09% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,039.87 1,039.87 5.65% 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 12.81 12.92 32.54% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.88% 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 1.13 1.15 13.93% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.63 10.71 2.37% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.01% 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 120.18 121.17 18.04% 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 1.32 1.32 5.80% 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 2,064.72 2,076.45 12.76% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 162.01 162.01 5.23% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.92 0.93 20.13% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 201.68 201.68 7.91% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 157.90 160.05 21.66% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.53% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,899.07 8,999.50 17.33% 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 1.27 1.28 7.14% United Capital Bond Fund 1.35 1.35 15.27% United Capital Equity Fund 0.80 0.82 -2.11% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.15 1.16 11.25% 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 11.81 12.00 21.85% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.65 12.79 15.65% Zenith Income Fund 18.09 18.09 9.46%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 127.64

1.01% 2.96%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.91 95.38

10.01 97.14

12.80% 25.85%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.85 7.74 15.06 18.61 130.20

3.89 7.82 15.16 18.81 132.20

39.29% 10.04% 26.31% 16.57% 1.01%

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.

FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017 • T H I S D AY

48

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Trump Travel Ban: US Sets out Visa Criteria The White House has set new criteria for visa applicants from six

mainly Muslim countries and all refugees, requiring them to have

Cardinal Pell:Vatican Treasurer Denies Australia Sex Offences The Vatican treasurer, Cardinal George Pell, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing after being charged with sex offences in his native Australia.

He complained that he had been subjected to “relentless character assassination” during a two-year investigation into the “false” claims.

He said the Pope had granted him a leave of absence to fight the charges.

The charges relate to alleged “historical” incidents, police in the state of Victoria said. The allegations were made by a number of people, said Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton.

Cardinal Pell, 76, who is based in the Vatican, is considered the third-ranking official in the Holy See. He told a news conference at the Holy See that he would travel to Australia if his doctors permitted it.

“I’m looking forward finally to having my day in court,” he said.

“I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”

The Catholic Church worldwide has in recent years faced a damaging series of allegations relating to sex abuse by priests, and claims that

these cases were covered up.

The BBC’s James Reynolds says the charges leave the Church - and the Pope - in an uncomfortable position.

After his election in 2013, Pope Francis created a commission to deal with allegations of sexual abuse by clerics. Now he finds that one of his closest advisers faces charges of his own.

In a statement following the announcement of the charges, the Vatican said: “The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system that will have to decide the merits of the questions raised.

“At the same time, it is important to recall that Cardinal Pell has openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable the acts of abuse committed against minors; has co-operated in the past with Australian authorities... has supported the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and finally, as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse.”

a “close” family or business tie to the US. The rules, affecting people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, are coming

visit, ahead of a key Communist Party congress later this year which is expected to cement Xi’s position as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation.

More than 20 activists -- including Joshua Wong and young legislator Nathan Law -- remained in custody Thursday night after being arrested for causing a “public nuisance” during a Wednesday night protest.

The three-day visit is Xi’s first since becoming leader in 2013, and comes three years after huge pro-democracy protests crippled the semi-autonomous city for months as

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ROSEMARY EKAITE UDOH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ROSEMARY EKAITE BASSEY. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known as MISS ESE URHOBOTIE now wish to be known as MRS ESEOGHENE JACINTA EFENI. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc and the general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL ABIODUN KAFILAT now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF ABIODUN KAFILAT. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BOLANLE AJAYI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BOLANLE ELIZABETH FASHOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IMPERIAL PORTFOLIO LIMITED now wish to be known and addressed as MELLANBY TRUST COMPANY LIMITED. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKERE GODSTIME CHINYEAKA EBERE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GODSTIME CHINONSO OKORO. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBILORI OLUWAFEMI FARUK now wish to be known and addressed as OGBILORI FEMI FRANK. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ALEX TETTEH TETTEY now wish to be known and addressed as FIO ALEX TETTEY. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

ban on Monday.

The executive order had been blocked by lower courts since February.

The revised rules - taking conditions laid out in the Supreme Court ruling - come into effect at 20:00 Washington time (00:00 GMT).

Unlawful Dismissal: ECOWAS Court Decides Fate of Sierra LeoneanVP Nov 22 Alex Enumah in Abuja The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice sitting in Abuja Thursday reserved November 22, 2017, for judgement in a suit brought

by Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana challenging his removal from office as vice president of Sierra Leone.

A three-man panel, led by Justice Hameye Foune Mahalmadane, announced the date after taken submission of counsel to the applicant. Though there was no representation from the respondent, argument was however based on documents filed by respondent challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit as well as reply to the notice of originating summons.

Other members on the panel are Justices Friday Chijioke Nwoke and Alioune Sall.

Sam-Sumana through his lawyer, Femi Falana SAN had dragged the government of Sierra Leone before the ECOWAS Court in Abuja for infringement of his fundamental rights by removing him from office

China’s President Xi Arrives in Divided Hong Kong President Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since its return to China

by Britain, with activists under arrest as authorities sought to avoid embarrassment during anniversary celebrations.

A huge security operation shut down large parts of the normally throbbing city, with thousands of police deployed to keep away demonstrators angry at Beijing’s tightening grip on the freedoms of nearly eight million people.

The lockdown reflects Beijing’s concern that nothing should be allowed to taint the high-profile

into force on Thursday.

They were issued after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump’s travel

“Umbrella Movement” campaigners camped out on thoroughfares.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS HANNATU AYHOK AYIKU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HANNATU DADDY YAKUBU. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SYLVESTER AUGUSTINE now wish to be known and addressed as SYLVESTER TIHALA. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OJOGBEDE OLUREMI BOSEDE now wish to be known and addressed as BOBUWA MARCELLINUS OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MONDAY OKOGBUO IROANYA now wish to be known and addressed as MONDAY OKOGUO. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MR. OLIVER IWEJURU CHICHIO now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OLIVRICH CHIMA RICHMAN. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGUELE MARIA OMO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBRAHIM MARIA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

illegally.

He was sacked on March 17, 2015 by Sierra Leone’s President, Ernest Bai Koroma on the pretext that he (Sam-Sumana) had been expelled by their party the All Peoples Party (APC).

At the resumed trial yesterday, Falana had argued that the removal of his client from office as vice president of Sierra Leone was unlawful, injurious and deprived him of his right to to the protection of the law as well as his right to participate in government and governance.

In suit number ECW/CCJ/ APP/38/16, which has the Republic of Sierra Leone as the sole defendant, FalanasaidSam-Sumanaresortedtothe ECOWAS court because his country’s Supreme Court betrayed him when it denied him fair hearing, and that Koroma prevented him from fully exploring the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanism by replacing him (Sam-Sumana) before his appeal against the party’s

decision could be heard.

According to Falana, following the expulsion of the VP by his party (APC) on March 10, 2015, Koroma without recourse to due process went ahead to remove Sam-Sumana from office and replaced him with someone else.

“He (Sam-Sumana) is saying that his life and that of his family members were threatened when armed soldiers surrounded his house and disarmed his security details.

“At a point he had to seek protection in the United State Embassy in his country.

“His right to movement, to earn a living; his right to security, and the right of the electorate, who voted for him and the President on a second term, that will end this September, have been breached by this illegal sack,” Falana said.

He told the court that when Kororma circumvented the APC’s

dispute resolution mechanism, his client went before the country’s highest court, but was also frustrated when the Sierra Leone Supreme Court imposed a lawyer on him.

Falana told the court that the inability of his client to get fair hearing at the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone necessitated his coming to the ECOWAS Court.

“The Supreme Court ordered him to amend the processes he filed in the case he instituted against his illegal sack. He instructed his lawyer to do so, but his lawyer refused.

“He sacked the lawyer, but the Supreme Court insisted that he must stick with the old lawyer and went ahead to decide the case based on what his sacked lawyer filed”, he said.

“We are saying the Sierra Leone Supreme Court denied our client the right to have a lawyer of his choice.”

FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Oyegun, El-Rufai Disagree on Restructuring APC won’t ignore clamour, says party chairman Kaduna Gov: 2014 Confab report stands rejected Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, have taken divergent

positions in the ongoing debate on restructuring of the country.

While Oyegun said the party cannot ignore the clamour for restructuring of the affairs of the nation, El-Rufai said the opposition of the party to the report of 2014

Donald Trump Hosts Two Chibok Girls The United States President, Donald Trump, and his daughter, Ivanka, met with two Chibok girls, Joy Bishara and Lydia Pogu on June 27 at the White House.

Bishara, 20, and Pogu, 19 were among 57 girls who escaped from Boko Haram in Borno State by jumping off the back of a truck in 2014.

The 57 girls were among over 270 kidnapped from their secondary school in Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014.

The incident sparked global outrage with a campaign hashtag of #bringbackourgirls calling for rescue of the girls.

Majority of the girls have since been freed by the terror group in

prisoner swaps with the Nigerian government, although dozens still remain with the Boko Haram.

With the assistance of the Jubilee Campaign, a human rights group in Virginia, the pair relocated to the United States in August 2014. They then transferred to Canyonville Christian Academy in the state of Oregon, where they graduated.

“It’s a wonderful school, I enjoyed my senior year because of the wonderful combination of students from different countries,” said Bishara on her Facebook page.

The pair will attend Southeastern University on a full scholarship at the beginning of the upcoming school year.

national conference remained unchanged.

Oyegun, who was a guest on an early morning television programme (Sunrise Daily) on Channels Television, declared yesterday that the party won’t renege on the promise to restructure the nation as clearly stated in its manifesto.

The APC chairman, however, said fixing the ailing economy remains a priority to the party and its administration rather than the restructuring palaver.

He said what the party did was to avoid the word restructuring in its manifesto but only promised devolution of power and true federalism.

According to him, “The topic is contentious and a lot of people are talking about restructuring without any commonality. We have stated clearly what we want to do- devolution, true federalism. We really avoided the word restructuring because it means so many things to so

many people.”

While speaking earlier on the same programme, the Kaduna State governor who was responding to question on the implementation of 2014 National Conference, said the position of APC as regard former President Goodluck Jonathanorganised Confab has not changed.

El-rufai said: “That is not likely to happen. We never believed in the Confab, we believe it is a jamboree.

Our position has not changed; we are not going to look at the 2014 Confab.”

But Oyegun acknowledged the grounds that the discussion on restructuring is currently gaining, saying the APC-led administration will continue to dialogue with acclaimed leaders of the people, especially those identified as being behind the agitations in the Southeast.

On whether APC is in support of the move by the Senate to consider the report of the 2014 National Conference, Oyegun said: “The conversation has started; let

me put it that way, and we cannot as a party ignore it, but right now, we are looking at all the options.”

When asked what kind of steps is being taken to achieve the APC plan, Oyegun said: “What is more important, is it to fix the economy or embark on this political issue with all the contentious and different interpretation that the public gives to it? It is very specific on the manifesto, and we are not going to renege on it, no question about that.

“We are coming to that but our priority now is to fix the economy and restore hope as well as provide jobs to the teaming youths in the country. So it is a matter of priority.”

On whether the APC-led federal government will allow Biafrans to secede and become a country of their own, the APC chairman said: “I think that that is the most unlikely thing. I don’t think it will go that far.

He urged the leadership of the IPOB to explore the option of using the political process to further their

campaign by floating a political party or joining the existing ones with common agenda.

“We have Anambra State election coming up later this year, let the people speak, as that is the only way democracy works. We can’t operate the way they want us to.

There must be a meeting of minds, there must be a conversation. Like I said, conversations are going on behind the scene; a lot of consultations are going on and eventually, there may be a need to sit around a table to take a look at these things.”

On the state of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health and the apparent silence byAPC, Oyegun said: “We are not his doctors but the reports we have are very good. It is the most unfortunate thing; it is not ideal, as nobody wishes that on himself or on a nation but he is recovering very strongly.”

He said Nigerians should discountenance the claim by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that Buhari is now on life-support at a London hospital.

EU Withdraws Financial Support for Nigeria, Says Country Not Poor Alex Enumah in Abuja The European Union (EU) has withdrawn financial support for Nigeria, saying the country has enough resources to meet her developmental needs.

The Head of EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Michel Arrion, gave the charge yesterday at an annual distinguished lecture organised by IBB Golf Club in collaboration with Foundation for Global Impact and Sustainable Development.

He said what the EU would do instead is to help with technical support and capacity-building towards development.

While urging the Nigerian government to Begin to look beyond Official Development Assistance (ODA), the envoy suggested the judicious application of taxation.

He charged Nigeria to remain committed to the course of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union in order to realise the goals of the regional blocks.

The ambassador who noted that the EU would not have become what it is today without the quality leadership provided by Germany, stated that Nigeria as a nation has what it takes to uplift the regional block and give it direction.

“We are not offering more financial support, we are proposing more political and policy dialogue, technical assistance, capacity building, training, transfer of technology, more advocacy for more private investments and other innovative sources of funding.

“To finance the development of the country, Nigeria must find alternative funding to ODA. Nigeria must collect much more taxes five times more, to reach an average of 20 per cent of the GDP, and

spend better.

“It should also attract much more foreign investment and put in place more and better private/ public partnerships. I believe Nigerian authority should work harder to provide good reasons for foreign investors to want to invest in Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on the theme: ‘40 Years of EU in Nigeria, Lessons and the Way Forward,’ Arrion noted that ECOWAS can only be strong when leading countries such as Nigeria believe in it.

He added that to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigeria and other countries within the West African region must be committed to regional integration.

“We in the EU believe in the relevance of regional integration.

ECOWAS would be strong when Nigeria believes in it and is committed to making it strong.

“EU is strong because Germany believes in it,” Arrion stated.

Reviewing the operations of the EU in Nigeria in the past 40 years, the ambassador stated that it has been 40 years of development cooperation in agriculture, infrastructures, health, water, energy and other micro-project.

According to him, the body has Since 2000 adopted a more ‘political’ approach in its support by engaging in human rights activism, campaign for improved criminal justice system, prisons reform, fight against trafficking in human beings, small arms and drugs.

“More recently, a much more political approach has been adopted in our cooperation with Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) towards the de-radicalisation, counter-radicalisation of Boko Haram, fight against corruption as well as humanitarian assistance, and aid to reconstruction of the North-east,” the ambassador stated.

241ST ANNIVERSARY AND STILL COUNTING....

L-R: Former Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke; former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; and United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, during 241st US anniversary at the Ambassador’s residence in Lagos....yesterday

Umahi: Social Media will Destroy Nigeria, Denies Rejecting Restructuring Okorocha: Fayose’s call for Buhari’s resignation cheap, unfounded Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, yesterday deplored perceived unguarded use of the social media, lamenting that given its unregulated state, the platform possesses the tendency to destroy the country.

Umahi made the remark while answering question from State House correspondents over a report that he rejected the current calls for restructuring of the country particularly from the South.

The governor who denied ever opposing restructuring, said instead, he remained an advocate of restructuring, fairness and equity, insisting that if he were

the president of Nigeria, he would take far reaching decision against the use of social media.

“First, l was falsely reported.

What we said was that we stand for unity of our great country Nigeria.

We stand for restructuring, a country where there is fairness, there is equity, there is love. If l were the president of this country, l will do something about the social media.

I think it’s destroying our country.

“We have to agree to that and we are afraid of a bill being passed.

I think everyone needs to account for whatever he or she writes. So, we stand for restructuring. We stand for a more united Nigeria where everyone will respect one another,” he said.

In another development, Imo

State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, described as wrong and unfounded the allegation on Wednesday by Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, that President Muhammadu Buhari who returned to the United Kingdom on May 7, for treatment on an undisclosed ailment had been on life support since June 6.

Okorocha who made the remark in Abuja after attending the meeting of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said Fayose lacked the qualification to speak on Buhari’s health.

He also said the governor’s call for Buhari’s resignation was cheap, noting that the functions of his office are well discharged by his deputy and acting President,

Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

“Well, I have just said that even the speculation he is making is wrong, it is unfounded. And if anybody is to speak about the President’s health, Fayose does not have the qualifications to speak for the nation whether Mr. President should resign or stay. It is not in our culture, it is not in our tradition.

“We sympathise with those who go through pains of ill-health, at that time we don’t wish them death, we wish them well. And Mr. President’s office is properly taken care of by Mr. Acting President of Nigeria until Mr. President comes back home and continues his work and finish his term. But to say he should resign is cheap talk and does not make sense in anyway,” he said.

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Again, Yoruba Leaders Adamant on Nigeria’s Restructuring Ademola Babalola in Ibadan For justice, peace and tranquility in Nigeria, Yoruba leaders again yesterday said there was no alternative to their calls for restructuring of the nation’s component parts.

Rising from a marathon meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, they renewed their agitation for restructuring of the country as prominent Yoruba leaders met to discuss issues of national importance.

They insisted that Nigeria must be restructured to reflect true federalism and promote regional and national development.

The leaders also charged the federal government to commence the process of implementing

the report of the 2014 National Conference as a template for restructuring of the country.

The Yoruba leaders under the aegis of Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative warned that no nation has ever witnessed war twice and survived it, stating that Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.

According to them, the time has arrived for Yoruba people to put on the thinking cap and take a stand on the current agitation across the ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The leaders, who emphasised Yoruba unity, noted that there is a national consensus that Nigeria is overdue for restructuring, urging the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and legislative arm of government to begin the process of implementing or review

Saraki, Ahmadu Bello’s Family Mourn Suntai The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and family of the late Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, have expressed sorrow over the death of former Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, saying he was a man of peace.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the demise of Suntai has robbed the country of a worthy leader and a gentleman.

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the people and government of Taraba State over the unfortunate incident.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing on of His Excellency, Danbaba Suntai. “Words fail me to adequately express how deeply sorry I am over this devastating news.

“His outstanding charisma and humility as a politician will be sorely missed. He was a passionate leader who has contributed his quota to the services of humanity. His death is a painful loss to his family, the people of Taraba State and Nigerians at large.

“I extend my sincere condolences to Governor Darius Ishaku, the people and government of Taraba State as well as the Suntai’s family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through this moment of grief but with total submission to Almighty God. May God grant them the strength and the fortitude to bear this painful loss

and may the Soul of the former governor Rest in Peace,” Saraki said.

Also, the family of the late Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, described the death of Suntai as a big loss to the country.

A statement signed by the grandson of the late premier, Alhaji Hasan Danbaba, on behalf of the family, said Suntai was a strong believer in the legacies of Bello.

“Former Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai was a great believer in the legacies of the late Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto, throughout his career as a public administrator and politician,” the family said, adding: “He believed in good governance, fair play and mutual coexistence among people irrespective of their differences.”

The Sardauna family said Suntai’s death was a rude shock to it because of the enormous respect he accorded the Bello family.

“Since the tragic air crash in October 2012, we had prayed that the amiable governor would come back to his feet, but his creator knew the best by taking him away,” the late premier’s household said.

Expressing its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of the state and all lovers of peace and mutual coexistence in the country, it said: “It is clear that Suntai will be missed by the family of the former premier, the good people of the state and Nigeria in general.”

Osinbajo Appoints 14 New RECs Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has approved the appointment of 12 persons as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following their confirmation by the Senate.

Similarly, two appointees were retained on the REC list made by acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday.

A statement signed by Bolaji Adebiyi, the Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the appointments were with immediate effect as they had been ratified by the Senate.

The newly appointed RECs, according to the statement, are: Professor Godwill Obioma, (Abia); JamesLorliam Apam (Benue); Dr. Nwachukwu Orji (Ebonyi); Dr. Iloh Joseph Valentine Chuks (Enugu); Dr. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Plateau; Umar Ibrahim (Taraba); Mr. Emeka Ononamadu Joseph (Imo); Obo.O.Effanga (Cross River); Professor Francis Chuckwuemeka Ezeounu (Anambra); Dr.Briyai O. Frankland (Bayelsa); Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa); and Agboke Mutiu Olaleke (Ogun).

Those reappointed as RECs were Alhaji Ahmad Makama (Bauchi) and Hussaini Halilu P, who is representing (FCT).

of the confab report before the 2019 general election.

Present at the event were a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George; former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; Senator Bode Olajumoke; a legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); Pro-Chancellor, Lead City University, Professor Gabriel Ogunmola, Mrs. Bola Doherty and Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Hon. Olawale Oshun.

Others were the National Chairman, National Action Party (NAC), Mr. Olapade Agoro; Proprietor, Lead City University, Ibadan, Professor Jide Owoeye; a retired Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Democratic(OPC), Gani Adams; Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, the scion of former governor of Ondo State, the late Pa Adekunle Ajasin; Secretary General, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Kunle Olajide; Oloye Lekan Alabi , and convener of the retreat, Deji Osibogun.

George in his remarks, warned that the mistakes of

the past should not be allowed to be repeated, adding that there must be collective effort to avoid truncating the unity of the Yoruba race.

Speaking on the need for the restructuring of the country, the former Deputy National Chairman (South-west) of the PDP, said: “Restructuring Nigeria doesn’t mean we are going to scrap the national government. You can see the way Americans work. What you produce, you should keep 70 per cent, and then send 30 per cent to the national government.

That will encourage development from the grassroots to the centre.

It is the military government that made everything unitary. And that is the style in the military. We need to revisit it. There have been a lot of outcry about it. And for me, I was at the conference. I supported it at that time and I support it now.

And I will continue to support it.”

While harping on the education and enlightenment of the younger generations, George stated that the thoughts of former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, should be revisited in administering South-west states, adding that Awolowo’s methodology in

education, health, and politics remained the best till date.

He urged South-west governors to pick it up and sincerely manage Yoruba states successfully.

In his submission, former Ogun State Governor, Daniel, threw his weight behind restructuring of Nigeria, and advocated that the report of the 2014 National Conference should be re-considered by the federal government and not confine it to dustbin.

Agoro, while speaking, however, urged the Yoruba race to stand with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, especially at this period.

Earlier, the convener of the retreat, Chief Deji Osibogun, noted that after several years of debate on how to bring the Nigerian people together to agree on the modalities for restructuring the polity, the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo convened the National Political Reform Conference in 2005, but noted that the initiative failed to douse agitation in the country.

“And because of the agitation across the ethnic groups, the former President Goodluck Jonathan convened another national

conference in 2014. The 2014 dialogue was acknowledged to have made very far-reaching decisions on the required constitutional reforms to effect the desired restructuring.

“Not only did the conference address major issues of concern such as devolution of power, relative autonomy, resource control and fiscal federalism, among others, participants from all over the country unanimously agreed to the final report of the conference, which was submitted by Justice Kutigi to the federal government.

“Today, there is no doubt that there is a national consensus that Nigeria is overdue for restructuring.

Therefore, we urge the federal executive and legislative arm of government to begin the process of implementing, or reviewing for implementation, the report of the 2014 national conference and ensure that it is completed before the 2019 general election.

“The report is a working document already at hand. It contains the considered opinion of the people of Nigeria, represented by participants from various sections of the country on the issues concerned. It cannot be pushed aside or dumped in the ashes of history,” Osibagun said.

CSR IN ACTION

L-R: Chairman, Platform Petroleum Limited, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs; Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba; CEO SEPLAT, Austin Avuru; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; and former Minister of State for Energy, Dr. Edmund Daukoru, at the presentation of a multi-purpose hall to the Geology Department of the university ...recently.

Tribunal Sacks Rivers Senator, Sekibo Senator to appeal verdict Damilola Oyedele and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal has sacked the senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, from the Senate.

The tribunal ordered that Andrew Uchendu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) be sworn in as the winner of the senatorial election.

Sekibo was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The tribunal’s decision to order the removal of the senator was

predicated on the grounds that Uchendu won the lawful majority vote cast during the Rivers re-run legislative election.

The tribunal hinged its decision on substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

The tribunal also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return it issued to Sekibo and issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Uchendu.

Following INEC’s declaration of Sekibo as winner of the last legislative re-run in Rivers State, Uchendu had approached the

tribunal with a petition asking the court to declare him winner of the poll.

He had alleged that INEC failed to take into cognisance the results of some wards and polling units before declaring Sekibo the winner of the polls.

Meanwhile, Sekibo has vowed to appeal the verdict of the tribunal.

In a statement issued yesterday, he said the planned appeal would justify his victory and restore his people’s belief in democratic values.

“The sincere wishes of patriotic Rivers people and people of Rivers East senatorial district who came out and vote overwhelmingly for

the PDP would never be subverted as “the truth cannot be defeated by shades of darkness,” he said.

Sekibo expressed confidence in the capacity of the judiciary to dispense justice and urged the electorate to remain steadfast in their support for him and the PDP He described the development as a prize a commander pays for leading a battle, and thanked his numerous supporters for their prayers and support.

He urged them to remain calm and courageous as he expects the appeal panel to further appraise the facts of the matter and give the true judgement.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Cautions IPOB against Lawlessness The apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against arrogating to itself the supreme leadership of Igbo land.

The President-General of

the organisation, Chief John Nwodo, gave the warning in Awka yesterday while addressing members of the Anambra House of Assembly.

The warning was sequel to a call

Dickson Sacks All Bayelsa Council Bosses Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa After 14 months in the saddle, the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson last Wednesday night sacked all the eight local government areas caretaker committee Chairmen in the state who were inaugurated in April last year.

The governor’s action also coincided with disagreements among the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the state branch and the Bayelsa government as to how many months salary arrears are owed the council workers.

While the National President, Mr. Ibrahim Khaleel, alleged that the state owed about 16 months, the state Chairman of the body, Mr. Akpos Ekeigha, said workers were owed 14 months, while Dr. Agatha Goma, the Commissioner for Local Government Administration, said the indebtedness stood at nine and a half months.

But Khaleel’s report which put Bayelsa and Kogi as the most indebted states in the federation, the state government and Bayelsa branch of NULGE said was not without errors.

“The least is eights and half months and the highest is Ogbia 14 months. There was a mix-up. For Ogbia Local Government Area, they

calculated two halves as full months and used it to send a text message to the national headquarters of NULGE,” Ekeigha said.

On the figure released by the state, he added: “I think the commissioner was talking as at when she assumed duties. For her period, the arrears are 10 and a half months.”

But the state government insisted that the indebtedness to council workers in Bayelsa State stood at nine and half months.

“The claim is not true. The local government councils in the state owe nine and half months salary with the exception of Ogbia Local Government Area, whose debt is 10 and half months in salary arrears,” Goma said.

It wasn’t clear why the local council bosses were fired, but it was gathered that it might not be unconnected with the parlous state of their accounts, with the governor stressing to have always given them a free hand to operate.

The statement sacking the chairmen released by the governor’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, asked the chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Administration.

“His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State has approved the dissolution of the caretaker committees of the eight local government areas in the state.

This is with immediate effect.”

NCAA Issues First Drone Certificate to Oando Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued the first Remotely Piloted Aircraft/ Drones RPAS Operators Certificate (ROC) to Oando Plc. Thus, the organisation is pioneering the issuance of certificate to civil/private operators in the unmanned aircraft operations category.

The certificate was received by Oando Reservoir and Production Services Limited, having satisfied the requirements and found competent to secure the safe operation of the aircraft type Lockheed Martins SN 248-255.

NCAA said the certificate is for flights with the purpose of aerial work specifically Environmental Observation Monitoring and Protection.

The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, presented the Certificate to Oando Plc at the Aviation House at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Oando Plc team was led by the General Manager, Operations, Mr. Anthony Sawyer, who received the certificate on behalf of the oil company.

Speaking during the presentation, the NCAA DG advised Oando to ensure strict compliance with all the

requirements for the grant of an approval.

According to him, the company must adhere to all requirements for the maintenance of an approval applicable to each of the operations specifications.

Usman enjoined the recipient to expect some initial minor challenges, noting that these were not entirely unexpected in any new initiative; assuring, however, that NCAA would be very agile in responding to these challenges.

Taking cognisance of the rapid pace of technological development, the DG said the RPAS regulatory framework was a work in progress, promising that the agency would continually engage the industry stakeholders to review the regulations when necessary.

In his response, Mr. Anthony Sawyer explained the Oando’s Managing Director’s absence as unavoidable. He said the NCAA team was very professional and thorough during the processes towards attaining the certification.

Sawyer said the procedures were rigorous but we were convinced the Authority was doing the right thing in line with its oversight responsibilities.

He promised that Oando would definitely abide by all the conditions attached to the certificate, especially with our pioneer status.

by IPOB, a political organisation led by Nnamdi Kanu, a United Kingdom-based activist, urging Anambra people to boycott the governorship election slated for November.

Nwodo, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Kanu’s call was not only provocative and misleading but also unproductive and advised the people to ignore him.

“Why should Anambra people be denied the opportunity to choose their own leader; Nobody, no matter how highly placed, can dictate to Anambra people when to vote, whether to vote or who to vote for.

“Anambra, nay Igbos, are still part and parcel of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria. Yes, we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria; some of us want Biafra.

“Yes, some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria, but the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria, bound by its laws, no matter how repressive or unjust.

“Our approach to the reforms of our laws even if it leads to self-determination or restructuring, must be lawful. ‘‘We must convince other Nigerians of our point of view; we must strive to make others share our convictions.

“Our language must be civil, respectful and lead to consensus

building. ‘‘We must resist any attempt to allow division among us, as to which way we must go; It must not become a source of altercations between us.

“As we speak, very many of our people living in the North are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1st. ‘‘Other Northerners living among us are also worried.

“The Inspector-General of Police has taken public notice of Nnamdi Kanu’s comments, inviting a possible invasion of Anambra by the Nigerian Police, thereby increasing the already existing siege of our people, which leads

to daily extortion on our highways.

“All these developments have arisen out of unguarded utterances.

“I find no venue more suited for the statements I make here; every constituent part of Anambra is represented here and I believe that the honourable members here are competent enough to carry the Ohanaeze message to every nook and cranny of Anambra State.’’

Nwodo further said that the organisation would visit other houses of assembly in Igbo-speaking states as part of its consultations.

He expressed happiness over the peace existing in the state and the steady progress Anambra had recorded over the years.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR INVESTORS

R-L: Senior Vice-President, Africa, Bajaj Auto, Mr. K S Grihapathy; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Managing Director/ CEO,Metropolitan Motor Limited, Olutoyin Okeowo; and Board member, Bajaj Auto, Prof. Oluwatosin Ashiru, during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Senate President by owners of Bajaj Auto to invite him for the launch of Maxima Cargo in Nigeria in Abuja....yesterday Julius Atoi

Metallurgical Unions Fault FG’s Concession of NIOMCO to Indian Group Chineme Okafor in Abuja The modified concession agreement recently signed by the Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on behalf of the federal government to transfer the National Iron Mining Company (NIOMCO) located in Itakpe, Kogi State, and Delta Steel Company (DSC) to Indian firm, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited, has been described as fraudulent and skewed against the economic interests of Nigeria by the African Iron and Steel Association (AISA).

This is just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chastised the federal government for insisting on privatising or concessioning of the Ajaokuta steel complex while it is not yet completed.

The association said yesterday at a press briefing in Abuja where it protested the government’s decision to invite back Global Infrastructure Holding Limited to take up the companies four years after their sales were reportedly cancelled, was faulty and irresponsible on the part of the government.

They explained that past records of Global Infrastructure Holding Limited in the two firms had indicated that they left Nigeria with monumental losses, but huge economic leverages for them and their country, India, adding that the government has failed

in its responsibility to undertake appropriate due diligence on the firm it has given back the firms to.

The President of AISA, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, told journalists at the briefing that the association had galvanised relevant stakeholders in Nigeria’s steel industry including the NLC; Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and others to protest the decision of the government as acted out by Fayemi when he reportedly signed the modified concession agreement in August 2016.

Mohammed explained that from the modified concession agreement, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited has further asked the federal government to concede the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line and Warri Port to it to enable them efficiently operate the Ajaokuta Steel Company and DSC. According to him, the modified agreement and subsequent request from the Indian company are part of steps by the Indian government and other external forces to deprive Nigeria of potentially competing with it in the global steel market, as well as frustrate her independence from importing steel from countries including india.

He noted that recently the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that Nigeria imported steel products worth N23 trillion in the last 10 years, with some of the

imports coming from India.

This, according to him meant that a functional Nigerian steel industry was not in the interest of India.

Mohammed also accused several government officials in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government and that of President Muhammad Buhari’s of dishonest and unpatriotic acts in helping Global Infrastructure Holding Limited gain immense advantages in possession of the companies to the detriment of Nigeria.

Following from this, the AISA asked the government to initiate and pursue a clear-cut policy on how to reposition Nigeria’s steel industry, as well as retrieve the companies from Global Infrastructure Holding Limited.

It further noted that the government can go ahead to complete theAjaokuta steel complex without concessioning to any company, saying it was 98 per cent completed by the original builders before they parted ways with Nigeria, and can as well be completed by the government.

“What we are saying in essence is that the processes that have led to the choice of concessionaires have been faulty and produced groups like Global Infrastructure Holding Limited which have done nothing to advance our steel industry.

“The Indian company led by

Pramod Mittal, is perhaps acting out external scripts of forces that do not want our steel industry to grow.

They have failed to maintain our assets, and we want the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into the modified concession agreement signed by Kayode because it is the same document with mistakes that was drawn up in the last government that he signed,” Mohammed said.

Similarly, former Deputy President, and current member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC, Isa Aremu, stated at the briefing that it would be uneconomical for the government to continue to push to sell off the steel complex without completing it.

Aremu noted that at the level the complex was abandoned by its original builders who are Russians, the government would only need approximately $420 million to complete it. He added that out of the 43 different units in the complex, 40 have been fully completed with just three left to be completed.

According to him, Nigeria would by its continued delay and mismanagement of the complex, lose trillions of naira that she spends annually to import steel, in addition to the reported assets’ stripping and mineral theft undertaken by concessionaires in the complex.

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Tompolo’s Kinsmen Raise the Alarm over Renewed Threat to Peace in N’Delta Sylvester Idowu in Warri Kinsmen of leader militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly known as Tompolo, in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday raised the alarm of threat to peace in the Niger Delta by the activities of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company

(NPDC) and its joint partner, NECONDE, in the operations of OML 42 over an alleged marginalisation of youths of the region in the award of contracts and employment opportunities against the local content Act. They contended that already, the youths of the region, particularly from Gbaramatu Kingdom, were resorting to self-help out of frustration but that the traditional council had

Dasuki’s Trial Stalled Due to Judge’s Absence The prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), in the alleged $2.1billion arms deal was stalled at the Abuja High Court due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf.

Dasuki has remained in detention since November 2015 when he was arrested with the government refusing to release him on bails granted him by four different High Courts and the order of release by ECOWAS Court.

The federal government which is prosecuting him in the alleged deal also failed to produce him yesterday in court as at the time the trial was shifted to September 27, 2017 by lawyers in the matters.

Other defendants in the alleged corruption case included a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, former Sokoto State governor Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, his son sagir Bafarawa, former Director of Finance in the office of the NSA, Salisu Shuaibu and Dalhatu Investment Ltd who were present in court.

However, the trial could not proceed as Justice Baba-Yusuf was said to have gone outside Abuja on an assignment.

Although the court clerks declined comments, it was learnt that the judge was part of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary delegation attending the burial ceremony of Justice Victoria Ayodele Uzo-Amaka Onejeme, a pioneer judge of the Abuja High Court who died recently.

Eminent lawyers in the high profile case including Chief Olajide Ayodele, SAN, Dr. Kayode Olatoke, SAN and Mr. Akeem Afolabi, SAN, among others left the court room around 11a.m. when information filtered to them that the trial will not proceed.

However, after consultation with each other, the lawyers and the court officials shifted the prosecution till September 27 due to the coming yearly vacation of the court scheduled to begin on July 10 and terminate in the middle of September.

Apart from the lawyers, family members, associates and sympathisers of the ex-NSA who had stormed the court as early as 8a.m left unfulfilled due to the inability of government to bring Dasuki to court from the custody of Department of the State Services (DSS) where he had been kept since December 2015.

Osun By-election: Group Condemns PDP Allegation An Osun State-based civil rights group has described as “crude, reckless and inciting,” the allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) was trying to pressurise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shift the date of the by-election from July 8, 2017.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Tunji Awosehin, the non-governmental organisation said the only constitutionally empowered body to conduct and determine the date of elections is INEC, and the electoral umpire has reaffirmed its commitment to hold the Osun West senatorial district by-election on July 8.

According to the statement, “We are disturbed and wish to alert the good people of Osun West senatorial district in particular and Nigerians in general as well as INEC to be vigilant to the blackmail tactics of these anti-democratic elements.

“Therefore, we are calling on

the good people of the district to beware of the tactics of enemies of democracy who are seriously working to undermine the election but have resorted to employing blackmail as a tool to distract and confuse the electorate.”

The group also called “on INEC, security agencies, political parties and the electorate to remain vigilant and resolutely committed to the peaceful and orderly conduct of the byelection on July 8. All eligible voters should troop out and participate in the election peacefully and exercise their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights 1948.”

Recently, the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, had alleged that there were plans to shift the election, while INEC, through its Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr. Oluwole OsazeUzzi, has said it has no plan to shift the by-election slated for July 8.

been prevailing on them to tow the part of dialogue.

The acting Secretary of Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, raised the alarm at a press conference in Warri, appealing to the federal government and its relevant agencies to intervene in the grievances of the youths before they get out of hand.

He said Gbaramatu Kingdom has no grievances against the federal government following the peace keeping mission taken by acting President Yemi Osinbajo, but that the activities of NPDC/ NECONDE are threatening the new peace in the area, noting that if urgent steps are not taken, the situation might get out of the control of elders of

the region which might affect increase in production of crude oil in the area.

Gbenekama alleged that NPDC/NECONDE had been undermining the local content Act by avoiding to award contracts and employment of locals even in areas where they are competent.

“The unwholesome activity of NNPC/NPDC and her partner, NECONDE, to tactically relegate all indigenous Niger Delta contractors by re-awarding all contracts in OML 42 operations covering Odidi 1 and 2, Egwa 1 and 2, Batan and Jones Creek Flowstations to their cronies and tribesmen is indeed very sad.

“It is sad and unfortunate because the planned relegation of Izon contractors from this

area of operations is coming at a time when communities, state and federal governments have resolved to work as a team in pursuit of peace.

“Since the recommencement of oil exploration activities in OML 42 in 2012, no single community re-entry project has been executed in the host communities. More disheartening and provocative is the blatant refusal of the managing director of NECONDE Energy Limited to honour his agreement with OML 42 host communities, an act that we consider very dishonest and inimical to the peace in the region,” he said Gbenekama lamented the continuous ploy by NPDC/ NECONDE to replace all community workers currently

working in OML 42 flow stations like Batan, Odidi and Jones Creeks with relatives and friends “of the powers that be” in NPDC/NECONDE alike, describing that act as a calculated attempt to short-change the indigenes of their source of livelihood.

He therefore called on Osinbajo and the management of NNPC to urgently address the grievances of the youths of the area on the OML 42 operations.

“We have tried to placate our youths but it might get to a situation where we will no longer control them because their grievances are genuine.

We intervened by writing series of letters to the company but no response, and the issues are yet to be corrected,” he added

SMILES FOR SHAREHOLDERS....

L-R: Company Secretary, Capital Hotels Plc, Chief John Ifebunandu; Chairman,Chief Victor Oyolu; and Non-Executive Director,Mr. Yakubu Akanbi Disu, during the 36th annual general meeting in Abuja....yesterday Kingsley Adeboye

Removal from Office: Magu to Know Fate Oct 10 The Federal High Court in Abuja, has fixed October 10 to hear a matter filed by Johnmary Jideobi, a lawyer, seeking to remove, Mr. Ibrahim Magu as Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When the matter was called yesterday, Mr. Mohammed Shehu, counsel to one of the respondents, asked the court for an adjournment to enable him familiarise himself with the case.

Shehu prayed the court to grant his request as this was his first appearance in the matter.

Jideobi who represented himself, said he had no objection to the application for adjournment.

Justice B.O Quadri adjourned the matter until October 10 for hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Jideobi is asking the court to make

a pronouncement terminating the continuous stay of Magu as Acting Chairman of EFCC. He said the Senate rejected Magu’s appointment and by virtue of that expediency, the commission being headed by an acting chairman ended when the president wrote requesting for a substantive chairman.

However, the federal government, through the office

of the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF), objected to the application on certain terms.

Counsel to the federal government, Mrs. Maimuna Shiru, said one of the terms had to do with the powers of the president to appoint a chairman for the EFCC, whether in acting or substantive capacity.

Besides Magu, others named as defendants in the matter include the Senate, AGF, and the EFCC.

Otuaro is Delta Acting Governor as Okowa Begins 15-day Leave Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has proceeded on a 15-day leave and his deputy, Mr kingsley Otuaro, has stepped in, in acting capacity, a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said in Asaba yestersday.

The statement said the two-week leave, which the governor has duly informed the state legislature, is part of Okowa’s annual leave.

According to the statement

by Aniagwu, “In line with the provisions of Section 190 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the governor has written to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly intimating the assembly of his intention to proceed on his annual leave.

“The letter also stated that the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro will act as acting governor during the period of the leave.”

The statement also quoted the governor’s letter as saying: “I send warm greetings to the Right Honourable Speaker, and

write to intimate the House that I would be proceeding on 15-day leave which will form part of my 2017 annual vacation from Monday, June 26 to Wednesday, July 12, 2017, while the remaining part of my annual leave will be enjoyed later in the year.

In accordance with Section 190 (1) of the Constitution (as amended), His Excellency, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, shall perform the duties of my office as Acting Governor during the period of my

absence on leave.

“I will greatly appreciate if the foregoing is placed before the Honourable House for information.

Please, accept the assurances of my high regard and best wishes for you and the Honourable Members of the House.”

Okowa is expected to resume work on July 12, 2017, the statement further disclosed, urging the indigenes of the state “to extend the same support and cooperation to the deputy governor while he performs his functions as acting governor.”

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NEWSEXTRA

Jubilation in Cross River as FG Approves EIA for Super Highway It was a moment of hand pumping and high fives in Calabar, the Cross River State capital as the state exploded in ecstatic celebration as news broke that finally, the Federal Ministry of Environment has handed over the final copy of the approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Cross River State Government.

Almost immediately, the state

Governor, Senator Ben Ayade smarting under the influence of the federal government approval and his moment of triumphalism immediately broke the news to his cabinet members, declaring that the contractors would immediately return to site to commence work.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan, yesterday handed the approved EIA report to

the state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, who represented Ayade in Abuja with an assurance that the federal government would not renege on its promise to support the state in ensuring the successful completion of the project.

While reacting to the development, an elated Ayade told

a gathering of his close aides that he was grateful to his detractors who actually propelled the government to work harder in order to achieve the feat.

“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate Cross Riverians and indeed all the detractors of the super highway for their opposition to the

project, which actually propelled us to work harder to achieve this.

“For those who have been worried about where the money will come from, I have insisted repeatedly that that has been taken care of. I want to assure Cross Riverians that equipment are returning to site and work

will commence immediately as earlier planned.

“We give all thanks to God and to all Cross Riverians who abided with us in prayer and assure everyone that we will continue to work hard to achieve our set goals regardless of the obstacles,” the governor said.

Niger DeltaYoung Leaders to Meet in Port Harcourt over Biafra, Restructuring Over 60 carefully selected young leaders across the Niger Delta will meet in Port Harcourt next week over the increasing call for the immediate restructuring of the country by prominent Nigerians and geopolitical groups based on the growing national consensus to redefine the connections that bind the country and the disturbing hate comments from groups.

This was contained in a statement from a former Bayelsa State governorship candidate and Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, Moses Siasia, and made available to THISDAY yesterday.

The statement read in parts: “This meeting is a product of the current national discuss on restructuring

and the Biafra’s call for secession, hence, we who are seen as trustees of prosperity in the Niger Delta region want to look inwards towards building a self-sufficient and sustaining region.”

Siasia also added that the meeting would also address internal issues in the region, such as the need for political leaders who are occupying public trust to be more accountable to the people and it would fashion out economic solutions that would aid the much needed growth and development in the Niger Delta, where those who are into productive ventures in adding value to society are encouraged, with the aim of moving out of the old order, where miscreants are celebrated.

US Selects Oak TV for 2017 Media Co-op The United States Department of State has selected a leading Nigerian online television outlet, Oak TV, for a Foreign Press Centre Media Co-op programme.

The US programme allows foreign media organisations to travel to the US for about two weeks to pursue a particular story, learn more about the American culture and the US system of government, in addition to drawing lessons that would enhance good governance, social inclusion, or economic prosperity in their own countries.

Upon return to their home country, the media organisations are expected to widely share their stories and the lesson learned from their US visit.

According to a statement signed by the management of the television

station, Oak TV’s plan is to examine the US federal budget process, including the role of legislative branch, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the respective cabinet departments.

It said Oak TV would report from US, travel to Washington DC, Chicago and Wisconsin to interview policymakers, activists and academics, as well as everyday citizens who would help tell the story of how the US develops a budget to meet the needs of its citizenry. It added that while Oak TV is in Washington DC, the crew would enjoy a day on the Hill, which would involve observing congressional hearings and interacting with legislators and their staff.

Ambode’s Wife Empowers 103 Widows Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, yesterday through her pet project, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM), put smiles on the faces of a total of 103 widows with skills acquisition in fashion designing, catering, tailoring, bead making, hair- dressing, soap making, among others.

Items like deep freezers, refrigerators, generators, sowing machines, industrial gas, cookers, professional cameras, photocopiers, grinding machines, among others were given to the widows who were categorised into three.

The categories include, those that require skills acquisition (relatively young widows); those that require equipment support to stablise their businesses and those that require financial assistance

to expand their businesses.

Mrs. Ambode, observed that though the widows needed support, but the same type of assistance could not work for everyone because of age differences and circumstances around them.

According to her, the foundation decided that it would be best to train younger widows for them to have particular skills that they could rely upon to generate regular income by themselves.

“As a result, the relatively young widows will be trained in skills of their choice and would be supported with equipment upon graduation, while equipment support and financial assistance will be given to the other two categories of women,” she said.

UNITED FOR A COMMON PURPOSE

L R: Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu; former Governor, Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; and Senator Bode Olajumoke, at the Yoruba Unity Retreat held at International Conference Centre, Lead City University in Ibadan....yesterday Felix Ademola

Alleged N22.8bn Fraud: Court DeclaresVisit to Amosu’s Scene of Crime Premature A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused an application urging it to conduct a visit to the scene of alleged crime, in the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu over N22.8 billion fraud.

Amosun is charged alongside two other officers of the Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga Also charged are some companies, namely: Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Ltd. The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on June 26, 2016, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Idris had granted them bail in

the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

At the last adjourned date (yesterday) EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had made an oral application urging the court to visit the “locus in quo” for the purpose of admitting in evidence, various immovable properties allegedly acquired by the accused.

“A locus in quo” is a legal term used to describe a visit to the scene of an alleged crime or where an immovable property of an alleged crime reside.

In opposition, defence counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), had argued that a court’s visit to a “locus” is not at large.

According to him, any visit must be specific, direct and linked to evidence already given in the course of proceedings.

He had urged the court to refuse the application.

Delivering his ruling on the application yesterday, Justice Idris held that such visit at this stage of the proceedings was premature.

“I find that the circumstances surrounding the application for a locus in quo is immaterial at this stage of the proceedings; a visit to the locus at this stage is premature.

“I hereby refuse the application to conduct such visit at this stage,” he held.

After the ruling, the prosecutor had commenced examination of its witness, and had tendered some document in evidence.

Defence counsel had began a perusal of some of the document but shortly along the line, the prosecutor urged the court to order parties to compare document so as to allow for a free flow of proceedings without hiccups.

The court has adjourned until

October 3 and 4 for continuation of trial.

The charges against the accused borders on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

In one of the counts, the accused were said to have indirectly converted the sum of N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air force, to their own use.

In another instance, the EFCC alleged that Amosu and the others stole over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015.

He said the alleged theft was for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja.

The alleged offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

Supply, Critical to Nigeria’s Economic, Industrial Devt, Say Nnaji, Soludo Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Former Minister of Power, Prof Bart Nnaji and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof Charles Soludo, yesterday in Enugu declared that for Nigeria to achieve rapid economic and industrial transformation, it must first address the problem of power supply.

The duo who spoke at the third edition of the ‘Big Ideas Podium of the African Heritage Institution’, Enugu, with the theme:

‘Electricity: Key Ingredient to Nigeria’s Economic Development and Unity’, also insisted that power remained critical to the nation’s to quest to become one of the 20 most industrialised nations of the world.

They also noted that uninterrupted power supply would go a long way in ensuring the return of lasting peace, unity and stability in the polity, stressing that with increasing rate of unemployment coupled with the absence of reliable electricity to power the manufacturing sector, the youths easily resort to all forms

of crimes and agitations.

Nnaji who was a guest speaker at the occasion, lamented that the problem in the power sector had impacted negatively on the polity, noting that electricity remained a primary ingredient to industrial and economic growth.

“It pervades every aspect of the economy. It leads to stability of the nation, it leads to unity. It is when people are so impoverished that they demand change. Economic growth leads to positive interactions among all ethnic groups and this leads to unity,” he said.

The former minister expressed dismay that the nation has a total installed power of 12,000 megawatts as against China and United States with 1.3 million and 1.1 million megawatts respectively, adding that it must have been miraculous for the nation to grow the economy with such low megawatts.

He said even with the privatisation of power sector, nothing much had been achieved as none of the distribution companies had built single sub-station in the last three years, a development he described as unfortunate.

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Vice Principal Jailed for Life for Raping Minor Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Vice Principal of St. Mary Girls’ Grammar School, Ikole-Ekiti, Mr. Taiwo Ajayi, has been sentenced to life in prison by an Ado Ekiti High Court for raping a 12-year-old student .

The court found Ajayi guilty of raping a minor, an offence contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law of Ekiti State 2012.

The convict was the Vice Principal (Academics) at the time he committed the offence on March 18, 2014.

Ajayi lured the girl into his office, locked the door from behind and raped her on the table while blocking her mouth with a cloth.

One of the teachers knocked the door but the convict refused to open the door and threatened her not to tell anybody.

Two teachers stormed the victim’s office finding the door locked but gained entrance after about 30 minutes and discovered with shock the vice principal having carnal knowledge of the girl.

Handing down the judgement, Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond every

reasonable doubt on the strength of evidence placed before the court.

The prosecution was led by Mr. A.E. Arogundade of the Ministry of Justice while the defence was led by Mr. Sule Longe.

The convict was first arraigned in court on October 14, 2016 and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Abodunde said: “The cases of child defilement has been on the increase lately and to serve as deterrent to others, my view is that the punishment stipulated by the lawmakers was deliberate to deter the offence and protect the right to dignity of the child.

“The defence counsel is pleading for leniency and praying for fine instead of the due punishment. My question is: who pays the victim for the lifetime scar of the trauma and torture of rape.

“I am unable to deviate from the provisions of the law in this instant. The defendant is found guilty as charged and sentenced to life imprisonment.”

The prosecution called eight witnesses including a medical practitioner from the state University

Ondo Police Declare War on Cultism James Sowole in Akure Determined to tackle cult-related crises which have caused the death of about 10 persons recently, the police in Ondo State yesterday declared a total war on cultism in the state particularly in Akure, the state capital.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, said in Akure that the command has begun a 24-hour surveillance in some areas identified as black spots to rid the state of criminals and criminal activities.

Harrison while speaking during a meeting with senior police officers, said the meeting became imperative because of the recent upsurge in criminal activities in the state in the last two weeks.

She said over 30 suspects were arrested over the various cultist clash and killing in the state capital saying the suspects would be

arraigned before the court soon.

The police commissioner explained that the detectives from the police command are on the trail of some members of the cult group who ran away to escape arrest.

She commended members of the public for providing relevant and useful information to the detectives in the state which led to the arrest of most of the suspected cultists.

The police boss added that the command would carry out massive raids on abandoned buildings and other criminal hideouts in the capital city to ensure that criminals are flushed out of the state.

Meanwhile, about 20 suspected cultists have been charged before the court for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy, while the Magistrate, Victoria Bob-Manuel, has ordered the remand of the suspects pending the conclusion of the police investigation.

One Policeman Killed in Gombe Communal Clash Segun Awofadeji in Gombe A policeman in Gombe State last Wednesday morning died from gunshot wounds he sustained during a communal clash over farmland that occurred last weekend between Billiri and Shongom communities in state.

Briefing journalists on the incident yesterday,thestatePoliceCommissioner, Austin Iwar, said the over two-decade long lingering crises resulted in the destruction of many property especially houses.

However, an unconfirmed report available to THISDAYhas it that several persons might have lost their lives in the crises.

THISDAY checks revealed that though no arrest has been made up to the time of the press briefing, the police commissioner explained that policemen had already been drafted to the disputed area to maintain peace while an investigative team

had also been put on alert to get to the remote causes of the recurring crises that have become an annual incident at the beginning of every farming season in the last 20 years.

According to the state police boss on June 23, 2017, he received a distressed call around 9:00 a.m. from the Billiri DPO that over 50 heavily armed men from Shongom chased away farmers in their farmland.

He explained further that on arrival, the police met the armed men from Shongom but when an attempt was made to stop them, the police had to withdraw to avoid blood-shed following the threats by the armed men.

Iwar said the crises could not abate the next day (on Saturday) because while a peace meeting between leaders of both communities was going on, Kufai village in Billiri Local Government Area was invaded by Shongom people where they razed down many houses.

Teaching Hospital, police officers who investigated the case, two other pupils and a teacher in the school.

Exhibits tendered include a

medical report, statement of the accused, report of the panels set up by the school authorities and Teaching Service Commission,

medical report from the police clinic, statement of the victim, among others.

The two panels set up to

investigate the matter indicted Ajayi which led to his suspension from service after which he was arrested and arraigned to face the charge.

EMPOWERMENT

Founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) and wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); supported by CEO, HOFOWEM, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke (left); Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande (second right) and Acting CommissionerforTourism,ArtsandCulture,Hon.AdebimpeAkinsola(right),topresentingabrandnewgrindingmachinetooneofthebeneficiaries,Mrs. OkeAdeyanju(secondleft)duringtheHopeForWidowsEmpowermentProgrammefor103beneficiariestocelebratethe2017InternationalWidow’sDay, attheExcelEventsCentre,Oregun,Ikeja,Lagos....yesterday

Pastor, Sister in Police Net after Collecting $45,000 from TraffickedVictim Court sentences mother of four for human trafficking Adibe Emenyonu inBeninCity The Edo State Police Command has smashed a human trafficking syndicate led by Miss Vivian Ehiozee and her brother, Pastor Endurance Ehiozee, who specialised in trafficking young girls from Benin-city to Russia for prostitution.

Ehiozee who is based in Benin-city is alleged to use his Church where he is the deputy pastor as a fertile ground to lure young girls in search of greener pastures overseas into prostitution with the collaboration of his sister in Russia.

Their arrest was made possible after a tip-off by a state-based NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), Initiative for Youths Awareness on Migration, Immigration

Development and Re-integration (IYAMIDR), that deals with issues of illegal trafficking.

The arrest of the syndicate was made possible when one of the trafficked victims, Miss Florence Abu, 24, who was recently reunited with her family, reported the matter to IYAMIDR while seeking urgent assistance from good spirited individual and government.

Narrating her ordeal, Miss Abu lamented that she paid her ‘madam’ a whopping sum of $45,000, she did not only dumped her in the streets of Russia, but that she is battling with a mysterious ailment.

Florence, a hair stylist and a dancer, said she was 18 years old when she was trafficked in 2013, narrating how she was lured into prostitution by her Pastor

(Endurance) who facilitated the plans to traffic her.

She disclosed that she was molested by her madam throughout the period she was in Russia, and advised young girls against showing interest especially when they are offered to travel abroad in the name of better life, adding that most of the girls are languishing in Russia without hope.

Meanwhile, a Benin High Court presided over by JusticeAlero EdodoEruaga, yesterday, sentenced one Mrs. Regina Osarieme, a mother of four, to 15 years imprisonment for human trafficking.

The suspect was arraigned on a three-count charge of export for prostitution, procurement for gratification and procurement for unlawful carnal knowledge in suit

number B/7C/14.

These offences are contrary to the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003 (as amended).

The trafficker was alleged to have recruited a 16-year-old girl, who is in SS 2 at Okha secondary school in Benin-city and promised to take her to Russia.

Before embarking on the journey, the victim was requested to pay a registration fee of #50,000 and two ‘Hollandis’ wrapper to the accused.

The accused who pleaded not guilty to the charges hails from Ewega village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of state.

She was said to have recruited the girl through an agent called Anthony.

Joy Odama: Police Fail to Parade Suspect, Release Autopsy Report Paul Obi in Abuja The Nigerian Police yesterday failed to parade the principal suspect in the alleged murder of Joy Odama, a 200 level student of Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH) in the hands of one Alhaji Usman Adamu last year.

The Police Headquarters also released a new autopsy report to journalists in Abuja yesterday after several weeks on the matter.

The failure to parade the prime suspect in the case has raised eyes even as the new autopsy report contradicted the earlier one.

Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said: “We don’t have any contradictions in regards to what we have said.

“The issue of murder is a capital offence which cannot be

compromised at any level it has to go to court. Anybody have the right to go to court to table any other grievances that they might have observed or felt has happened in the course of the investigation into the matter.

“I want to assure you that what the police have done is a very thorough job that can stand the test of trial in court against the accused person. As I speak the accused person is still in police custody and that is very important to everyone to ensure that justice is done.”

Moshood explained that “at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Victoria Ezekiel was placed on oxygen and treated for conditions which included carbon monoxide poisoning, dehydration, vomiting and headaches. She was later discharged in the evening.

“Preliminary investigation into

this case started from Karmo Police Division in the FCT Police Command. The scene crime was visited by Police detectives, and the Federal Medical Centre Jabi where the deceased was confirmed dead was also visited.

“Athorough search of the house of Alhaji Usman Adamu now in police detention was carried out and exhibits recovered by the FCT CIID were taken over by the IG Monitoring Unit for further investigation into the matter.”

He added that the first autopsy report was not rejected by the police but the report was inconclusive, noting that was why the Inspector General of Police had to order for another autopsy to be done.

Moshood also stressed that “the report does not exonerates the suspect in question and the general public should dissociate themselves from the conflicting reports.

“I want to say that we did not reject the first autopsy report.

The first autopsy report was not conclusive. In fact Dr Paul Jibril equally witnessed the second autopsy report examination that was done.

“Dr Paul Jibril was the person that did the first one that I showed you and he was present when they conducted the second one by Dr Wilson Ayewu and we equally have Augustine Okechukwu of Basic Rights Enlightenment Foundation who was equally present at the second round of the autopsy when it was carried out and it was done at the National Hospital.

“The report of the second autopsy is not exonerating the suspect and that is what is important. The prosecution still go ahead. We should disabuse our mind with any conflicting view whether police is out to exonerate the principal suspect in this regard,” he said

55

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Klitschko’s Camp Favours Las Vegas for Rematch with Joshua

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Nigerians expecting to see a world title boxing bout in the country may have to wait a little longer to assuage their hunger as Wladimir Klitschko’s camp favours Las Vegas for the heavyweight title rematch with Nigerian born British World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua.

Nigeria, Dubai and Cardiff have been on the card as possible destinations for the rematch after Joshua defeated the classy Ukrainian to claim the unified world heavyweight titles in Wembley Stadium in London last April.

Joshua retained his IBF title and gained the WBA and lesser-regarded IBO belts after stopping the 41-year-old Klitschko in the 11th round in the British capital.

But yesterday, Sky Sports reported that Klitschko’s Manager, Bernd Bonte, has had discussions with the Promoter of the fight, Eddie Hearn, and all feelers from that meeting points at the American gambling city getting the nod to host the mouth-watering rematch.

“I have been in talks with Bernd Bonte and the team.

We’re getting close now to

identifying the real options in terms of venues and locations,” Hearn revealed in the Sky Sports report.

“Vegas has taken a little bit of a frontrunner in those (talks). I know the British fans would love to do a trip out there for JoshuaKlitschko.

“Nigeria is still in the mix, Dubai as well, and of course Cardiff. But like I said, Vegas has probably got its nose in front at the moment.

“I think in the next week, we’re looking to present all those opportunities to Wladimir Klitschko and his team. Speaking to Bernd Bonte this morning (Wednesday), I feel like it’s going to take that special event to make this fight.

“I would like to keep it in Britain. The fans have been incredible to Anthony Joshua, but if it means travelling to make sure this fight happens for world boxing, and it means taking a few plane loads to Las Vegas for a night and an experience they won’t forget.

“Anthony Joshua is the world heavyweight champion, he’s not the British heavyweight champion. He wants to break boundaries and so do we.

“To see Anthony Joshua’s name up in lights on the

GAC Motors Partners Feet n Tricks, Donates Car for Freestyle Football Championship GAC Motors, a product of Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Company Limited, has thrown its weight behind the first major National Freestyle Football Championship in Nigeria hosted by Feet ‘n’ Tricks International Limited.

The event, which is the maiden edition, is expected to take place at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos on Sunday July 23, 2017, and the winner will represent Nigeria at the Super Ball competition in Prague, in August 2017.

The Chairperson of Choice International and representative of GAC Motors in Africa, Chief Diana Chan, said GAC Motors was collaborating with Feet ‘n’ Tricks to help give better future and sustainable leaving to talented young men and women in Nigeria.

She said, “Our mission in Nigeria is to offer the next credible alternatives to users of vehicles in Nigeria through our sincere commitment to offering high quality products and services to our customers, and in doing this to support the creative arts and sports and talented young Nigerians in order to bring out the best in them.”

Organisers of the event have added that apart from

going away with a brand new car, donated by GAC Motors, the winner will also have allexpense paid trip to Prague in August 2017 to represent Nigeria at the Super Ball and cash prize of N1m.

A Director of Feet ‘n’ Tricks, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, also remarked that there would be four winners in each of male and female categories, each winner to go home with handsome prizes.

He said, “The scope as from 2018 where regional events will hold in each of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria before the grand finale in Lagos. We will also target to replicate the success in other African countries”.

Throwing more light on how to participate in the competition, the CEO of Feet n Tricks, Odyke Nzewi, explained that athletes were to register on the platform and upload a 30 seconds video of them freestyling.

These video entries will be subjected to a screening process by professional judges before being shortlisted for the online voting.

As expected, the event will have a line of top rated Nigeria artists to entertain local and international audience.

German players celebrating the 4-1 victory over Mexico last night Las Vegas strip is certainly something that appeals to us all.

“I would say the next couple of weeks, we’ll be

looking to make a decision in terms of the venue and location,” concludes Hearns to Sky Sports.

Joshua who has his roots

in Sagamu in Ogun State has strong support base here in Nigeria. His victory over Klitschko has sort of boosted his followership in

the country, most especially boxing aficionados.

He’s expected to pay a visit to Nigeria before the rematch with the Ukrainian.

F I F A C O N F E D E R AT I O N S C U P

Germany Beats Mexico 4-1 to Set up Chile Final Leon Goretzka scored twice in the opening eight minutes as Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 in Sochi to join Chile in the Confederations Cup final last night.

The Schalke midfielder swept home a Benjamin

Henrichs pass from 20 yards and then slotted home from Timo Werner’s through ball.

Werner then tapped home Jonas Hector’s pass to increase Germany’s lead.

Marco Fabian scored a brilliant 35-yard strike for

Mexico, before Amin Younes added a fourth for Germany.

Mexico had plenty of chances to come back into the game at 2-0 down but squandered them.

Fabian’s stunner came too late to threaten a comeback,

although there was a chaotic ending with several chances at both ends.

While Germany go onto Sunday’s final in St Petersburg, Mexico face Portugal in a third-fourth play-off earlier that day.

Nigeria Olympic Day Run NPFL: Tax Chief Charges Players on VAT Wonder Goal Thrills Ghana, NOC/NSPAC Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) Mr. Babatunde Fowler, has urged players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to continuously improve on their skills to attain the best possible height in their career.

Fowler spoke through the Assistant Director of FIRS in Ogun State, Mr. Kolawole Olalekan at the presentation of the Match-day 22 VAT Wonder Goal award to Remo Stars Salefu Ochowechi in Sagamu on Wednesday.

“On behalf of the Chairman of FIRS, Babatunde Fowler, I congratulate and present this award to you. It is our expectation that this award will be a strong motivation for players to improve their skills, especially at goal scoring to reach the best career height

possible in football”, Olalekan said to Salefu.

He added that FIRS would be delighted to in the near future see some of the recipients of the awards playing for the Super Eagles.

“To play for the national team is a very important achievement and we know that is the dream of every player.

It is therefore our expectation that some of you who have won this award will someday appear in the national colours”, continued the FIRS official.

Salefu had fended off challenges from Wikki Tourists Festus Umanah and Mohammed Mohammed of ABS to clinch the VAT Wonder Goal number 3 and was on Wednesday presented the prize money for N150,000 half of which he will donate to a Charity in Sagamu.

Nigeria Sports for All Commission has praised fitness clubs and individuals that trooped out in their hundreds to observe the 2017 Olympic Day Celebration held on Saturday 24th June 2017.

Chairman of the commission, Henry Amike, said Nigerians have by their action proved that they love healthy lifestyle which can only be guaranteed through fitness and physical exercises.

Amike, a former Nigerian international read the goodwill message from the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach to the appreciable crowd that gathered at the National Stadium, Lagos before taking the flag-off at 7:30 am.

He pleaded with Nigerians to always be in contact with the Secretary General of the Nigeria Sports for All Commission,

Augustine Odigie in order to be carried along with the day-to-day activities of the body.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Sports for all Commission has commended the Nigeria Olympic Committee through the Nigeria Sports For All Commission for the peaceful conduct of the just concluded 2017 Olympic Day celebration.

Secretary General of the Ghana Sports For All Commission, Mrs Agnes Abefe who was in Lagos for the celebration made the commendation after witnessing the event. Trilled by large turnout of participants despite the rains, Abefe praised the NOC for their leadership role in the development of Sports in the country by empowering the youths through the activities of the Nigeria Sports for all commission.

Friday, June 30, 2017

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MISSILE Fayose to Buhari “It is time that the president takes the interests of Nigerians above his own and resigns from office so that our country can move forward. The fate of Nigeria and its people must not remain in the hands of the presidency’s cabal, our country must be set free” – Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State advising President Muhammadu Buhari to resign and take care of his health problems.

EMEKA MBA GUEST COLUMNIST

Making Digital Happen in Nigeria I certainly do not envy the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). As I watched his news conference last week on why Nigeria could not meet the June 17th deadline for the Analogue to Digital Television Switch-over (DSO) and plans going forward, I could tell from his body language, more so those around him, that we are a long way off from being able to complete this urgent and important national project. I know the feeling. I have been there, June 2015, trying hard to explain why we failed, again. If we are unable as a nation to complete this task, I wonder how we can ever claim or boast of sending a man to the moon, ending poverty etc. The DSO is a difficult task, no doubt, but it can be achieved; and the seeds of achievement have already been planted. What is required is thought leadership, and the consistent application of learnings from experts in tending to the fledgling plant.

The announcement of future roll-outs is commendable. However, what was alarming to me from the news conference was the DG’s suggestion that the Commission would not announce any new deadline for the analogue switch off until 95% of the 24m TV Households in Nigeria have digital. The Commission would continue with roll-out plans in six regions or states all the same.

This however is not good for planning and suggests a very shallow understanding of the importance of a well-ordered DSO transition leading to analogue switch off. It would appear that the thinking is, since Nigeria failed to meet the deadline for the third, even fourth time depending on who you ask, we should do away with the notion of a “deadline” altogether. In effect, the DSO will just continue to roll along gingerly until such a time as we somehow arrive at analogue switch off. Whereas the reality is that getting to analogue switch off requires a lot more than a hope and a prayer.

There is no such thing as a permanent transition, because that is what would be the case without the Commission establishing clear timelines for specific actions to occur.

Having served as the immediate past Director General of the NBC, I know first-hand how difficult the DSO is, especially when pursued with only a fraction of the budget necessary; and when you add to this mix the very fragmented and yet evolving Nigerian media space with its highly charged political connections.

Timelines and milestones that are well known and agreed with the relevant industry groups are necessary, not only for incumbents but also for new entrants who might wish to make investments decisions regarding any aspect of the broadcasting value chain, or in the rapidly converging Telecommunications Media Technology (TMT) market. The DSO is not just beneficial to the broadcast sector; it is equally important for the telecommunications sector to know when analogue TV frequencies would be

step in to help secure additional funding as necessary, to ensure timely analogue switch off.

A known timeline is also strategic for the Commission, to help it plan the roll-out of services as well its regulatory oversight and monitoring. Beyond that, it is helpful for would-be funders of the DSO to have an idea what will happen and when, by whom and to what effect. Without timelines and goal posts, the DSO would seem like a never-ending story, one purposely created to never succeed. Everywhere else in the world, there has always been a timetable for the analogue to digital switch over as well as a firm date for analogue switch off. This notion that because this is Nigeria the laws of physics are suspended, doesn’t work; and the Commission would do well to learn from other countries where analogue switch off has been successful.

Last Line Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed re-farmed and allocated for broadband purposes. It is also imperative that members of the public are aware of this process. The DSO is not just for broadcasters but indeed for the benefit of the consumers.

This means that the Commission has to set clear timelines and targets, with an idea of how much resources is required at each milestone. If the Commission needs help it should say so loud and clear, and help doesn’t always have to come in bag-loads of cash. What is more urgent and in short supply at this time is the concentrated rigour and creative thought leadership that should be directed at the challenges of switching off analogue. Even though funding remains a challenge, the over N30b raised for the DSO should serve as sufficient wind to give traction to this national project. And, given the overall multiplier effect of a successful DSO, Federal Government should also

When a government agency is not able to meet a deadline it set for itself or even understand what it is supposed to do, everything and anything is fair game - including, apparently, the former DG

By the way, just the other day I heard talk of my supposed efforts at frustrating the DSO. This in addition to millions raked in monthly from illegal entities I purportedly created while in office. I am currently in court being prosecuted for an offence I did not commit, yet here I am accused of subterranean moves to derail DSO. I had no idea I was Superman. When a government agency is not able to meet a deadline it set for itself or even understand what it is supposed to do, everything and anything is fair game - including, apparently, the former DG. It would appear that - until the story surfaced online that the NBC had secretly paid one of the three licensed signal distributors N2.5b for a yet undisclosed purpose - Emeka Mba was never the convenient excuse for the visible and rather glorious inability to meet the analogue switch off deadline.

As it happens, I have been out office for over a year and half. It is not my style to join issues with establishments that I once headed. However, this is the new Nigeria where once you keep quiet, assumptions and the various shades of perceptions that come with it become reality, however false. But the facts are inexorable. Fact #1: the current NBC management is still implementing the policies and framework for the DSO exactly as laid out during my tenure. Fact #2: the funds we raised after over 10 years of zero allocation for the DSO till date, remain the sole source of funding for this crucial national project; the DG recently admitted that $26m has been spent on 650,000 STBs and payment to other DSO vendors. Fact #3: The same DSO framework the Emeka Mba-led NBC birthed was hailed by the Commission’s DG just last week; he said - “Nigeria’s DSO process has today become the most talked about in Africa; it was designed by Nigerians” - adding that other countries including Ethiopia, Niger and Sierra Leone are keen to copy Nigeria’s DSO framework.

Fact #4: in case anyone failed to notice, I am no longer DG and have no powers to influence the outcome or process of the DSO; I have no interest in any DSO entity (and I have been investigated up to the hilt) - and if at all the aforementioned illegal entities exist, the DG should have taken action to correct such over the course of his current tenure. Fact #5: without the funding and DSO framework including the very transparent process of licensing the second national broadcasting signal distributor, and the STBs, Nigeria would not have achieved the DSO implementation level now worthy of emulation across Africa. Fact Unknown #1: did the NBC pay Pinnacle N2.5b and if so under what conditions and for what purpose? I personally do not have any grouse with payments to DSO stakeholders that are aimed at ensuring the timely and successful implementation of this project.

The issue for me has always been how and why, and to what end?

The reality is that the DSO is a very challenging process beset with technical, logistical as well as political challenges; the NBC clearly needs all hands-on deck and even outside help. You have here a complex project that requires deliberate rigour and creative leadership vision that is hard to come by. Exactly what is needed at this point. When I was appointed in May 2013, the DSO project was practically comatose. Only two planks were available then: the national digital task force Digiteam established by government in December 2012; and the approval of the digital transition whitepaper, which in itself was a document with lofty goals and ideals yet fraught with multiple self-contradictory objects evident in implementation - besides the fact that technology is fast paced and the media ecology is continually evolving. The Digiteam had zero kobo for its job, while the NBC was operating on life support.

Working with the NBC Board and others, we had to take radical measures to raise funding for the DSO. I am proud to say that we succeeded in laying the groundwork on which the Commission should work to build sustainable platforms that will transform Nigeria’s broadcast media sector, currently fraught with several systemic problems. This DSO would afford Nigeria the opportunity to regain its pride of place as Africa’s television and creative hub.

I believe fundamentally in the benefits of the DSO as a conveyor belt of innovation and ideas that will help grow not only the broadcast sector, but have far reaching beneficial impact to the country. As demonstrated throughout my short-lived tenure, going by the steps taken and the achievements recorded, I am dedicated to the success of the DSO, whether in or out of office.

•Mba, former Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, writes from Abuja

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