Sunday 9th July 2017

It's Time to Move Beyond Pledges to Back Africa’s Future and End European Secrecy Yemi Osinbajo This year’s G20, led by Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, should be commended for prioritising African development.

The G20 Africa Partnership conference this week in Berlin marked a significant moment

to focus on what both African and G20 governments can do to address economic and political challenges in one of the world’s most vibrant continents ready to overcome its challenges along with its partners who have often promised prosperity. Having shown their serious intent at

C O M M E N TA RY the lectern and on panels, the G20 and African leaders must now move beyond speeches and pledges and take concrete, demonstrable steps to help the African continent harness its full potential.

France, Germany, Italy

and the UK have – as key European G20 members – the opportunity to do just that in the coming days as the EU moves to finalise its AntiMoney Laundering Directive.

These countries could demonstrate a real commitment to help curb corruption in African and other countries

(not to mention their own) by ensuring that the beneficial owners of companies, trusts and similar legal mechanisms are made publicly available.

Nigeria is already leading by example with our current efforts at ensuring that there is no hiding place for corrupt individuals and corporations.

This common sense measure would ensure that legal and tax authorities in Nigeria and elsewhere have rapid and easy access to this information – bypassing the myriad, complex and bureaucratic information-sharing Continued on page 10

Lagos, City of Aquatic Splendour, Groans under Unceasing Rainfall ...Page 13 Sunday 09 July, 2017 Vol 22. No 8116

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L-R: The newly wedded couple, Oladipo, son of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Ayomide, daughter of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, flanked by children of President Muhammadu Buhari: Mrs. Halima Buhari-Sheriff (left); Mrs. Zahira Buhari-Indimi (2nd right) and Alhaji Yusuf Buhari (right), during the wedding reception of Oladipo and Ayomide at President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Abeokuta....yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

In a Major Upset, PDP Wins Osun Senatorial Bye-Election Ademola Adeleke scores 97,480 votes to defeat APC's Mudashir Hussein with 66,116 votes Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo In a major setback for the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Peoples Democratic Party won the Osun West senatorial bye-election held yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission. In the final result announced by INEC in the early hours of today, the PDP candidate, Otunba Ademola Adeleke, the younger brother of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke for whose replacement the election was held, won with 97, 480 votes.

He beat the APC candidate, Senator Mudashir Hussein,

who scored 66,116 votes to place second.

PDP also won in nine of the 10 local government areas in Osun West senatorial district. According to the results released by INEC, PDP won in Iwo Local Government Area with 12,547 votes, against APC’s 12,205 votes; Ola Oluwa local government with 5, 618 votes, to APC’s 5316 votes; and Ayedire local government with 5, 789 votes, to 5, 360 votes scored by APC. PDP also in Irewole local government with 9, 096 votes, against APC’s 8,952 Continued on page 10

Former President Goodluck Jonathan in a handshake with the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, at the Emir's palace during the former president's condolence visit following the death of Alhaji Maitama Sule ...yesterday

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 09, 2017

PAGE TEN

Nigeria Adopts Tolling Arrangement for Future LNG Projects in New Gas Policy Plans selling directly to large consumers Invests N60bn on phased injection of 20m cylinders to homes ÒÓØÏ×Ï ÕËÐÙÜ in Abuja The federal government has adopted a new approach in its investment in new joint venture Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in the country, wherein, it would retain ownership of its shares of the volume of natural gas produced up till the point of delivery in the international market.

Also, the government plans to spend N60 billion over a five-year period to provide up to 20 million cylinders to escalate the adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a primary cooking fuel in Nigerian homes. These are contained in a newly approved National Gas Policy. According to the document which THISDAY obtained at the weekend in Abuja, the tolling arrangement would serve the government in the exports of its equity LNG from new projects that would be coming on board.

Under this new plan, the LNG liquefaction facility would be paid a fee for liquefying the government share of gas produced from its assets, as well as the LNG shippers who

would be paid a transportation fee for transporting the LNG to their destinations.

Pretty different from what exists in its joint venture arrangement in the country’s only LNG company – the Nigeria LNG (NLNG), experts however told THISDAY that the new arrangement appears complex and could be unhealthy to adopt in a market that has remained highly competitive in the last 10 years. This they added could lead investors to shy away from committing to new LNG projects in the country.

Though not stated in the document which the federal executive council (FEC) has already approved, these experts suggested that it could also affect LNG projects such as the Brass and Olokola which are still in the pipeline, but not the NLNG which has locked-in LNG contracts already.

“Nigeria will continue to seek opportunities in the global LNG market either through the expansion of the capacity of the Nigerian LNG company or through the development of the OK and Brass LNG or other LNG projects as may be

considered appropriate and commercially feasible.

“The intention, however, is for Nigeria to retain ownership of its natural gas up to the point of delivery into markets. The government therefore intends to move to a tolling arrangement with respect to exports of government’s equity LNG from new projects, whereby the LNG liquefaction facility is paid a fee for liquefying the government share of gas produced from its assets, and LNG shippers are paid a transportation fee for transporting it,” said the document.

It added: “Ownership and title to the gas therefore remains with the government entity up to the point where it is regasified at the export market regasification terminal and sold to shippers.

“As Nigerian government entities become more experienced in gas marketing, it is expected that the government entity will be able to retain ownership further downstream, gaining access to transport networks and selling directly to large consumers.”

Quoting an example where

such arrangement exists, the document stated: “As an example of the concept, Russian Gazprom has an equity shareholding in the UK-Belgium Gas Interconnector. Gazprom subsequently applied for a UK shipper’s licence and now operates a gas marketing operation in the UK, selling Russian gas directly to consumers in the UK.” The government also explained in the document which it said would define its medium to long-term targets for gas reserves growth and utilisation in accordance with Nigeria’s economic development priorities that gas as a resource would be treated as a standalone industry separate from oil.

It stated in this respect that it would accord greater priority to using gas to develop Nigeria’s domestic economy, adding that the country’s transport; power; industrial; and agriculture sectors would get improved attention in using gas to drive their operations.

On LPG usage in the country which is still considered very low, the government said in the document: “To support the goal

of improving the development of LPG infrastructure such as cylinder manufacturing plants, mini-gas plants/skid plants, gas plants and trucks, an LPG availability gas intervention fund of sixty billion naira (N60, 000,000,000) will be established by the government due to a shortage of local cylinder manufacturing capacity, the policy will promote the phased injection of 20 million cylinders over a period of five years.”

It said with regards to the fiscal framework for the gas market, that a market based pricing will have to prevail against price fixing to enhance investment in gas infrastructure.

“The fiscal framework intends to remove the distortions in AGFA (Associated Gas Framework Agreement) from the effective cross subsidy of oil to the gas sector. The gas policy will therefore ensure that gas project costs are attributed to gas projects, and gas projects are standalone; at the same time, the government intends to have separate fiscal treatment for exploration, production and midstream gas activities, to relax royalty and tax rates for gas,

and incentivise entry into the midstream.

“The government intends to develop regulations which will prohibit any Greenfield oil and or gas project from moving forward until there is a proper integrated plan for the development of the hydrocarbons thereby ensuring that no gas flaring occurs during production of hydrocarbons, except in very special circumstances such as emergencies for operational reasons,” it explained.

But assessing the document, another expert in international gas business, Mr. Dan Kunle, told THISDAY that the focus of the policy on driving the country’s domestic economy with gas was perhaps its most critical aspect, and thus asked the government to firmly commit to this.

“The policy wants to use gas to drive our domestic economic activities in the power; transportation; agriculture; and manufacturing sectors, which is good, but the government must now execute it in a very rational way to make sure that it truly secures gas for the domestic market,” said Kunle.

Obasanjo:AbachaPlannedtoKillMe,Abiola,Yar'Adua Says he fasted for 7 days to escape death Reveals how Mandela, Tutu advised him to contest 1999 poll ÌÙãÏÑË ÕÓØÝËØ×Ó

a military Head of State to civilian president. I told him to drop soldier’s uniform and contest election if he wanted to be president.”

Obasanjo noted that Abacha truly planned “to kill me. But his plan left God out. And his plan eventually failed. There is God’s hand in the life of everyone. He said I plotted a coup. He first arrested Yar’Adua.

When he arrested Yar’Adua, I confronted him.

“But Abacha told me that he

did not know that Yar’Adua was arrested. I replied that there was no way that a man of Yar’Adua’s calibre would be arrested in Nigeria without his knowledge. He therefore promised to find out who arrested him,” he explained.

The former president disclosed that he was in the US when he was briefed about Abacha’s plan “to frame me in a coup plot and arrest me.

West, whose death on April 23 at the age of 62 had shaken the area to its foundation, leading to protests and tension.

APC's unwillingness to field Ademola Adeleke had caused him to defect to PDP soon after the death of his brother.

He then emerged PDP's senatorial candidate few weeks to the bye-election.

IT'S TIME TO MOVE BEYOND PLEDGES TO BACK AFRICA’S FUTURE AND END EUROPEAN SECRECY The defeat of Hussein, who agreements that currently led by former South African population boom will further crisis currently impacting was the choice candidate of President Thabo Mbeki, Af- strain governments already Europe.

Osun State Governor Rauf impede investigations.

So if European countries Aregbesola, was also seen as a Putting this information rica is estimated to be losing struggling to meet the needs sincerely want to help Africa verdict against the APC adminisin the public realm would more than $50 billion each of their people.

An estimated 22.5 million succeed, they must help tration in the state. Aregbesola’s also ensure that African year in illicit financial flows. journalists, civil society My country has worked for jobs per year will need to be African governments curb tenure has been marred by organisations and ordinary years to recover billions of created to meet the demand corruption. They can show economic tensions occasioned citizens can analyse this in- dollars of assets stolen, much of this African youth explo- their commitment to a true by his government’s inability formation, helping to identify of it secreted away to Europe. sion, a demographic with the partnership with Africa by to pay workers’ salaries and Anonymous shell com- same energy, dynamism and delivering game-changing meet other financial obligations, corruption and establishing trust in a global system that panies and trusts, the 21st ambitions as their peers in EU anti-money laundering resulting in several months of regulations that prevent the unpaid remunerations. There has many currently feel is rigged century’s ‘getaway cars for the developed nations.

But our efforts to create criminal and corrupt from also been rising religious tension corrupt’, have often facilitated against them.

The Anti-Money Launder- these illicit flows and stolen sustainable economic growth hiding behind anonymity and owing to government-instigated ing Directive would also be a assets. That money could are undermined by corruption stealing Africa’s future from rivalry between Moslems and deterrent, forcing the would- help finance infrastructure facilitated by the legal and its people. Because failure Christians, who had previously be criminal and corrupt to and social programmes in financial systems of G20 to do so could undermine lived cordially. all their other efforts to help The bye-election was largely think twice before engaging Nigeria and other African countries.

If the governments fail in Africa prosper. countries. peaceful. But the Osun State in illicit activity. r"DUJOH 1SFTJEFOU :FNJ Police Command said it arrested That is more important this endeavour to provide for Curbing corruption and illicit deals would help now than ever. Africa is their youth, the likely politi- Osinbajo wrote this piece some hoodlums who were trying African governments secure home to all 10 countries cal instability and massive to challenge and task G20 to cause commotion at Igbokiti much-needed revenues. Ac- with the highest fertility population displacements members on their commitment Unit, Ward 10, Okinni, Egbedore local government council. cording to a high-level panel rates in the world and this could dwarf the refugee UP "GSJDB

THISDAY was informed that the thugs invaded the polling unit with dangerous weapons and attacked voters and some ad hoc electoral officers. Voters waiting to cast their votes were allegedly attacked with machetes, causing them to run for their lives and prompting many others to stay away from the polling booths to avoid being caught up in the violence.

However, the police were able to arrest three of the suspected political thugs.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, confirmed the incident. Adeoye said, "it is true we arrested three suspected thugs in Egbedore and their case is currently under investigation.”

He added, “With our vigilance and commitment to ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise, we are very happy that there is peace and there is no significant case. We will sustain the peace and effective security till the end and even after the entire electoral process."

The police commissioner reiterated, “We would not hesitate to deal with anybody who may want to distort the process of election, irrespective of status, religious or political group."

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last night reflected on his prison’s experience, revealing that former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, “decided and determined” to kill him, but God rescued from the plot to poison him.

Likewise, Obasanjo disclosed that Abacha resolved that the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola, and the late Chief of Staff

under the Obasanjo regime, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, would not come out of prison alive.

He narrated his ordeal yesterday at a programme organised by Christ The Redeemer’s Friends International (CRFI) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, where he emphasised God’s factor in how he was released.

The programme was attended

by Abia State Governor, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu, former Group Managing Director of Nigerian

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Funsho Kupolokun, and former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Alex Otti.

Also, former Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Chief Felix Ohiwerei, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof.

Grace Alele-Williams, CRFI National Coordinator, Pastor Edmond Ayoola, and Senior Pastor of Royal Generation Treasure House Ministry Int’l, Pastor Adewale Samuel, among

others attended the programme.

Giving insight into what caused his problem with Abacha, Obasanjo explained that it was the decision of Abacha “to annihilate me. It was not his decision alone. It was the decision of those who were close to him. They decided and determined that I should be annihilated.”

He noted that Abacha and his cabals decided “to exterminate my life because I criticised him when he wanted to transit from

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IN A MAJOR UPSET, PDP WINS OSUN SENATORIAL BYE-ELECTION votes; Ede North local government with 18, 559 votes, against 2,784 votes polled by APC; Ede South local government with 13, 406 votes, to APC’s 2,096 votes; and Ayedaade local government with 9,061 votes, to 7,179 votes scored by APC. PDP won Egbedore Local

Government Area with 7,142 votes, against APC’s 4,768 votes; and Isokan local government with 6,539 votes, to 5,227 votes scored by APC. APC won in only Ejigbo local government with 12,229 votes, to PDP’s 9,723 votes.

PDP had posted wins in many

of the early results announced at the polling units across the 10 local government areas of Osun West senatorial district.

The U-turn in the senatorial district, which was hitherto dominated by APC under Senator Adeleke, was widely seen as a protest against the party for

failing to nominate the aspirant from the Adeleke family, who was deemed a perfect choice to continue on the seat of his late brother. The majority of the people, THISDAY learnt, wanted some kind of compensation for the family for the good works of the APC senator for Osun

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 9, 2017

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JULY 9, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

BADOO IMPUNITY AND THE CULT WARS Policing emphasis has to shift from law enforcement to crime prevention to stem the tide of crime and mob justice

T

hey called him Think Twice. He was a young man who made a living from making other people laugh. He was a comedian. But a couple of weeks ago, he would have wished he thought twice before leaving his house. For moments after he stepped out of his residence, he ran into a mob that lynched him along with two others. And Chinedu Paul died in a gruesome manner - another victim of jungle justice.

With Nigeria gradually descending to the Hobbesian state of nature where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”, it is little surprise that we now witness almost on a daily basis extra-judicial killings and senseless public lynching of crime suspects. Yet the rule of law, as opposed to that of the jungle, presupposes that anybody accused of a crime, howWhile each incidence ever heinous, has attracted promises is entitled to a and assurances from the fair trial before punishment police that the culprits could be meted if would be found and found guilty. But it brought to justice, the is also understandreality is that the law able that more and enforcement agency has more Nigerians are shunning the instruunderperformed with mentality of the law the people left to their own devices. This is what in the settlement of has bred the recent mob disputes.

For instance, frusactions in Ikorodu and trated by the failure other places of the Police and other security agencies to rein in cultists called Badoo, who for years have terrorised the sleepy town of Ikorodu in Lagos State, the youths of the town recently decided to take their destiny into their own hands. In the last few weeks, they had constituted themselves into vigilance groups with a mission to rid their community of the undesirable elements who kidnap their wards for money rituals. Media reports say that six people have been killed by the mob for allegedly belonging to the kidnap cult ring.

The rule of the mob is definitely condemnable as nobody is entitled to take the law into his own hands.

Anyone who has a grievance must bring it before the

Letters to the Editor

law for resolution. But the reaction of the youths arose because of the incompetent handling of the dire situation the people of Ikorodu have found themselves.

No fewer than 26 people are said to have been killed by the murderers who kidnap for money rituals. The people complain that they have become helpless in the face of the onslaught of the ritual killers, who appear to have overpowered the police.

U

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, OLAWALE OLALEYE 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, PATRICK EIMIUHI ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

nfortunately, cultism is not a phenomenon that is exclusive to Ikorodu as it is known to be heavily present in several towns in other states, including Cross River, Edo, Delta and Rivers, where cultists not only reign but also seek to dominate the crime business.

This has resulted in rising cult wars, leading to the untimely death of not only rival cult members, but also many innocent citizens, who are caught up in the cross-fire.

While each incidence has attracted promises and assurances from the police that the culprits would be found and brought to justice, the reality is that the law enforcement agency has underperformed with the people left to their own devices. This is what has bred the recent mob actions in Ikorodu and other places. Yet the situation is unacceptable and government has a responsibility to act decisively to stem the drift into anarchy.

As we have said in the past, there is an urgent need to review the police operational strategy with a view to enhancing its intelligence gathering capacity. Most crimes of this nature could be nipped in the bud if police operatives have their ears to the ground. But how can they when their conducts make them repugnant to public confidence? Complaints are rife that information given to the police in confidence sometimes finds their way to the ears of criminals, who in turn hunt down the informants.

Yet public confidence is crucial if the police are to obtain vital information that would lead to the detection of crime.

Emphasis, therefore, needs to shift from law enforcement to crime prevention with reforms targeted at ridding the police of its bad elements and enhancing the investigative skills of its operatives. Through regular intelligence training and massive deployment of modern technology, it is possible to make policing duties more effective. This recommendation is not new and it is high time government implemented it with vigour.

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 (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

THE CRY FOR RESTRUCTURING

I

was at the newspaper stand opposite University of Ibadan gate some days ago to read the day’s news report. Though I get to read many newspapers’ reports online, I always find the arguments and heated debates at the newspaper stand both intellectually stimulating and mentally enriching. So, as a ritual, I stop there every day to read newspapers and learn from the ‘analysts’.

On the front page of all the dailies that day was the call for the restructuring of Nigeria made by former self-styled military president, Ibrahim Babaginda, in his Ramadan message to Nigerians.

After reading through the reports and listening to the ‘analysts’, I could not help but wonder why hitherto silent voices on the restructuring of Nigeria have suddenly found their voices, while well-known advocates for a restructured Nigeria have gone painfully silent.

During my ill-fated time in a tertiary institution in Osun State, I attended two lectures in which Dr. Kayode Fayemi,

then Ekiti State Governor, was the guest speaker. On both occasions, he spoke with so much persuasion on the urgent need to restructure Nigeria. He spoke of how his state, Ekiti State, would have been a viable state if Nigeria was practicing true federalism—a thing many believe can only be achieved through restructuring the country. But today, Dr Fayemi is a minister in the ruling government and has kept sealed lips on the issue of restructuring Nigeria.

Also, many of Fayemi’s political friends, including his political benefactor, Bola Tinubu, once made spirited calls for a restructured Nigeria. But all have become silent since their party, the All Progressives Congress, came into office.

This goes to show that people like Fayemi only had an axe to grind in their call for a restructured Nigeria—they were never altruistic about it.

Therefore, among the cacophony of voices calling for a restructured Nigeria, one must pick out the voices of those

making the call in good faith, and be wary of some latter day restructuring converts. This is not implying that Babaginda has an ulterior motive for lending his voice to the growing call for a restructured Nigeria. I am only surprised that he could jump on the bandwagon despite his infamous role in the nation’s woes.

If one can take an indulgent view of Babaginda’s call as an act of self-contrition, the same cannot be said of some siren voices calling for a restructured Nigeria, who are only doing so as an act of political correctness.

A former vice-president in this country and ceaseless aspirant for the highest office in the land leads this pack.

He has begun to sing the restructuring song to any listening ear but acute political observers know his true intentions—he has his eyes firmly fixed on the presidential seat and has latched on to this latest fad to worm his way into the hearts of the electorate.

Aside the sly politicians hoping to harvest some political gains by supporting the call for the restructuring of Nigeria, some ethnic bodies have also become overnight restructuring crusaders, asking that the recommendations of the 2014 National Confab be implemented.

The curious question that comes to an objective mind is why such call was not made when former President Goodluck Jonathan was in power. True, governance is continuum, but if Jonathan had convoked the National Conference in his first or second year in office, he would have had enough time to implement its recommendations. But he waited till the 2015 presidential election drew close, as he needed the Confab recommendations as a campaign tool, before he convened the conference. Yet some people want the Buhari government to implement the recommendations of a conference that was convoked in bad faith.

I am sure if the Buhari government, which has turned a deaf ear to the calls for

the restructuring of Nigeria, suddenly decides to convene a national conference at the tail end of its time in office; the government that will succeed it will simply put such conference recommendations in the archive. The reason is simple: four years is enough to convene and implement the recommendations of a national conference. So, those calling for the implementations of the 2014 National Confab are simply mischievous.

Many may be tempted to label me anti-restructuring, but I am not. I have nothing against the calls for the restructuring of the country. I am only sceptical about the intentions of some of the callers bearing in mind that the 2019 presidential race, though two years away, has begun.

Also, I have seen Nigerian politicians make shocking volte face on issues one thought they could give their life for. So, for me, caution is the watchword.

––Onabanjo Odurombi, Dept of Political Science, University of Ibadan.

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž JULY 09, 2017

ÖÙÙÎĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă•Ă•Ă“ Ě‹ ÔËÒ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă•Ă•Ă“ Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă? ÍŻ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ˛˛˛ãĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ

ETOP UKUTT

Lagos, City of Aquatic Splendour, Groans under Unceasing Rainfall Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂŒĂ“Ă—ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă? and Ă?×ÓÞÙÚĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă’Ă™ Torrential rainfall has disrupted commercial and social activities in Nigeria’s busiest business environment and the nation’s former capital, Lagos in the last one week, with no sign of letting off as weather forecast for the next three weeks point to continuous thunderstorm, mostly cloudy and partly cloudy conditions at a steady 28 degrees centigrade.

Many parts of the state are flooded, with rainwater displacing residents from their homes and rendering streets and motorways impassable. The situation was further compounded by the poor state of the roads.

The social media were filled with images of hapless residents deploying the use of canoes, submerged vehicles and people wading through the waters to get to safety. Others who were trapped in their residences posted photos of people perched

on household furniture, partly covered in the flood.

Worst hit areas, according to reports, include the affluent residential and business neighbourhood of Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah. Many residents, who left their homes mid-morning yesterday could not arrive their destination until late afternoon as the floods and bad road compounded the normally bad traffic situation.

Yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde doused any hope of the rains abating. He alerted the public to prepare for heavier rainfall in the coming weeks. The government called on residents to observe extreme caution on the roads as torrential rain persisted.

Ayorinde, however, assured the public of heavy deployment of environmental sanitation officers and emergency rescue teams to flood-prone areas of the state. But there were no emergency help lines provided to members of the public rendered

ÖÙÙÎĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÚËÚË̋ Ă?ÒÙÎÓ Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ

helpless by the flood.

He urged residents to stay indoors, either at home or in their places of work, whenever there is heavy downpour, except when the need to commute became necessary.

The commissioner solicited the support of citizens to desist from dumping refuse in canals and gutters and observe safe and hygienic conducts at all times in order to reduce the effect of temporary flooding being recorded in some areas.

The Lagos State Police Command has also announced the shutdown of the Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island due to the incessant flood.

A statement issued yesterday

by ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, on behalf of the State’s Commissioner of Police informed the public that Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island was temporarily closed.

Ahmadu Bello Way borders the emerging affluent residential

ETOP UKUTT

haven, Eko Atlantic City, which was reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean and was previously known as the Bar Beach. The area has a history of flooding during the rainy season and posed a challenge to successive federal and Lagos State administrations. Eko Atlantic development is being carried out as a Public Private Partnership, with private companies and investors providing the funding, while Lagos State Government is a strategic partner, with the support of the federal government.

In Apapa, the heavy downpour which began from the early hours of yesterday till around midday left many parts of the plush council submerged under rain water.

THISDAY findings revealed that the flood, which resulted from the deluge, took over major routes like Liverpool Road, Abraham Adesanya Way, Apapa GRA, Borno Crescent and Creek Road roundabout.

As a result, many cars were

stalled by the flood, which rose over two feet in some areas.

Commercial motorcyclists, however, braved the rain to make brisk business by ferrying stranded commuters around the area.

Trucks and containers were not left out distress as some broke down in the deep potholes on Liverpool Road, causing traffic logjam, which spilled over to Creek Road round-about.

Some pedestrians, who spoke with THISDAY, blamed the persistent flood on the silted gutters and the lowland nature of Apapa, which is always prone to flooding whenever there is sustained rainfall.

The drainage system in some areas were also clogged with waste and sewage generated from business activities and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Lagos is part of the one third of coastal states experts believe Nigeria could lose over the next 50 years if appropriate measures are not taken to tackle

Ă˜Ă”Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžËœ ÚËÚË ˛˛˛ãĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ

the growing consequences of climate change. Rising sea levels in Lagos from warming temperatures is estimated to reach between 0.32m and 1.41m by the year 2100; Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa will be worst hit.

It has been predicted that there will be a significant rise in sea level and increased levels of precipitation both of which will lead to mass flooding.

With an estimated average over 320mm of rain, the normal wettest month of June has extended into July. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted early onset of rainfall and early cessation in many parts of Nigeria, in its 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP).

In a public presentation of the agency’s 2017, SRP, the Director-General, NiMet, Prof.

Sani Machi, disclosed that “Extended rains of three to eight days are predicted for areas in and around Adamawa, Ogun, Edo, Niger Delta and low-lying areas such as Lagos.�

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ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION I Am A Nigerian Nigeria is better as a united nation, writes Nkiru Asika

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ver the past few weeks, a reading and video of a poem, “I AM A NIGERIAN,” has been circulating on social media without attribution. It has been sent to me several times, both in video and in text forms, but the author is unknown. I think it is important first to identify myself publicly as the author of the said poem and to talk about why I believe this poem resonates now more than ever.

I wrote the poem, “I AM A NIGERIAN,” back in 2006, spurred by three key influences – first, the then federal government’s Heart of Africa rebranding campaign; second, the video of Thabo Mbeki ‘s 1996 speech, “I am an African”; third, and above all, my late father, Ukpabi Asika, an unflinching nationalist, whose decision to accept the seemingly suicidal role of Administrator of East Central State at the height of the civil war in 1967 was summed up in his words: “I am a Nigerian. I was born a Nigerian…and I hope to die a Nigerian.”

Despite the current cacophony of ethnic jingoism and secessionism, I believe that the vast majority of people in this country consider themselves to be first and foremost Nigerians. The tired refrain that Nigeria is an artificial construct foisted on us by the British is clichéd and frankly, not helpful. We cannot wind back the hands of time and simply realign along tribal lines. Nor can we undo the commingling that has gone on for generations and that has enriched us socially, economically, culturally and politically. I take my own family as an example.

My father was an Onitsha indigene, who was born and spent his formative years in Barkin Ladi, Jos, attended secondary school in Benin and university in Ibadan. His mother, Rebecca, also from Onitsha, grew up largely in Fulani land and spoke fluent Fulfulde.

His “second mother” was his step-grandmother Aishetu from Yola who his grandfather met and mar-

ried in Kano and brought to Onitsha. When my father went to pursue a Master’s Degree in the US, he met and married my mother, a fellow post-graduate student who hailed from Owerri but had spent her teenage years in Uyo and Lagos. In their marital home, their close friends came from all across Igboland as well as from Yola, Taraba, Jos, Ijebu, Warri, Abeokuta, Benin and beyond.

Today, my children are Yoruba, my sister’s children are Kalabari and my brother’s wife claims roots in both Lagos and Katsina. I do not believe this diversity in our family is so unique.

The historical performance record of our political leaders has been stunningly sub-par, but we the people

I wrote the poem I AM A NIGERIAN to celebrate what is unique about us – our diversity, our culture, our national identity. We are known the world over – not as Igbos or Hausas, Yorubas or Fulanis – but as Nigerians. Internationally, we are simultaneously respected and vilified, envied and criticised. We are not some no-name people from some noname nation

should not now abdicate our own duty of responsible citizenship. We must not allow rogue politicians and power-hungry demagogues to appeal to our basest emotions or to convince us that people of another tribe or another religion are the source of all our problems.

This is lowest common denominator programming at its worst. If we choose to buy into such messages, we do so at our peril.

Nevertheless, our government must also have the courage and sensitivity to recognise that the Nigerian polity has not been as inclusive to some ethnic groups as to others, and that there are real political grievances and socio-economic discrepancies. I believe wholeheartedly in Nigeria. But I believe that Nigeria will be better served with a structure based on true federalism, devolution of power, resource control and responsible and compassionate leadership.

I wrote the poem “I AM A NIGERIAN” to celebrate what is unique about us – our diversity, our culture, our national identity. We are known the world over – not as Igbos or Hausas, Yorubas or Fulanis – but as Nigerians. Internationally, we are simultaneously respected and vilified, envied and criticised. We are not some no-name people from some no-name nation.

For better and for worse, we have made our presence felt. And in an age where every country struggles to become more globally competitive, we cannot afford to embark on a trajectory of reductionism.

I AM A NIGERIAN is a call for us not only to love Nigeria but to cherish her. I hope that this poem inspires pride in our country and reminds us of the brotherhood and community we share with the other 180 million individuals born under the Nigerian flag.

Above all, I hope that this poem helps to counter the hateful rhetoric of those who seek to divide us. We cannot let them change the narrative of who we have been, who we are and who we hope to be.

–– Asika, the Founder and CEO of Enterprise Creative, wrote from Lagos

Donald Duke and The Independent Candidacy Joe Edet argues for a review of the electoral law to create room for independent candidacy

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onald Duke really needs no introduction.

He is immensely popular, perhaps, notorious in his enviable accomplishments while as Governor of Cross River State. To his credit and that of his successors, they have successfully turned a hitherto moribund civil service state to a five star Nigerian number one destination of choice.

His foremost accomplishments include the TINAPA business and leisure resorts touted by bookmakers and industry experts as the Dubai of Africa; the world famous Carnival Calabar and the Calabar Festival which his two successors have taken beyond an enviable imagination, drawing thousands of revellers yearly to the city of Calabar; The Obudu International Mountain Race introduced by Duke and sustained by Imoke was basically to draw world attention to Nigeria’s number one Wonder, the Obudu Mountain Resort, which is the icing on Duke’s already well-baked cake of achievements.

The Duke wonderment has been given greater impetus by his successors who did not abandon his dream but have added colours and institutionalised the vision.

Take the Carnival introduced by duke, Imoke keyed in by introducing the children and cultural carnival and the Carnival Calabar Queen beauty pageant. The incumbent, the very supersonic digital Governor Ben Ayade, has not only introduced the bikers carnival and the Green Carnival but has equally birthed the Miss Green Africa pageant in promotion of the eco-tourism potential of the state.

This isn’t really about what Duke has achieved in the past but more for what he hasn’t in the present and what he should in the nearest future. To achieve this, Duke has to move away from the past and focus on the future. His monumental achievements in Cross River are well documented and can’t be wished away no matter what. It’s more than a decade Duke left government house Calabar, yet the Duke we kept hearing of is the Duke of Calabar. Indeed, with such a likable persona and enviable accomplishments, we should be talking about the Duke of Nigeria.

It was therefore refreshing to read that he was taking another shot at the Presidency and suggested the

review of the electoral law to allow for independent candidacy. He must have been challenged by the Emmanuel Macron revolution in France where he ran as an independent candidate of a political organisation En Marche which he set up just a year ago. It’s heart-warming to hear that Duke is willing to free himself from the past.

No doubt, the Nigerian Constitution has no place for independent candidacy, thus the call for the amendment of our laws to accommodate it is apposite. The constitution stipulates that a person shall only be qualified for election if he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by a political party.(sections 65(2)(b);106(d);131(c);177(c) 1999 CFRN as amended).

Duke won’t be the first to make this call. In 2007, the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua set up the Electoral Reform Commission headed by the very highly revered Justice Muhammed Uwais, former Chief justice of Nigeria. The panel in its reports which was conversationally christened the ‘Uwais Report’ came up with the recommendation to allow independent candidates in future elections in Nigeria.

Before then, the National Political Reform Conference inaugurated by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 had made a similar proposal in its report.

The concept of independent candidacy enhances and promotes popular participation in the electoral process and guarantees freedom of choice. It is equally a universal democratic identity recognised and practiced by major democracies in the world. The USA had since adopted it with popular candidates like George Wallace, Ross Perot and even incumbent Donald Trump running as independent candidates at a time. President George Washington ran as an independent candidate while Senator Bernie Sanders won his Senatorial seat as an independent. In Russia, it has become a norm that all their Presidents are independent. The thinking is that the Presidency is too sensitive to be partisan. Former President Dimitry Medvedev refused overtures to join the United Russia Party while incumbent Vladimir Putin who is the head of the party is just a nominal head, as he isn’t even a member. Countries like Australia, Canada,

Ireland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Malaysia, Poland and Philippines, all practised independent candidacy. In fact, in Hong Kong more than half of her legislative council is made up of independents while the United Kingdom had experimented on it.

The concept isn’t completely strange to Nigeria.

Nigeria in the first republic had experimented on this system but with not very impressive results.

Time has come for it to be reintroduced because of the impunity of political parties whose nomination processes has become an avenue to reward incompetence. Indeed it will free aspirants from the shackles of oppression and servitude placed on them by political parties and leaders who inflict undue hardship and equally deny candidates who win primaries the tickets to fly their party’s flags. It will to a large extend check or curtail the impunity by political parties and party leaders.

But can Duke re-enact the Macron miracle sweeping across France in Nigeria? To start with the ages of Duke and Macron are like two decades apart. The hitherto young Duke, restless, naive, audacious and courageous has graduated to a statesman and is of course more matured. He is at the ripe age, experienced, has clout, candour and pedigree of a modern Nigerian presidential hopeful. Duke represents a crop of Nigerians bent on using and entrenching merit and merit alone as the criteria for political attainment. He represents our sanity and the stronger need and desire for our oneness. A Duke presidency will be an answer to the endless agitations and there are lots of other Dukes whose title to fame isn’t tribe, language or religion. It’s time for these Nigerians to step forward and lead us to Elysium. However, to achieve this, he still needs to team up with his friends, associates, colleagues and contemporaries to help drive the process. Indeed, he needs to come back home to begin from where he stopped even as an independent candidate. People like Duke cannot be caged, enveloped or derailed by political parties and their ideologies. Independent candidacy is the way forward.

––Dr. Edet, a constitutional lawyer, is Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

LETTERS

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ungle justice is a practice that is especially rampant in different parts of Africa. It is a practice where alleged criminal is severely beaten, humiliated or in some cases murdered without recourse to judicial procedure. Nigeria has had her own fair share of diverse ugly jungle justice.

While growing up, I once witnessed, perhaps, the scariest scene ever, when a group of young men ruthlessly stoned a middle aged woman to death. It was such a gory scene that one is not likely to forget in a hurry.

As the woman was being bombarded with stones, she made an attempt to crawl away as she was now deeply drenched in the pool of her own blood. But exhausted and worn out, her strength failed her and she simply surrendered to an agonising death.

But then, since her assailants couldn’t possibly certify her medically dead, they moved to the next phase of their mob action. A set of abandoned motor tires were hurriedly assembled and drenched with some petrol to set the lifeless body of the woman ablaze.

Jungle Justice As a Time Bomb

Onnoghen

Confused and saddened by the whole gory affair, I sought to find out what the woman could have done to deserve such brutal treatment. And behold, the response I got further left me completely bewildered. Her offence?

She was a ‘witch’!

Such is the extremism of exponents of jungle justice. They are sometimes extremely irrational and overtly emotional.

Those who engage in

the ugly act readily justify their action on the premise of complications involved in getting criminals punished through the legal process.

They often express gross disdain for the justice sector which they tag as ‘corrupt’ and ‘inept’.

Security operatives, especially the police are usually accused of conniving with criminals to pervert the course of justice, alleging that

many at times, criminals who are handed over to the police are usually released in questionable circumstances. Hence, it is this lack of confidence in the judicial system that many often hide under to commit all sorts of atrocities in the name of securing extra judicial resolution.

However, irrespective of whatever logic that is behind jungle justice, it is nothing but a totally lawless and condemnable act. It is a dangerous act with the prospect of turning a society into an animal kingdom. It is the height of lawlessness and barbarism. In most cases, those who perpetrate the act only ride on popular emotion to get at perceived enemies or detractors. Over time, it has been discovered that victims of jungle justice are often innocent and harmless people who are just unfortunate.

It is sad and disgusting that a society could really slide into such extreme acts of barbarism in the 21st century. We must respect the sanctity of human life which is anchored on the sacred nature of life and the fact that no one has the right to take it away, except God. According to David

NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND HUMAN PARTS DEALERS

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n recent times, kidnapping either for rituals or ransom has suddenly overtaken armed – robbery in the underworld business. We now have billionaire-kidnappers in the likes of Evans. As a matter of fact, kidnapping is a syndicate that involves both active operators and supporting operators who either provide information on their targets, and the witch doctors who act as spiritual consultants.

Some have rightly and wrongly insinuated that all of us are kidnappers to a certain degree – the churches who do not verify the sources of the wealth of their members who pay their tithes in millions or the bankers who failed to report lodgements of their customers in personal accounts that run into millions both in local and foreign currencies.

And of course, the property and estate consultants/managers who assist these kidnappers to launder their money in real estates.

Added to this list are club owners where kidnappers, armed robbers, yahoo – yahoo plus boys and other fraudsters patronise and spend millions of naira in one night on drinks and club girls. And as long as these groups of people which also include some stock – broking firms and some bad elements among our security operatives who are regular beneficiaries of

these evil trade continue to keep mum and have refused to blow the cover over these suspected animals, so long will these evil trades continue to thrive to the detriment of our national security.

But these categories of people or organisations are not my concern in this piece. My concern and focus are the unscrupulous “job agencies” which seek the cover of scouting for foreign jobs to lure away our youths either for sex slavery or for outright killings in order to harvest their internal organs like hearts, kidneys, lungs and other vital parts for medical needs of their own people.

Agreed some of the victims of these human traffickers know their mission of seeking for foreign visas.

Some of them are aware that they want to engage in prostitution in order to earn hard currency for their own “comfort” and their close families. However, majority of these youths are tricked into the foreign lands. I had earlier dealt with other related matters in precious articles. And there wouldn’t have been any need for any repetition here but for a video clip that was sent to me on whatsapp through one of my contacts.

The text that accompanied the video has narrated what the video contained.

And hence, I tried to verify

it. In the video which was discreetly recorded by a passer-by who hid himself/ herself from the criminals, I noticed a young girl, maybe an African teenager stripped to her under wares, kneeling and weeping with her hands on a small object placed on her head. She was surrounded in the bush by some white folks with voices that sounded like Chinese language. Since I have been notified of what may happen next to the girl through the text that accompanied the video, I quickly closed it. Why? Because the girl in the horrific scenario who had fallen victim of these foreign predators with the active collaboration of some wicked African human traffickers was about to be killed and have her key internal organs harvested which in turn would be sold for millions of dollars to patients abroad! Worse still, she looked like a Nigerian and possibly of a Yoruba descent. In another video which I’ve since deleted, I couldn’t hold myself to watch the video of another African teenager who was being raped and abused by a white man, which actually triggered off the writing of my previous article: Nigerian Youths as endangered species in foreign lands. In the same vein how could I watch the horrific video of this unfortunate African girl who was about to be

butchered by some suspected Chinese criminals just because some local criminals colluded with their foreign counterparts to lure her away?

As earlier pointed out in the same previous article, I narrated how young immigrants of African descent perished in their hundreds on their ill – fated voyages to Europe, only for those who narrowly escaped end up as drawers of water, hewers of wood and sex slaves in such foreign lands. I had earlier commended the federal government’s initiatives to provide jobs and opportunities to young secondary school leavers and graduates through N –Power and other poverty eradication/social schemes in order to reduce youth mass unemployment.

In addition, I also advocated the need for the relevant government agencies and our security operatives to go after these foreign criminals with their local collaborators who are operating fake employment bureaus/agencies and are luring away our youths to foreign lands under the cover of providing job opportunities. We expect the government to take some proactive measures aimed at nabbing these criminals and bringing them to justice.

––Gbemiga Olakunle, JP, General Secretary, National Prayer Movement, Abuja.

P. Gusgee, a Professor of Christian Ethics and Executive Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Life Mercer University, Atlanta & Macon , USA, all human beings, of any and every race, colour, ethnicity, level of intelligence, religion, language, gender, character, behaviour, physical ability/disability, potential, class, social status, etc., are to be perceived as persons of equal and immeasurable worth and of inviolable dignity and therefore must be treated and protected in a manner commensurate with this moral status.

It is, perhaps, based on this notion that most nations of the world now frown at capital punishment. While it is true that capital punishment has been used in almost every part of the world, in the last few decades, many countries have abolished it. The crusade for the abolition of capital punishment is to further entrench the sacred nature of life. It is part of the need to protect the human life that nations of the world spend so much annually on security, health and other life related concerns. In most developed countries, much is being done to ensure that man lives in conditions that are best suited for human

development as against the survival of the fittest mode of living that operates in most third world countries.

The human life is by far too invaluable to be subjected to such gory experience as earlier illustrated above. Irrespective of any grouse against the nation’s justice sector, strict adherence to law and order remains the only sane way through which our society could operate. Any contrary method would only lead to anarchy which eventually portends a great danger to everyone.

It is, nevertheless, important to stress that the justice sector in the country must be completely overhauled for the law to really take its due course. Those who deliberately put a clog in the wheel of justice for selfish reasons are not in any way different from those who engage in jungle justice. In fact, the one who intentionally hinders the course of justice is by far guiltier of jungle justice. In order for us to effectively build a society that is effectively premised on law and order, the justice sector must be revamped. That is the only way forward.

––Tayo Ogunbiyi, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

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he history of the Western World is replete with tales of warfare and battles and most impressively, battles done with almost infinite patience over long stretches of time that resulted in the prosecution of long-term wars; War of the Roses, the 30-year War, the 100-year War, etc.

It has been war and war up till 72 years ago when World War II ended.

Thus, the bitter truth is no right thinking person should get into war mode with the Western World.

Actually, what ended 72 years ago was a “hot” war; since then there was a prolonged Cold War that eventually wrecked the then Soviet Union and now there is an on-going war on terror. Amongst the old city-states, the old dominions, the old kingdoms, the old territories, and modernday nations of the West the British as we know them today have always stood out for their grit and collective intelligence; it is sheer impressive that English is now the lingua franca of the world.

Which is why it was a bad idea for radical Islamic terrorists to begin attacking the British homeland starting from July 7, 2005 (the Underground suicide bombings) and continuing

through March 22, 2017 (the attack at Westminster Bridge and at Parliament), May 24, 2017 (the attack at Manchester Arena), and June 3, 2017 (the attack at London Bridge and Borough Market). The gritty Brits I know would react, and true to form the Empire struck back by roasting over 75 presumed Muslims in the inferno at the Grenfell Tower in London (no one should try to convince me that the fire was an “accident”).

Also, for the first time, we saw the emergence of a Welsh-Christian counterterrorist crusader in our time who vowed to kill Muslims and drove a van over a barricade-kerb at Muslims somewhere in the vicinity of Finsbury Park Mosque in London killing one person and seriously injuring another. If Islamist attacks persist in the British Isles, the British would rise under the banner of King Richard The Lionheart, and reply the terror courtesy, as it were. To the radical Islamic terrorists who so keenly abhor the West, a non-violent Islamic State should be sought outside of Europe where Muslims can peacefully repair to.

––Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

INTERNATIONAL

Prayers, Global Peace and Security: The Case of the CCC and Nigeria

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eligion has always been a critical issue in classical and contemporary international relations. It is both a source of social conflicts on the one hand, peacemaking and confidence-building on the other.

In particular, the manner of use of prayers is another important dimension on which emphasis is hardly placed: what do people pray to God for? Do they ask God to curse or bless their enemies? Whatever is the case, saying prayers has become an important aspect of political governance and even global governance. They are generally said at the time of need and difficulties.

In the Philippines, often considered as the bastion of catholicity, political governance is said to be ‘now plagued by an oppressive government and outside forces pushing secular humanism. ‘Pillowsmeller 18 has it that ‘the apathy and the selfishness is too much for the country and the people to handle.’ From the perspective of aletheia observatory, ‘there’s something in a society that drives people to desperation, but we still have moral agency.

We still have the ability to distinguish between good and evil, and to choose good and reject evil – may be that of our politicians and most of our people ought to remember, too.’ For the various problems in the Philippines, the general view is that the government ought to take ‘responsibility instead of bickering, blaming and privatising everything... Needless suffering, needless desires all behind the country known for its faith, lies the grime of stagnation, because they are not willing to go further with their faith.’

True enough, prayers are said largely as a result of acknowledgement of wrong doings and therefore, need for forgiveness. Prayers are also said as a result of strong faith in God. The cases of the United States and Nigeria are good examples for illustration. In the United States, for instance, the past sixty years have witnessed the holding of a National Prayer Breakfast. The National Prayer Breakfast, which was initiated byAbraham Vereido, is held on the First Thursday of every February of each year at the Washington Hilton, particularly since the 1980s.

In the eyes of Donald Trump, at the last National Prayer Breakfast held last February 2017, the six-decade long traditional gathering was a ‘testament to the power of faith,’ which was introduced by Mark Burnett, the television producer, who teamed up with Trump to create “TheApprentice.”

The National Prayer Breakfast is a forum in which lawmakers and religious leaders from about 70 countries meet in order to bring bipartisan political leaders and their religious counterparts together to pray and build relationships. It was first organised in 1953 and all US presidents normally take part in it. There is always a keynote speaker at the event. It is not only a forum for removing negative pointers to nation-building; it is an interesting forum to be joined in spirit with God to seek divine direction for the country.

In Nigeria, the situation of national problems is not different from that of the Philippines and even from that of the United States.

While the United States is not seriously threatened by quests for self-determination or the Boko Haram-like threats, as it is in Nigeria, the United States is seriously challenged by international terror, which is currently challenging the international order.

Political governance in Nigeria is characterised by economic recession, political chicanery, increasing societal evils, new reign of terror, political party miscalculations, as well as error of acquiescence by the people,Arewa youths’ quit notice to the Igbo indigenes living in the North of Nigeria, deepening quest for self-determination and restructuring and broad day kidnapping on the public streets and private homes.

While there is no disputing the fact that government is making strenuous efforts to contain the foregoing social problems, many Nigerians have resorted to self-help mechanisms by particularly opting to pray for divine intervention. It is within this context that the special prayers for the government and people of Nigeria, organised by the Celestial Church of Christ on Friday, 7th July, 2017 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, should be understood and appreciated.

Celestial Church and Nigeria’s Problems The conduct of a special service and prayers for a more peaceful and united Nigeria was quite significant in many ways. First, the prayer session was organised as part of the activities lined up to celebrate the 70thAnniversary of the founding of the Celestial Church of Christ. The Church was founded on September 29, 1947 by the late Saint S.B.J. Oshoffa.As part of the mandate of the Church to spread the Word of God, it was considered necessary to seek enduring solutions to Nigeria’s problems through prayers and divine intervention.

Secondly, the choice of date for the prayers is symbolic. The prayers were organised to coincide with the Holy Mary Day. Holy

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Mary has a symbolical importance in two ways to the Celestial Church of Christ.At the early days of the founding of the Church, the very first spiritual song given to the Church through one of the early prophetesses of the Church (Wolisata), specifically requested all members of the Church not only to acknowledge the goodness and kindness of Holy Mary, but also to seek the path of goodness and Godliness so that Holy Mary could continue to be with the Church.

Besides, on 15th July, 1977 Holy Mary appeared in a trance to the Pastor Founder of the Church, Reverend S.B.J. Oshoffa. In this spiritual trance, the Holy Mary told Reverend Oshoffa to set aside a day for the celebration of Holy Mary.

As explained in the Constitution of the Church, ‘the Pastor, in a trance, saw himself climbing a number of steps until he got to a plane full of fallen leaves and sighted a fair white lady clad from top to toe in blue apparel and standing in a posture as if shielding something away from him.’ More importantly, the Constitution has it that ‘the Pastor found himself descending steps until he sighted a Church from which a Reverend Father emerged and bowed in homage to him repeatedly.

Then the Pastor found himself ascending again back to the spot where he earlier saw the fair lady. This time, the fair lady opened up to show that what she was shielding away earlier was a baby having a crown on His head and she said, pointing to the baby, “This is Jesus, He is Holy in Spirit. He is Holy in Mind, He is Life Everlasting.’ In fact, He is King of Glory and Grace. Whoever wants to worship him must first follow the path of attitudinal righteousness and spiritual cleanliness.’

And perhaps, most significantly, ‘almost exactly a year after the incident described above, the Pastor fell ill during which it was spiritually revealed (also in trance) that the recognition shall be accorded to Holy Mary in the Celestial Church of Christ by commemorating the above incident annually.’ In this regard, the Pastor Founder declared the first Friday of July every year as Holy Mary’s Day and the first observance of the Day took place on Friday, 7th July 1978. It was in the strong belief that the Holy Mary Day is a special day of grace and that the holiness of the day cannot but bring good tidings to people in need. This is why the Prophet Emmanuel Soyemi-led CCC 70th Central Planning Committee Executives decided to hold

Religion has always been a critical issue in classical and contemporary international relations. It is both a source of social conflicts, on the one hand, peacemaking and confidence building, on the other. In particular, the manner of use of prayers is another important dimension on which emphasis is hardly placed: what do people pray to God for? Do they ask God to curse or bless their enemies? Whatever is the case, saying prayers has become an important aspect of political governance and even global governance.They are generally said at the time of need and difficulties

the National Prayers on the Holy Mary Day. Thirdly, the prayer session was also significant from the perspective of the audience, especially the clergy. His Eminence, BabaAladura, Dr, IsraelAkinAdewo, the Secretary General of the ChristianAssociation of Nigeria, the Chairman of Lagos State Organisation ofAfrican Instituted Churches (OAIC), SeniorApostle Yinka Odutayo, and the UnitedAladura Churches Vice President were all there. The Onimeko of Imeko, His Royal Highness, Oba Benjamin Olanite (Akanku 4) was also in attendance. More interestingly, various CCC parishes in the Diaspora were also represented.

It really was a congregation of Christian leaders brought together to pray for the advancement and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria and this brings us to the most important reason: the prayer session.

The prayer session was in two parts. The first part was organised within the framework of the main service. It was the 7-person prayer. The first prayer, which was to request for divine wisdom, fear of God and good health for the presidency and all members of the NationalAssembly, governors, ministers, judges, was given to Senior SpecialApostle Yinka Odutayo to say in the English language.

Mother Celestial W. Makinde prayed in Hausa for the progress of the Church, the whole nation, the elders in the society and also thanked God for his infinite mercies so far on Nigeria. Superior Evangelist Canon Luke from the Côte d’Ivoire said his own prayers in French and requested God to grant peace, unity and prosperity to the government and people of Nigeria.

The fourth prayer, said in Yoruba by Mother Celestial Bola Sodeinde, focused on blessing, economic development, restoration and progress for the nation and the Church. The last three sets of prayers were quite interesting, because they directly dealt with the people’s behaviour and the need for a change for the better. The fifth prayer, said in Edo language, requested for the power of the Holy Spirit, holiness and righteousness for all churches and the whole nation. The sixth prayer said in Egun by the wife of the Pastor founder, Mother Celestial Hellen Oshoffa, asked God for victory over all evil machination, disunity and power of darkness, as well as protection for all. The seventh prayer in Igbo language, said by Superior Evangelist Okondor, requested for forgiveness of sins, sanctification and mercy of God. The foregoing was a prelude to the second round of prayers as the first round of prayers was meant to prepare the mind and the soul for the prayer warriors and revivalists:Assistant VenerableAdeyinka, Sup Evangelist Sunday Sofowora, Evangelist BensonAiyegbusi, Superior Evangelist Owatunde, Evangelist Ekunola Davies, Venerable Superior Evangelist Segun Olarinde, and Evangelist Oke. One fundamental difference between the earlier prayers and those of the second round is that all those dark forces that might want to militate against the survival of Nigeria, the Church, the people of Nigeria, and particularly the President of Nigeria were all put in the hands of God almighty to deal with. Without doubt, all satanic forces were cursed without fear.

The second round of prayers took the format of prophecy with emphasis on what would happen to the enemies of progress. They commanded God, as His children, to do what he could easily do without qualms and equanimity.And without scintilla of doubt, there was nothing to suggest that God did not quickly hear and answer all the supplications to the admiration of everyone if we take a look at the message from the pulpit and what transpired at the concluding prayers at the end of the service.

The Message from the Pulpit The epicentral message of the one-day prayer session for Nigeria was given during the sermon delivered in person by the incumbent and officially registered Pastor and Head of the Celestial Church of Christ, worldwide, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa. He explained that there was absolutely nothing preventing Nigeria from being a major sanctuary of God. In Nigeria, he submitted, everybody talks about peace, peace, and peace, but without everyone making the necessary efforts to have peace. Everybody wants peace but does not know that Jesus Christ is peace; that He is the bearer and crown of peace, and that, without having Jesus Christ, peace in whatever manifestations, cannot exist.

In order to have peace, one must, first of all, have Jesus Christ. In order to have Jesus Christ, one must also accept to thread the path of righteousness and cleanliness of hearts. In the two biblical lessons taken from 2 Chronicles 7: 12-15 and Luke 1: 26-36, emphasis was placed on the conditions to have the favour of God and on the coming of Jesus Christ.

The first lesson, read in English, Yoruba and French by Evangelist Femi Osibona, HRH Oba Banjamin Olanite represented and Superior EvangelistAbdon Nziegui respectively, talked about the appearance of the Lord to Solomon and the assurances of the Lord that He had heard his prayer. More significantly, as noted in verse 14, ‘if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and all heal their land.’

This is one major crux of the sermon by Pastor Mobiyina Oshoffa: the people of Nigeria must first learn how to seek forgiveness of sins, come closer to God with humility of mind and attitude, and particularly turn away from wicked ways. It is by so doing that they can qualify to be listened to by God. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

19

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž JULY 9, 2017

BUSINESS

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com (08054681757)

LAST WEEK WEEK

FXMarket Thenairarecordedamarginalgain onMonday,closingatN362tothe UnitedStatesdollar,upfromN363 on Sunday.The local currency has beenhoveringbetweenN363/dollarandN370/dollarastheCentral BankofNigeriacontinuestosupply foreignexchangeintothemarket.

TheCBN,incontinuationofitsdrive to ensure liquidity and stability in the foreign exchange market, on Monday injected a total sum of $195millionintovarioussegments oftheinter-bankforeignexchange market.

Etisalat Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth largest mobile telecommunications company, Etisalat, announced a new board.

Thefirmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sformerchairman,Hakeem Bello-Osagie, resigned last week duetoitsdebtcrisis.Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;snew chairmanisJosephNnannaandthe other new board members are OluseyiBickersteth,KenIgbokwe, BoyeOlusanya,andFunkeIghodaro.

WhileOlusanyawasconfirmedas ChiefExecutiveOfficer,toreplace Mr.MatthewWillsher,Ighodarotook overfromMr.OlawoleObasunloye as Chief Finance Officer.

A fish market...hopes on the horizon for lower inflation

,QĂ DWLRQ¡OO (DVH WR LQ 6D\V (FRQRPLVW *URXS Kunle Aderinokun The Economist Intelligence Unit of The Economist Group has said inďŹ&#x201A;ation, which has maintained a downward streak since the beginning of this year, would ease to 13.4 per cent in 2018.

The EIU gave this projection in a 21-page Country Report on Nigeria, generated on July 1, 2017, a copy, which was obtained by THISDAY. EIU, which presented the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outlook for 2017-21, predicted that while inďŹ&#x201A;ationary pressure would stay high in 2019 as a result of pre-election spending and further drop in the value of naira occasioned by weaker oil prices, the rate would drop signiďŹ cantly to an annual average of 10.8 per cent in 2020-21 with tighter ďŹ scal and monetary policy.

According to the report,â&#x20AC;&#x153;The effects of currency devaluation and efforts by the authorities to rein in the subsidy bill and boost power tariffs to cost-reďŹ&#x201A;ective levels will see inďŹ&#x201A;ation remain high in 2017, at an average rate of 17 per cent. Currency stability improved in the ďŹ rst half of 2017 after the massive volatility seen in 2016, but additional naira depreciation is expected later in 2017, so average inďŹ&#x201A;ation will ease only moderately, to 13.4 per cent in 2018.

Pre-election spending and a further drop in the naira on the back of weaker oil prices mean that inďŹ&#x201A;ationary pressures will stay high in 2019, before it falls back slightly in 2020- 21, to an annual average of 10.8 per cent, as tighter ďŹ scal and monetary policy takes effect.â&#x20AC;?

The National Bureau of Statistics, which recently released report on the Consumer Price Index for May 2017 put the index, which gauges inďŹ&#x201A;ation

ECONOMY at 16.25 per cent (year-on-year) in May 2017, representing 0.99 percent points lower than 17.24 per cent in April. The decline is the fourth since January 2017.

Estimating that, in the second half of 2017, Nigeria would post a weak economic recovery from the recession it slipped into in 2016, the EIU report noted that,â&#x20AC;&#x153; Oil production will pick up following the resumption of supply through the Forcados export pipe line, which had been shut down by militant activity.â&#x20AC;? Nigeria, it said, remained exempt from production cuts by OPEC. The EIU, therefore, projected that real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the full year of 2017 will be positive, but only reaching 0.8 per cent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A full year of oil output via Forcados will lift export production a little more in 2018, although militant activity will be an ongoing threat and the current OPEC waiver is unlikely to continue if, as we expect, the organisation attempts to maintain global production cuts throughout the year. Export growth will then be slower in 2019-21 as the elongated reform process and militant action constrain development,â&#x20AC;?it noted.

Besides, it stated that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elsewhere in the economy, some pro-business policy reforms and a gradual improvement in infrastructure provision will support the non-oil sector. Overall, real GDP growth should pick up to 2.1 per cent in 2018. We then expect growth to slip back to 1.8 per cent in 2019, given election-related uncertainty, compounded by an expected recession

in the US and an ongoing slowdown in China that will spook global markets and lead to a moderation in oil prices.â&#x20AC;?

Nevertheless, the EIU, in this report, which is the latest on Nigeria, forecast a moderate rebound in growth, to 2.9 per cent in 2021 as local and global markets strengthen. According to the report, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The average growth rate of 2.1 per cent in 2017-21 is weak for a country with a young and expanding population and will hit living standards and job creationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;issues that will feed back into threats to political and social Currency stability improved in the first half of 2017 after the massive volatility seen in 2016, but additional naira depreciation is expected later in 2017, so average inflation will ease only moderately, to 13.4 per cent in 2018

stability.â&#x20AC;?

Similarly, the report noted that,â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal administration will attempt to continue its expansionary ďŹ scal stance into 2017-18, in an effort to drag Nigeria out of the recession it entered during 2016 and with the 2019 elections ďŹ rmly in mind. However, expenditure growth will be hindered by capacity constraints and an inefďŹ cient bureaucracy. Indeed, the budget for the 2017 calendar year was only signed into law in June.â&#x20AC;?

While, the EIU also projected that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Revenue collection in 2017 will increase strongly in nominal terms as exchangerate depreciation boosts the value of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil exports in local-currency

termsâ&#x20AC;?, it added that,â&#x20AC;&#x153;as a proportion of GDP, revenue will creep up to just 3.5 per cent, reďŹ&#x201A;ecting the narrow revenue base.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oil revenue will continue to grow in 2018 in line with moderate production gains, offsetting a small price drop. The non-oil tax take in 2017-18 will increase in tandem with the recovering non-oil economy and government efforts to widen the tax base, but this will be from a miniscule base, and oil will remain the dominant revenue source.

Overall, we expect the budget deďŹ cit to come in at an average of 2.3 per cent of GDP in 2017-18.â&#x20AC;?

In the same vein, the EIU also predicted that,â&#x20AC;&#x153;Monetary policy will concentrate on attempts to support economic recovery while limiting inďŹ&#x201A;ation and supporting the ďŹ&#x201A;agging currency. However, this will yield contradictory pressures in the early part of the forecast period, with the private sector desperate for cheaper credit to spur growth, but inďŹ&#x201A;ation running high following currency devaluation.â&#x20AC;?

It added:â&#x20AC;&#x153;On balance, interest rates will not move much, staying high as pressure on the naira continues and inďŹ&#x201A;ation remains high. Even as inďŹ&#x201A;ation subsides from 2018, interest rates will have to remain at around double-digit levels, on the assumption that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will return to its preference for currency stability. Rates are likely to fall in 201920 as the global economy slows and the monetary authorities attempt to stimulate activity, with Nigeria following suit, before a small increase in 2021 as economic activity picks up.â&#x20AC;?

FGNBond Thefederalgovernmentannounced planstosellN135billionworthof bondsinitsJuly12auction,accordingtotheDebtManagementOffice.

Theoffercircularonitswebsitesaid it would sell N35 billion of bonds thatwouldmatureinJuly2021at 14.50percent.ItwouldalsosellN50 billionat16.28percenttomature inMarch2027,whileanotherN50 billion would be sold at 16.24 per centtomatureinApril2037.Allthe bondsonofferwerere-openingsof previousissues,thecircularadded.

AshakaCement Ashaka Cement Plc voluntarily delisted from the Nigerian Stock Exchange for violation of the exchangefreefloatdeficiencyprovision of 20 per cent.The company announceditsvoluntarywithdrawal inastatementpostedontheNSE websitebythecompanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sdirectors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;TheBoardofDirectorsofAshaka CementPlchasoptedforavoluntary delistingofthecompanyfromthe NSEinviolationoftheExchangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FreeFloatDeficiencyprovisionof 20percent,â&#x20AC;?thestatementreadin part.

OilIndustry MobilProducingNigeriaUnlimited andShellPetroleumDevelopment Company of Nigeria Limited recorded the biggest decline in production from joint venture assetsinthefirstquarterofthisyear.

The Nigeria National Petroleum CorporationindicatedthatMobilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sJV outputdroppedfrom11.646million barrels in January last year to 6.2 million barrels in March this year.

SMEs The United Nations Industrial DevelopmentOrganisationplans to empower over 500,000 Small andMediumEnterprises,especially operatorsinthenon-oilsector,with adequateskillstoenhancetheiroperationsandcontributesignificantly to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product in the next two years.

ChiefTechnicalAdviser,Investment PromotionDivisionofUNIDO,Mr. StanislawPigon,disclosedthis.PigonsaidfortheNigerianeconomy tobecompetitive,thenon-oilsector must be equipped with adequate investmentandtrainingintechnology.

20

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

A yam market in Nigeria

With Exportation of Agricultural Produce, Prospects of Multiple FX Sources for Economy Brighten With the commencement of exportation of Yam to the United Kingdom and efforts to find buyers for other agricultural produce, the search for multiple FX sources looks good, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

A

s the country’s foreign reserves show improvement compared to the figures posted this time last year and commendations trailed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s continued intervention via constant pumping of foreign exchange into the market, analysts have continued to call for a multiple supply source of FX into the market.

Nigeria’s foreign reserve have risen this year due to rise in global oil price and relative calm in the country’s oil rich Niger Delta region where oil production was heavily affected last year due to resurgence of militancy in the region.

As a result, the country has added $4.2 billion to its foreign reserves since the beginning of the year. According to Reuters, the country”s foreign reserves stood at $26.09 billion at the beginning of the year and $30.25 billion as at 28 of last June, compared to $26.34 billion a year ago.

The development has appreciably eased the FX challenge in the system. Buoyed by the availability of United States Dollar reserves, the country’s apex bank have continued to intervene in the FX market by constantly pumping FX into the system. According to reports, the CBN has so far injected over $5 billion into the FX market since it unveiled its new FX policy actions.

The CBN interventions have equally drawn commendations from operators and stakeholders in the economy who cited Naira’s appreciation against major foreign currencies including the USD, Pound Sterling and the Euro, as well as the reduction of brokerage activities in the economy.

The commendations notwithstanding, analysts insisted still that there was need for other source of FX supply into the system.

They described the strategy adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) involving frequent pumping of foreign exchange into the market to boost the value of naira as commendable but may not be sustainable.

Ogbeh Analysts Amidst emerging trend regarding the foreign exchange generating potential in the agriculture sector value chain, economists and analysts are renewing calls for multiple foreign exchange supply sources to the economy, Speaking in Lagos, President of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Larry Ettah, said that in a proper economy, there should be multiple FX supply sources, which could be determined by demand and supply and warned that, in its present state, the economy is not well buffered against shocks arising from the international oil market.

According to Ettah who is also the Chief Executive Officer of UACN, “People get confused on how they play in the market. We are sustaining this because oil price is a bit high now. If oil price starts weakening, we will have a problem,” he said, adding that the current posture was not

sustainable.

“We need to stimulate sources of forex supply, stimulate the economy for foreign direct investment, foreign portfolio and the stock market will begin to open up. Let’s begin to stimulate the economy to enable more people invest and create jobs,” he stressed Another stakeholder and Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, has for long canvassed allowing autonomous sources of FX inflow including Diaspora remittances. According to Yusuf, the current FX regime where the CBN is the sole supplier is an aberration and not sustainable.

Also speaking with THISDAY, an economist and analysts with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Rotimi Oyelere, noted that the country needed as much FX supplies into the economy from all possible sources, arguing that it would boost confidence among foreign investors and support the nation’s import needs.

Oyelere explained that, “In the short term, we need enough FX supplies from whatever source, either from the CBN or from other means. The low hanging fruits in form of windows that we could explore include foreign portfolio investors, and foreign direct investments.”

He reasoned: “It will support our imports; it will give guarantee to foreign investors that may want to repatriate their capital.

“We can’t rely on non-oil export for now because operators in the sector have not been very sincere in terms of full disclosures; there are many illegal activities going on in that space so we can’t rely on FX from that sector,” he stated.

Prospects The renewed calls for multiple FX supply sources have merely returned the need to diversify the economy to the front burner. According to a Port Harcourt-based analyst, Ezeh Wordu, what the renewed call speaks to is the need to put more efforts into the resolve by the current administration to diversify the economy away from oil receipts.

“Those who are calling for multiple FX supply source to the market are right but the way I see it is the need for the current administration to intensify efforts to diversify the economy away from oil. The agriculture sector is a whole lot of value chain waiting to be tapped,” stated Wordu.

Although, Data obtained from NESG indicated that, “In the third quarter of 2016, agricultural sector was held up to a growth of 4.54 per cent from the usual six percent, recent development in the sector support Wordu’s contention and portend potential to fetch the country some foreign exchange via exports of agricultural produces.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Audu Ogbeh, had last week disclosed that the country was set to begin earning $7 billion annually from exporting 130, 000 tonnes of roasted cashew nuts to Walmart Super Market chain in the United States of America, USA. He had said what Nigeria currently does is ship the nuts to Vietnam, who in turn roast and sell to the U.S. “But the other good news is cashew nuts. These things look small, but we are in conversations with Walmart, the biggest supermarket chain in the U.S., they came here and asked us to provide roasted cashew nuts for them. Their demand is 130,000 tonnes of cashew nuts per annum; the total value is $7 billion.

“Once you can diversify your economy, if something goes wrong in one sector you can hang on to the other, ” he said and added that these options were coming now because Nigeria was beginning to focus on non-oil export.

The minister had announced Nigeria’s yam export to United Kingdom which commenced last week. According to him, 72 tonnes of yam, which was to be exported in the first phase of the programme was different from some tonnes of yam that were earlier exported to New York on June 16 this year. This is also beside the formal commencement of yam exports to the United Kingdom and the prospect of reaping from an estimated $100 billion beans market in India, which the minister said, the country was looking to reap from.

21

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

The Task Before New DMO DG The emergence of Ms. Patients Oniha as the new Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO) is coming at a time Nigeria’s rising debt profile is raising concerns. Ndubuisi Francis outlines the areas where her focus should be

S

ince her appointment last weekend as the DG of DMO, those whose pastime is to criticise such appointments, often from altruistic, narrow, selfish or clannish interest have so far not raised any eyebrow.

Perhaps, this is because her pedigree has proved to all that she is a square peg in a square hole.

The DMO is saddled with the task of managing Nigeria’s debt - both federal and sub-national.

The ten-year tenure of her predecessor, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, love or loathe him, has been adjudged as one that was characterized by many remarkable achievements.

The Edo State-born Oniha, who took over from Nwankwo, is a highly experienced banker and chartered accountant. The new DG, with over 30 years experience in the financial sector, had worked with Ecobank Nigeria, Standard Chartered Bank, and KPMG, among others.

Oniha retired as a director in the DMO, served in the Efficiency Unit of the Ministry of Finance before her latest appointment as the DMO chief executive.

She is seen as part of the success story the DMO recorded in the past 10 years.

During that period, DMO scored a number of firsts in its operational efforts to manage the country’s debt profile. These include the establishment of 37 sub-national Debt Management Departments for the 36 states and the FCT, culminating in the construction of the first-ever comprehensive and reliable Domestic Debt Database for all the states and the FCT in 2012.

Other achievements included putting in place Primary Dealing-Market Making (PDMM) system for the FGN Bonds, enabling two-way quotes in the trading of FGN Bonds and, therefore, the introduction of a vibrant and liquid Secondary Market for FGN Bonds; listing of FGN Bonds on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The DMO also ensured the inclusion of Nigeria’s Sovereign Bond in Global Market Indices, the JP Morgan Index and the Barclays Capital Index; issuing of Nigeria’s Eurobond in the International Capital Market and its listing and trading on the London Stock Exchange; issuing of Nigeria’s Sovereign Retail Bonds, the FGN Savings Bond and listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and on the FMDQ OTC Exchange.

The achievements also included issuing of Nigeria’s Diaspora Bond and the first-ever registration of Nigeria to access the United States financial market under the stringent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations; designing and implementing Nigeria’s National Debt Management Framework; introducing the soon-to-be launched first-ever Nigeria’s Sovereign Non-Interest Bearing Bond, the Sukuk, as well as exporting of Public Debt Management services through capacity-building support to other African countries, including the Sudan, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda.

With her background, it is important to put her to task in some of the areas of urgent attention.

The Burgeoning Debt In recent times, Nigeria’s burgeoning debt profile has become a source of apprehension among Nigerians.

That concern is understandable: Nigeria had in 2006 exited a $30 billion debt conundrum by the London and Paris Club of creditors.

For, many Nigerians, they had wished that Nigeria never relapsed into that era.

But for a developing economy that almost entirely depends on crude oil whose price has witnessed a precipitous slide, a country with a low tax-to-GDP revenue, that would amount to wishful thinking.

But many who understand the dynamics of

Oniha

managing an economy, especially one under recession, they call moderation and caution on the borrowing limit.

As at the end of March, 2017, the DMO put Nigeria’s total debt at N19.16 trillion, both domestic and external.

DMO scored a number of firsts in its operational efforts to manage the country’s debt profile. These include the establishment of 37 sub-national Debt Management Departments for the 36 states and the FCT, culminating in the construction of the first-ever comprehensive and reliable Domestic Debt Database for all the states and the FCT in 2012. She would be expected to build on that achievement.

Taking Heed of Debt Sustainability The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently stated in its World Economic and Financial Surveys that Nigeria’s indebtedness will climb to 24.1 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2018.

The IMF also projected that by the end of 2017, the country’s current indebtedness would have reached 23.3 per cent of the GDP. Nigeria had closed 2016 with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 18.6 per cent. By the end of 2015, its debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 12.1 per cent, according to the Bretton Wood institution.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), for the year ended December 31, 2016, national debt stood at N67.98 trillion.

To put it into context, going by the projection of IMF’s 24.1 per cent for 2018, within three years, the nation’s debt-to-GDP ratio would have soared by 100 per cent, from 12.1 per cent in 2015 to 24.1 per cent in 2018 Although analysts believe that Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest in Africa, many fret over speed of debt accumulation in recent years. Yet, some are bothered by the quality and utilisation of debts by the nation.

A total of N1.84 trillion was provided for in the 2017 budget for debt servicing.

The 2017 Budget is anchored on an overall

projected fiscal deficit of N2.36 trillion which is about 2.18 per cent of GDP, and within the threshold prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). The budget deficit is to be financed mainly by borrowing, which is projected at N2.3 trillion.

Of this amount, N1.07 trillion (46 per cent) of the amount is to be sourced externally while N1.25 trillion is to be borrowed domestically.

The debt-to-service revenue ratio in the 2017 Budget is projected to be about 32.7 per cent.

To look more closely at the figures in the

The Edo State-born Oniha, who took over from Nwankwo, is a highly experienced banker and chartered accountant. The new DG, with over 30 years experience in the financial sector, had worked with Ecobank Nigeria, Standard Chartered Bank, and KPMG, among others

budget, a whopping N1.66 trillion is for debt service while N177.46 billion is set aside in the sinking fund to retire maturing bonds.

The federal government had only on Tuesday disclosed that it borrowed N3.57 trillion between June 2015 and March 2017 to finance budget deficits.

The World Bank recently expressed concern over the debt payment to revenue ratio, saying that reduced revenue earnings might render the country’s debt unsustainable.

The Senior Economist at the Nigeria Country office of World Bank, Yue Man Lee, said for the interest payment to be sustainable, the country either had to increase its revenues or work towards balancing the debt profile.

Her words: “Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio is relatively low. What is of concern is the ratio of interest payment to revenue. That is what is concerning. This reflects the fact that there has been a massive drop in revenues because of drop in oil revenues.

“There are two main strategies to reduce this debt burden. One is to increase the revenues.

Here, in order not to be vulnerable to the volatility of the oil sector, the critical thing is to increase the non-oil revenues – the VAT, the income taxes and the excises outside of oil.

This is something we have been discussing with the government about.”

There is no doubt that the fall in oil prices has led to a spike increased borrowing, but the concerns raised by the Breton Wood institutions are instructive.

As the nation’s adviser-in-chief on debt matters. Oniha should be conscious of the concerns expressed by Nigerians and multilateral institutions on the debt challenge.

The various states of the federation who made frivolous borrowing a pastime in recent years should be told in no mistaken terms that the party is over any time they seek the approval of the DMO for either domestic or external loans that have no serious bearing on economic development.

This is no time to defer to anyone or pander to the dictates of any.

The DMO should consistently look at the nation’s Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA).

Extending DMO’s Technical Competence to Other Nations In spite of human foibles, the tenure of Abraham Nwankwo was an era of remarkable progress, which did not go unnoticed by major players within and outside the African continent.

The DMO has moved from being a user of technical assistance to that of a remitter of such assistance to some African countries.

In recognition of DMO’s technical competence, many of them seek to expand areas of cooperation.

At the last count, no fewer than four African countries, such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Sudan have benefited from DMO’s technical competence.

Oniha should build on this. It could be a window of foreign exchange earner.

Setting up a Strong Communication Dept While the Nwankwo era may have recorded sterling performances in many areas, the DMO’s communication machinery under him was appalling. The tenure marked a study in how not to relate with the media.

An agency like the DMO lacks a functional media unit with professional communicators, who know the value of information dissemination. Oniha should immediately set up a fully digital age and operational media department that is manned by experienced communicators, particularly at this time that the nation’s debt situation is generating more interest.

Besides, she should be accessible. By this, I mean willing to provide information when needed by the media and other Nigerians.

22

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

BUSINESS/ENERGY

X-Raying Baru’s 1yr as NNPC GMD

Bisi Daniels

of which had been blamed on gas supply to GENCOs. In the past one year, NNPC has significantly increased gas supply to power plants and industries in Nigeria. Domestic gas supply has increased from an average of 700MMscfd in July 2016 to an average of 1,220MMscfd currently, with about 75 per cent of the volume supplied to thermal power plants. It has been reported that some GENCOs are rejecting gas due to the inability of TCN to wheel-out the power generated.

National Production and Reserve Growth In 2016, national average daily production of crude oil stood at 1.83 million barrels of oil and condensate. Currently, Year-To-Date 2017, average production hovers around 1.88 mbd.

This, Baru says is expected to increase and surpass the 2017 national daily target of 2.2 million barrels of oil and condensate per day with improvement in security and resumption of production operations on the Forcados oil terminal and Qua Iboe terminal pipelines.

Indeed, NNPC attained a record peak production of 2.3 million barrels per day on June 28, 2017; and it has also reduced production cost per barrel by $5.

Also, the corporation has grown the production of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, (NPDC), NNPC’s upstream company, in a quantum leap from 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to the current peak-operated volume of 210,000bopd in June 2017. The ownership of Oil Mining Licence, OML13 has been restored to NPDC following a presidential intervention, with first oil from the well expected before the end of the year.

Baru said the confidence of the NNPC JV partners to pursue new projects had been rekindled following the repayment agreements for JV cash call arrears that were negotiated and executed for outstanding up to end 2015 by all the IOC Partners of the Corporation’s Joint Venture Companies (JVCs).

Away from the Niger Delta, NNPC has been busy in the Benue Trough, and it is “working with the security agencies for an early return to the Chad Basin.

M

any people have danced to the imposing Twin Towers in the Central Business District of Abuja in celebration of their appointment as helmsmen of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Why not? It is an exalted, career-peak position many people will lobby or die for, but it is certainly not a walk-in-the-park job.

Some of the people, including thoroughbred professionals, who made a song and dance of it, left the position with heads bowed in shame and their image shredded; while some others left seething in anger, with bruised ego.

Both are reasons a former MD of a multinational oil company declined sometime ago when he was offered the reputation-on-the-line job.

Experienced as Dr. Maikanti Baru was, he was appointed into that position in a strong headwind of rumours; even as industry insiders knew it was only a matter of time for him to mount the position.

Yet, some of them were not unaware of the fact that some promotions to reward hardwork and excellence on a previous job are sometimes counterproductive to the beneficiary and the system at large. They call it the Peter Principle.

Baru turned one year as GMD of NNPC on July 4 with his reputation intact or even soaring; and although there was no celebration, a lot has been achieved to allay the above fears; and future challenges clearly defined.

A man who knew the industry and the system at the Twin Towers very well, he would have known if there are banana peels in the Towers, as they say exist at the National Assembly. He has the added advantage of humility and a God-fearing nature for discernment and effective leadership. According to John Boldoni in the Harvard Business Review,“A sense of humility is essential to leadership because it authenticates a person’s humanity.”

Baru assumed office with a clear vision to turn NNPC into a commercial and profit-oriented corporation. He rolled out 12 key Business Focus Areas for focus in support of the Seven Big-wins initiative launched earlier by President Buhari and Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources as part of a business drive and investment focus of the Federal Government.

Many industry executives believe that together, President Buhari, Kachikwu and Baru, provide the best industry leadership the country has seen in many years.

Baru

The rumour headwind Baru assumed office amid heavy rumours of a rift between him and his predecessor, Kachikwu, who had commenced reforms in the corporation for efficiency.

Baru would not be distracted by the rumours or muddy the water; he got on well with Kachikwu, continuing from where he stopped, although he would make some changes himself.

Even people, who watched out for tell-tale signs of rift in body language, or optics, as it is now called, were to be disappointed. Experienced people know that when high profile changes are made, friends and contractors wage proxy wars in the media. It would seem that was what happened!

Baru continued the culture of transparency, initiated by Kachikwu, and having been the chairman of the NNPC Anti-Corruption Committee who relentlessly sensitized staff members on obligations and laws concerning corruption and corrupt practices.

Chad Basin”; and 2017 PENGASSAN award for contribution towards labour and industrial harmony, amongst others.

Also, there was no industrial action or heated agitation during the year under review. And negative press on the Group has reduced considerably, replaced by positive stories almost on a weekly basis. Only last week, there was a story on the reduction of the price of diesel to a low N155 per litre from about N300 per litre.

The week before, in a show of strong character, sometimes clouded by his disarming humility, Baru, who was just recovering from the painful loss of three close relations in quick succession, signed a tripartite agreement with the NNPC/ FIRST Exploration and Production Joint Venture and Schlumberger for the development of the Anyalu and Madu fields in the Niger Delta.

Schlumberger would provide the over $700 million development cost of the projects that will generate 193 million barrels of crude oil into the current reserves of 37.2 billion barrels; and an additional 800 billion cubic feet of gas into the nation’s proven gas reserves.

In a podcast to staff members last Tuesday, Baru commended them for the growth and peace in the corporation: “it is imperative for me to once again appreciate your hard work, dedication, commitment loyalty and support and most especially the cooperation from the two in-house Unions (NUPENG and PENGASSAN) in getting us this far.”

recent past is one of the things the corporation is doing silently.

NNPC has been able to stabilise the market with sufficient product availability across the country through improved refining efforts and the Direct Sale Direct Purchase scheme which has so far saved the nation about N40 billion this year.

It has also commenced the resuscitation of its products transportation pipelines network to move products to depots at faster rate and cheaper distribution costs to consumers.

In the last one year NNPC significantly improved the utilization of its domestic refineries which should primarily supply over 50 per cent of the non-gasoline white products to the nation including diesel and kerosene. It was able to achieve, for the first time in nearly over a decade, a peak monthly capacity utilization of over 37 per cent in January 2017 from a historical average performance of less than 15 per cent.

Baru said efforts are currently ongoing to secure third party financing to fully revamp the Refineries to their full operational capacities.

Improved brand quality But giving NNPC a new image was not going to be done only in-house. He backed it with strong internal and external communications, which also carried stakeholders along. Today, the tar on the Twin Towers is peeling off for a new, reputable look.

The corporation has a number of awards to show for that. They include the 2016 Phillips Consulting/WebJurists award for the Best Website and Social Media Platforms amongst Federal Government Parastatals; PETAN award at the 2017 OTC in recognition of NNPC’s “aggressive exploration campaign in the Benue Trough and

Delicate balancing For the average Nigerian who would not be bothered by the numbers and industry jargons on a scorecard, satisfaction could be found in the uninterrupted supply of fuel at relatively stable price.

But unknown to many, the cost of fuel importation has increased, making some marketers to withdraw, and leaving NNPC with an additional burden of supplying the shortfall at a stable pump price. The delicate balancing of preventing the transfer of increased cost to consumers in the form of higher pump price of petrol and at the same time avoiding the subsidy bonanza of the

Many industry executives believe that together, President Buhari, Kachikwu and Baru, provide the best industry leadership the country has seen in many years

Gas for electricity The average Nigerian also measures success of the sector by electricity supply, the failure

Humility and firmness As Baru has shown with his firmness, it is wrong to associate humility with weakness.

NNPC has within the last one year made significant efforts in debt recovery from traders who owed the corporation large sums of money through reconciliations, payments or set offs where necessary and have reviewed its credit policies to protect the revenues.

Equally, NNPC has boldly applied appropriate sanctions to erring members of staff who colluded with third-parties and or engaged in malpractices as part of the corporation’s resolve to institutionalize consequence management culture in the conduct of its operations going forward.

To further improve efficiency, Baru again exhibited his firmess by making the heads of the operating units sign performance bonds.

Background Born in July 1959, Baru is a native of Misau in Bauchi State, who grew up in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with first class honours.

He also holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical engineering.

He is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a recipient of the Presidential Merit Award of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers.

Conclusion There are other achievements, too many to report here, but it is obvious that the robust implementation of his 12 key Business Focus Areas, introduced on assumption of office has been effective.

But there is a lot more work awaiting the Baru touch in the coming years to transform NNPC into the commercial and profit-oriented corporation of his dreams, and for Nigeria to shed the stigma of being the only oil producer/ exporter with issues of fuel importation.

Bisi, a journalist and author, was a corporate communications expert in the oil industry

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

BUSINESS/TELECOMS

Etisalat: After the Storm, Reconstituted Board Rekindles Stakeholders’ Confidence Last week’s reconstitution of an interim board for Etisalat, which many believe will end the debt crisis of the telecoms company, has brought confidence on the part of its shareholders and industry stakeholders, writes Emma Okonji

T

Chief Business Transformation Officer responsible for management of all enterprise-wide projects in the Group. He was also MD at Dancom Technologies Limited with responsibility for managing all the telecom assets and the IT Infrastructure.

he storm created by the debt crisis of Etisalat, which almost tore the telecoms company apart, may have been doused, following the reconstitution of an interim board last week.

The reconstitution of a new board became inevitable, in order to fill the lacuna created by the spree of resignation of all its former board members and some of its management staff, occasioned by the debt crisis, which lingered for several months.

Pleased with the reconstitution of the new board, its shareholders and industry stakeholders have made bold to task the new board to return Etisalat to profitability and reawaken customers’ confidence, especially in the area of data service delivery.

The Crisis Etisalat had in 2013 approached a consortium of 13 local banks for a loan of $1.2 billion for network upgrade and expansion. The money was sourced in dollar and naira denominations.

However, citing the economic downturn of 2015-2016 and naira devaluation, which negatively impacted on the dollar-denominated component of the loan, Etisalat wrote its creditors informing them of its intention to halt the repayment of the loan in installments, until such a time that it was able to raise more money.

Unsatisfied with the excuse from Etisalat, the banks threatened to take over operations of the telecoms company should it fail to meet its payment obligations.

The situation forced Etisalat to enter into negotiations with the banks, seeking write-offs, which the banks rejected.

Banks involved in the loan deal include: Zenith Bank, GTBank, FirstBank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Union Bank.

A breakdown of the amounts owed the banks showed that Zenith Bank has the highest exposure to Etisalat amounting to $262 million and N80 billion, GTBank has the second highest exposure of $138 million and N42 billion, Access Bank follows with $131 million and N40 billion.

Etisalat also owes UBA $125 million and N38 billion; FirstBank – $79 million and N24 billion; Fidelity Bank – $56 million and N17 billion; Stanbic IBTC – $25 million and N7.5 billion; FCMB – $15 million and N4.5 billion; and Ecobank – $10 million and N3.1 billion.

But Etisalat, in a statement, had countered this information, stating that it had paid $500 million up till February 2017. It said the outstanding loan to the lenders stood at $227 million and N113 billion, a total of about $574 million of the naira portion is converted to US dollars.

At the peak of the debt crisis, one of its three core investors, Emirates Telecoms Group Company (Etisalat Group), pulled out of the shareholding structure and announced on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the transfer of 45 per cent of its stake and 25 per cent of its preference shares in Etisalat Nigeria, to United Capital Trustees Limited, the legal representative of the lending banks.

The other two core investors, Mubadala Development Company, which has 40 per cent stake and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), representing the Nigerian shareholders, which has 15 per cent stake, remained committed to Etisalat Nigeria, despite its debt crisis.

But shortly after the pullout of Emirates Telecoms Group Company, all the former board members of Etisalat resigned their appointments, beginning with the resignation of the six Mubadala and Etisalat Group-appointed Non-executive Directors (NEDs), all nationals of the United Arab Emirates, and the resignation of its former chairman, Mr. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, who is a Nigerian.

Few days after its former chairman resigned, its former Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Matthew Willsher, and its former Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Olawole Obasunloye, also resigned and

Etisalat Nigeria new CEO, Olusanya both have been replaced.

How the Crisis was Resolved After all attempts by the management of Etisalat to amicably resolve the matter failed, all its former board members decided to throw in their resignations, a move, which THISDAY gathered, was to pave way for the reconstitution of a new board, which some of the parties involved in the crisis, especially the banks, believe, was the best way to reach amicable resolution. In order to appease all stakeholders in the Etisalat crisis, they insisted that the appointment of members into the new board, must be done through slots. At the end, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was allotted one slot to bring the Chairman of the Board, the shareholders were allotted one slot to bring a Non-Executive Director (NED) and the banks were given three slots to bring the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer as well as the Chief Financial Officer, and one NED. Based on the slot arrangement, all parties were happy and agreed to resolve the imbroglio that rocked Etisalat for several months, and at the end of the day, a five-man board was put in place and the members, who are expected to work in an interim capacity, have since resumed work.

The Reconstituted Board Members of the reconstituted board of Etisalat, include Dr. Joseph Nnanna, an economist and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as the new board chairman; Mr. Boye Olusanya, former Deputy Managing Director of Celtel, which now operates as Airtel Nigeria, as its Managing Director/Chief Executive; and Mrs. Funke Ighodaro as Chief Finance Officer. Others are Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth as NED and Mr. Ken Igbokwe as NED. Until their appointments, Nnanna was the Deputy Governor of CBN. He has three decades of post qualification professional experience. He attended

William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and University of Houston, in Houston Texas, USA from 1975-80, where he read Finance, Public Policy and Economics. He graduated with B.A, M.A and PhD diplomas. He was appointed Deputy Governor (Financial System Stability) Central Bank of Nigeria on February 3, 2015.

Bickersteth, a Non Executive Director of the new board, was the National Senior Partner of KPMG Professional Services, Nigeria where he oversees KPMG West Africa Region and a member of the Global Board. He was a member of the Trade and Investment Committee of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce; was a director of the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce and currently a Director of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Igbokwe, a Non-Executive Director of the new board, joined Price Waterhouse (PwC) in London in 1978 and moved to PwC Nigeria in 1988. He became the Country Business Executive Leader of PwC Nigeria and West Africa and was a member of the PwC Africa Executive Committee.

Ken holds a B.Sc. (Eng.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London University, and over 36 years’ experience in the provision of assurance, taxation, business advisory, and consulting services.

Ighodaro who was appointed Executive Director, Finance, until her appointment, was Chief Financial Officer of Tiger Brands Limited from 2011 to 2016.

She held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Primedia (Pty) Ltd, from 2001 to 2011. Prior to 2001, she was Managing Director of a private equity firm, Kagiso Ventures Limited and Executive Director of its parent company, Kagiso Trust Investment Company.

Olusanya who was appointed Managing Director/ CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, was Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Celtel, which now operates as Airtel Nigeria. He has handled high level responsibilities at Dangote Industries Limited where he served as

Task before New Board Reeling out the task before the Nnanna board, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, hailed the way and manner the crisis was resolved, but tasked the new board to do everything possible to return Etisalat to profitability. “Etisalat was once vibrant, especially in the area of data service offerings. So the new board has a task to return Etisalat to its vibrancy in order to maintain existing subscribers and attract new subscribers,” Ogunbanjo said.

Ogunbanjo, who was particularly interested in the data service offering of Etisalat, described it as the best service offering in the telecoms industry, but advised the new board members to look into the pricing, which he said, is slightly higher than the data pricing of otter telecoms operators.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, told THISDAY in Lagos that he was happy that the financial management crises within Etisalat had been resolved amicably in the interest of all stakeholders.

Although he said it would be too early to ascertain the managerial capacities of the reconstituted board members, he however said ALTON had confidence in the managerial capacity of Olusanya as the newly appointed managing director and chief executive, based on his pedigree in the telecoms industry.

Olusanya has a long and outstanding experience in the telecoms industry, having operated at the helm of affairs of Econet Wireless and Celtel that was later transformed to Airtel Nigeria.

“Our interest as an association is in the issue that has been resolved amicably in the interest of all stakeholders involved and we will continue to support the management of Etisalat and its new board members,” Adebayo said.

The President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, also welcomed the choice of Olusanya as the new CEO. According to him, “Boye Olusanya is experienced in the telecoms industry, both as the Deputy Managing Director of Celtel and Managing Director of Dancom, a subsidiary of Dangote Group. He has knowledge of the fiber transmission and mobile services segment of the industry and I strongly believe that he brings much transformative experience having spent the last few years in this area.

“ATCON welcomes him back into the fold and very much look forward to his plans for the future of Etisalat post-transition and his perspective on the industry as a whole and a way forward with respect to the way and manner the industry structures capital that funds and supports the much needed network infrastructure rollout envisaged to continue to grow this industry.”

Some shareholders, who spoke to THISDAY, called on the Nnanna reconstituted board to ensure blockage of all financial loopholes. Citing the recent accusation of the former CFO that allegedly diverted an estimated $700,000 realised from the sale of its telecommunications masts to IHS, a Nigerian towers and telecommunications infrastructure provider, instead of using the funds to repay the bank loan, the shareholders said the new board must do everything to end financial leakages of the telecoms company.

If this is achieved, the company will have enough money to pay shareholders’ dividend, they said.

NCC’s Assurance The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, has equally supported the ongoing restructuring exercise in Etisalat, noting that Etisalat and its creditors have successfully reached an amicable resolution of key issues pertaining to its indebtedness, and that a smooth transitional process is currently ongoing on mutually agreed terms.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

INTERVIEW Oditah: Categorising Ports According to Cargo Will Create Monopoly, Kill Business Professor Fidelis Oditah, SAN, is a counsel to one of the members of the Seaport Terminals Operators Association of Nigerian, which has been protesting the attempt to designate particular ports in the country for oil and gas cargo. Oditah talks about the dangers of such categorisation, in this interview with Nseobong Okon-Ekong. Excerpts:

A

s counsel to a member of the Seaport Terminals Operators Association of Nigerian, STOAN, would you say the recent directive of the federal government to de-categorise terminals on the basis of cargo has pacified agitation by those who were aggrieved?

The presidential directive said many things. First of all, that general practice is to categorise ports and terminals into bulk cargo and multi-purpose. There is no such thing as categorisation according to cargo, to say, this is the cocoa port or oil and gas port. That is what President Jonathan tried to do. I think he was misled by trying to designate particular ports for oil and gas. By doing that you are trying to designate ports and terminals according to the cargoes that arrive there, which can only distort competition.

In 2006, the federal government entered into 25 concessions on the basis that some were going to be bulk terminals, others were going to be cargo terminals and there will be multi-purpose terminals.

There was no provision for oil and gas or cocoa or Arabic gum or cashew nut; there was simply no categorisation based on the type of cargo arriving. What that meant was that it enabled concessionaires to invest monies in developing infrastructure along the coastal belt, and also allowed them to make projections as to the type of returns. It wasn’t based on a particular type of cargo. They signed agreements which were binding. If you are a multi-purpose terminal, for example, you could receive every cargo. For someone to turn round in 2015 and say, all oil and gas cargo must go to Onne, Calabar or Warri, creates many problems. I suppose that is why people talk about monopoly.

The attempt to monopolise oil and gas cargo is wrong. It goes against all the principles underpinning procurement law.

The whole essence of public procurement is that you procure your services on a competitive and transparent basis to promote competition on a level playing field. That is the only way that users of the facilities or services will get value for money. If you are a monopoly, you can charge whatever you like. That is the first problem.

The second problem is that while distorting competition in that way, it means that some of those who had invested and borrowed money to invest (because people don’t have all these monies sitting idle waiting to be deployed), will not be able to repay their loan and then they become insolvent just because of one person’s desire to monopolise the entire business, especially in an oil and gas dependent economy like Nigeria. If the economy was diversified, perhaps, people will not be too hung-on.

Thirdly, the attempt (to monopolise) also impacts on job creation. These terminal operators and concessionaires all have employees and they generate direct and indirect employment. When you kill them by concentrating all the business in one person, it simply means that the local economy suffers because people who were employed will be laid off; whereas by allowing competition people are able to plan. That is part of the problem in Nigeria and many developing countries-the inability to plan because governments keep

Why would you borrow money to invest in a sector which is monopolised by one person? To make it worse, it led to double handling. It meant every person must go to these three ports first to pay dues. Even for the consumer and the importer, it was increasing the operational cost unnecessarily.

These costs were going to pass to the final consumer of the goods. You ask yourself, how could this happen in the interest of anybody? Consider the delivery time, because you are going up and down. You are increasing cost in every possible way and then you are killing competition. It was just designed to benefit one person only.

That is what has characterised politics in Nigeria- people fail to rule for the benefit of the masses. They rule for the benefit of a few people. It is impossible to see how a rational person could think that it is in the interest of any Nigerian to create a monopoly in any sector.

You can see that we don’t have the framework for monopoly laws. Various monopolies have lobbied the government to ensure that the people continue to suffer.

What is the current position of the matter you took to court?

Oditah changing their policies. This is something that is capital intensive. You need to take a five-year view and you borrow money and invest on the basis of five to 10 years.

Then one government comes two years along the line and says we don’t want it, XYZ company should now be the only one doing it, how do you repay your loan?

Then, when you are talking to government officials, it is like you are talking to a wall. They say, “I am directed to.”

That is the language of the civil service.

Nobody takes responsibility. They are always directed to and they cause a lot of difficulties.

In 2015, we went to court to challenge President Jonathan because we thought that policy couldn’t possibly be in the interest of Nigeria. How could it be in the interest of a nation for you to say only one person should monopolise oil and gas business, even if it is logistics or importation, why? If you have many people, there will be some competition.

Do you think there was any political undertone to that?

Whatever interest it tried to protect, he was very misguided because when you are president; you are president of the

whole nation. You cannot be president of a section or a political party or of your region. For example, the fact that these ports are eastern ports-Onne, Warri and Calabar-and they are all controlled by the same company, when you say everyone must go there, you give room for political insinuations because the ports are in the Niger Delta and he being from that region wants to do some kind of good service to that region. The simplest thing he would have done would have been the East-West Road, which he did not do and, therefore, he cannot even go to his village now. Why should he be concerned about the location of oil and gas terminals when he has not worried about the basic infrastructure, which is the road that he and everyone uses? It wasn’t strategic. I believe that President Jonathan was entirely misguided and to do it in the twilight of his administration was terrible. Having lost the election on the 20th of April, 2015, he came up with change of policy. He was behaving as if the country belonged to him.

How did that decision affect the economy?

Of course, that meant that there could not be further investment in the country.

We took President Jonathan to court and it was interesting because he had four weeks to go, but since he had time to issue this policy directive; we also felt that we had time to quickly stop him in his tracks. The directive of Jonathan was conveyed in an NPA letter of 27th of April, 2015; so we went to the Federal High Court to get injunction against the implementation of the Jonathan directive. We joined President Jonathan, the Attorney General, the Ministry of Transport and the National Assembly; because the National Assembly was also at that time trying to amend the law, so as to create the monopoly, which itself was sickening.

Imagine the National Assembly trying to make laws that every cargo must go to a particular port. That is what happens when a country is in the grip of a certain interest that is trying to feather its own nest. We got the injunction, because we were trying to prosecute the case as quickly as possible, but then the people who were beneficiaries of the monopoly applied to join in our case. We didn’t sue them. Our dispute was with the government, but they applied to join and the court joined them.

The government was not very interested in the case because the government was going to review what was happening, but these interested parties, who were the beneficiary of monopoly, kept making submissions and filed all sorts of claims. Following the government’s new directive, we then took steps to discontinue litigation. One of the things that the government said to us was that we should withdraw the pending suit against the federal government in order to ensure a litigation free environment in the maritime sector. We filed a notice to discontinue and the government said they were happy with the application we filed, but these same interested characters said they don’t want us to discontinue. Have you ever seen that? They are contesting our application to discontinue the case that we issued, which we did not join them. They were the people who gate-crashed into our case, we did not make them defendants.

And now we want to discontinue, they say we can’t terminate.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

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WOMEN IN MEDIA Jimada: Women Journalists Are a Special Breed in the Industry A senior public servant and grandmother, Mrs. Maimuna Jimada is the head of public affairs at the National Broadcasting Commission. Jimada has been married for 33 years and has spent close to three decades in the broadcasting industry. The 1989 English graduate of the University of Ilorin says Mother Nature has imbued women with many noble qualities, particularly, a unique ability to multitask, which has helped her to maintain a reasonable balance between her roles as a mother, wife, and home keeper. Raheeem Akingbolu writes

W

ith their good voices, beautiful dress sense and the glamour they add to the newsrooms, women occupy a special place in the broadcasting stations in the country. The female broadcaster also holds a unique position in her family, which makes her a special breed in the industry. But this feminine factor is notably missing from most discussions on the media, especially with the characteristic maxim of “gentlemen of the press”, which underscores the issue of gender blindness in the media industry.

The head of public affairs, National Broadcasting Commission, Mrs. Maimuna Jimada, believes women deserve better recognition in the media.

“From any angle one chooses to look at it, women have contributed hugely to the Nigerian broadcasting industry,” Jimada says. “We should not forget that in the media, we use ‘gentlemen of the press’; this is to tell you that the industry treats and apportions responsibility equally.

Everybody contributes accordingly; we have women editors, women are broadcasters, they are producers and they are in engineering department of various broadcast stations.

In short, they have broken the barriers.”

She says women journalists carry more responsibility because multitasking is something they must do to keep their jobs and their homes.

“When God created a woman, He gave her a special software: multitasking. I say this because it takes a special being to be involved in the day-to-day activities of the office, combined with the running of the family and still excel in all. That is why women have remained consistently useful in the media industry.”

Jimada advises men to try to understand what the professions of their wives entail to avoid marital clashes. She says, “I believe the onus is on the man to equip himself with the knowledge of what the woman’s job entails. As soon as he has a full understanding of the nature of the woman’s job, I believe she will be more tolerant to the long hours, night duties, the phone calls and others. With that, they would have successfully solved the problem associated with suspicion and lack of trust in marriages.”

Career Jimada has spent close to 30 years in the broadcasting industry, which include 10 years as producer and head of presentation unit in the newsrooms of Radio Kwara and Kwara State Television, before heading to NBC. She believes the industry has fared well. She pointed out that there has been massive investment in the industry, which has been accompanied with innovations, such as 24 hours broadcast and varieties of programmes that target different segments of the society.

But she frowns on the proliferations of broadcasting stations.

According to her, “The fact that there is increasing number of stations notwithstanding, NBC has remained solidly on top of the game in the area of regulation and this is being done without fear or favour. At NBC, we have a monitoring department because monitoring is core to the job we are doing. And we are doing that 24 hours in the seven days of the week. However, unlike in some climes, where regulations depend on viewers’ feedback, in Nigeria, NBC, through its human and technology resources, monitor 24 hours. We point out what stations are doing well and what they are not doing well. So far, there has been adequate cooperation between the operators and the NBC.” Digital Switchover Jimada applauds the steps taken towards digital switchover in the country’s broadcasting industry.

Nigeria has adopted a phased implementation of the switchover, beginning with six states in the six geopolitical zones, namely, Enugu (South-east), Kaduna (North-west); Gombe (North-east); Kwara (North-central); Delta (Southsouth); and Osun South-west).

Jimeda states that the commission remains optimistic that by the end of the year, at least half of the country would

Jimada

have access to free digital television content.

Marriage Jimada speaks on how she met her husband over three decades ago.

She says the question as to how they met “appears funny because the two families have been close before I was born, so I have always known him.

“We started first as brother and sister, later as friends and from there he became my husband. It has been good 33 years that we have been married and it has remained an interesting union. I see the last three decades as a learning process and opportunity to appreciate what God has done in our lives together.

“Looking back, I think if the opportunity comes again to choose a husband, I will settle with the same person. He has supported my career, helped in raising the children and provided the necessary succour needed by a woman to excel both at home and at work. Today, we are grandparents. What else do I want, except to give God all the glory?”

Jimada has spent close to 30 years in the broadcasting industry, which include 10 years as producer and head of presentation unit in the newsrooms of Radio Kwara and Kwara State Television, before heading to NBC. She believes the industry has fared well. She pointed out that there has been massive investment in the industry, which has been accompanied with innovations, such as 24 hours broadcast and varieties of programmes that target different segments of the society

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

FORTE OIL PLC: Increased operational efficiency begets rise in profitability

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orte Oil Plc increased operational efficiency leads to remarkable rise in profitability despite notable decline in its top line earnings. The 2015 result is comforting and promising at a period when companies in the oil and gas industry across the globe are recording substantial decline in top-line and profitability due to crude oil trading at its lowest price in about 10 years.

Forte Oil Plc (Forte Oil), a downstream oil marketing company has been in existence for over 50 decades during which it has undergone several restructuring arrangements. It started operations originally as British Petroleum (BP) before changing to African Petroleum (AP). In 2007, Zenon Petroleum acquired 28.7% stake in the company through shares divestments by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This was followed by a restructuring exercise that led to the adoption of the brand name “Forte Oil Plc” in December 2010.

Forte Oil is a strong downstream petroleum company with about 500 retail outlets located across the thirty-six (36) states of the country. This has increasingly helped to enhance the company’s visibility and sales strength.

REVENUE IN REVENUE DRIVEN

BY FUEL CONSUMPTION

For the first quarter period ended March 2017, Forte Oil showed decline 7.30% in revenue to N33.00 billion from N35.60 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2016 resulting from decreased fuel sales by the company due to reduced purchasing power of consumers in the country.

Cost of sales also followed suit with a decrease of 11.68% to N27.20 billion in March 2017 from N30.80 billion in March 2016. The decrease in cost of sales was as a result reduced operational expenses to meet consumer demand in the fuel segment.

INCREASED IN PROFITABILITY DRIVEN BY OPERATING INCOME

Gross profit for the first quarter ended 31st March, 2017 rose significantly by 20.77% to N5.80 billion from N4.81 billion in March 2016. Due to the increase in gross profit, gross

HOWEVER, WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT FORTE OIL IS APPROPRIATELY POSITIONED TO BENEFIT FROM CURRENT FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL PLUS EFFECTIVENESS IN MANAGEMENT’S STRATEGIC PLAN TO CONTROL ITS COST OF OPERATION AND ITS GROWING COST OF FINANCE

profit margin rose to 17.58% in 2017 from 13.50% in the corresponding period of 2016.

The Company’s performance aside revenue was notable as its operating profit grew by 48.29% to N3.63 billion in March 2017 from N2.45 billion in March 2016. This is driven by a significant decline in distribution expenses of 44.98% to N502m in March 2017 from N912m recorded in the corresponding period of 2016. On the other hand, administrative expenses grew by 4.65% to N2.32 billion from N2.22 billion over the same period while other income declined by 16.05% to N648m in March 2017 from N772m from March 2016.

Hence as at the end of March 2017, operating profit margin rose slightly to 10.99% from 6.87% during the period under review.

MASSIVE GROWTH IN PROFITABILITY ENHANCED BY DECLINE IN TAXATION

For the first quarter ended March 2017, Forte Oil’s net cost of finance increased massively by 37.81% to N1.58 billion from N1.14 billion over the corresponding period of

2016. Thus, profit before tax grew to N2.05 billion showing a remarkable increase of 57.49% in March 2017 from N1.30 billion recorded in the year 2016.

Forte Oil’s net income for the period ended, March 31st 2017 grew significantly to N1.88 billion from N954m over the period of 2016, representing a change of 97.49%.

QUALITATIVE INCREASE IN ASSET QUALITY

Total assets grew moderately by 1.97% to N143.53 billion in March 2016 from N140.76 billion in December 2016 as the Company trade receivables grew by 7.10%. The Company’s total liabilities rose by 1.20% to N98.59 billion in March 2017 from N97.42 billion in December 2016. The rise in total liabilities can be attributed to increase in trades and other payables as well as bank overdraft. Furthermore, net assets rose by 3.70% to N44.94 billion from N43.33 billion over the period.

In addition, return on Asset (ROA) grew remarkably to 1.31% from 0.68%. Also, Return on Equity (ROE) also rose to 4.19% from 2.20%.

BUY RECOMMENDATION

Myriad of developments that are expected to change the shape of this industry norms over the medium term have evolved as expected, which make prices of petroleum products to be determined by the total cost per unit till point of sale. Continuous management of foreign exchange rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s control measures will lead to appropriate price mechanism in the downstream petroleum sector to cover both landing cost and freight expenses towards ending any further disruption in the sale of the products or sudden price changes. We believe Forte Oil will maintain its power generation as the country’s power generating capacity appears bleak towards positive implications for the downstream oil and gas in the short-term.

However, we are of the opinion that Forte oil is appropriately positioned to benefit from current foreign exchange control plus effectiveness in

Valuation Metrics 6-July-17 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

65.12

Current Price (N)

48.70

Market Cap (N'm)

65,176

Outstanding Shares (m)

1,302

Rolling EPS (N)

2.93

Rolling PE Ratio

16.60x

Forward EPS

3.82

Forward PE

12.76x Source: BGL Research

Q1 March 2017 Unaudited Results Turnover (N'm)

33,004

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,050

Profit After Tax (N'm)

1,884

Pre-tax Margin (%)

6.21% Source: BGL Research

Audited 2016 Full Year Results Turnover (N'm)

148,605

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm)

5,340 2,890

Pre-tax Margin (%)

3.59% Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Zenon Petroleum

22.91%

Thames Inv. Incorporated

14.72%

ZSL Nominees

11.71%

ZSL A/C FOZ

11.34%

Femi Otedola

11.78%

Free Float

27.05%

Outstanding Shares (m)

1,302

Source: Company Data 2015 AC, BGL Research

management’s strategic plan to control its cost of operation and its growing cost of finance.

To this end, we are value Forte Oil Plc shares using price to earnings of 17.06.

Based on Company’s current performance, we project gross revenue to N168 billion and net income projection to N3.76 billion for full year December 2017; leading to a forward EPS of N3.82. Using multiples valuation method, we arrive at a target price N65.12 over the next 6 months. Since this represents an upside potential of 33.72% on the current price, we therefore recommend a BUY on the stock of Forte Oil Plc.

27

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC: Earnings dampened by tough foreign exchange environment

I

nternational Breweries Plc was incorporated as a private limited liability company on 22 December, 1971 and became a public limited liability company on 26 April, 1994.

The Company recently released its full year result for the period ended March 2017 showing a mixed performance of significant rise in sales propelled by increases during the festive seasons. Nevertheless, a number of operational bumps were also noted due to inherent macroeconomic factors leading to decline in profitability.

The company’s management has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has recommended a total dividend payment of N28.54 billion (on the basis of N3.60 per share) for every 50 kobo share, which is lower than the N4.70 per share paid last year.

FINANCE COST HAMPERS PROFITABILITY GROWTH POTENTIALS International Breweries Plc in its audited full year result for 31st March 2017 showed a substantive rise of 40.58% in revenue to N32.71 billion from N23.27 billion in March 2016, while net income on the other hand shows a huge slump of 61.01% to N1.03 billion from N2.65 billion in corresponding year of 2016. The performance of the brewing company can be attributed majorly to growth in cost of funds than in the previous financial period of 2016. A more difficult operating environment due to instability in foreign exchange terrain which impacted foreign exchange investment funds lead to increase in operating expenses and finance cost.

Moreover, the importance of the Nigerian beer market cannot be overemphasised in the company’s operations, as sales in Nigeria grew by 40.58%.

Furthermore, the Company’s cost of sales grew by 39.70% to N17.55 billion in March 2017 from N12.56 billion in March 2016 due to increase in cost of raw materials, especially sorghum which the company uses in the production of beer and rise in emoluments of production staff. Cost of sales remained stable at 53% as it consumes more than half of the Company’s total revenue. The Company’s gross profit increased by 41.61% to N15.16 billion from N10.71 billion year on year, while its gross profit margin increased to 46.36% as at full year 2017 from

CONVERSELY, RECENT REPORT SHOWS THAT AFRICA, ESPECIALLY NIGERIA HAS THE FASTEST GROWING BEER MARKET FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC IS POSITIONED TO BENEFIT FROM SUCH GROWTH IN NIGERIA. THUS, THERE IS A POSITIVE OUTLOOK IN TOP-LINE AND BOTTOMLINE EARNING FOR THE ONGOING FINANCIAL YEAR

32.74% as at full year 2016.

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN FINANCIAL CHARGES AND OPERATING EXPENSES IMPEDES STRONG GROWTH IN NET INCOME Operationally, International Breweries Plc recorded a significant rise of 57.25% in operating profit to N8.08 billion March 2017 from N5.14 billion in March 2016. The Company was able to grow its operating profit in spite of 41.52% and 3.79% rise in advertisement expenses and administrative expenses respectively. Total operating expenses for the year ended, 31st March, 2017 rose by 27.97% to N7.18 billion from N5.61 billion in March 2016.

The Company also recorded a massive drop of 98.67% in finance income to N2.98m in March 2017 from N225m reported in March 2016. It can be assumed that the reduction was due to fall limited or no sale of obsolete assets, which may generate income; and the unfavourable movements in foreign exchange rate. Furthermore, the Company incurred financial charges to N5.20 billion from N1.71 billion year on year, reflecting an extra-ordinary change of 203.95% driven mainly by increased unrealised foreign

exchange finance cost. Hence, due to the current challenging operating environment leading to rising inflation, increased cost of financing, higher foreign exchange cost and increasing input cost amongst other, the Company’s pretax earnings decline by 20.92% to N2.89 billion from N3.66 billion during the period under review while its net income declined significantly by 61.01% to N1.03 billion from N2.65 billion year-onyear.

ASSET QUALITY The Company’s key performance metrics remains strong despite negative change in pr-tax profit and net income margins as reported. Current ratio is positioned at 45.83% as at March 2017 from 51.01% as at March 2016. Return on Average Equity (ROAE) currently stands 7.42% and Return on Average Asset (ROAA) at 2.64%.

GEARED TO BENEFIT FROM THE MERGER WITH CONSOLIDATED BREWERIES The Nigerian brewing space is currently controlled by two major players accounting for about 90% of the market, while other fringe players control the remaining share. However, the proposed merger of International Breweries Plc, Intafact Beverages Limited and Pabod Breweries Limited is a move to change the customer terrain towards positive market share outcome attributable to International Breweries Plc. RECOMMENDATION: HOLD The performance of International Breweries Plc in the full year ended, 31st 2017 was hampered by finance cost compared to the corresponding full year period of 2016. No doubt the Company is structuring its activities to adapt to the current operating challenges and borrowings due for payment within the next two years amounting to N11m. This is in addition to the observed contraction in household consumption expenditure during the first quarter of the 2017 as a result of persistent hike in prices of goods and restrictive economic activities in the country around.

Conversely, recent report shows that Africa, especially Nigeria has the fastest growing beer market for the next five years.

International Breweries Plc is positioned to benefit from such growth in Nigeria. Thus, there is

Valuation Metrics 6-July-17 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price (N)

27.77

Current Price (N)

30.57

Market Cap (N'm)

100,705

Outstanding Shares (m)

3,294

EPS

0.31

PE Ratio

97.36x

Forward EPS

0.34

Forward PE

90.63x

Audited Full Year March 2017 Results Turnover (N'm)

32,711

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

2,892 1,034 8.84% Source: BGL Research

Audited Full Year March 2016 Results Turnover (N'm)

23,269

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

3,657

Profit After Tax (N'm)

2,652

Pre-tax Margin (%)

11.18% Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Brauhaase International Management GMBH. Stanbic Nominees Nig Ltd Public Float

72.17% 5.17% 22.66%

Source: Company Report 2017, BGL Research

a positive outlook in top-line and bottom-line earning for the ongoing financial year.

Based on historical year-ended financial performance and in conjunction with the findings of our analysis of the current operating landscape, we make a projection for full-year end, March 2018 revenue to N38.31 billion and a net income of N1.11 billion, leading to a forward earning per share of N0.34. Using the PE (Price to Earnings) method of valuation, we arrived at an average 6-month target price of N27.77. Since the target price represents a downside potential of 9.18% on the current stock price of N30.57, we make a HOLD recommendation on International Breweries Plc.

28

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

TRAVEL

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

A section of the Executive Lounge

World Class Innovation, Service at Abuja Hilton’s Revamped Executive Floors Demola Ojo

T

he Transcorp Hilton Abuja recently reopened its executive floors and lounge following their complete renovation. The upgraded floors can now be truly described as a hotel within a hotel as it improves dramatically on the rest of the hotel, which still maintains its place ahead of the competition.

The rooms and suites, redesigned by awardwinning Swedish interior designer, Living Designs, have been upgraded with an extra touch of luxury to the furnishing, fixtures and equipment.

The design and furnishing concept - strong bold and fresh with a certain softness, harmony and comfort - is inspired by the resilient Nigerian spirit.

From the moment one steps out of the elevators onto any of the executive floors, the difference is clear as oval leather sofas welcome you. The tan sofas don’t just add to the aesthetic appeal, but are comfortably supple, offering guests

the option of lounging outside their rooms in relative solitude.

The executive lounge is more exclusive than before, with access through its glass doors only granted via a key card. Once through the doors, tasty meals, choice wine and numerous networking opportunities await.

The lounge and rooms have been fitted with the latest world- class amenities and technology to ensure the ultimate comfort of guests and is best experienced than imagined.

However, regardless of the glitz and the innovations, the true test of any hospitality outlet still boils down to service. Little things count. The Hilton does not disappoint.

For example, there are push bells outside the doors which turn red when the DND (do not disturb) switch is activated. I didn’t figure this out so I mistakenly switched it on. (It’s placed close to the master switch and a couple of others).

I only realized after I got a note under my door. My room would have been cleaned but I had indicated I didn’t want to be disturbed.

I should please say when I’m ready. Discreet

but effective.

Another was when I placed calls to the concierge requesting a copy of THISDAY the moment it hit the stands. It came soon after, with my room service order, evidence that different sections of the hotel work in tandem to provide seamless service and satisfy the customer. Big deal, you may say, until you realise this is a property with close to 700 rooms, most of them occupied.

Regarding room service, all meals come with complimentary chili sauce. Many Nigerians love their chili (myself included) and this, certainly, is one of the ways the Transcorp Hilton effortlessly blends its local roots with international standards.

I also appreciated how my clothes were washed, ironed and delivered under six hours on two different occasions without having to pay extra. This left an impression because a couple of days before, I had to pay a hundred per cent surcharge for wanting fresh cloths at double quick time when I stayed at another internationally branded hotel in the city.

Speaking during the reopening a few days earlier, CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Valentine

Ozigbo said,“Our guests have grown to expect nothing less than the very best from us. That includes the pinnacle of customer service, overall comfort, and a level of aesthetic appeal rivalled by no other hotel in Nigeria. The complete overhaul of the Executive Floor and Lounge is a testament to our commitment to delivering extraordinary experience to our guests. ” While sharing his first impressions, Chairman Transcorp Plc, Tony Elumelu said,“I am extremely proud of the commitment and attention to detail of our team in getting the job done.

Our well-travelled and discerning guests will quickly come to realize that Transcorp Hilton Abuja is delivering quality that can rival any 5-star hotel anywhere in the world.”True words.

And there’s better news to come as the unveiling of the new floors is just one phase of the on-going $100 million renovation project at the hotel.

All 667 rooms and suites will be upgraded innovatively and aesthetically with a variety of new features while the restaurants and bars are being redesigned for an upgraded experience in the hotel’s food and beverage offerings.

Four Points Reopens Rooftop Bar Ethiopian Starts Flights to Kaduna in August Four Points by Sheraton Lagos recently reopened its newly re-modeled roof top bar. Guests were treated to an evening of delicious food and great music as the Victoria Island-based hotel expressed readiness to host guests weekday evenings to midnight while on weekends and public holidays it will open from noon.

With 231 rooms, five food and beverage outlets, eight meeting spaces, a spa and fitness facilities, the hotel meets the needs of the everyday traveler and offers guests exactly what they need on the road.

Remodelled Office Bar

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and the leading Pan-African Airline, has finalized preparations to start scheduled thrice weekly services to Kaduna, Nigeria from August 1.

Kaduna is a trade center and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas with its rail and road connections.

Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said:“We are pleased to commence scheduled operation to Kaduna; a fifth city in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a Pan-African Airline, serving our beloved continent Africa has always been a source of pride for Ethiopian

Airlines.

“In line with our long term strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, expanding and availing a more efficient intra-African network will remain at the core of our operation and we shall keep on playing the positive role in catalyzing the socio-economic development of our continent.”

With the addition of Kaduna Ethiopian totally operates 23 weekly flights to Nigeria’s main cities namely; Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Kano. Ethiopian Airlines maiden flight to Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s; same time the country got independence from foreign colonization.

29

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ΁˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ

MARKET NEWS

Airtel CEO: Enabling Business Environment Will Encourage Telcos to List Goddy Egene Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has said that telecommunication firms in Nigeria can successfully list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the country if the enabling environment is created.

There have been calls for telcos and leading oil and gas firms to list on the stock exchange as a way of deepening the market

and spreading the ownership of the companies.

Speaking at the 2017 Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) annual national workshop in Abuja last week, Ogunsanya explained that an enabling business environment, policies that promote ease of doing business and market forces in line with best practices are key factors that can encourage telcos to list on the NSE. The Airtel CEO spoke on: “Creating an Enabling Environment for Public Listing of the Economy’s Commanding

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

Heights: The Case for Telecoms Sector.“ According to him, following the liberalisation of the telecoms sector in 2001, the nation has benefitted in terms of employment creation, attraction of foreign direct investments and social-economic development.

He said: “The sector currently accounts for 10 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and therefore makes it a critical national infrastructure.

In addition, connectivity among Nigerians has been enhanced with

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 6-July-2017, unless otherwise stated.

the 145,350,702 active lines as at May 2017, investments in the sector as at Q1 2017 stood at $68 billion with foreign direct investment (FDI) contribution amounting to $35billion, while over 10,000 direct jobs and 1.3million indirect jobs have been created.”

He stressed that telcos are committed to providing qualitative world class services and in turn contribute to the socio-economic development of the country, noting, however, operators are still facing challenges which stifle growth and inhibit services

delivery.

The Airtel boss therefore, urged government to address lingering industry issues such as multiple taxation, prohibitive right-of-way fees, broadband spectrum pricing/ availability among others.

He noted that high interest rates are a major draw-back on use of debt financing, while fluctuation of foreign exchange rate has adversely impacted use of debt financing, just as adverse market conditions occasioned by recession have

adversely impacted viability of public equity alternatives.

The CIS annual workshop themed: “Transition from Recession to Global Economic Power: A Working Template for Nigeria” was a convergence of stakeholders in the nation’s financial services sector.

It was organised in conjunction with the Nigerian Capital Market Institute, a training affiliate of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market.

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 159.23 159.33 25.17% Nigeria International Debt Fund 226.21 226.26 6.36% 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 0.74 5.14% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.92% 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 15.30 15.76 23.93% ARM Discovery Fund 335.98 346.11 16.99% ARM Ethical Fund 24.24 24.97 8.50% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% 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 131.18 132.10 24.72% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.85% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 10.78 11.05 15.14% Women's Investment Fund 91.41 93.75 8.05% 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 19.11% 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 1,093.53 1,094.61 8.06% FBN Heritage Fund 130.21 131.29 16.78% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.62 $109.40 5.55% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $107.64 $108.42 5.32% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 141.90 144.06 26.07% 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 1.22 1.24 30.85% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.79 2.79 8.55% 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 2,606.19 2,649.36 18.25% Coral Income Fund 2,304.07 2,304.07 9.50% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 15.46% 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 17.75% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.95 1.97 16.01% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.32%

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 8.37% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,044.04 1,044.04 6.06% 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 12.35 12.44 27.74% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 19.08% 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 14.28% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.65 10.70 2.41% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.98% 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 1.33 1.33 6.47% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,054.66 2,066.09 12.20% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 162.51 162.51 5.55% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.90 0.91 17.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 202.47 202.47 8.34% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.58 156.68 19.10% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.53% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,759.28 8,857.29 15.48% 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 1.29 1.30 9.19% United Capital Bond Fund 1.36 1.36 15.17% United Capital Equity Fund 0.82 0.84 2.68% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.16 1.16 11.18% 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 11.71 11.90 20.83% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.54 12.68 14.63% Zenith Income Fund 18.20 18.20 10.12%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 128.34

1.01% 3.53%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.72 93.66

9.82 95.40

10.65% 23.58%

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

3.83 7.64 14.98 19.20 131.04

3.87 7.72 15.08 19.40 133.04

38.57% 8.63% 25.66% 20.25% 1.65%

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.

30

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

MISTAKES

N

LIFE LESSONS ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com

WITH AYO AROWOLO

09067059433 (SMS only)

original picture source: www.juwonodutayo.com

INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE BRINGS FAR SUPERIOR RETURNS

There are many. One striking example is, when the banking industry was like you couldn’t make a mistake investing in it. People were investing and making huge returns, I kept screaming at people, as I could not see the value driving the market explosion. Something told me it was a bubble that would burst soon. But I lowered my guard and borrowed N350 million and invested it in the bank stocks. I lost everything to the bubble just as I had predicted and had to go looking for money for two, three years to pay back the loan.

The second one was an insurance company, I was encouraging people to invest in and in other not to make it look like I was encouraging people to invest in a business I didn’t even have shares in. so I bought some shares. Since I bought those shares, the price has remained at the same point.

BOOKS The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

by Stephen Covey Biographies: Self-Consciousness

by John Updike, and Churchill.

Discipline: The road to selfdom by Fredrich von Hayek, and Douglas North’s Institutions, Instuttional Change and Economic Performance

FUN TIME

–Pat Utomi The story of Patrick Okedinachi Utomi perfectly illustrates the saying that we are largely a product of our environment-the people we associate with and the books we read. Born in the North, schooled in the East and West, he is probably one of the most Pan Nigerian still around. More than anything else, however, Utomi’s early exposure to reading shaped the course of his career and the academic bent of his contributions to national discourse. By the time he was 9 year old, he had probably read more books than those who were 30 then would have read. He graduated at 21 and by the time he was 26 he had picked two masters degrees and a PhD. He became the youngest special adviser to a president ( Shehu Shagari) and the youngest managing director of a multinational company-Volkswagen Nigeria.

When I asked Utomi what he would regard as one great lesson he has learnt, without hesitation he said: “Investment in people. Investment in people to me is much more important than investment in stocks”. A multidisciplinary political economist, Business Angel, management and communications expert as well as a social entrepreneur, Utomi has devoted his entire life to building young people either as a teacher or a mentor. He also is consumed by the desire to see Nigeria prosper economically, given her abundant natural resources. Today he runs a value correctional institute, The Centre for Values in Leadership, whose objective is to tackle the ills of the Nigerian society from the root by imbuing in the young ones the correct values. Utomi has other interesting life lessons to share. Please enjoy LESSON

I was rewarded for my efforts as I became the first Nigerian to manage the company. Besides Career: Know your boss’ key result areas (KRA) as Paul Collier’s UNIDO supported study There is something that came up of China”s dramatic rise in manufacturing frequently in my teaching at the Lagos Business shows China triumphed going the way I had School; I tell the students, especially young suggested Nigeria go when he interviewed me managers that one of the easiest things you at VWN in 1987. You do not get on that side can do is managing your boss. Many people of history if you think only of your immediate don’t realize this, they think managing the boss interest. is massaging his ego, it is not so. You have to So it was very important to focus on what is very know your boss’ Key Result Areas (KRA)-that important to the survival of the organization, is what he is being evaluated on by his own not on yourself, what you are trying to get or to bosses. If what you are doing advances his key show your boss that you know too much. results, even if he is the devil he will not hurt Secondly, you have to imbibe the virtue of you. Without actually knowing this in theory, humility. The truth of the matter is that so that is what my career has always been about. many people are so focused on themselves that It has never been about me, it is about how can I advance MY LIFE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS(LCSF) SCORECARD the purpose, the course of this thing which usually is KEY MAXIMUM MY BEST something that advances the AREA SCORE GUESS course and cause of the boss.

When I went to work for 1 Academics/Education 10 7 Volkswagen, the company 2 Career/Business/Investment 10 7 had a lot of trouble, terrible 3 Friendship/ networking skills 10 9 image in the public, there 4 Mentoring 10 8 were labour problems and all 5 Significance/Giving back 10 9 sorts, I chose instead to look 6 Parenting 10 7 at the big issues, where the 7 Health 10 6 company was going. At that 8 Marriage 10 8 time I was not consciously 9 Happiness/Fulfilment 10 8 looking at advancing my boss’ 10 Spirituality/God 10 7 KRA, but that was exactly Total 100 76 what I was doing. Of course

1

people can’t see them, they see their projection and many times that takes away from really feeling the person and their humanity is lost.

LESSON

2

Money and Investment: Imagination will take you farther than money will Money is the most fungible of assets that can be converted into another kind of asset. It is something that can help you accelerate the pace of accomplishing something, but on its own, can accomplish very little in terms of real value. I tell people, imagination will take you farther than money will take you. People come to my house and begin to imagine that I must have spent a fortune building it, but it probably cost me about 10% of the cost of building an uglier house down the street. It is just that we were more imaginative the way we designed the house, working with the architect and so the effect that hit you when you come to the house is wow! What takes you far is the value that you create. You have to understand money as a facilitator not an end itself. There are many people who actually have a lot of money and live in misery.

Invest in people One of the most important rules for me is invest in people. Investment in people to me is much more important than investment in stocks. As any of these people create wealth, there is an increase in pool for the whole society. Yes many will be ungrateful and will never come back to you, but like in venture capital, if it is only one that is grateful and comes back, it pays for all others.

Some of the companies I have help in building up from idea to start up include, Linkserve, Nigeria’s first ISP which put Nigeria on the Internet, Platinum Bank, BusinessDay. Don’t eat your profit before it’s earned.

Some people project their profit and begin to spend it in advance. This is the reason you have many people who were rich yesterday, but today they are poor.

Number two: integrity is the most important asset in business. The day you lose it, you’ve lost everything.

I relax by being at home quietly with my family, I also read books

TYPICAL DAY I rise at about 5am, do my basic morning devotion, have my bath then I go for Mass from there to the office. Sometimes I have activities outside the office otherwise I stay in the office till about 5.15, 5.30, I leave the office and get home. Sometimes I have a small meeting at home, I have dinner with family then I will retire to reading some more.

WHAT KEEP ME AWAKE That Nigeria does not have light keeps me awake at night. More importantly, I think about how Nigeria can make progress and I know that central to it is the energy situation. Of course I think a lot about the young people. Most of the things I have done in the last 30 years have focused on how do you provide the young an opportunity so that Nigeria can reap the demographic dividend. But I do not just worry I make stout effort to do something about them.

The two major ventures I am currently working on will result in two brand new cities: one as an Agrindustrial town and the other as a Smart City of services, confront those things that keep me awake.

ROLE MODELS AND MENTORS There are a number of people who have been of influence to me. I had two remarkable role models and mentors when I came back from graduate school. They are Dr. Pius Okigbo and Ajie Ukpabi Asika others are Dr. Christopher Kolade and Dr. Michael Omolayole

WHEELS OF LIFE SCORECARD How would you score yourself on the wheels of life the school of life? We usually ask our guest to give their best estimates on the 10 key areas of life listed in the table below with each area carrying a maximum mark of 10. How would you score yourself in each these areas? We would expect it to be done with all frankness. Many thanks and I will stop. But fortunately for me I’ve had a teacher’s life. A teacher who has my style, gets a lot of exercise in the classroom. Again there should be frequent medical checkups.

LESSON LESSON

3

Health: Do everything in moderation Don’t overdo anything. Don’t over eat, don’t over drink. Moderation is a very critical part of me. I do everything in moderation. Of course exercise is very useful. I have not been famous for a good regime of exercise. I will start

4

Parenting: Family matters I have been very fortunate, first of all I am a person of faith, I am also a person of family.

One of the mysteries and miracles of my life, is...

Please continue reading at: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/07/09/lifelessons-investment-in-people-brings-far-superior-returns/

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

09.07.2017

HUMBLESMITH

UNVEILING OSINACHI CROONER

32

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ͷ, Ͱͮͯ͵

COVER

HUMBLESMITH

UNVEILING OSINACHI CROONER All he wanted was a chance to be counted among the recognisable faces in the entertainment industry. With one hit song, however, Afropop musician, Ekenedirichukwu Ijemba, better known as Humblesmith, has been catapulted to stardom, writes Nseobong Okon-Ekong

H

umblesmith is speechless for a brief spell. This was not the kind of question he expected. He is a little taken aback. The meditative mode is reflected in his darting eyes. He is mouthing the key word, ‘trouble, trouble, trouble’, as he attempts to answer my first question: Have you ever been in trouble? “I would not call them trouble,” he says. “I think they were more of challenges.”

His response is taking us in a different direction from what I had in mind. I am willing to go with him for a while. Tell me about the challenges., I ask him. He says, “It used to be money; money to push my music.

I am this kind of guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to push my music. Thank God, I have broken that yoke. Money is no more a challenge.”

Back to the question of trouble, I see that he needs help to understand it properly. So, I bring up that narrative in the 1972 book, ‘One Week One Trouble’ by Anezi Okoro in which the protagonist, Wilson Tagbo collides with the authorities in his secondary school almost every week. This description is a mighty help.

Now, Humblesmith has a grip on where we are heading. Laughing, he says, “I have been in trouble with the police twice, once in Abakaliki where I was born and another time when I was a fresher in Lagos.”

This Sunday evening his friends are around and they decide to go to a club in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi. State This clique is one he enjoys being with for the simple reason that they not only keep his interest alive but take him back all the time to where he wants to be -wherever there is music.

He has been to that club with his friends on a number of occasions. None of them anticipated what happened next. Things became a bit rough. He is not sure who started a fight. Or why there is a fight at all.

The next thing he knows, the police arrive and arrest as many persons as they can. He is one of those apprehended.

Driving off to the station, Humblesmith remembers that he will face a worse fate if his parents, particularly his father discover he is in trouble with the police. In that moment of desperation, he does what he never imagined. Jumping out of the police vehicle when it stopped to make another arrest, he ran the race of his life, scaling high fences and escaping into an uncompleted building.

He remembers the incident. “That day, I confronted my fears. I decided I must always tell my parents I was going out for my music.

No need to sneak out anymore. Although they had this poor notion of people in music and entertainment as never-do-well, I made up my mind to fight for what I want.”

His second encounter with the police is unlike the first. The year is 2012, following a period of back-and-forth in Lagos, he listened to fans in Asaba who were urging him to take up permanent residence in Lagos. The only person he knows in Lagos who can make that happen for him is DJ Humility, the popular radio OAP. Humility is willing and so he moves down to Lagos; sometimes staying with his brother in-law, Emeka Peters. This day, he is at the Humility house, but he is not

around. Completely unaware of what lay ahead, he goes out with Humility’s younger brother’s PA. Somewhere along Ikorodu Road they attempt to cross over to the other side, neglecting the use of the foot bridge.

Men of the KAI Brigade and policemen are waiting to take them into their custody. His explanation and pleas attract hot slaps from the law enforcers, who drive them to the police station. Right before his eyes, offenders are being taken in a Black Maria to prison.

He decides then to give in to pressure from the policemen who were demanding money from him. This means surrendering the entire savings previously kept for the recording of his music. As painful as the decision is, he is left with no other choice. His wrist watch, shoes and other valuables were seized until he brought the money that was exchanged for their freedom. In the bus that takes him home, he is angry and frustrated at the loss of monies he guarded jealously, which conveys the foreboding feeling that his emerging career in music is doomed.

He is in this state when the bus conductor’s screams cut through his fogged consciousness and records the chant, ‘Chiamo’. Again and again, he hears, ‘Chiamo’, ‘Chiamo’. And this inspires his first official single in Lagos and snaps him out of gloom back to happiness.

This pattern of dark hours heralding the coming of glorious sunshine reoccurs quite a bit in Humbelsmith’s life. Inspiration for his hit song, ‘Osinachi’ follows the same manner.

It comes along in one of the lowest period of his life, when he had tried everything he knew in order to forge ahead with his music, but things do not fall in place. He is in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Ogudu in Lagos to pray and runs into a reverend father who shares his baptismal name, Evaristus. He pours out his heart to the clergy who prays and assures him everything will be alright.

He leaves the presence of the priest and goes into the church auditorium to pray more.

While in that state of deep supplication to the Almighty, he falls asleep. He is not sure for how long he slept, but someone came to him in a dream and tells him to use what he has to praise God. He can only think of one thing that he has -music. He lays back to mediate again. That is when the words for ‘Osinachi’ come tumbling into his mind! He says the song is a blessing from God because God also made the popular musician, Davido to take a liking to the song and agree to support it. “The Davido intervention was a divine masterstroke. We did not have to lobby. He liked the song and started promoting it.

He showed me so much love by offering to collaborate with me on a remix, that gives the song the necessary boost.”

Humblesmith, born Ekenedirichukwu Ijemba, 26 years ago, is the fifth child in a family of eight. He attended Urban Model Secondary School in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State. Not many knew him in school until he got to JSS 3 when he organised his classmates to entertain the visiting governor of the state. So impressed was the principal that his team was made the standing drama troupe that represented the school everywhere. His likeable persona and his skills in the performing arts made him a darling of the girls in the school. Somehow, he was able to keep a few things to himself.

57

JULY 9, 2017 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER ONE OF THE CLEAR AND PRESENT SIGNALS OF HIS NEW FOUND STATUS IS THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO MUST ACCOMPANY HIM EACH TIME HE GOES OUT. SOMETIMES, IT IS A LITTLE BIT EXAGGERATED LIKE THE AMOUNT OF FEE HE ACCEPTS PER SHOW. BUT THESE FOUR PERSONS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE WITH HIM IN PUBLIC: KELLY, HIS PA, HIS PRODUCER AND A BOUNCER. I ASK HIM THE ROLE OF THE BOUNCER. HE SAYS, “HE IS THERE FOR SECURITY AND THE BUSINESS; TO PROTECT YOU. THE LEVEL I AM NOW, WHEN I GO OUT, FANS SEE AND START HAILING ME, THEY WANT ME TO GIVE THEM MONEY. I SPEND BETWEEN N70000 AND N100000 ON FANS EACH TIME WE GO OUT. THEY SAY I AM THE ONE REIGNING NOW. SOME OF THEM BECOME TOO AGGRESSIVE. THEY FORGET THAT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AS WELL. THAT IS WHY YOU NEED A BOUNCER TO SAVE YOU FROM SUCH INCIDENTS

HUMBLESMITH

The school community only knew so much about him. Not many knew that he was the most sought after singer and songwriter in Ebonyi. All the producers looked for him when a recording artiste was stuck and could not complete his work. Humblesmith had no problems polishing off other people’s work.

He was also taking tutorials in Theatre Arts and sneaked off to work with Nollywood producers who came to Ebonyi to shoot movies. He had also made capital of the school drama troupe, taking their productions to others schools where students paid N100 each to watch them on stage; thus he was never broke.

The ever dutiful and obedient son, Humbllesmith hawked moimoi for his family through secondary school. I tried to say to him that the duty was to his mother but he insisted he did it for the family. His sense of responsibility and devotion to kith and kin is amazing. For the love of family, he has delayed his own comfort, ensuring that his brothers are settled into a thriving trade and his sisters make it through university. What happened to the family before he became financially independent was tending towards a dark family history which he is not only determined to remove himselff from, but to wipe out all-together. Before he could salvage the family from that unsavoury era, all his brothers were sent off as house-help as soon as they finished secondary school. He put a stop to that. Today, his brothers are in Dubai.

And those who chose to stay in Nigeria have started a thriving trade.

Humblesmith’s is surprised at the speed which he has risen to a household name in Nigeria. Just five years ago when he came to Lagos, his biggest dream was to get a measure of popularity. His dream has become true beyond his wildest imagination. He places loads of appreciation at the door steps of two individuals for making it happen.

First is DJ Humility, the Lagos-based OAP who often came to Asaba to organise shows and not only gave him a chance to perform but also gave him a place to lay his head in Lagos, while taking him around to as many events as he could. The second person he owes his success is his manager, Ovie Kelly Williams, who runs Entyce Entertainment.

Humblesmith is the only artiste on the label, for now. The two men live in the same house and can be seen together most times. Kelly was there when it looked as if the Lagos market was going to be a hard nut to crack.

He says, “That is exactly what I faced but thank God for today, all these challenges have passed away. I have been able to break the yoke. Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and everybody now listen to my sound.”

One of the clear and present signals of his new found status is the number of persons who must accompany him each time he goes out. Sometimes, it is a little bit exaggerated like the amount of fee he accepts per show. But these four persons are most likely to be with him in public: Kelly, his PA, his producer and a bouncer. I ask him the role of the bouncer. He says, “He is there for security and the business; to protect you. The level I am now, when I go out, fans see and start hailing me, they want me to give them money. I spend between N70000 and N100000 on fans each time we go out. They say I am the one reigning now. Some of them become too aggressive. They forget that we are human beings as well. That is why you need a bouncer to save you from such incidents - no one will fight, beat or harass you in any form. They are made to respect that stardom.”

In his original homestead, Urualla in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, it is a mighty pride to have a Catholic priest in the family. His mother very much wanted him to be a reverend father, while his father wanted him to play professional soccer. Why did his mother desire to see him become a priest? “I have always been calm and well-behaved; very quiet. For this reason, my parents take me everywhere with them. They are so very proud of me. My mother bought the form to a seminary for me, but I did not go. In order to make her happy, I became an altar boy for two years. I served three reverend fathers in that time. I got to understand the Catholic doctrines and learnt a whole lot of things that go on in the altar including how to serve mass.

It helped my spiritual life.”

He sits next to me on the couch in his home in one of the estates off Chevron Drive in Lekki-Lagos. It was a Sunday afternoon.

Although he still goes all the way to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ogudu for the sentimental reason that the miracle of ‘Osinachi’ was wrought there, he did not go to church today. He was wearing a pair of rubber slippers which looked worn and a pair of ragged black jeans on a red hooded red sweat shirt. He cut the image of the regular guy next door. What is it about priesthood that does not appeal to him? “It is a calling. You can’t go for something you are not capable

of. I have checked myself in and out and I know it is something I cannot do. It is not bad for one to go for priesthood. As for me, I know that music has taken me over. I wonder how I will survive. I was the quiet person in the house among seven siblings. When we were growing up, my immediate elder brother was the one who appeared to fit the bill of becoming a reverend father. When we go to the village he normally behaved like a reverend father, blessing people, but he was very stubborn. As we were growing up, he lost it. My mother just wants one of her sons to be a reverend father. She feels I should be the one because I am quiet.”

He is also aware of the oath of celibacy among other self-disciplinary measures a priest needs to adopt. He adds, “If God wants me to be a reverend father no matter how much I try to go for music, I will still draw myself back to the church. To be a reverend father is not about choice. It is not something you like. I respect them because it is not easy.

It has to do with a calling. You need to devote and dedicate yourself to God entirely. I don’t have to be a priest to do that. I can preach with my music.”

Humblesmith is lucky not to have rumours swirling around him. He looks genuinely surprised and wonders if his response will go into print when I ask him, at what age did you have sex? Looking askance, he thinks for a while, laughing. He says, “I think at 21. It was a decision I made consciously by myself. I tried to deprive myself of some things that would distract me.

I was in the midst of ladies and I am a ladies man. People just like me. I also deprived myself of drinking because my father does not drink. I drank alcohol for the first time in SS3. I used to make sandals and belt in school.

And fellow students patronised me a lot.”

It is a weird coincidence that one of his strongest mentors in entertainment, DJ Humility, bears a similar stage name. But the influence for Humblesmith’s moniker comes from a different source. “The word humble rings in my ears too many times from the way people comment on my meek attitudes. So when I got into the entertainment industry and I was looking for a nickname, that humble again came to my mind. At first, it was Humblesmart. That was my name for a long time. Then I went for one show and for whatever reason, the MC changed my name to Humblesmith. I liked the sound of it and I left it like that since.”

58

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ͡Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ě&#x201C;

͎ͯͯ͜ͲͲ͡ͳ͹ͰͲË&#x153; nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Dedeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Freedom Park Show Triggers Hope for Reconciliation with Yeni, Femi Kuti Nseobong Okon-Ekong Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;ʨĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ě&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;ĘŽĂ&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;

W

hen word went out that Afrobeat musician and Thespian, Dede Mabiaku would perform at the Freedom Park, Lagos on the bill of its Big Band Friday, not a few saw it as a mighty step towards reconciling the musician with his estranged friends, Yeni and Femi, the children of Afrobeat god, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti who Dede openly adores.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been no love lost between the erstwhile friends since Fela passed about 20 years ago.

Dede has kept his distance from the Fela estate, only maintaining a cordial relationship with Seun, Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest son. However, his recent show at Freedom Park suggests that there is an unfolding banner of peace being unveiled by an inďŹ&#x201A;uential ďŹ gure who is respected by all concerned. This towering personality is none other than Mr. Theo Lawson, Yeniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consort who is also chairman of the annual activities of tribute in honour of Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory known as Felabration. Lawson, an architect is credited with transforming Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former residence into a museum. He also converted the former colonial prison on Broad Street, Lagos to an increasingly popular hub for cultural activities now known as Freedom Park.

Getting Dede to perform at Freedom Park, where Femi had celebrated his birthday and performed as well two weeks apart was quite some feat on the path of Lawson and it shows the newfound maturity all the parties have adopted to manage the degenerating relationship. The

feuding friends are all over 55 years, and may have had more time to reďŹ&#x201A;ect on the prevailing circumstances with a view to making some restitutions.

To have Yeniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence at Dedeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show may very well be a good sign that a compromise, of sorts, moderated by Lawson has begun. At Felabration 2016, Daddy Showkey had triggered a response from Femi which many interpreted to mean that he still haboured ill-feelings for Dede.

Reacting to Showkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plea that he would like to see Dede perform at Felabration, Femi said that organisers of Felabration do not pay anyone to perform at the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just mention Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and people come to oďŹ&#x20AC;er themselves.â&#x20AC;? Dede had earlier said that he had not been invited to perform at Felabration.

However, Yeni denied any disaďŹ&#x20AC;ection towards Dede. She said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody is ďŹ ghting him (Dede). If I was ďŹ ghting him, I will not be here. Last year, he as at the Fela Symposium., he greeted Femi and Femi responded. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a problem with him.â&#x20AC;?

Dedeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Band Friday performance has elicited hopes that a settlement with Yeni and Femi is possible. Dede gave a hint that he was open to the reunion when he acknowledged Yeniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hear that the Iyalaje, the Iya Gbangba of the Kuti clan is here. I have not seen her. Many years ago we were very close. We used to dance

together at the Shrine. When Fela was in Ikoyi Prison we would take food to him together.â&#x20AC;? He further addressed Yeni directly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tonight, you are here to see my band and I perform for the ďŹ rst time.â&#x20AC;? He also asked after Dotun, Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kutiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son and Yeniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin. But he was not at the show.

It was one of the few recognition of audience members. The other salutation from the stage went out to Monsieur Paschal, a Frenchman who is well-known in the Nigerian culture circle and appreciated for his support for Nigerian arts. He was 66 years that night. Understandably, Dede was challenged that the venue was populated by Afrobeat fans, many of who know themselves as friends and acquaintances. Paying more respect would have meant going into a long list of personalities who all deserved a mention. He had earlier celebrated Fela as the greatest African, speaking of him in present tense and reminding everyone that Fela had said he would never die.

With that understanding, one would have thought it appropriate that his ďŹ rst song would be his self-penned, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fela Livesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but he made it his second oďŹ&#x20AC;ering. Instead he launched out with Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Water No Get Enemyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, explaining the nostalgia behind his choice. He said it was the ďŹ rst Fela song that he performed at the Afrikan Shrine. Dede has stamped his peculiarity on that song by always preceding the original lyrics with a few minutes of

minute of scat singing, his unique vocal improvisation that never fails to draw the audience in and hold them till the end of the song.

Perhaps, due to Dedeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bias for the horns, the wind instruments sounded like they were more prominent in the arrangement. As he played on the saxophone and also took lead vocal, projecting another horns player on sessions of solo exhibition showed his clear preference, but hey, even God has His Sovereign choice!

Allowing time selection for the animosity between the contending friends to decrease and ďŹ zzle out naturally is what Lawson wishes for.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are adults and I believe they can be reconciled, but it has to be in their own time.

However, those who are going to tell this person what the other said in order to draw scathing responses are not helping matters. Everyone around them wishes that they can put all these behind them. The media is guilty of fuelling this misunderstanding.â&#x20AC;?

The management of Freedom Park has succeeded in bridging formal and informal moods at its events. Guests were welcomed to the food court area and had the option of dining and drinking while listening to super mixes, mainly of Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music by DJ Raymond Bola Browne who owns an online radio, Brownehill Radio on the premises of Freedom Park. As soon as the main show was ready to kick-oďŹ&#x20AC; with the opening act,

ETISALAT PRIZE FOR LITERATURE CALL FOR ENTRIES Following the successful completion of the fourth edition of its flagship pan-African literary prize, telecommunications company Etisalat, has announced a call for entries for its 2018 Prize for Literature. Opened this month, the closing deadline is September 18, 2017.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first pan-African literary prize that celebrates African writers of a debut published book of fiction.

Last year marked the first time a Nigerian won the coveted literary award. Jowhor Ile was crowned the winner for his debut novel, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;And After Many Daysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Past winners include the Democratic Republic of Congoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fiston Mwanza Mujila (2015), South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Songeziwe Mahlangu (2014) and Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NoViolet Bulawayo (2013).

Vice President, Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Adebisi Idowu, said the company was delighted to flag off the fifth year of the Etisalat Prize for Literature, which has become a leading platform for the discovery and promotion of African literary talent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are glad to announce the call for

entries that marks the beginning of the submission and selection process for the 2018 Etisalat Prize. It underlines our firm commitment to and continued support for the development of African literature,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He disclosed that the new panel of judges will comprise: Harry Garuba (chair), Doreen Baingana and Siphiwo Mahala.

Idowu added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the years, we have seen the Etisalat Prize for Literature impact on the African literary space by encouraging creative writers and publishers to help tell compelling stories about the African continent, and it is our conviction that the judging panel - made up of very experienced writers, academics, literary critics and editors - will be devoted to upholding the legacy and reputation of the Prize.â&#x20AC;?

Idowu also recognised the patrons as custodians and advocates who ensure that the key values of creativity, quality, excellence and integrity continue to be the hallmarks of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

The judging panel will initially select a longlist of nine titles, and following a second round of screening will announce a shortlist of three finalists, ahead of the 2018 grand finale/award ceremony.

Outlining the criteria for entry, Idowu said that books submitted must have been published in the previous 24 months from the date of the call for entries. Such books should contain no fewer than 30,000 words and must be the authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first published fiction book.

The author must be an African citizen, but may reside anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, all entries must be submitted by incorporated publishing houses that have existed for six years or more, with registered ISBN or the equivalent, and the publishers must have published a minimum of three authors. A publisher may enter a maximum of three titles. Seven copies of each title entered must accompany the application form, along with an acceptance of the publicity terms of the Etisalat Prize.

The winner receives ÂŁ15,000, an engraved Montblanc MeisterstĂźck pen, and an Etisalatsponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where he or she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Last King of Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The winner and the two runners-up also participate in a multi-city book tour sponsored by Etisalat. Etisalat purchases 1,000 copies of each of the shortlisted titles for distribution to schools, libraries and

book clubs across the African continent.

Alongside the Prize for Literature is the Flash Fiction Award, an online-based competition open to all African writers of unpublished short stories of no more than 300 words. The winner of the Flash Fiction Award receives ÂŁ1,000 and a high-end device, while the two runners-up for the Flash Fiction Award receive ÂŁ500 each in addition to high-end devices.

FADOJOE EMBARKS ON â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;IYAWO OLELEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MUSIC TOUR After the release of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iyawo Oleleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a wedding-themed song, US-based Nigerian musician, Fadojoe is about to consolidate on the success of the song by embarking on a music tour.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iyawo Oleleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; music tour will take the former PMAN boss and his sensational band to three cities in three different continents.

Tagged Iyawo Olele campaign, the band will storm the city of Dubai today and afterwards make a stopover in Lagos, Nigeria. After performing in Lagos on July 11 and making sure his fans have a feel of his music after many years, the band travels back to big apple, New York City to end the music

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ENTERTAINMENT

Dede’s Underground System Band

Photos: TAIWO OLUSOLA JOHNSON

Dede and the Underground System Pascal...at Dede’s show

Dede with Raymond Browne of Brownehill Radio (left)

the Freedom Five, an in-house band of Freedom Park, Browne gently persuaded guests to change base to main stage arena where Dede was going to perform. More people moved closer to the big stage when the show entered into high gear and Dede took the microphone before he allowed an interlude which showcased a promising young lady, Oyemi.

High Chief Gift Eke, better known as Muma Gee, political activist and journalist, Yinka Odumakin, showbiz promoter, Wale Oluwaleimu and Chinenye Obiukwu of Brownehille Radio who sat together with this reporter on the front-row, like many members of the audience were enthusiastic participants as Dede stopped between songs to throw a jibe or two on national or global issues; whether current or past. He also asked what song the audience wanted to enjoy.

Muma said watching Dede perform took her into a different plane, even as her eyes were fixed on action on the stage. For instance, Dede took the audience back to the Monica Lewinsky episode involving former American President Bill Clinton.

His narrative of that occurrence was both caustic and funny, but he was only preparing his audience to listen to his understanding of the multitude of talk-shop in Nigeria and around the world. He concluded that these conferences, seminars, workshops and debates have not come up with a solution to the myriads of problems. To him, the outcome “na pentuka e be”, meaning, the result

of those talk-shops were useless. The title of the song, ‘Talku Talku Too Much’ (TTTM), conveyed the hopelessness of the situation. The rhythm of the giant conga drum on this tune struck a semblance to the beat on Fela’s Big Blind Country (BBC). So; it was not surprising when Dede went on to perform BBC, albeit by popular demand. It was beginning to look like the confusion will go away when the show ended as Dede sat on the same table with Yeni and their friends to exchange banters. The atmosphere was quite warm and free of tension.

Throughout the duration of the show, Yeni had kept a straight face, applauding the artiste on stage at intervals. With the show over, she pushed away the lackluster mien and displayed excellent warmth and courtesies. The challenge now before Lawson is to take the next logical step by creating a common ground for Femi and Dede. The Dede show at Freedom Park was a promising outing for the artiste who had gone to town to invite his friends to see him on stage. Perhaps, the management of Freedom Park could look at the possibility of a dedicated monthly show for Dede.

The audience looked like they wanted more. And Dede could use the opportunity to grow a committed fan base; play more of his self-penned songs and gain the confidence to do what everyone has been asking of him-release a full body of works-an occurrence that will definitely enrich the Afrobeat environment in Nigeria. Imagine the energy if Femi and Dede were to share the same stage.

tour on July 16.

“Due to the yearnings of my fans scattered across the globe, I am taking my music to three continents to show my fans the uniqueness of my music and new things I have introduced. They should expect great melody and afro fusion,” says the singer.

Fadojoe whose real name is Oluwadare Joseph Faduri relocated to USA to resume fully his musical career where he has been excelling with pop music coupled with his inspirational dance and gospel niche.

The Ipetu-Ijesha Osun State-born singer who started music professionally in 2003 has a retinue of great songs like ‘African Man’, ‘The Chronicles’, ‘Iyawo’, ‘Missing You’ and ‘Yahuze for Jesus’ to mention a few.

‘Range’. From her humble background to marital issues that arise from infertility.

“The book aims to shed light on the plight that people go through, the stigma attached and the troubles that come with infertility.

The book brings hope. It tells you how you can actually go through that journey without losing yourself or marriage. It also teaches people to be open to medical intervention because whether we like it or not, some people can benefit from medical heath but not open to the idea because of stigma.”

She added that parents should also open up to adoption because there are many children who deserved to be loved and cared for.

While she dealt with the emotional and financial struggle with infertility in ‘Range’, she explored the health angle in ‘Wellness Found Me’. In this book, she narrated the health challenges she faced undergoing the fertility treatment.

Out of all these experiences, Abass launched Range Foundation, an offshoot of the book ‘Range’. Her paramount goal with the foundation is to help couples financially and otherwise to access the fertility treatment.

TOYIN ABASS OFFERS HOPE IN NEW BOOK In a cozy setting to mark her 40th birthday, Dr. Toyin Abass launched her books and foundation.

The books ‘Range’ and ‘Wellness Found Me’ chronicled the author’s struggle with infertility.

Having waited eight years for a child, the doctor gave a honest account of her life from childhood to adulthood in the 207 pages of

With Banana Island Ghost,Chigul is Ready for Nollywood – Vanessa Obioha The first time she garnered attention in Nollywood was in prolific actress Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Road to Yesterday’ movie. Since then she has featured in quite a number of Nollywood movies and musical videos. Recently, she landed her first lead role in the Biola Alabi Media and BB Sasore’s Nemsia production: Banana Island Ghost.

In the movie, Chioma Omeruah popularly known as Chigul played the lead character Ijeoma, a young woman who found herself suddenly teamed up with a ghost in her desperate move to save her father’s mansion in the opulent residence of Banana Island from being seized by the bank.

“I never thought my first lead role in Nollywood would be playing alongside a ghost but it happened that way. The producers thought I was perfect for the role.”

Chigul had little difficulty playing the role as her co-star Patrick Diabuah was someone she had worked with before. Playing the role in a way made her feel confident in her body like one of her Hollywood role models, Melissa McCarthy.

“She is one of the people I have always looked up to in the realm of comedy and being a woman,

Chigul

being a big girl. I’ve always seen her as one of the people who epitomises funny, money, a woman doing what she has to do irrespective of her size.

I’m fat shamed all the time. I’ve never been the one to shy away from the word ‘fat’. I’m okay with the word. I’m fat. Opposite of skinny is fat.”

With this giant leap in her career, Chigul believes that the sky is not her limit. She is living her dream. Having left America to return to Nigeria and lost her father, Chigul is glad that everything she wanted to be is playing out. She started out in comedy with her different accents which are 11 in number, out of which Chigul is the most prominent. She landed her first gig at one of Basketmouth’s Lord of the Ribs shows.

From comedy to singing, compereing and acting, the line had pleasantly fallen in great places for Chigul.

As Banana Island Ghost nears its premiere,Chigul expressed her expectations.

“It’s a lot of excitement, anticipation as well as pressure because I feel the movie is on my head. I just pray that people are entertained and wowed by the movie. I want them to say thank you B.I.G.” Banana Island Ghost hits the cinemas on August 4.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Academy Sets New Invites Record as Cheryl Boone Isaacs Prepares Her Exit Vanessa Obioha

By August, Cheryl Boone Isaacs would have left her glorious position as the president of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

But before her exit, conscious efforts are being made to ensure that herA2020 vision-an initiative that is focused on improving representation of diversity in the Academy-is achieved.

A good pointer to this is the recent record breaking 774 invitations the Academy issued to new members. The new figure is higher than last year record of 683 invitations.

Diversity has been a core issue in the Academy in recent times since its #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2015. The Academy has made a concerted effort to diversify its membership ranks by bringing in more women, people of colour and filmmakers from around the world.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s invites which represents talent from 57 countries, is 39 percent female and 30 percent people of colour. Seven of the Academy branches â&#x20AC;&#x201D; actors, casting directors, costume designers, documentary, executives and film editors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; invited more women then men.

About 105 invitations were sent to the acting branch alone. They include Wonder Woman star, Gal Gadot, Kristen Stewart, Ruth Negga, Leslie Jones, veteran showbiz personality Betty White, Chris Hemsworth and Dwayne Johnson (The Rock).

Musicians like Justin Timberlake, who gave a beautiful performance of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Stop the Feelingâ&#x20AC;? from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Trollsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; during Februaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oscar broadcast; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hamiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, singer-songwriter Nick Cave (Hell or High Water) were also invited to join the club.

The directors branch issued 64 invitations with names like Barry Jenkins, Tom Ford, Chileanborn Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo), South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kim Ki-duk (3-Iron) and Hong Kong filmmaker Johnny To (Election) making the list.

While there have been visible outcome from the Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s push for diversification in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awards which saw minorities nominated as well as winning like Barry Jenkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best picture Moonlight, the organisation is urged to do more.

With Isaacs leaving the board, it is yet unknown if the incoming president will keep Isaacs vision alive or not.

WORLD OF DANCE LANDS RENEWAL AT NBC The new reality show that has apparently surpassed expectations of critics is going nowhere as NBC recently renewed it for a second season.

The series is the first big launch of an ambitious new slate of in-house reality efforts. This is big news for the woman behind the concept, Jennifer Lopez â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so proud to not only star, but produce a show that is so close to my heart,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Lopez said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so happy that World of Dance has resonated with audiences and we are able to put dancers on the pedestal they deserve. I cannot wait to continue this journey and my partnership with NBC.â&#x20AC;?

With just four episodes in since its premiere in May, World of Danceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most current ratings have it averaging a 2.8 rating among adults 18-49 and 11.0 million viewers according to The Hollywood Reporter. The media outlet reported that the show is better than any other 10 pm. series from the regular broadcast season and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best Big Four summer launch since 2013 CBS drama breakout Under the Dome, aided by the strong performance from lead-in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are thrilled that the unrivalled athleticism and authenticity that inspired us to create World of Dance has been embraced by both the dance community and our viewers,â&#x20AC;? said Universal Television Alternative Studio president Meredith Ahr. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The amazing dancers competing this season have proven to not only entertain us but elevate our expectations and expand our imagination. The bar has been set extremely high for season two. The competition will be fierce and we will all witness greatness.

CHINAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FILMS WINS BEST FILM PRIZE IN MOSCOW FILM FESTIVAL At the Moscow International Film Festival held recently, Yuan Shang (Crested Ibis) by Chinese director Qiao Liang clinched the coveted Best Film prize.

The movie is centered on a Beijing reporter who goes back to his hometown to report a crested ibis, an endangered species and discovers wider environmental issues.

Held in the capital city of Russia, the festival also touted other big winners like Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fikret Reyhan who received the best directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silver St George for Sari Sicak (Yellow Heat), a drama focused on an immigrant family trying survive by traditional farming.

The Special Jury Prize went to Meshok bez dna (The Bottomless Bag) by Russian director Rustam Khamdamov while Verena Altenbergerlead won best actress for her turn in Die Beste Aller Welter (The Best of All Worlds) and Son Hyun-Ju was awarded as the best actor for his role in Botongsarsam by Korean director Kim Bong-han.The Stanislavsky Special Prize for lifetime achievement went to Italian actor Michele Placido.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs SONY MUSIC IS BRINGING BACK VINYL After shutting down its in-house vinyl pressing production in Japan in 1989 after the advent of CDs, which entered the market in 1982 and were dominant, Sony is making big plans to open a Vinyl factory in Japan. The announcement comes on the heel of the high demand for the record in the country.

A recent trend indicated that vinyl sales in Japan have soared over the past four years and the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole vinyl-pressing factory is unable to cope with demand, prompting Sony to step in.

Similar cases are reported in other parts of Europe. According to a report in The Guardian UK, the attributable factors for this sudden surge are: older generations who have long been attached to the format, and also a younger audience used to digital forms of music who want to own a physical format; with CDs in decline, vinyl has become a popular alternative. It stated that 3.2m vinyl records were sold in the UK in 2016, up 53% on the year before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of young people buy songs that they hear and love on streaming services,â&#x20AC;? said Michinori Mizuno, chief executive of Sony Music Japan.

By March 2018, Sony is expected to open its own record-pressing plant in Japan. The vinyl production is presently limited to the Asian country and the records released will primarily be older Japanese reissues, with some new albums, but the records will mainly be sold in Japan.

UK OFFICIAL CHARTS COMPANY IMPLEMENTS NEW RULES Starting this month, only three of an artist most popular tracks will be allowed in the Official Singles Charts top 100. The structural shakeup is a ploy to prevent musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heavyweight acts dominating the majority of the charts.

According to the Official Charts Company, the changes are designed to ensure the chart continues to be a showcase for the new hits and talent which are the lifeblood of UK music.

The aim is to support new talent progressing up the chart, without potential hits being inhibited by older tracks or album tracks by big-name artists like Ed Sheeran whose 2017 album â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;áâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; had 16 songs in the Top 20 singles.

The rule adjustments are expected to boost the number of new chart tracks by about 10%.

There will also be a change in the streaming ratio for older tracks that are past their peak to make space for newer releases. t4PVSDF 5IF (VBSEJBO 6,

Alejandro_Jodorowsky

Ruth_Negga

World_of_Dance_Judges[1]

Ed_Sheeran

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PERSONALITY

Why Ejike Ibedilo Prizes His Voice over Everything Else Funke Olaode

N

Ibedilo

othing marked him out from the throng of regular visitors to the THISDAY office.

Again, that blanket concealment of identity that radio offers. You only hear their voice.

Casually dressed in a black shirt and grey trousers, famous On Air Personality and Voice over Artiste, Ejike Dennis Ibedilo had no airs about him. For over two decades he striving in terrains that were as unrewarding as they were frustrating. His focus was on the sciences and not broadcasting or acting. He actually wanted to be a medical doctor.

A combination of human beings and circumstances, perhaps divinely orchestrated ordered his steps to his present vocations.

Starting with a cousin of his who co-habited with the famous film-maker, and Chico Ejiro. Visiting with them gave him the opportunity to accompany them to movie locations.

He was given small roles, at first. That spurred his interest in acting.

His road to self-discovery began at the National Stadium, Surulere during an MTN Gladiator show.

A certain woman heard him on the phone. She asked if he was on radio. Of course, he was not on radio, at the time.

He was a student of Physiology at the University of Lagos. What this lady said next set him thinking. ‘If you are not on a radio, then you are a waste. Go and listen to your voice and think about it.’

He would be told the same thing later in the day by his cousin and a certain Shadrack John who, incidentally, was a voice over artiste. Arranging for him to be heard at a studio was not a problem for Shadrack. Everyone including veterans at this studio at Eric Moore in Surulere was excited to meet him. They assured him that his voice texture would be a hit. He was on his way. The journey had started.

He continued his studies at Unilag but as a green horn he knew he needed

training in his newfound vocation. Along the line, he met Frank Edoho who acknowledged that he had a good voice but needed training.

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Training School at GRA-Ikeja, Lagos was where he went to learn the rudiments of broadcasting. One of the lecturers, Mr. Akioya took a liking to him and paid more than a passing attention to his growth.

Since his spirit connected with Broadcasting, he became very committed and willing to learn. This endeared him to the people he met on the way. For his internship, he was posted to Cool FM. “On my first day at work, I met Freeze and he was nice to me. He asked me whether I would like to work at Cool FM. It sounded like a dream. My answer was ‘yes’. This was 2007. I was called to meet the Head of Production, Ibrahim Abubakar. Someone had just resigned and they wanted me to take over. It was like a divine arrangement and that day I had to go on air. It was my first time on air and Olisa, Freeze, Dan Foster and others encouraged me. It was overwhelming and felt like a rabbit on a headlamp. I was allowed to make mistakes and they corrected me.”

His romance with Cool FM only lasted for four years before he quit. While he wouldn’t want to go into details about what led to his sudden exit, he still considered his stay at the famous station as one of his best moments. “I was starting a family by the time I left the radio. My wife had a nine-to-five job in an oil and I ran a crazy shift on radio. It was two weeks to the birth of my first son and I quit Cool FM. whatever happened I love my employer but I had to leave in 2011. I decided to stay at home while my wife works so that the pressure would not be profound on the children. I became self-employed. The voice over and the movie roles were still coming and I also took care of the children. I had the first and second child and when we stabilized we knew how to manage ourselves.”

Speaking of his love for radio, Ibedilo said, “Every good broadcaster will tell you that he is like a soldier.

Once a broadcaster always be a broadcaster. A broadcaster changes the mood, regulates the mood of the nation and knows the music to play to calm frustration nerves. I had an incidence where a man had been married for many years without a child. He had a quarrel with his wife and they were at the verge of breaking up.

He listened to one of my night programmes and connected with the music I was playing that fateful night. A miracle happened that night because his wife got pregnant. The man called back three months after that it has been confirmed that his wife was pregnant. The baby boy was named after me, Ejike.”

Ibedilo is lucky to be reasonably rewarded from all his vocations. Acting was his first love and it gives him presence. As a Nollywood actor, he has featured in a lot of movies. Given a choice, however, he would choose On Air Personality (OAP) which has projected his name more.

Many would be surprised at what he considers his priceless possession. “My voice is my asset. This is a talent and it is difficult to put a price on a talent. I won’t do that.”

He tactfully skirted around the subject of his involvement in the recent Big Brother Naija. ”Everywhere I go that is what I hear o! People are stopping me asking whether it is true. I heard the same thing and I would like to say that it is flattering to be so talked about. The rumour was on the social media and went viral that I was the Big Brother Nigeria. I read, heard the same thing. I also read or heard that that the voice over was Frank Edoho, Yemi Blaq and at some point Segun Arinze was also mentioned. I think it is basically about those with fine voice gesture that were being speculated. But I am a fan of Big Brother and I feel honoured to be associated with it. I watched the show like everybody else and it was a great viewing experience for me. There were lot of things that were derived from the show: The Nigerian cultural heritage especially the day they dressed in Nigerian traditional attire. That really put us on the world map.”

Such is his love for his vocations that he would love to be remembered by them. “If I die today, I would like my epitaph to read, ‘Here lies a Nigerian broadcaster, actor, international voice artiste.’ It is flattering when you walk down the road and somebody says, ‘this voice sounds familiar.’”

For now, Ibedilo is tending to his young family, acting; while also working as a voice over artiste and master of ceremony. He still hopes and prays to go back to radio one day.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

ʹͰ

Women Matters on the Front Burner Debola Oni

O

ver the last one month I have met four wonderful young women (not real names) who had one thing in common.

They were all in dead end relationships and some had children to boot. I felt this was not a coincidence and so I began to give their stories more thought.

Sade got pregnant for her boyfriend about sixteen years ago at age 18. He promised to marry her but has not lived up to his promise. In the midst of all the palaver her father disowned her. She later had another child for the boyfriend and right now things have deteriorated so much between them that she is not even interested in getting married to him any longer. Along the line another woman had another child for him.

Tambara had a native law wedding. Her native law husband promised they would get married at the Ikoyi registry when they returned to Lagos. As soon as they got back to Lagos almost eighteen years ago he told her outright that he had no intentions of doing so and that he had deliberately misled her. She has spent the last eighteen years of her life catering to his every whim.

All her earnings are put in to support the family. Recently, he has been threatening to send her packing and doesn’t even bother to hide his various girlfriends from her. Even though our Nigerian laws recognize the traditional wedding these customary laws are largely patriarchal. Now they have five children.

Chiebuka is in her middle forties and her parents have written off the idea that anyone will ever want to get married to her. Her father says all he wants are grandchildren by her. They are happy for her to just come home with her children with or without a husband. She entered into her present abusive relationship with this mindset. A widower with two teenage children moved into her rented flat and she has been financially responsible for their upkeep and that of his children even though they are not living with her.

Ogechi happens to be the woman who braids my hair at home. As slim as a waif, no one will believe she already has four young children. One day she resumes at my house with a fresh wound on her knees. I ask her what happened and she recounts her story. Her partner lives with another lover in another state and comes into town infrequently. He sends her a minute stipend that is not enough to take care of even one of the children. When he came around this

weekend, she overheard him on the phone promising to send more money to his lover, while he had refused to give her a little extra money. Then the quarrel ensued. There had been no marriage just an introduction of both extended families.

I began to wonder if there is any way of protecting these women, even though the circumstances they are in do not coincide with my religious beliefs and or convictions.

I bounced the idea off a friend of mine and she said if such a law was in place it would only encourage promiscuity. For me, the issue is not really one of promiscuity which I do not condone but the fact that these women are victims of their own ignorance, lack of parental guidance and or adequate mentoring.

If these men walk away from their lives they are left with nothing. You may argue that perhaps they are better off without these men but what about their youth and their livelihood and their very lives they have invested in these one – way relationships. They have made their mistake, but what of the children? Do they have to miss their childhood; going to school on empty stomachs or even no school at all?

In some other countries there are social welfare systems to house, feed and educate such children and women. Even though these systems are abused and some may argue that it only encourages such behavior, I beg to disagree. If this were so, then the lack of social welfare would have

acted as a deterrent for the four women I described above. Across the United States these women would have been conferred the status of common law wives and have certain rights of protection under the law.

Even in the United Kingdom where there is really no such thing as common law marriages, partners living together over a long period of time are considered for the purpose of social benefit even if no property rights are conferred on them. (Wikipedia – Common Law wives) The case I am making here is that as women we need to stop minding only our business and take it upon ourselves to guide and mentor such women. There is no social welfare, there is no legislation to help these women but we can be pro active in taking a young woman under our wings and guiding her. We don’t have to put in any special structures, or create any complex platforms. A word here and a word there will make a lot of difference.

It means opening our eyes to that woman grinding your pepper or selling you garri.

Perhaps her young teenager is in the shop assisting her. Why don’t we deliberately ask questions, and offer counsel if the door opens for that.

The deeds have been done and these women will have to live with the consequences of their choices but what of the younger ones coming behind. We can mentor them, explain to them the possible effects of their choices and give them options for a better life. We can tell them that not

all grass is green, men are not meal tickets, you are responsible for making your own choices and choices have consequences.

We don’t need a huge budget but we need hearts full of love and a commitment to the larger society and hope for a better Nigeria.

Being altruistic is not a bad thing. I am passionate about everything women, not just their relationships with the opposite sex.

I am passionate about women finding their dreams and pursuing them in whatever scope or field. I love the idea of healthy female relationships where we help each discover who we really are and what we have been wired to accomplish. Life should be a learning curve. It should be fulfilling, lived to the hilt. Exploring and maximizing potential as against stagnation and having a victim mentality.

That’s why my friends and I have put together a very practical and collaborative workshop that aims at unpacking and positioning women to maximize their potential. It’s the Second Annual Designer Women Workshop and you’ll find more details on Eventbrite. For this one, we’ll be discussing issues that cause us to go round in circles, stay in a rut and the power of finding a band of women with a passion for personal growth. We’ll also discover the need to be pro –active and more community – minded so that we can help the Sades, the Tambaras, the Chiebukas and the Ogechis of this world. We’ll learn to be strong so we can help other women.

Follow Debola Oni on Twitter @ DesignerWomen3, www.facebook.com/ thedesignerwomen, on Instagram: The Designer Women Workshop or her blog: designerwomen.wordpress߯.com.

assistant editor ØÝÏÙÌÙØÑ ÙÕÙØ̋ÏÕÙØÑ senior correspondent ÐßØÕÏ ÙÖËÙÎÏ correspondent àËØÏÝÝË ÙÌÓÙÒË designer ÓÌÓÜÙÑÌË ÓÌÓÎËÚÙ CONTRIBUTORS ÙØÙÝÒÏ ØáËÌßÓÕáߘ ÞÏ×ÓÖÙÖß ÙÕÏÙáÙ˜ ÕÏÖÏÍÒÓ ØÎßÕË THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor ËÎÏÞÙÕßØÌÙ ËÎÏÎÙÔË deputy editor àÓØÍÏØÞ ÙÌÓË STUDIO art director ÙÍÒÓ ÙÑÌßËÕß ÔØÜ THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman ØÎßÕË ÙÌËÓÑÌÏØË managing director ÏØÓÙÖË ÌÏÖÖÙ deputy managing director ÕËãÙÎÏ ÕÙ×ÙÖËÐÏ

Lagos Jazz Series Quintet Makes History

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ew months ago, they lunged and tore at each other like heat-crazed feral cats, but as you read, the bitterness and angst that seized have dissipated, without trace. Thus the top business people are wiser now. Having experienced the motions of the action and counteraction that ignites the reciprocal struggle of discordant powers, they have settled their beef and achieved harmony with the universe.

For the first time since the inception of JazzSal in Cape Verde,a Nigerian music band will be performing.

The band is no other but the Lagos Jazz Series Quintet who left the country recently for the event that opened yesterday. Sal is one of the ten Islands that make up Cape Verde.

The trip to JazzSal, ignites a musical exchange programme between the two festivals. This exchange has been described by some music experts and lovers as quite novel. This is the first-time

Bazunu

musicians from Nigeria are going to Cape Verde to perform on the main stage at JazzSal.

The Lagos Jazz Series, which is the music festival founded by Oti Bazunu in 2010, has evolved to become one of Africa’s most

anticipated music calendar festivals.

A few years ago, Bazunu recruited music graduates from the Music Society of Nigeria (Muson Centre), honed their skills and today they are among the line-up performers representing Nigeria credibly in Cape Verde.

Speaking on the invitation of the Nigerian Jazz group, Bazunu said: “The Cape Verdians seem to have huge respect for the musical skills of the boys - as we do for the small Island country folks. We are totally honored to have been billed for their main Stage at JazzSal.” According to Bazunu, the LJS Quintet - featuring Opeyemi Omotayo on the Piano, Johnson Eyo on Bass, Tosin Paul on Drums, Taiwo Clegg on trumpet and Philip Iwuagwu on Guitar, are totally prepared to pelt-out some straight-ahead jazz and Afrobeat.

The group is also expected to perform a few gigs at some of the fine hotels and resorts on the Island.

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Reconstruction, 24 x 36inch, Photographic Print, framed, 2017 by Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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Six Nigerian artists – in joyful affirmation of their German influences – explore the concept of inner an exhibition opening tomorrow (July 10) in Lagos. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

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joy in madness that only a madman knows... Trust Dilomprizulike, a. k. a. the Junkman of Afrika!

His perspective on the subject simply hoists the listener unto a transcendental plane. For him, it’s all about an inner seeking. An endless spiritual quest, on which each one stamps his or her own individuality. And which, of course, no one can do for another.

The subject?

Wanderlust...a thought-inducing title for a six-artist group exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow at The Wheatbaker in Ikoyi, Lagos.

This opening, in turn, follows on the heels of a somewhat more private version held yesterday at the same venue.

Four Germany-based top-notch male artists – Dilomprizulike, Chidi Kwubiri, Emeka Udemba and Jimmy Nwanne – team up with their two female colleagues based in Nigeria – Numero Unoma, and Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko – to make up a sextet for the purpose of this exhibition. Their obvious common denominator: their German connection.

The exhibition, itself, is a fall-out of a neat weaving of fate. Flashback to in 2015. Chidi Kwubiri was participating in a collateral project of the Venice Biennale. Somewhere along the line, Emeka Udemba appeared on the scene. Then… also the Junkman. “In the coming days we saw the Biennale together, hung out and enjoyed the great ‘art’mosphere of Venice,” he recalls.

“As diasporic artists, we discussed deeply about our desire to contribute to the vibrant art scene in our home country Nigeria.”

Apparently, this desire had seamlessly transmuted into the plan for an exhibition. And for this, a good curator was needed. This was besides the task of finding a suitable venue. Thus, one name suggested itself to Kwubiri: that of his collector and good friend... Sandra Mbanefo Obiago.

Flip over to December 2016. He eventually shared these thoughts with Mrs Obiago and her acceptance of the idea was almost instantaneous. “And in few days of juggling with the concept, the title ‘Wanderlust’ was born.”

That was a title that not only embodied the artists’ initial idea, but also on their our actual situation as “travellers between two worlds”. Indeed, as Kwubiri puts it, “[It] touches on the ever evolving life of us all, both as migrants and as artists – always moving, always seeking, always trying to climb greater heights – like engaging in a race, where the farther you go, the farther away the finish line gets. On one hand, you never reach the finish line, but still cannot say you didn't get anywhere...”

Transition, acrylic on canvas, 200 x 300 cm, 2017 by Chidi Kwubiri

Wanderlust 1, acrylic, paper on canvas, 2016, 123cm x 98cm by Emeka Udemba

The concept of movement, thus, dogs the word “Wanderlust”. And this movement could be spiritual, emo-

tional or physical.

“Wanderlust is a term, which I believe, comes closest to the essence of why we migrate,” Obiago chips in. “Be it for rest and recreation, spiritual upliftment, the excitement of discovering new cultures, or whether it is in the quest for education, economic prosperity, conquest, or an escape from poverty, war and terrorism, human beings have for centuries been in a constant state of migration.”

It is also a term that was cobbled together from two German words, “wandern”, to hike, and “Lust”, desire. And implied in it is the notion of enjoyment or leisure.

The word “wandern”, for the Lagos-based curator, stirs up dregs of fond memories of a children's home in the tiny Swiss village of Aeshi, which was about 1000 metres above the picturesque Lake of Thun. With her brother, she had as a child hiked through the Swiss mountains. As refugees fleeing the Biafran war, they had spent a few months in the children's home in the Bernese Oberland. Here, they had waited for their German-speaking Swiss mother to join then while their father was mired in the war

efforts back home. “At barely four years old, I depended on my older brother to interpret the world around us, holding tightly to his hand as we were part of thousands escaping and seeking refuge around the world.”

This experience would accompany her later in her adult life, as she journeyed on through life as a photojournalist and filmmaker, in the quest for new stories and, more recently, scouring the art scene for uncommon artistic talents.

“Throughout the journey of this exhibition, I continue to be deeply impressed by the sensitivity, wisdom, and clarity with which our six artists, Chidi Kwubiri, Emeka Udemba, Junkman from Afrika, Numero Unoma, Jimmy Nwanne and Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko, have shed light on the complex concept of Wanderlust,” she enthuses.

Close up on the exhibition itself.

Kwubiri’s 200 x 300 cm acrylic on canvas painting “Transition” asserts itself from its allotted space.

It depicts an earth-coloured human form, sitting in a lotus pose with arms stretched out sideways and embedded in a mottled haze of a blue-themed backdrop. Thus, it visually makes a strong case for the need for a reconnection with a Higher Guidance.

This mottled vision of the world, which is reprised in most of his paintings, reinforce both the notion of an outward exploration and an inner quest. It is a technique that lends itself to further interpolations, which not surprisingly birthed a mixed media patterned variant in “Traces”, in which a repurposed trouser joins

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nd outward movement in an forces with a painting to make up an installation.

Curiously, Kwubiri’s patented technique find their thematic resonance in Ayeni-Babaeko’s stylised offerings, which offer dual fold possibilities in the inner experiencing of a human condition.

Somewhat evoking the mythical Phoenix rising from an ashen heap, her stylised photograph, “Reconstruction” depicts the surreal image a fragmented female form, which at the same time seems to be regenerating herself. Thus, the perception of a condition depends on one’s perception of the world.

This transition from one state to another transports the human spirit to new emotional and physical landscapes, away from its comfort zone. This notion is further extended in the work “The Holy Grail”, which is her take on a largely misunderstood ancient lore. In this work, a scantily-clad woman in a feathered headdress wends her way through a darkened landscape with the aid of two hurricane lamps in an obvious quest for an ideal.

The recurring emphasis on regeneration also extends to Udemba’s collage paintings, whose narrative slant zooms into the world of the hapless vagrants.

The tiny cuttings from newspapers, essential components in the depictions of these human forms, allude to the diverse experiences of each of them.

Taking it up from here, the Junkman’s expresses these “transitional realities” in colourful indistinct forms that blur into each other through his central character “Matilda”, the “city lady”.

Nwanne’s haunting visual narratives offer compact summaries of receding memories of poignant past experiences and the confrontation with current crises. In his “Seismic Shift”, for instance, a sinking vessel in a blood-textured sea haunts the memories of a youth.

Finally, Unoma’s pop-art offerings teases the viewer in their paradoxically light-hearted earnestness. In one of these works, she highlights the letters “E” and “U” against a backdrop of stars – in an obvious nod to the European Union flag – and humorously inserts the words “go betta for” between them to read in Pidgin English: “E go betta for U”, a way of saying that things will get better.

This really sums up the optimistic mindset of the many refugees who embark on the dangerous treks across the Sahara Desert and the precarious voyages across the choppy Mediterranean Sea. The exhibition, which continues until Friday, September 15, is supported by Deutsche Bank, Still Earth Holding, the German Consulate in Lagos, ELALAN and Louis Guntrum Wines.

The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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Making Soweto Children Dance the Nigerian Way Yinka Olatunbosun

Village Square I, Acrylic on canvas, 122 x 122 cm, 2016

BRINGING AFRICAN NARRATIVES INTO ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM Yinka Olatunbosun

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MO Contemporary Art recently received a group of art writers at the Temple Muse, a luxury house in Victoria Island, Lagos. This was where the works of Titi Omoighe had been carefully arranged for a press preview. A lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology (more often called Yabatech), Omoighe is more associated with the classroom than the exhibition halls in the city.

That is why she is called one of Nigeria’s best kept art secrets.

Born in 1966, she had graduated from Yabatech with a higher national diploma in painting in 1989 and was awarded the Best Life Drawing Student Prize. Upon the completion of the mandatory National Youth Service in Kano, she joined the Nigerian Television Authority in Lagos and later, Abeokuta. Her job descriptions included created iconic set designs for news, adverts as well as beauty pageants on television and at the National Theatre stage.

In 1992, she received the first prize of the URTNA Nelson Mandela Trophy Design Award. In spite of being in possession of an impressive resume, she has quietly done her studio work away from public view until one of Nigeria’s finest curators, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago discovered the hidden treasures in her trove. Initially, she wanted to show just a few pieces but with the strong persuasion from Obiago, she is currently showing 34 paintings in the exhibition titled, “Modern Interpretations”.

Omoighe’s works in this show are mostly influenced by the African narratives in D.O. Fagunwa’s

Yoruba literary classic, Forest of A Thousand Demons, which was translated to English by Professor Wole Soyinka. Her canvasses convey the story of a group of hunters and their adventure through an enchanted forest to save humanity. Her paintings, just as the literary inspiration for them, are rooted in Yoruba mythology and world view.

This collection provides the viewer with fresh perspective on African philosophy, using metaphors from indigenous sources. Some of her pieces also tap into the Benin Kingdom tradition, a reflection of her marital connections with the ancient city.

Apparent similarities between Omoighe’s works and those of Professor Yusuf Grillo, a pioneer member of the Zaria Art Society, could be explained by the fact thay she once trained under him. In a brief analysis of her subjects, she explores the structure of hierarchy of elders, socio-economic topics such as the eco-system. Her fascination with nature is evident in her well-controlled drip paintings that exude maturity and a sense of order.

In her piece titled, “Homage’’, she depicts a very important aspect of African culture. In addition, she characterizes her subject with the same traits found in street urchins who pay homage to earn a living. She is enthralled by magical realism, African weave patterns and male figures.

She explained that many artists explore the female anatomy in their works and fail to see that the male forms can also be interesting subjects in paintings. One subject that was broached during a chat Omoighe is how she has been able to create her own identity even with the presence of her husband, himself a renowned painter in the art community.

Her exhibition, which is sponsored by Moet Hennessey, will run till August 20.

The two-week long performance of Kakadu the Musical in Johannesburg was punctuated with training workshop at select locations in South Africa. One of them was held at Zola Higher Primary School in Soweto with the choreographer of the Nigerian musical, Femi Olufowobi taking charge of the dance session of the workshop.

The children were mostly pre-teens. Clad in school uniform, they were eager to receive the Kakadu team from Nigeria as their growing number during the workshop showed. After a brief introduction by the Executive Producer, Uche Nwokedi SAN, the music director of the play, Ben Ogbeiwi took the children through a few vocal training exercises before teaching them a few soundtracks from the musical. Next, the Director, Kanayo Omo began a children theatre session to give the children an understanding of what the musical was about. Although many of the children were yet to watch Kakadu, they were familiar with the musical instruments that the Kakadu team brought with them.

One of the intriguing moments of the session was when the choreographer, Olufowobi taught the children the dance steps of the ‘60s. Moving from twist to limbo, the children were made to reenact some of the scenes in Kakadu. In addition, popular dance steps in Nigeria were recreated. The young Soweto children danced Shoki, Azonto and were taught to “dab”. Initially, it seemed difficult for them to get into the Nigerian groove but a few of them got it right.

Olufowobi, who had been the official choreographer for Kakadu since inception reflected on how the musical had metamorphosed into a cultural exchange tool for Nigeria and South Africa. In 1977, when the National Theatre was officially launched, the South African music group, Ipi Tombi, opened up the new performance stage in Lagos.

Hence, the cultural pact that the two country has goes a long way in history.

The choreographer, who often works quietly described the South African experience as a unique one since the host country has very rich pop culture. “It is a new experience for me,” he admitted. “To come here from Nigeria has been quite challenging in terms of the work that we have to put into the musical. You know that South Africa is a country that is well blessed with music and dance, so definitely wouldn’t want to do anything that would bring us down.

We are determined to take Kakadu to the next level. It has been so great coming here and performing at Joburg theatre- I must confess I have been out of the country on several occasions but this theatre is quite different with its flight system and wagons. That changed the choreography pattern a little.”

For years, Kakadu cast and crew had been accustomed to a regular stage pattern with blackouts and lights signaling scene changes. Olufowobi explained how the Joburg Theatre facility affected the choreographed movements in the play.

“What we have been working with in the past years have been the normal proscenium stages but when we got here, I had to adapt the dance steps to suit the incoming of the wagons. We cannot have someone fall off the stage so I had to adjust to it. I had to tell my dancers to adjust their movement to the stage craft. They had to take certain dances off because they were not suitable for the stage.”

The Health and Safety Drills formed the essential part of the production. The theatre had fire extinguishers in strategic locations and more importantly, the actors are trained on safety precautions.

The moment that brought goose-pimples to us at the workshop was when the Soweto children were invited to sing a South African folksong for their Nigerian visitors.

First, there was silence- the children were unsure of what to sing. Then a reverberating voice shot through from the gathering. It was that a young girl in high-heels. The call and response harmony was good food for the ears. Apparently, the ability to sing resides in the DNA of these Soweto children. After capturing the moment on cameras, the Kakadu team applauded.

Though the workshop session lasted just about an hour, the memory of the visit of the Kakadu team is expected to last a lifetime in the hearts of these young ones.

In Abuja, Five Artists Proclaim Their Identities "Five contemporary Nigerian artist will, from today, Sunday July 9, exhibit remarkable paintings, drawings, mixed media and sculptures at Denk Spaces in Area 11, Garki, Abuja" The exhibition, titled Identities, will run until Sunday July 30.

The artists – Stanley Dudu, Obinna Makata, Promise O’nali, Erasmus Onyishi and Dada Adedayo – share in common the fact that their works have gained some mileage on the international stage. Yet, the exhibition

provides them the platform to assert their individual styles and media within the context of a group show.

“This exhibition allows them to convey their experience, emotions and messages, which focus on various subject matters with different opinions,” the organisers explain in a press statement. “You could easily identify each artist by a mere glance at their work as they have created an identity for themselves, which is what this exhibition is about, Identities!”

Kakadu team with Soweto school children

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Editor Olawale Olaleye Email wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Lagos Police, OPC CooperationYields Fruits Although a one-off feat, last week’s cooperation between the Lagos Police Command and the Oodua Peoples’ Congress against the rising crime wave in some parts of Lagos State yielded commendable results, writes Olawale Olaleye

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he news of a recent emergency meeting between the Lagos State Police Command and men of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) in agreement with other affiliate vigilante groups, penultimate week, was though long overdue, it was well-conceived. The meeting was designed to fashion out ways to curb the increasing kidnapping and nefarious cult activities in parts of Lagos State.

At the centre of the tumult is Badoo, a notorious killer cult, whose menace had permeated the whole of Ikorodu part of the state and sent jitters down the spines of the residents and visitors alike. Thus, this police/ OPC meeting also followed several others, which were believed to have graduated into a major raid penultimate Saturday on their different hideouts in Ikorodu. The raid was made easy by the verse knowledge of the OPC members and other vigilante groups about the terrain and at the end of the day, over 100 suspects were rounded up.

But before the raid, activities of the Badoo cult had increased for about two and a half years as people in Ikorodu and environs continued to live in the fear of the unknown.

People get killed every other day especially in groups and mostly family members. This rising new crime wave was also compounded by kidnapping and armed robbery.

Leader of the OPC, Otunba Gani Adams’ account of the situation gave a more lucid explanation on the depth of what had been going on in that part of Lagos for some time.

He noted that the OPC coordinators in Ijede, Igbogbo and Bayeku had kept a tab on the group and had been furnishing the OPC with relevant information on the security situation in that part of the state.

According to him, one thing he took away from all the pieces of information available to him was that some highly placed persons in the country were behind the killer cult for rituals. But regardless of the information at his disposal, it was difficult for the OPC to move in without the consent and cooperation of the police.

During an exclusive chat in the week, Adams noted that “The issue of the Badoo cult group went out of proportion. In about four weeks, over 18 people were killed. Perhaps, that was one of the reasons the Lagos State Police Command invited me that they needed the cooperation of the OPC to curb the Badoo menace.

Most of the people involved in the Badoo cult group are ritualists. They use stones and big sticks to kill their victims.

“After that, they remove some parts of the body and also use white handkerchief to take their victims’ blood. Those white handkerchiefs are taken to their godfathers and paid for to the tune of one million naira and above. So, when the deputy Commissioner of Police in Lagos State on operations invited me and some leaders of Onyabo to his office, I told them that there

was need for us to invite our coordinators in Ikorodu, who would have more information to provide.”

In deploying to work, he said “We went to some black spots and other places, where some cultists usually stay, because we found out that cultists were usually recruited to operate as Badoo members. They recruit by putting up vacancy and requesting for applicants to apply. By the time you apply, you will be asked to come for interviews; you will be recruited and given some money. They also designed some measures of giving money to some people as empowerment to recruit them. In some cases, they give as much as N250, 000 to lure people to the cult.”

Interestingly, the result of the cooperation between the police, the OPC and other vigilante groups is impressive as some of those arrested now are said to be helping the police with salient information. The result is also a proof of the fact that the police require such cooperation from time to time to stem the tide of crime in different parts of the country, albeit properly coordinated and regulated.

This, in a way, also dismantles the logic behind a neighbourhood watch system that does not take into account, the involvement of persons like the OPC members in the state, when indeed they are part of the terrain and understand it better. It is however ironical

that a majority of the prominent personalities in the state and region, including banks and other corporate organisations employ the services of the OPC and yet, they are not deemed fit as part of the neighbourhood watch.

This therefore should be seen as a wakeup call to a revised security system in the state, devoid of politics or personal aggrandisements. The police should not only sustain the current tempo but take it a notch up.

The security architecture of the state requires some structural modification with a multi-level approach that would help address crime-fighting bottom-up.

It is also expected that the police would approach their new “operation show your identification card”in the wake of the Ikorodu crisis with caution. Such an initiative could be mismanaged if not properly guided, especially with the possibility of mistaken identity or the inability of some to present a valid ID because of the nature of their means of livelihood, more so that the criminals have not ceased from successfully striking at their victims.

However, coming from the Ikorodu experience, police cannot afford to lax in their efforts and operations but consolidate therefrom and of course, replicate the initiative in other parts of the state and the country at large.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

The Reign of Jungle Justice

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Chinedu Paul, the comedian mistaken for a Badoo member and lynched in Ikorodu

he resort to self-help by residents of Ikorodu in the last few days is both worrisome and disturbing. No fewer than six people have so far been beaten to a pulp and burnt alive in what was termed retaliation against members of the Badoo cult said to have killed about 29 people in total in 15 attacks carried out between June 5, 2016 and June 29, 2017.

First to be hacked to death were three people at Ogijo, Igbo-Oluwo area of Ikorodu about a week ago and barely three days after, another three suspects were burnt alive, including a comedian, Chinedu Paul otherwise known

as “MC Think Twice”, said to have been mistaken for a member of the killer group. Paul and others were burnt at the Odonginya area of Ikorodu by angry residents.

This resort to banality is indefensible under whatever guise and cannot be condoned by the state. Whilst the anger and anguish of the people are understandable, the resort to jungle justice in the name of self-help is not permitted or guaranteed under the laws of the land and therefore condemnable in its totality. The police must take this criminal act seriously, because it is a crime, and ensure that a few people are taken in as scapegoats to serve as deterrent to the irrational lot, who derive pleasure in such primitive madness.

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BRIEFINGNOTES Now That Igbo Leaders Have Spoken The recent decision by some prominent Igbo leaders to stand for a united Nigeria raises the hope for a better country. Olawale Olaleye writes

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ast week’s meeting by some South-east leaders, including their governors, National Assembly members and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in Enugu State, during which they restated their commitment to a united Nigeria, was a positive sign of the things to come, especially if placed against the growing agitation for secession by some exuberant groups from the region.

Although the Igbo leaders would later declare their support for a restructuring of the country, the process of which they insisted must be on the basis of fairness and equality, the fact that they allayed the fears of other regions about possible secession as being currently agitated was a major step towards arriving at a sensible consensus as critical stakeholders in the project Nigeria.

The meeting, according to reports, was the first by leaders from the zone since some separatist groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), intensified their agitations for the creation of the Republic of Biafra. But while the meeting avoided giving attention to any of the groups by way of mention, their resolutions may have foreclosed any possible support for the Nnamdi Kanu-led insensate agitation for the break-up of Nigeria.

In attendance were the five South-east governors and they are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Willie Obiano of Anambra and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, all of whom had earlier met at the Government House, Enugu, to harmonise their position before moving to the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, for the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting, which then accommodated other groups.

Present at the expanded meeting were the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and other members of the National Assembly; former Senate Presidents, Senators Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani; the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, and his predecessor, Enwo Igariwey; former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe; former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo; and a former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hillary Opara.

There were also deputy governors, state assembly speakers, religious leaders and traditional rulers from the zone. But political appointees from the zone, who are currently serving in the administration, especially the ministers, were not present at the meeting. No reason was however given for their absence.

A seven-point communiqué read by the Chairman of the South-east Governors’ Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Umahi, called on the federal government and all Nigerian leaders to immediately commence a process of dialogue among Nigerians on the modalities of restructuring the country within a reasonable time frame, while at the same time throwing their weight behind the report of the 2014 National Conference. They also asked the federal government to set up structures that would enable its implementation within a reasonable time.

(R-L): Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Nkem Okeke during South-east Governors’ Forum in Government House, Enugu...recently But in what seemed like a veiled reference to the apprehend the Northern youths that issued the quit their sponsors must withdraw the quit notice given quit notice given to the Igbo resident in the Northern order to Nigerians of South-eastern extraction. to the people of the South-east, as failure to do so part of the country by Arewa youths, the Igbo With a resolve to work together to protect the will be taken as an ultimatum given to the entire leaders condemned all forms of hate speeches and interest of the region, the Southern leaders further Southern Nigeria to quit their region and any attack conduct coming from any part of the country. They agreed to pursue the restructuring of the country against anybody from the South, will be considered also disclosed that they were taking steps to ensure as well as called for concrete steps to be taken on an attack against Southern Nigeria. the safety of lives and property of Igbo people in all the implementation of the 2014 National Confer“We therefore advise the federal government to parts of Nigeria, just as they assured the Nigerian ence report before October 1, 2017, about the same take seriously and live up to the primary responsibilpeople of the safety of lives and property of all that resolutions agreed to during last week’s South-east ity of any government, which is to protect the lives are resident in their zone. meeting. and property of every citizen of Nigeria wherever “Ndigbo are in support of a united Nigeria, where In a communique signed by Afenifere chieftain, they may reside,” they said amongst other demands. peace, love, fairness, justice, equity and equality of Ayo Adebanjo, on behalf of the South-west; Those present at the meeting which held at the opportunity are paramount, regardless of creed, founding Director-General of the National Lekki, Lagos home of Adebayo were General Alani ethnicity, gender or political affiliation. That we Intelligence Agency (NIA), Chief Albert Horsfall Akinrinade (rtd.), President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nnia condemn all hate speeches and conduct emanating for the South-south; and former Chief of GenNwodo, Secretary, Afenifere, Mr. Femi Okunfrom any segment of Nigeria. That Ndigbo support eral Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd.) for the rounmu, Dr. Okey Anueyiaya, Chief Sydney Dike, the report of the National Conference of 2014 and South-east, they criticised the manner in which the Chief Eric Ebeh, Walter Ofonagoro, Senator Bucknor urge the federal government to set up structures that federal government and the acting President Yemi Akinrele, Ogita Iyalla-Finnih, Dr. Kunle Olajide, will enable the implementation of same within a Osinbajo had handled the ultimatum given to the Chief Mike Uwaka and Abdulaziz Ude. reasonable time.

Igbo resident in the North.

Others were Chief Goddy Uwazurike, Prof “That the South-east governors, members of the “We the people of Southern Nigeria, comprising George Obiozor, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Charles OdunNational Assembly from the South-east and the the South-east, South-west and South-south of Niukwe, Iyaze Ebigwe, Col. Tony Iyiam, Senator Femi leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should henceforth geria, decided to come together to forge a common Okunrounmu, Dr. Amos Akingba, Supo Shonibare, constitute the official organs that will speak on and formidable front for the sustenance of sound Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Senator Bassey Henshaw, Air behalf of Ndigbo on political matters. The South-east principles of national development, equity, fairness, Comodore Idongest Nkanga (rtd) and Chief Guy leaders, in consultation with leaders from other parts social justice and political emancipation.

Ikokwu. of the country will engage the federal government “The meeting held against the backdrop of the The South-east leaders have clearly taken a very on all areas of concern to Ndigbo and to Nigeria as ultimatum given by the Arewa youths to the people patriotic position against the pressure on them a whole.” of the South-east and by extension to all Southerners to stand for their people in the midst of alleged Curiously, this all-Igbo meeting is coming about to vacate the North by October 1, 2017, and the unfairness against the South-east within the nation’s a month after the quit order by the Arewa Youths refusal of the Nigerian state to activate the law present structure and their effort is greatly noted. was still causing discontent in the country and against any of them, giving us the impression that But they must also begin to constructively engage which had prompted a meeting of Southern leaders these youths are not acting on their own but on the the leaders of the two groups that are fanning the from the South-east, South-south and South-west back of their establishment. embers of secession as well as sensitise their teeming zones. The meeting was reportedly propelled “We consider the need to avert the impending youths on the benefits of staying together as a people. by the refusal of the relevant security agencies to danger arising from the ultimatum given by the Although there is no part of the country today Arewa youths. We agreed that there is a growing without some sense of inadequacy within the demand by our people and other Nigerians to form collective, even those whose kith and kin are in a stronger federation in which the principles and power, it is also a case of palpable evidence that the practice of true federalism are upheld.

South-east might have been relegated to a detestable “We observe that the cry for self-determination corner, albeit largely by their own making and will continue unabated and become much more mostly through their brand of politics. It still does not stringent unless the federal government sincerely change the fact that they remain a huge and critical addresses the issue of Nigeria’s restructuring. We part of the entity called Nigeria and cannot be treated therefore resolved that we reject the attempt to unfairly on any account reduce the current crisis in Nigeria, flowing from Interestingly, the near-collective gravitation the unresolved nationality question, to an Igbo and towards one goal – restructuring – by all the ethnic North affair. stocks appears the in-thing and which is fast gaining “The meeting therefore insists that any further grounds, aided by the call for a reconsideration of discussion on this crisis should be between the enthe 2014 national conference recommendations tire South and the North of Nigeria. The South-east might as well be the road to the Nigeria of everyone’s is advised to consider any further meeting where dream. It is also expected that with this position of the South-west and South-south are not involved as the South-east leaders, the ruffling of the polity by Southern Nigeria because the issues involved affect the agitations for secession would trashed forthwith all of us. and allow for a sensible re-engineering of the system “We also demand that the Arewa youths and towards her prosperity in unity.

Although there is no part of the country today without some sense of inadequacy within the collective, even those whose kith and kin are in power, it is also a case of palpable evidence that the South-east might have been relegated to a detestable corner, albeit largely by their own making and mostly through their brand of politics.

It still does not change the fact that they remain a huge and critical part of the entity called Nigeria and cannot be treated unfairly on any account

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

As Executive, Legislature Travel a Familiar Road...

A fresh standoff may be in the offing between the Senate and the Presidency over the powers of confirmation of executive nominees. Damilola Oyedele writes

I

f there were any signs of detente between the Executive and the Senate, which more often than not had been at loggerheads, such signs may have disappeared by the latest position of the Senate. Last Tuesday, at resumption from its midterm recess, the lawmakers declared without mincing words that they would no longer consider any request from the executive seeking confirmation of nominees, until there are clarifications on the powers of confirmation conferred on the upper legislative chamber, by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The day had started like most days since the inauguration of the eighth assembly with the lawmakers in a closed-door session. The reason behind the closed door session was soon revealed after Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, seeking the confirmation of the nomination of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, as Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

The letter read in part: “In compliance with the provisions of section 8 (1A) of the National Lottery Act 2005, I write to forward the name of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila as the nominee for the position of Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission for the consideration and appointment of the Senate.”

And the Magu Conundrum Re-surfaces The tone for the day was set by Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima, who citing order 14 of Senate Rules, queried why Osinbajo deemed it fit to request for the confirmation of Gbajabiamila, when he, Osinbajo, had already observed that the Senate’s confirmation of a nominee was immaterial to the appointment. Yerima noted that it was therefore necessary to seek clarification on the statement, before bothering to embark on a fresh confirmation exercise.

Yerima and others, who spoke at plenary last Tuesday argued that the confirmation of nominees by the Senate seems immaterial, since whether or not they are rejected does not stop nominees from occupying the positions. They cited the case of of Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Magu’s nomination as substantive Chairman of the anti-graft agency was twice rejected by the Senate (in December 2016 and March 2017) on the basis of a report by the Department of State Services (DSS), which indicted him for criminal and unprofessional conduct. He has however remained in office since then, albeit in acting capacity.

The Senate said its latest position was prompted by a need to clarify issues on its power to confirm executive nominees for appointments, which was allegedly called to question by Osinbajo. Many of the Senators queried why the presidency had held on to Magu, particularly as he was indicted by an agency of same presidency.

Senator George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East) maintained that one of the core functions of the Senate, as stipulated by the 1999 constitution, is to confirm nominees of the President.

“If the Acting President says we do not have power to confirm, I wonder whether he is in touch with the EFCC Act. If he says we don’t have power to confirm, and he is sending us a nomination, is he reversing himself” he said, adding that to retain a nominee that has been rejected by the Senate undermines democratic institutions and plays down the authority of the lawmakers.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu emphasised that the position of the Senate was not about Magu, or Gbajabiamila, but about the constitution. Citing sections 5, 153, 155 and 171 of the 1999 constitution, Ekweremadu said the laws of the country must be obeyed.

“If the law says you require confirmation, it means you need confirmation,” he said.

The lawmakers urged the Acting President to respect the constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly, as it relates to the confirmation of nominees, and also respect the rejection of nominees by the Senate, meaning he should sack Magu.

Ruling on the issue, Saraki said the matter

L-R: Osinbajo, Fashola, Dogara and Saraki discussing a matter of national importance

must be addressed once and for all.

“It is very clear these resolutions as passed must be acted upon by the Acting President, and ensure that we continue to respect our democracy, our laws, and constitution. It is not for us to choose which laws we obey and which laws we don’t obey. That is not the way any civilised, modern society works. And we hope that the Acting President will take appropriate action in line with these resolutions,” he said.

The Executive Inconsistencies The initial letter to the Senate nominating Magu as EFCC Chairman, dated June 17, 2016, which co-incidentally was written by Osinbajo as Acting President at the time, reads in part: “In view of the following, I hereby draw Your Excellency’s attention to the vacancy that existed in the EFCC. Having carefully considered eminently suitable qualified Nigerians for the vacant position, I am pleased to inform you of the appointment of the following and to propose them for confirmation of the Senate as provided by the EFCC Act”.

Osinbajo however contradicted himself when in April 2017, while reacting to the second rejection of Magu by the lawmakers, said the nominee did not require the confirmation of the Senate. He was quoted as saying: “It is up to the senate to make their judgment, and it is up to us to say what we want to do. If our candidate is rejected, we can re-present him.

No law says we can’t re-present him. And again, there is the other argument, whether or not we need to present him for confirmation and that’s a compelling argument from Femi Falana,” he said.

“His (Falana’s) argument is that under the constitution, section 171, and if you look at that section, it talks about the appointments that the president can make. They include appointments of ministers, ambassadors and heads of agencies such as the EFCC. In that same section 171, the constitution rightly said that certain appointments must go to the senate such as ministerial and ambassadorial appointments. Those of heads of agencies like the EFCC do not have to go to the senate. That’s what the constitution says. But the EFCC act, which of course as you know is inferior, says that EFCC chairman should go to the senate for confirmation.”

“I am sure that even a pocket book lawyer knows that when legislation conflicts with constitution, it’s the constitution that prevails. I agree with Mr. Falana that there was no need in the first place to have sent Magu’s name to the

senate, but we did so and it was rejected by the senate. But I believe that it can be re-presented.

I don’t think there is anything wrong about the fact that senate has rejected him. Senate has acted in its own wisdom to say ‘No, we don’t want him’, and we can say, ‘This is our candidate… we like the gentleman and we want him to continue,” Osinbajo said.

The Acting President’s initial letter seeking Magu’s confirmation explicitly stated “…for confirmation of the Senate as provided by the EFCC Act”. His letter seeking Gbajabiamila’s confirmation also stated “In compliance with the provisions of section 8 (1A) of the National Lottery Act 2005…” Falana’s argument, which Osinbajo has relied upon to make his pronouncement, observed that the EFCC was not listed among the agencies or parastatals that require confirmation.

The question therefore is why did Osinbajo send Magu’s confirmation if he prefers to rely on Section 171 of the constitution? Second, since he considers the EFCC Act to be in conflict with and inferior to the constitution, is it not also better for him to assume that the NLRC Act is in conflict, and simply appoint Gbajabiamila to resume office? Why did the Executive apologise recently when Gbajabiamila resumed office without going through the required processes by the Senate?

It amounts to sheer inconsistency and diplomatic hypocrisy to send Gbajabiamila’s nomination, when NLRC was also not listed.

If Osinbajo relied on the NLRC Act to seek the confirmation, it implies that Magu’s confirmation is also required from the Senate in line with the EFCC Act. Also if the presidency claims it finds the report of the DSS, which indicted Magu, immaterial to his appointment, why did the presidency replace the non-career ambassadorial nominee from Ondo State, Mr. Jacob Igbekele Daodu, who was rejected by the Senate based on a report of the Department of State Services (DSS), which indicted him for corruption?

Final Analysis…

The latest standoff should not be surprising to political watchers in the last few weeks. The relief that greeted the signing of the 2017 budget just a few days to the expiration of the 2016 budget was dispelled when the Executive and the National Assembly started throwing subtle jibes at each other over alleged manipulations of the spending bill.

If Osinbajo was subtle in expressing displeasure at what he called insertions in the budget and reached a virulent deal for critical projects, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, was more vocal when he leveled various allegations against the lawmakers.

But the controversy on whether or not the nominations of executive nominees are validated by the Senate may have been summed up by two senators.

Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi) accused the executive of engaging in double standards and hypocrisy. He said “There are people that they want, even if the National Assembly would not confirm them,” he summarised.

The position of the Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye was most succinct. Adeyeye disclosed that he voted ‘yes’ for Magu, but the Senate voted nay. “I voted yes for Magu. But the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria voted no. I stand with the Nigerian Senate. I choose a strong institution. We should not allow our institutions to be weakened.

“Every public servant is bound to obey every law of the Republic. Nobody, not the President, Vice or the Senate President has the right to disobey our laws. Whoever has problems with our laws should go to court and declare them null and void. Until that is done, every law of the land must be respected,” Adeyeye added.

However, indications that this renewed face-off might be a long haul emerged on Thursday, when Osinbajo declared that nobody could remove Magu from office. Speaking at the commissioning of the zonal office of the EFCC in Kaduna, Osinbajo, who was represented by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, expressed confidence in the capacity of Magu in the fight against corruption.

El-Rufai, who claimed to have spoken to President Mohammadu Buhari on Magu, added that the president had assured him that as long as he (Buhari) remains president, Magu would not vacate the anti-corruption agency chair seat.

“We have every confidence in Magu to fight corruption to a standstill. He will remain the EFCC chairman as long as I remain the acting president and as well as Muhammadu Buhari remains the president,” he said.

Although it is debatable that el-Rufai might have pushed his personal view while representing Osinbajo, but with such a position laundered in the name of the acting president, the last is yet to be heard of the face-off between the executive and legislature.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Araraume: It’s Unfair to Propose Secession Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume, a former governorship candidate in Imo State is currently a commissioner/member of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission. In this interview with Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the All Progressives Congress member spoke on topical national issues. Excerpts:

I

t’s over two years since the All Progressives Congressled federal government came to power, what is your assessment of the government?

Two years down the line, I would say the government has done well, looking at where we are coming from and the challenges the present government inherited from the previous administration. I will categorise our success in different areas. If you look at the area of security, the government has done well. If you consider that at the point we came in, it was almost impossible to live in Abuja, to even go to Churches and Mosques to worship in Abuja, many parts of the north and some other parts of this country – the South-east, South-west, South-south and North Central.

We lost parts of our territories in states like Yobe, Borno and Adamawa to Boko Haram. For example, to access Sambisa forest was almost impossible. And when President Muhammadu Buhari-led government came to power, he launched a frontal attack against members of Boko Haram; the Army Chiefs relocated to the North East for effective coordination of the war against Boko Haram. Today, we can see the results of the plans, synergy and efforts.

The terrorists have almost been decimated in those areas; members of Boko Haram have been chased out of the Sambisa forest. Of course, those who have doubt about whether Chibok girls were kidnapped or not, have reason to doubt again. Over one hundred and twenty of them have been set free as a result of the Buhari-led government’s efforts and they are currently being rehabilitated into the society.

It is a huge success, and it has re-established hope and confidence in the international community, who thought that it was impossible to do business with our country again as a result of the insecurity in our country. The issue of kidnapping in some parts of the South-south and the South-east is also being frontally attacked.

Yes, there are still some incidences here and there but not in the huge manner they were when APC came on board. Generally, the Buhari-led government has done well in dealing with the issues of insecurity.

Let’s talk about the war against corruption by this administration, what is your take?

Before Buhari came on board, it was not just that there was huge corruption; the impunity aspect of it was inconceivable.

Government officials were doing things as if nobody was incharge. Contracts were being reserved for people in the presidency.

But you don’t hear those things anymore. If you are pre-qualified technically and your financial biding is successful, you get the job. Nobody tells you anymore that some jobs are reserved for powerful people in the presidency or in government. There is no special interest anymore in the award of federal government contracts. If you have your necessary documentations ready and the necessary papers, you are good to go.

What this means is that those who are engaged in legitimate business can now engage in government businesses. And those who are fraudulent – those who think they can just come with their briefcases, get into offices and get contracts, have no place in this government anymore. Take a look also at the ease of doing business in Nigeria today. Before now, getting documents for businesses was taking some months but now it has been simplified.

For example, if you pay your tax, you can get your tax clearance within a week or less than that. The reason it was difficult to do businesses easily before was because of corruption.

It is different now under President Buhari’s administration. There is now transparency in the release of funds to state and local governments. Nothing is withheld. If there is withholding of local government’s fund, we should hold the states government responsible. Also, before now, many projects were not properly financed but at present, the president is financing projects across the country.

No zone or state is left out. Projects that are spread across the country are being properly funded. Before now, they were not adequately funded; enough budgetary provisions and releases were not made for projects and as a result, there were many abandoned projects across the country. Take for example, in the rehabilitation of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway,

Ararume...APC government have done well

Abuja, the federal government said it would be done in six weeks and they delivered the project few days before the six weeks.

It has never happened in the history of this country, where government will tell you a project will be delivered in so, so time and it will be delivered. The APC-led government has also done well in the area of education and in other areas, where promises were made. At present, the government is also dealing with the huge challenges it inherited from the previous government. Don’t forget that when this government came, we had fluctuation and instability in oil prices at the international market.

We also had serious challenges in the Niger Delta region – the issue of stealing of crude oil, the issue of vandalism of oil pipelines and others, which crashed our oil production and affected our earnings. But now, the federal government is approaching the issues diligently. All the stakeholders are being engaged by top government official being led by the President and his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. We now have relative peace in the Niger Delta. There was a time our oil production went down to less than one million barrel per day. The oil price also crashed and that was a double jeopardy.

Today, the price of oil is hovering between $45 and $50 per barrel, but due to the federal government’s approach in resolving the issue – dialogue – provision for the Presidential Amnesty in engaging the militants, the production of oil has gone up to about 2 million barrel per day. And by the time the oil price goes up, we will have enough fund to tackle some of the present challenges.

The issue of multiple accounts by federal government agencies has been rested by the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

There is now discipline in the management of government funds. Before now, government agencies were rushing to spend its budget allocations before the end of the financial year; but you dare not do that now. The system is now working. As a result of the introduction of BVN in our banking transactions, financial crime rate has dropped drastically. Success in government does not mean the building of roads alone, there must be sanity in our system and that is what we are enjoying under the Buhari-led government.

For this country to remain one, our past and present leaders made huge sacrifices. Lots of lives were lost. Properties worth trillions of naira were lost. Therefore, anybody thinking of breaking up this country is not fair to this nation. We are one and we will remain one in spite of the present challenges we are capable of resolving. If you go to Gabon today, there are many Nigerians who were shipped to that country during the civil war. Today, they cannot return home

In spite of these achievements of the APC-led government, the South-east, where you come from still says it has not got its fair share of Buhari’s political patronage in terms of appointments and others things. Do you agree?

There are agitations even in a family. People who eat from the same pot still agitate. There are legitimate ways we can put our views across to the government. First and foremost, you have your representatives at the Senate, House of Representatives and the state assemblies. You can also channel your grievances to the government or appropriate authorities through your representatives. We can also channel our agitations to the National Council of States that is usually chaired by the President, which comprises former Heads of State, former presidents, Senate President, Speaker, governors and others.

Violence has never achieved anything. There are better ways to engage the government. We should avoid destroying ourselves or our properties or our infrastructure. Don’t protest by destroying yourself or infrastructure. Look at some parts of Niger Delta today, where oil facilities were destroyed, which resulted to oil spillage, it is going to cost huge fund and years to clean it up. No question: that there are some imbalances; they were not created by this present government; they are cumulative of imbalances and negligence of over the years.

But the truth of the matter is that we have also had people from the South-east region, who have occupied sensitive positions in the past. We have had Secretary to the federal government. We had Senate President – the number three citizen of this country, for years; we had coordinating minister; deputy senate president and different ministers from this zone. What I am saying is that the situation we are complaining about at present has been there over the years, and we should have that in our mind.

I am from the South-east. We have a government that listens and we should channel our agitations properly. The present government is building the East West road; the government is building coastal rail lines linking the South-south to Lagos and it will also get to the South-east. No matter how justified you are in your agitations, there are better ways to resolve the issues. The present government is listening to the agitations of our people. We should exercise patience and dialogue. I believe we shall get result.

We must do our best to keep our youth safe.

Are you saying there is no deliberate attempt by the Buhari-led government to short-change the people of Southeast in the distribution of national resources of this country?

Absolutely no! There is no deliberate attempt by this government to deny the South-east of what rightfully belongs to the zone. In any case, each state in our zone has its own government; it generates internal revenue; it gets allocation from the federal government every month; it gets fund for local government councils. And for those that are part of the oil producing states like Imo, Delta, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and others, they receive special intervention fund.

We should also hold our state governments accountable in the way they spend these funds. If you put side by side the debts, the allocations and value of projects in these states, the result you will get will be unacceptable to their people. What that means is that some have not really met the people’s expectations.

The perceived marginalisation may have ignited the call for the Republic of Biafra. Is this agitation justifiable?

No, Nigeria is a sovereign nation. Every governor and his deputy in the South-east took oath of office and oath of allegiance to the constitution and sovereignty of our nation. Nigeria is one nation. The state governors took oath of office to defend this nation. The president also took oath of office to defend and protect this nation. And for us as citizens, we are Nigerians. We have right to protest on issues but we cannot call for the dissolution of Nigeria. If there are issues, we must resolve them amicably.

For this country to remain one, our past and present leaders made huge sacrifices. Lots of lives were lost. Properties worth trillions of naira were lost. Therefore, anybody thinking of breaking up this country is not fair to this nation. We are one and we will remain one in spite of the present challenges we are capable of resolving. If you go to Gabon today, there are many Nigerians who were shipped to that country during the civil war. Today, they cannot return home.

My point is that no matter our grievances, we can resolve them amicably through dialogue without resorting to another civil war.

If any zone, whether South-south, South-east, South-west and North West feel it is not getting what it deserves, there are better ways to resolve the matter.

Another election year is gradually inching close, are you considering another shot at Imo governorship?

The story of Imo State is something we cannot finish if we start telling the story. The good thing is that we are alive. We have even seen the administration of the state moving from one hand to another.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

CICERO/REPORT

Wike and the Trouble Within The recent dissolution of the state executive council by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State may have exposed the cracks within his government. Ernest Chinwo writes

L

ast week was quite tumultuous in the political artery of Rivers State. Governor Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, June 24, announced the dissolution of the State Executive Council after presiding over what turned out a valedictory session. A statement by the Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, after the meeting said the governor directed all former commissioners to handover to their respective Permanent Secretaries.

He also said Wike thanked the former commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.

The dissolution came about 48 hours after the governor sacked his Commissioner for Works, Mr. Bathuel Ifeanyichukwu Harrison and no reason was given for the sack But Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George, had however resigned his appointment on Friday, June 23, before the dissolution, thus prompting insinuation that the governor might have preempted more resignation, hence the dissolution of the exco.

Tam-George, in a letter dated June 23, 2017 and addressed to the Governor, said he had officially handed over to Director of Administration in the Ministry of Information and Communication. The terse letter titled “Resignation” read in part: “I wish to resign my appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communication with effect from today, 23rd, June, 2017.

I have handed over officially to the Director of Administration of the Ministry. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the state.”

But Harrison was the second Works commissioner to be sacked under the Wike-led administration. He was appointed on May 11, 2016 after the governor had sacked his predecessor, Kevin Wachukwu.

In February this year, the governor sacked the commissioner for Health, Dr. Theophilus Odiage, few days after the acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, visited and commencement of the reconstruction of Doctors’ Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt.

With the spate of dismissal of commissioners especially last week, there were speculations that all might not be well within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There were suspicions that some of the commissioners may have been compromised by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) especially as the senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe’s gubernatorial ambitions had become public knowledge and a move that was also tearing the APC apart in the state.

But Wike has tried to douse tension by

Wike...2019 has begun

stating that the sack of the cabinet was with the knowledge of the leadership of the state PDP and that there was no crack in the party.

Speaking during the Election Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Majority Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Ogu on Sunday, June 25, Wike explained that the dissolution was done to rejig the machinery of government to move the state forward.

“This is when you know those who are loyal and those who are not loyal. There is no crack in government. We are working together. The dissolution was done in consultation with the leadership of PDP in the state. You must work with those who are loyal. Those who are not loyal will be shown the way out. Those who are loyal will come back. When you are going into another dispensation, you have to put things in order.”

The governor said the dissolution of the state executive council was done at the appropriate

time, adding that most other states had already dissolved their respective executive councils.

“In government, there are those hungry to come in and those hungry to go. If you are a political appointee, you must expect any eventuality,” he said, adding that the administration would continue to deliver on its promises to the people.

While the governor stated that there was no crack in the party, his insistence on the matter of loyalty lends credence to speculations that some of his “boys” may have shifted loyalty. Although no reasons were proffered for the ousting of the commissioners, some politicians have said the Tam-George might have resigned because his ministry was starved of funds.

But in media circles in the state, his exit had long been expected. The social media had been awash with his rating as the worst information commissioner in the state in recent times.

Deployments he carried out in the Ministry of Information had not gone down well with

most persons. Some experienced directors in the ministry with background rooted in print media were posted to the state Broadcasting Corporation where they had been idle. Some say the postings were punitive as the affected directors were people who had had differing opinions with the commissioner.

The ministry was not visible during the month-long celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the state and the second anniversary of the administration of Wike. He was also seen as an “Outsider” in the cabinet, because aside the fact that he did not follow in the campaigns, he was not based in the country and was not in complete grasp of the workings of the Nigerian system. His relationship with the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was also said not to be cordial.

For other commissioners, however, it was not unlikely that most of them could not keep pace with the governor’s style of administration, especially that 2019 is also in view. For Wike, any appointee that would not work according to his (the governor’s) dictates is not needed.

Ironically, what Tam-George was later quoted as saying about the administration had lent credence to the possible crack within Wike’s government. Hear this: “Wike does not have any good dream for Rivers State. Most commissioners serving under Governor Wike can no longer pay the school fees of their wards. Governor Wike is running a one-man show government and I’ve decided not to be part of such government again.”

On the flip side, however, the dissolution of the executive council has opened new doors for political job seekers, who are now seeking the assistance of god-fathers to get the ear of the governor. An official of the state PDP, who pleaded anonymity told THISDAY that “CVs are flying all over the place. Most of us are seeking to be named in the new cabinet. We have worked and we think we should also chop.”

But as the politicians jostle for appointment into the new cabinet, one person whose case is settled is the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN). He was to appear before the state House of Assembly on Thursday for screening. A close ally and member of the kitchen cabinet of the governor, his case was almost fait accompli that he would come back.

While the fate of others still hangs in the balance, it is expected that the coming week will also be eventful in terms of the reconstitution of the state executive council. But it is also certain that these are some of the evident trappings of the 2019 elections. And if the signs are to share closely, they come across vividly as some of the factors that ultimately shaped the emergence of Wike in the time of Rotimi Amaechi. Or is it time and chance reversing roles now? Let’s wait for it…

NOTES FOR FILE

UNIMAID in Dire Straits

For reasons best known to the Boko Haram sect, it had carried out no less than eight attacks on the University of Maiduguri in the last five months with unnerving casualty rate.

This, understandably, prompted the call for a police post and consolidated security effort in and around the university environment.

Unfortunately, the police think otherwise.

The Borno State Police Command recently ruled out the likelihood of a police post on the university campus on account of terrorism attacks. The state Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, that the setting up of police posts in the institution would create difficult precedents for other universities to follow.

In his own words: “Let me say here that once you establish a police post in UNIMAID, you would have set up a difficult precedent. This is because every other university would want the police to set up posts on their campuses too. It is not the

universities; even other tertiary institutions would want such posts established on their campuses,” he said.

According to him, the police had been collaborating with the university outfit to ensure security at the campus, adding that, “Originally, the university security outfit had been in charge of security arrangements in the university. But since January when we started having suicide bomb attacks, we injected some security agents, including policemen and the military into the system,” Mr. Chukwu said.

But the narrative of the staff and students of the university dismisses Chukwu’s position as they reportedly accused the federal government of not doing enough to prevent terrorist attacks on the institution. These two distinct interest groups on the campus reportedly gave reasons for their stance, which included the non-approval by the federal government of N2.8 billion requested by the university authority to procure modern security equip-

ment to stop Boko Haram from attacking the campus on a larger scale.

But Chukwu’s position that other campuses and interest groups could also make similar demands belies logic. When President Muhammadu Buhari, on assumption of office, moved an entire military command to the North East to tame the menace of terrorism, it was not as if other regions did not have their peculiar security challenges and failed to demand such attention, but they understood the case of the North East and chose to be their brother’s keepers.

Taken from this, which of the campuses in other parts of the country is oblivious of the situation in UNIMAID? Why would anyone or institution choose therefore to rival the university given the seriousness, urgency and peculiarity of their challenge? UNIMAID is not asking for too much and it is within the institution’s right to do so. This is why government must wean itself of this illogic and address UNIMAID’s security challenge.

Police IG, Ibrahim Idris

72

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž JULY 9, 2017

CICERO/INTERVIEW/INFOGRAPH

Nzongola-Ntalaja: Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democracy Improving Steadily Prof. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja is a Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC), USA and a global scholar on African Studies and Democratisation. In this interview with Paul Obi, Nzongola-Ntalaja speaks on Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy, its leadership in Africa and Moroccoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest to join ECOWAS. Excerpts:

Y

ou are in Nigeria to deliver a keynote address at the National Defence College Abuja, across Africa, one would have thought that with most countries embracing democracy, stability will be central to governance, but crises and conflicts have continued unabated. What do you think is responsible for this quagmire associated with African democracy?

Well, I think, my lecture gave answers to that. I spoke on three challenges of governance, the challenge of establishing the rule of law, challenge of expressing citizenship rights, then the challenge of improving the standard of living for all; these are the three critical areas of governance. In remote African countries, the state simply failed to be able to provide for those few areas in terms of the fact that we have too many rulers in Africa, who are stubborn, they want to hold on to power for life. It is also the tendency, which is averagely diminishing, unconstitutional change of government, where people coming to govern by force as you have seen in Central Africa Republic, in Mali 2012, in other places, The second challenge is in terms of citizenship rights all over the continent. there are groups of citizens who have been denied the basic citizenship rights because of ethic minority and then from regions that considers themselves the most important in the country, the high cost of living. We see the gap between the rich and the poor widening all over the continent. Governments are unable to provide for the basic human needs of the people in terms of food, education, good healthcare, all of this contribute to the question of instability.

People are very much concerned about what is happening. People ask why are the governments they elect not fulfilling their promise of improving

necessities of life, I think that is what we need.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a three way system, you have to get people who are determined to be good leaders, who are committed to the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need and institutions because these leaders cannot work as free agents.

There are people who must work with the institutions, respecting the rules of law which the institutions established, doing what is suppose to be done in the country.

Prof. Nzongola-Ntalaja their lives and so on.

What do you think African leaders and citizens need to do to evolve a new template that will put in place good governance, reduce poverty and develop infrastructure?

I said, it is up to all the people to choose leaders who are visionary, men and women of integrity, leaders who are committed to the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welfare. For people who cherish the welfare of the people, then you are doing a good job, if the people are happy. And if the people are being taken care of in terms of healthcare, education, food, security and other basic

How will you rate Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance generally in terms of democracy, with regards to democratic institutions, norms and values?

The process is very slow, though it is improving. I think the election of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 was a very good development. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good sign that the country is slowly moving to consolidate democracy and also the change of ruling party, alternating ruling party with the election of President Buhari. It is very important in terms of consolidating democracy. And you have to be really grateful that you have a man as Attahiru Jega who chaired the electoral commission. He really gave an example of great integrity and great courage to be able to manage the process in the country as difficult to manage as Nigeria is. I think from all of that we still have problems with so much corruption among state governors , people complain about huge amounts of money that goes to states government and people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see much that comes out of the money. There have been some improvement, roads built, schools, health centres, but the level of poverty is very high. The social indicators -access to health and education are still very difficult for the people to access.

So what do you think are the steps Nigeria needs to take to curtail these challenges which you have highlighted?

I think there must be mobilisation of good people, men and women of integrity, because leadership is crucial anywhere. You need a very good leader at the local level, state and federal.

For that to succeed, you need stable institutions, you must make sure that state legislatures, state government, the judiciary systems are developed into lasting institutions that make decisions that people can respect, but really advance the democratic process rather than frustrate it. And you have people understanding what challenge that is facing them, and working courageously to improve the situation, that is the key of building a strong institution. Having good leaders and citizenry that follow closely what the people they elected into office are doing.

At the moment, across Africa, there is vacuum of leadership, Nigeria for instance is having challenges, there appears to be a vacuum because of President Muhammadu Buhari illness. What is your view?

In the case of President Buhari, he has in one point said openly that he was suffering from sickness and has to go for medical treatment. But Yarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Adua, he kept it within his small followers.

But I think one cannot blame one person for being sick because it happens to everybody. All we can do is wish him well and pray that he can recover quickly and come back. While the job of the Vice President is to fill in while the President is not there, I think we should give the Vice President the opportunity to fulfill his duties if the President is found to be incapable of ruling the country. The constitution provides for him to step down, I think people should follow the constitution. What are the prospects that should be made clear? The President of the country is so important that he should not be living in secret and his health should not be a secret but should be made clear to the people.

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73

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Foluke Adeboye: Celebrating a ‘Mother in Israel’ at 69 Femi Adelegan

M

any women are recorded in the Holy Bible as exhibiting leadership qualities in both the Old and New Testaments; and their notable deeds in the ministry will remain so until the Lord comes.

Miriam, the sister of Aaron was a prophetess and one of the leaders of Israel during the Exodus from Egypt. The Book of Judges 4 & 5 records Deborah as a prophet-judge, who headed the army of ancient Israel, and Esther, who saved the people of Israel from the antics of Haman. Huldah, a prophet, verified the authenticity of the “Book of the Law of the Lord given through Moses,” and activated a religious revival. Similarly, Paul described Phoebe as a minister of the church at Cenchrea; and Priscilla as a ‘’co-worker’’ in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3) The God that inspired the female prophets named above is still alive today, and is an Eternal Personality. The Lord has made it possible for women, though regarded and help-mates, to be able to function as ministers of the gospel, have equal access to His Throne, and the Holy Spirit; as God has not created a female or male anointing. Unquestionable God, therefore, uses any vessel He likes.

It is a widely accepted notion that the next place to hell are homes where couples cannot blend; thus missing peace, progress and happiness. Regrettably, many people miss the fulfillment of their divine agenda because of going into wrong marital unions. But God is a Perfect Arranger. The union of the global leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs) Foluke Adeboye would appear to be a perfect one designed by God in heaven, Who knows the beginning till the end of His creations, and designs their terrestrial journeys, even before we were born. One could say with every emphasis that Pastor Adeboye is indeed lucky to have married Mummy G.O; a helper of destiny who is an embodiment of so many virtues that have positively impacted the entire life and ministry of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide. And Mummy Adeboye too is exceptionally lucky to have discovered her husband. She most probably would not have been this useful to God and humanity, had she missed her husband. Proverbs 18: 22 states that: ‘’Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.’’ Most ministers of God have been known to succeed in their services in God’s vineyard, because they are lucky and privileged to be blessed with supportive spouses, who dote on them virtually every second, and also create the enabling environment for the prosecution of their husbands’ divine assignments throughs intercessions and homely conducts.

Fondly addressed as Mummy G.O. by millions of people all over the world, testimonies abound about the milk of kindness that flows through this child of God. Mine will lead, for the purpose of celebrating Mummy Adeboye who turns 69 years old on July 13, 2017. My first physical encounter with the ‘First Lady’ of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Year 2001, was undoubtedly divinely arranged.

My dear wife, and my humble self had to attend a function in Ilisan-Remo, and decided to utilize the opportunity to pray at the forecourt of the then RCCG International Office, directly opposite Daddy G.O’s office as at then. After joining hands in intercession for about an hour, we decided to leave a message at another point, at the junction leading to the former residence of the RCCG General Overseer, located on the Holiness Road at the RCCG camp. We had intended to leave a message there for our dear sister in the Lord, and blessed child of God, Pastor (Mrs) Margaret Boluwakole. Just as we parked and alighted from our vehicle, we saw Mummy Adeboye coming out towards the junction that led to their Holiness Road residence. Mummy G.O beckoned to us (my

Adeboye

wife and I) to come in and personally led us into the living room of the Adeboyes!.

Unknown to us, that day was Pastor (Mrs) Adeboye’s 53rd birthday anniversary and top priests of the RCCG gathered beside the official residence of the Adeboyes, and were being entertained under a canopy. My wife and I started looking at ourselves as Mummy directed that we, inconsequential people, be lavishly entertained. Soon, Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Daddy G.O) came out from his room directly facing the living room. He greeted us briskly, prayed and blessed us; and made his way to his vehicle. Daddy G.O headed to the Ajebo Foresquare Church camp site to minister.

Then came the time for us to depart. Soft spoken Pastor (Mrs) Adeboye said to us: ‘’I don’t know you, but I just decided to entertain you.’’ She then ordered that drinks and snacks be packed for us and she again escorted us out of the residence. We knew that the Holy Bible in Hebrews 13:2 instructs believers that: ‘’Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby, some have entertained angels unawares.’’ I reasoned that we are no angels and also felt that we were not that important to be accorded that type of hospitality. And we never barged into the premises of the Adeboyes. For several days thereafter, I wondered why God arranged for us to be mightily favoured that way, since we were not angels of the Lord, that people wittingly or unwittingly entertain. It was as if I was dreaming. I told my wife that I suspected that the Holy Spirit directed Mummy G.O. to go and invite us and entertain us; noninfluential and insignificant personalities. I have said it repeatedly that I prefer meeting with great servants of God, than meeting with the President of the United States, who is the most powerful person in the world.

Most times when I reflect on some unusual occurrences, I Chronicles 17:16 eplodes: ‘’Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is mine house,

that thou hast brought me hitherto?’’ God also made it possible for my wife to have had the rare opportunity and priviledge of cooking and dishing the meals taken by Daddy and Mummy G.O. each time they came to minister at the annual convention of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, until we relocated to Abuja. I remember that whenever Daddy or Mummy G.O was asked how many people would be on their entourage, the reply was always: ‘’My wife, myself, my driver, and the Holy Spirit!’’ There was an occasion church leaders were detailed by Bishop Wale Oke to meet this wonderful couple at the Ibadan end toll gate of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. We were looking forward to seeing a big vehicle; but Pastor and Mrs. Adeboye drove into the arena of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries in a saloon car. Those who went to receive them at the toll gate never knew the Adeboyes had gone past them; while they were looking for Daddy and Mummy G.O. in big vehicles.

A lover of God, Pastor (Mrs) Adeboye is a wonderful sight to behold at worship sessions, shaking her tambourine almost aggressively in an atmosphere enveloped by the Holy Spirit, in appreciation of the grace and majesty of God. The worship sessions are moments of praise and graceful dance steps. But those dance steps are not for her husband, Pastor Adeboye to appreciate; but for the Lord. Mama Adeboye is reputed to be a calm and warm personality with sterling leadership qualities, and an unusual organizational ability. She is also ‘’endowed with immense grace and great capacity for hard work, and has proven to be a missionary and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ with a gift of intercession. A woman of virtue, millions of people have, through Mummy G.O. developed intimate relationships with God, as she touches lives through her simplicity and commitment to the divine agenda. Being a spiritual mother is a supernatural way to care for souls, especially

priests. It is a type of maternity that nurtures divine life in others by doing God’s will. One notable feature of her life is that Mummy G.O is also a strict disciplinarian who brooks no nonsense or laxity in the ministry.

As spiritual mother to millions of people all over the world, including prominent religious leaders like Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Bishop David Oyedepo, Revd Joe Olaiya, Revd Moses Aransiola and Pastor Uzodinma Obed, among several others, she fits perfectly into the status of a Mother-in-Israel. Mummy G.O’s love and concern for her spiritual children is noteworthy.

For example, Mummy G.O. practically relocated to the residence of the Oyedepos at the Covenant University, Otta, to perform a motherly role when the devil struck and Pastor (Mrs) Faith Oyedepo was attacked spiritually, a few years ago. That is a demonstration of true love, concern and motherhood. She is credited with an enormous inner strength and huge divine gifts that she has deployed to the work of God, particularly as pillar of support for her husband’s divine assignment. Her pattern of spiritual motherhood indicates that Mummy G.O’s first responsibility is to be led by the Holy Spirit, as God brings people into her life to mentor. She relates closely with her mentees and encourages them through prayers for them to continually grow and mature as Christians.

From available indications, Daddy G.O. is fortunate to have met and married Mummy Foluke Adeboye. Conversely, Mummy G.O. is lucky to have tolerated Daddy G.O’s excesses at the initial stages of their friendship and union.

For this, Mrs. Adeboye is not only enjoying the reward of faithfulness of her husband, but also special blessings from the Lord who has sent her husband on a terrestrial errand. But like all other heros and heroines of all times, the Adeboyes are not perfect. Nothing comes easy. Pastor (Mrs) Adeboye commences her day with communion with God at about 3.00am. She remains in the place of prayer till 6.am, when she switches over to participate in the family devotion. It is no doubt a hectic schedule that was cultivated shortly after she and her husband knew Christ. She is so much committed to praying, that whenever her husband goes to minister and she has to stay at home, Mummy G.O would go into her prayer closet, urging God to help Daddy G.O. in his ministration. On more than one occasion, Mummy Adeboye would welcome her husband back and tell him some of God’s moves at the ministration she never attended.

Her husband would be surprised and asked who told her. Who else but the Holy Spirit?

Mrs. Adeboye would always reveal. Mummy G.O is equally hugely passionate about Nigeria; and the proper growth of the young ones.

Therefore, that segment for prayers for Nigeria and youths at major meetings of the RCCG is reserved for Mrs. Adeboye, who has repeatedly admonishes families to prepare and nurture their children in the way of the Lord. She counsels that good leadership comes from good home training; as any society enjoying good leadership must prepare the young ones for positions of responsibility. Other notable traits are Mrs Adeboye’s hospitality and simplicity.

Rev’d Moses Aransiola once confessed that he doesn’t know how Mummy G.O. does it, such that she remembers to send gifts to her numerous spiritual children on Christian festive seasons. In my part, I honestly cannot imagine the number of people who would have missed their goals and helpers of destinies, had the Adeboyes failed to honour the call of God; and the Creator fails to make a replacement.

Late Charles Spurgeon, a famous preacher, in his sermon delivered at ‘The Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens’ noted that: “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and ‘’Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.

–––Femi Adelegan, an author, writer, and publisher; an ordained leader at the Sword of the Spirit Ministries contributed this piece from Abuja.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 9, 2017

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Maitama Sule’s Unfinished Business!

The last days of the Dan Masani Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, were quite eventful and solely dedicated to the Nigerian project. But he failed to realise one particular project he held dear to his heart before quitting the world’s stage and that was reconciling the Igbo and the Arewa youths. In this tribute, Ibrahim Shuaibu writes about this very desire and the many efforts of his last days…

I

t was not by accident that the late icon, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule dedicated his last days to championing the success of the Nigerian project and his decision to travel that road was not misplaced. The period preceding his demise has been tumultuous for the nation as everything seemed to be falling apart. And as an elder statesman, Alhaji Sule had taken the initiative to lead the call for a return to the dreams of the founding fathers.

And despite his aging physique and waning strength, he spent his last days delivering lectures; holding talks on the way forward for one indivisible Nigeria and consciously taking part in every effort genuinely geared towards sustaining the unity and beauty of the nation’s diversity.

But his last days also witnessed yet a major challenge, which he badly wanted to address or at least seen to have been addressed before death drew curtains on his sojourn on the planet earth. He wanted to reconcile the Biafra agitators and members of Northern youth forum, at a meeting they were slated to meet with him before his demise.

He was seen as the only viable reconciliator that could not only bridge and cement the sour relationship between the agitators and the government but also one that could prevail on the Arewa youth to see their hard line position differently.

According to a source, Sule had already been slated to speak with Igbo groups residing in the North after he returned from medical check-up. But he could not make before passing on. Curiously, many a people had thought that his intervention would go a long way in dousing tension that was rather surreal.

A member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, jerry Alfred said the Igbo in the north lost a father, who treated them like his sons and daughters by way of giving them fatherly advice. He described the late Dan Masani Kano as a man, who spent his entire life preaching peace and unity among Nigerians. And almost ceaselessly, his death has continued to receive tributes from all walks of life.

Dan Masanin Kano died at the wee hours of Monday at an international hospital in Cairo, Egypt at the age of 88 and left behind 10 children. His death came as a shock to many people, including President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputy, Professor Yomi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and former president Olusegun Obasanjo, all of whom had since paid glowing tributes to him.

A well-respected personality both home and away, Sule was a major northern force to reckon with in terms of ideology and was seen as a key factor linking tradition and modernity. Born in Kano on October 1, 1929, in Yola Quarters, his father was Dan Mori of Madakin Kano Mahmud, who also led the young Maitama to school.

Sule attended Shahuchi Elementary School before proceeding to the Kano Middle School, where his teachers included the earliest generation of Kano western educated elite. He graduated from the college in 1946 but went for further training as a professional teacher and was employed as a teacher in the Kano Middle School in 1946, where he remained till 1954.

He taught many prominent Nigerians at the school including Murtala Muhammed, who later became the Head of State. Sule joined partisan politics and resigned from the Native Authority Service. He later moved to the NPC and became a member of the Federal House of Representatives.

Sule defeated Mallam Aminu Kano in the City Constituency in the 1954 elections. In 1959, he was moved to a rural constituency and was later appointed the Minister of Mines and Power in the First Republic. When Kano State was created, he was in the first cabinet, as a commissioner. He was later appointed the Chairman of the National Council for Arts and Culture.

During the Murtala administration, he was appointed the Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission. During the Second Republic, he was one of the founding members of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He contested the presidential primaries, which Alhaji Shehu Shagari won. He was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and during President Shehu Shagari’s second term, he was the Minister of National Guidance. But after the end of the Second Republic, he disengaged from partisan politics and retired to a private life as a statesman.

President Goodluck Jonathan honored him along with fifty other distinguished Nigerians on the fiftieth anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. Sule died as the longest serving Minister of Petroleum from 1959 to 1966, yet he never acquired any oil block or even a filling station. He continued serving in various capacities but still lived in his mud house till he left public service in the late 1980s and it took almost a decade to build his house, when one of the state governors gave him a plot.

Former Deputy Senate President in the Second Republic, Alhaji Mamman Abubakar Danmusa described his death as “shocking and an irreparable loss.

In a statement personally signed, Buhari said he knew the late Maitama Sule was sick but he was devastated by his death.

“I have heard this morning, the death of the venerable Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, and one of Nigeria’s famous

When acting Presiddent Yemi Osinbajo met with Sule in August last year sons. Although I knew he was in poor health for some time, his death nonetheless, came as a profound shock.

“As a minister in the First Republic, he was one of those who assisted our Founding Fathers, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, to fashion Nigeria politically and lay the grounds of national co-existence.

“Maitama Sule was blessed by God with a wonderful voice and outstanding eloquence. He served with distinction in the First Republic, the Second Military regime, as well as the Second Republic, without being tainted with the remotest hint of scandal.

“As a person, I found him personable with unceasing good humour. Nothing personified his faith more than the fact that on losing his sight, he did not retreat himself sulking on account of his ill-fortune. Quite to the contrary, he honoured virtually all invitations extended to him and spoke as usual with singular eloquence and unparalleled wit,” “In my discussions with him, I greatly valued his counsel, and I never ceased to be amazed by his concern for the well-being of his country rather than his personal interests. Let me extend my sincere condolences to Your Excellency, family and friends, the Government and people of Kano, and Nigerians as a whole, for this most heavy loss. We shall not soon see the like of him. May God forgive his sins and admit him to Paradise, Amin,” Senate President Bukola Saraki too expressed his grief over the death of Sule. Saraki, in a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu described the deceased as a detribalised Nigerian, who spoke truth to power at all times during his lifetime. He therefore called on both the federal and the Kano State Governments to immortalise the great icon of peace and unity.

“The news of the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule came to me with shock. This is one man that has become a permanent feature in the politics of the country, beginning from first republic, when he was appointed a minister at his youthful age. Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and how to curb them.

“He would remain an inspiration to both the present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence. He left at a time his wise counsel is in dire need to navigate our way out of current challenges confronting the country. I pray the Almighty Allah to grant his soul aljannah firdaus and his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Yakubu Dogara also mourned Sule, saying Africa had lost a patriot, icon of peace. Dogara, in statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said although the late Dan Masanin Kano was of age, the sad news of his death came to him as a shock, adding that he was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguished elder statesman, who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

“From the struggle for independence, to his stewardship as a Federal MP, Federal Commissioner of public complaints, to his service as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations,

Alhaji Maitama Sule’s record of public service was excellent, exemplary and worthy of emulation. Even at old age, and faced with health challenges, the late elder statesman never relented in building bridges of friendship, peace and preaching love amongst Nigerians.

“Undoubtedly, he was an icon of peace, transparency, a born orator, patriot and a distinguished statesman, who gave his all for the unity and prosperity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation. His death is a monumental loss to Nigeria and indeed the African continent in view of his contributions to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

“Unfortunately, Maitama Sule died at a time when his elderly wisdom, experience, and deep sense of patriotism is much needed in our country given the fact that we are passing through a challenging phase in our history as a nation. Our special and heartfelt condolences go to his immediate family, the people and government of Kano State even as we join all Nigerians and people of goodwill in mourning this monumental loss.”

Wife of President Buhari, Aisha Buhari also joined the rank of prominent people, who sent in their tributes to the late Sule. Mrs. Buhari, in a statement, expressed shock over the death of the elder statesman and described him as an epitome of humility, tolerance and love, adding that the late nationalist would be remembered for his stabilising role as a politician. She also extended her condolences to the deceased’s family and the entire people of Kano.

In his tribute, former president Olusegun Obasanjo extolled the virtues of Dan Masanin and said Nigerians needed to learn from his experience, wisdom and what he believed and preached, which he said would continue to be passed on to the next generation.

Obasanjo described Sule as a patriotic Nigerian, whose shoes would be difficult to fill, as majority of his contemporaries are no more, adding that the likes of Sule were rare as those existing, among people of his mind set are few.

“Few honest and exceptional statesmen, who were revered in the class of the late Maitama Sule, are the likes of Shehu Shagari, Sule Gaya and Richard Akinjide, who are still alive. The death of Dan Masanin is a loss to Nigerians”, he said, noting that everyone should be condoned over the loss”.

Former Sokoto State governor, Dr. Dalhatu Bafarawa said Sule had during his lifetime taught them to continue from where he stopped, especially in building the Nation. Bafarawa described him as a great hero, who died at a time the country and politicians needed his advice and support towards moving the country to a greater level.

He said the late Sule was a leader and a father to all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe, Culture and religion, noting that there was the need for Nigerians to always include him in their prayers, because it’s the only way they could pay him back for the good efforts and interest he exhibited to keep the country United.

During a condolence visit, former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido said Sule, during his lifetime, carried everyone along.

“His death is a great lost to the entire country, because it will cause a very big vacuum in the country that will be difficult to fill”, Lamido said, describing him as a teacher, father and a hero towards ensuring that Nigeria remained United as one country. He also pledged to continue to emulate his way of life.

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JULY 9, 2017 ˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE Land and National Development Emeka Eleh ii. Facilitate the development of the mortgage sector and generally encourage the reliance on properties as security for credit. This will also enable Nigerians to benefit from the multiple advantages inherent in land ownership. It is vital to note that even as we grapple with our huge housing deficit, the development of a virile mortgage sector is essential to addressing the deficit. Over the years, governments at all levels have come up with various schemes to empower low income earners economically, alleviate the high poverty levels and facilitate wealth creation through schemes like Peoples Bank, NAPEP ,NERFUND and similar intervention funds presently in existence. It is posited that for such schemes to work properly, there is a need for a form of security like land.

A property owner who has a registered title can for instance, use his property as collateral to guarantee a facility albeit at government subsidized rate to purchase a bus for commercial transportation or use his property as guarantee to benefit from subsidized products from the government. In either case, because the person has a personal stake in the scheme, he or she will buy into it and will be more likely to make it work.

“In the west… every parcel of land, every building, every piece of equipment or store of inventories is represented in a property document that is the visible sign of a vast hidden process that connects all these assets to the rest of the economy. Thanks to this representational process, assets can lead an invisible parallel life alongside their material existence. They can be used as collateral for credit.”

T

he above quote taken from the book by the Peruvian economist, Hernando De Soto, aptly titled “The Mystery of Capital, why Capitalism succeeds in the west and fails elsewhere” appropriately captures the missing link between our vast land resources and our capacity to create wealth through them. The fundamental issues have to do with lack of title to the bulk of our real estate assets and the expensive and very cumbersome process of obtaining title or obtaining Governor’s consent for properties already covered by a registered title.

As efforts are being made to jumpstart our economy, it is vital that the government should take a second look at our land administration processes. Interestingly, in the United States and most of the developed world, the single most important source of funds to an individual or company is a mortgage on his or its property. The process is relatively easy and straightforward because the title registration/land administration system has created an efficient representational process that can convert real estate assets into capital. This conversion process is crucial for creating wealth through real estate assets and its lack thereof is a major contributor to the high poverty level in our society.

Our present land policy is predicated on the Land Use Act of 1978, which technically vested all land in the territory of each state on the Governor of the State to administer for the benefit of all Nigerians. The Act coalesced the pre-existing land tenure systems in various parts of the Country into one and created the statutory and customary rights of occupancy over land, which should be evidenced by a Certificate of Occupancy.

The key objectives of the Act were to remove the bitter controversies that usually arise over title to land, to assist the citizenry, irrespective of status realise the ambition and aspiration of owing land within the country, to assist the government in the exercise of power of eminent domain or power to compulsorily acquire land for public purposes and to curtail the activities of speculators over land.

It is submitted that none of the key objectives of the Act has been achieved as bitter controversies and conflicts still arise or exist over title to land, the Act has not made it any easier for citizens to own land, governments power to compulsorily acquire land based on the strict provisions of the Act has been resisted by land owners and the government is now compelled to negotiate compensation payable for all such acquisitions; and the incidence of speculators and their activities over land remain rife.

Since its promulgation, there have been strident calls for amendments of some of its key provisions to remove the undue bottlenecks therein. Some of the sections of the Act for which calls have been made for their amendments are the consent provisions, the compensation provisions and the rather tedious process of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy.

The requirement for obtaining Governors/Ministers consent to land transactions is perhaps the single biggest problem with the Act as the cost and time associated with it are enormous across the country. A process that takes just hours or days and cost very little in most developed countries, costs so much and takes an uncertain period here. This provision and its operation across the country tend to hinder the use of properties as collateral for loans (due to the difficulties in registering mortgages) and thereby make the environment less business friendly. It also does not encourage the development of a fluid and formal land market as it has forced most land transactions to be done outside government regulation and control as a lot of people do not bother seeking for consent because of the costs and time involved. Beyond our very poor land title registration profile, this consent provision is a key contributor to our poor ranking in the global index on the ease of doing business.

While a few states have made remarkable progress in speeding up the process of obtaining consent, it remains a major problem in most states and at the federal level. Interestingly, no consent has been signed or granted by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing since this administration came into office. The import of that is that no mortgages or land transactions have been registered at the federal level in the past two years. This scenario wherever it exists whether at the state or federal level portends immense negative multiplier

iii. Generate substantial revenue for the State and Federal governments through property based taxation in form of ground rent, tenement rates, consent fees, stamp duties and other transaction costs. Property based taxation is a very stable source of revenue for governments. With proper titling, all land in any state will be ‘known’ to the state government thereby increasing substantially the states revenue base through a substantial increase in the number of taxable properties (since all the properties will be known to the government and will therefore fall within the taxable bracket).

Interestingly, according to UN Habitat, property based taxation contribute 40 – 50% of local/municipal revenues in developed countries but accounts for only 3-4% of the said revenue in developing countries like Nigeria.

Eleh effects on the whole economy as mortgages cannot be registered, new investments in the sector are discouraged and development of new projects cannot commence.

Another fundamental issue with the Act is the rather tedious process of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy.

Regrettably, despite the fact that land title registration started in Nigeria as far back as 1863, available data indicate that only about 3% of the land in Nigeria is registered. This means that most of our land area (97%) are still not easily convertible to capital and constitute what land economists regard as dead capital. It is sad that under our present land policy, an individual or family with a plot or an acre of land cannot use the land as security for a loan to invest in a business. Our vast land resources remain dormant or dead capital due to lack of title, while the land owners remain in poverty due to lack of ability to create wealth with what they already have.

The various reasons adduced above bring to the fore the need for a holistic reform of our land tenure system. The simplistic result of this process will be to ensure that all land within the country is appropriately delineated and titled or registered in much the same way that every vehicle on our roads has a distinct registration number registered at the state vehicle registry. This process, when completed along with the simplification of our land transaction process, will go a long way not only in resolving the impediments created by the operation of the Land Use Act but will also foster economic development and wealth creation. Remarkably, Rwanda that just recently came out of a civil war has made a remarkable progress in its land titling effort. Some of the advantages that will arise from this are: i. It will enable Nigerians to use their land assets as collateral for credit and thereby facilitate their economic empowerment through the ability to create wealth with what they have (land). It will also enable them benefit from the immense latent potentials inherent in land bearing in mind that a plot of land can have different co-existing ownerships without necessarily hampering its use by a beneficial owner. The ultimate aim of any land reform process is to empower the people through making their landed properties more secure, easily identifiable and eventually more valuable and easily convertible. The vast majorities of our people do have land holdings but still remain in poverty due to the constraints highlighted above. When a plot of land is not registrable, it attracts low sale value, it is prone to all manner of ownership disputes and is not easily convertible to investible capital or usable as collateral for credit.

iv. Create greater fluidity and confidence in our land market through the expected review of the land transaction process that will make it more business friendly. Ultimately, it will reduce or eliminate altogether the informal land market (presently as high as 60-80% of the market) and foster the growth of the formal one, which will bring all transactions in land under government regulation. v. Reduce or eliminate communal or individual conflicts over land through proper delineation and land titling. It remains doubtful if any state knows for certain the exact extent and ownership structure of its land mass. vi. Enable the government to have a registry system that will overtime be a useful databank of property owners in each jurisdiction, which can also be used for crime control and fight against corruption amongst others. Interestingly the British government is in the process of making public its property registry information on foreigners as a way of fostering transparency and combating money laundering.

It is obvious that our present land policy and land administration procedure is far from ideal and has become a huge bottleneck hampering the development of our mortgage sector, wealth creation and our overall economic development. Besides, it is a known fact that the level of poverty in any country is directly related to the level of land rights available there. The institution of a good land policy that will confer title to land owners and enhance seamless transactions in land will therefore be a major tool for poverty alleviation.

In this regard, it is recommended that: a. A holistic review of the Land Use Act be implemented but owing to the inherent difficulties associated with this (as it was made part of the constitution upon promulgation), the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing should in the interim fast track the drawing up and passage of Regulations by the National Council of State (as allowed by the Act), which will make the operations of the Act especially the consent provisions easier and more business friendly. b. Pursue vigorously the land reform agenda being undertaken by the Presidential technical Committee on Land Reform with the ultimate aim of titling all lands in the country.

This reform agenda, when fully implemented, has the potential to facilitate wealth creation, empower Nigerians economically, generate huge stable revenue channel for the three tiers of government and lead to a greater all-inclusive and more accountable government. This is certainly an achievable goal and one that will change our country for the better.

–– Eleh is a Past President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and a Senior Partner of Ubosieleh & Co.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ LY 9, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

Re - On Masari, Shema and Judicial Commission Abdu Labaran Malumfashi

“The innocent fear nothing, only the guilty are afraid”.

A

t the risk of sounding trite, let me start this reaction with the cliche’, ‘facts are sacred, but opinions are free’ to understand why some people rush to commit pen on paper without the benefit of deep reflection on the subject matter of their discourse, and the eventual consequences.

And at the end, they invariably expose their stupidity and the indiscretions of their sponsors.

A case in point is the opinion piece, “On Masari, Shema and Commission of Inquiry” by one Umar Abubakar of Kofar Yandaka, Katsina, published in some national newspapers this week.

The write up, disguised as a contribution to the debate on the subject matter, was nothing but a poor defence of the willful indiscretions committed by the immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, while in office.

Umar Abubakar’s piece picked up with a reference to an article written two years ago by one Hassan Malumfashi titled, “Where are the Katsina State Elders”, which was published in “selected national newspapers”. That article, as Umar’s, was also a poor defence of Shema but disguised as an impartial intervention in the raging blame game between Governor Aminu Bello Masari and his predecessor over the finances of the state. I strongly believe that Hassan Malumfashi and Umar Abubakar are one and same person, and of debatable identity, too.

Both articles focus on; the alleged indifference of Katsina State elders to the “media war between the camps of Governor Masari and his predecessor Ibrahim Shehu Shema”, Shema’s alleged prudence and accountability as governor and, more importantly, the Katsina State Judicial Commission of inquiry into the Loss of Funds and Properties set up by Governor Masari.

Now, nothing can be further from the truth than the allegation of indifference against Katsina State elders to the war of words between Governor Masari and his predecessor. In fact, if the Katsina State elders have had their way, not one word of misunderstanding between Masari and Shema would have been heard, but for the former governor, who shunned and snubbed several attempts by the elders to broker peace. Even before the exchange of baton of power, the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, Sardaunan Katsina and some prominent elders, including representatives of the two emirates in the state had severally invited the two to a roundtable to ensure a smooth handover, but each attempt was rebuffed by the then governor who refused to honour any of the invitations. Even after the handover, the former Inspector General of Police continued the effort to get the two to sit and iron their differences, but each time, the former governor refused to honour the invitation. In fact, so full of himself had he been that at one point the former governor even dared Governor Masari “to go to court if he feels so strong about his case against me”. And again, he had

Masari rhetorically requested the Katsina elders to “please ask Masari to go to court”. The Sardaunan Katsina is a witness to all these failed efforts to broker peace between Governor Masari and Shema.

The repeated claims by sponsored writers, including Hassan and Umar, to Shema’s prudence and accountability are simply nothing but shameless propaganda, juxtaposed with the facts on the ground.

Contrary to what these pen-for-sale commentators would want people to believe, the former Governor left Katsina State heavily indebted (from foreign and local debt) and deeply insolvent.

The claim by the former governor that he left N17,743,913,731:00 in the treasury at the time of his departure was not true, as bank records and other documents showed only N4,251,100,820:00 was found in the various government accounts his administration had operated.

Another claim by Shema that he left Katsina State debt free is also false. To be sure, in addition to the over N11billion debt in unpaid pension and gratuity to retirees, the Shema administration bequeathed a debt portfolio, both local and foreign, amounting to N67.9 billion. The external component of the debt, which stood at $78,925,362.43 or N15,469,371,034.00 (@ N196/$) as at 29th May, 2015), include four different loans acquired by the administration of the former governor. These are (1) $1,500,000.00 (US Dollars) loan taken on 1st January, 2009 for the construction and rehabilitation of small earth dam, (2) SDR 3,250,000.00 loan taken on 15th April, 2009 for community and social development projects, (3) SDR 2,585,563.00 loan taken on 17th September, 2009 for the Katsina State Third

National Fadama Development Project and, (4) $4,000,000.00 loan taken on 25th February, 2015 as additional facility for Katsina State community and social development project. This last loan was taken after the 2015 gubernatorial election, and only three months before Shema exited from office as governor on 29th May, 2015.

There are documents from the Debt Management Office (DMO) Abuja in support of this claim.

Again, Shema’s supposed prudence is as questionable as his touted accountability is debatable, given his plundering of the treasury to the tune of over Fifty Eight Billion Naira between 2011 to 2015, as established by the Katsina State Judicial Commission of inquiry into the Loss of Funds and Properties. These was money simply carted out of the treasury without trace or evidence of what it was used for. No contract of whatever kind executed by Shema is under investigation.

Recall that in late September 2016, no less than 15 choice properties located in posh addresses in Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos, including the iconoclastic Abuja AP Plaza, allegedly belonging to the immediate past governor of Katsina State, were sealed by the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. This came in the wake of the public declaration of Shema as a wanted person by the anti-graft agency two weeks earlier. EFCC’s wanted notice on the former Katsina State strongman followed a long drawn hide and seek game which started in mid December 2015.

As for the impropriety or otherwise of the Judicial Commission of inquiry, which is the Shema camp’s main grouse, the courts have put the case to rest, as both the Katsina High Court and the Court of Appeal have ruled on the matter.

The former governor had filed a case at the Katsina High Court challenging the legality of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Governor Masari’s power to set up the Commission, the ability of the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Sirajo, to give him a fair hearing, and the competence of the Commission to protect his fundamental human rights. But in its ruling, the Katsina State High Court had refused to grant any of the reliefs sought, declaring that the Judicial Commission was legally constituted, that Governor Masari had the Constitutional power to set up the Commission, that contrary to his assertion, the Commission was set up to give him and any other accused a fair hearing to prove their innocence, and that the former governor did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that he would not get fair hearing from the chairman of the Commission.

However, not satisfied with the lower court’s decision, the former governor had rushed to the Court of Appeal, only for it to uphold all but one of the decisions of the lower court. The Appellate Court ordered for the removal of Justice Sirajo as the Chairman of the Commission, but concurred with the lower court on the other decisions.

For someone who claims to be innocent of the accusation of graft against him, it beats the imagination why the former governor prefers to defend his professed innocence through sponsored propaganda in the media and the court of public opinion, instead of in the nation’s courts of law. Of course, as someone noted, “The innocent fear nothing, only the guilty are afraid”.

––Malumfashi wrote from Katsina

The Wike Leadership Tony Amadi

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etmestartthispiecewithaprayer.

ThattheAlmightyGodmaysettlethe differencesbetweenRotimiAmaechi andEzenwoNyesomWikeforthe goodofRiversStateandNigeria.

Amen.Wheneverthetwoengage intheirnowunendingrowsand annoyingbrickbatsinthemedia,I getworried,becausethebiggestloseristhestatewhich shouldbebenefitingimmenselyfromthecombination ofAmaechi’sfederalpositionintheTransportation Ministryaswellasintherulingparty,APC,andWike’s bulldozerapproachtoinfrastructuredevelopment whichanolesserpersonalityastheActingPresident, YemiOsinbajo,hasreferredtoWikeasMrProjects.

I know the high level of federal projects brought into Rivers State when the present governor was Minister of State for Education in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Among so many projects he helped to bring about includes the establishment of Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny. It was Wike who established the Faculty of Law, University of Port Harcourt, construction of Faculty of Biological Science Building at the same university and organised a special intervention for Federal College of Education, Technical, Omoku and started the construction of Special Vocational School for Boys at Ogu/Bolo LGA and to touch his own home base, the construction of Junior Model College in Ikwerre LGA. I am looking forward to former governor Rotimi Amaechi, himself a stormy petrel like Wike to use his own position as Transportation minister to ensure that the state is not forgotten as his ministry dishes out largesse to various parts of Nigeria. The rail line from Lagos to Calabar should actually start from Port

Harcourt rather than from Lagos. As minister, he can do that because when he leaves office in 2019, that project will not continue or so it seems. Amaechi should learn from former President Jonathan who is now regretting that he left office without much federal presence in his home state, Bayelsa.

The two Rivers political juggernauts should remember also the story of the old Anambra State once governed by Chief Jim Nwobodo under the Nigerian Peoples Party while former Vice President Alex Ekwueme of the National Party of Nigeria was in office under President Shehu Shagari in Lagos. At that time, anything going to Anambra State was blocked

by Alex, while Jim will not accept anything that will give Ekwume good publicity in the state that include the whole of the present Ebonyi, Enugu and present Anambra States. It was a horror story for their people.

This kind of political mistake can never happen in the North, even the West. What were the plane load of Rivers state traditional rulers who accompanied Nyesom Wike to the Sallah homage to the Sultan of Sokoto doing by not summoning their two sons in high places to reconsider the feud and return to a united Rivers State for the sake of progress? I know that former Governor Peter Odili must have tried to bring back his two political sons together without any luck. If he has not, he should move in and do the right thing and ensure that their state is back to some real progress because this kind of opportunity in Rivers State come once in a life time.

This article is however not about settling their differences, but to recognize the tremendous development going on in Rivers that has caught the attention of our Acting President and a number of dispassionate Nigerians. I gather that the Wike bandwagon is rolling around and touching lives with a variety of projects in the state capital, Port Harcour,t and around the

local government areas of the state, particularly in the depressed communities in Rivers State. I do not need to travel to Rivers to see the advanced state of development and the progressive actions of the Action Governor. Wike’s bulldozing style of leadership is obviously producing the kind of results that has taken Tanzania by storm under its 56 year old new President John Pombe Magufuli.

According to the Financial Times of London, ‘’to virtually everyone’s surprise, John Pombe Magufuli, a less-than-glamourous cabinet member who had done two stints as public works minister, became president of Tanzania. To get there he beat better-connected rivals from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi ‘’Party of Revolution’’, which in one form or another has ruled the east African nation since independence. Now almost everyone, especially the poor, are putting their faith in a new leader so reputed for getting things done he is known as ‘’the Bulldozer’’. The Financial Times adds that Magufuli ‘’is creating a buzz of expectation that at last Tanzania has found a leader capable of awakening the ‘’sleeping giant’’ of east Africa, one with huge, largely unexploited, gas and mineral resources’’, adding that ‘’when he says something, he follows through. He is not a liar’’, as leaders here in Nigeria has lied severally to the people to the extent that even promises they made to the people in their manifesto is either denied or said not to be implementable.

I am seeing Wike as Nigeria’s version of Tanzania’s Magufuli because he is focused on delivering good governance in the state and is not deterred by the army of critics that clog his path. Wike is a smooth operator who makes promises and keeps it and very well bonded with his people. I have only met him a couple of times during the heat of the last campaign when he paid a courtesy visit to my boss, the former Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. He had at the time

not become the party’s candidate for the Rivers State gubernatorial seat and his modus operandi showed the confidence bubbling under his every move. When I broached the idea of Wike as the next governor to the party chairman, he didn’t seem to have any qualms about supporting his candidacy especially as the body language of the Aso Rock Villa occupants remained positive over Wike’s candidacy at that point in time.

As soon as he was confirmed the governor after all the courts and tribunal processes, he hit the ground running and has never stopped or reduced the speed with which he was administering the state. All this was under the tension that gripped the state when his government was virtually under police siege as his opponents used to their full advantage of the federal power behind them. The fearless governor was ready to stand his ground despite the federal might that was ranged against time.

During the last Senate and House of Representatives election recently in the state, the All Progressives Congress sent a bus load of their governors led by Kano State Governor Ganduje to scare Wike with a battalion of soldiers and policemen to rig Wike’s PDP out of the National Assembly Elections and he showed them that he was a tougher and rougher cookie and a local boy who is much more on the ground. Since that confrontation, the ruling party got the lesson of their lives and realized they were off limits in the politics of Rivers State.

The Wike phenomenon is the name of the game in Rivers State at the moment and he has seized it to his fullest advantage. His political enemies are many and their objective is to halt his momentum but the guy is too tough, seasoned and ahead of them all. He reminds me of Donald Trump and his endless fight against the Washington establishment which he is winning.

––Amadi is a veteran journalist and media and marketing consultant in Abuja.

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JU ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Ambode and the Changing Face of Alimosho Olufemi Akanbi

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aving lived within Alimosho axis virtually all my entire life and I am getting close to 60 years, I must say that the transformation that has taken place in our area within two years of Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is unprecedented. I say this with all sense of responsibility as a man of God and a resident who has directly benefited from the Midas touch of the governor in transforming our area.

At the inception of his administration, Governor Ambode promised to run an all-inclusive government where no area is left behind in the scheme of things and true to his words, the hitherto forgotten Alimosho has been positively affected in many ways through various developmental projects initiated by the governor, and the good thing however, is that the man at the helm of affairs in the centre of excellence is still poised to do more for the people.

I recall vividly on January 21, 2016, when Governor Ambode embarked on an inspection tour of our area precisely AjasaCommand road, starting from Ile-Iwe Junction to Command which was at that time in very deplorable state. It was indeed a two-lane road that could barely accommodate two vehicles at a time with big potholes dotting various segments of the road.

The road was always a nightmare to residents of the area causing knotty gridlock especially shortly after the Meiran Police Station inward Command where motorists would have to wait for one another due to a big ditch which at that time was almost causing total failure of the road.

On that fateful and eventful day, Governor Ambode expressed absolute displeasure at the deplorable conditions of our roads and promised us that work would commence within two weeks.

True to his words, work not only commenced as announced by the governor but today, Ajasa-Command can boast of a dual-carriage road from Ile-Iwe Junction to Command with drainage system, walkway, street lightening, modern bus-stops and a bridge.

As a resident who has directly benefited from the road construction, I must say that this has brought succor to us in terms of free movement and a boom in business activities. At night, our area now has a nickname called by many as AjasaLondon due to the street lights which are always on.

With respect to Aboru and Abesan communities; as a matter of fact, Governor Ambode surpassed our expectations by carrying out massive upgrade of the network of roads within the axis. A link bridge was also constructed to facilitate ease of connectivity.

Specifically, the roads that were constructed include Church Street starting from Agbelekale Junction (Off Ekoro Road), Giwa Street,

Ambode Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street, Salami Kazeem, all totaling 5.5km with drainage, walkways and street lights.

The road network is now easing the pressure on LagosAbeokuta Expressway and also serving as viable alternative for residents and motorists to link Iyana Ipaja, Ipaja, Ayobo, LASUIba Expressway, among other areas.

Aside the road network, I reliably learnt that the contractor also constructed a modern Primary Healthcare Centre for the residents as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and as we speak, the health centre is now functioning and offering various health services to the people.

The icing on the cake was the announcement by the governor while commissioning the road network and the Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge, to the effect that his administration would embark on construction of dozens of roads to link the boundary of Lagos State with Ogun State.

The roads, which are now undergoing massive repairs include Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/ Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/ Command to Ikola Road);Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River); Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo

River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).

Aside the inner roads and bridges, Governor Ambode has also delivered a world class flyover tagged Jubilee Bridge in Abule-Egba, which is perhaps the biggest project of the present administration in Alimosho so far. The bridge was completed in a record time of thirteen months to the admiration of residents and commuters.

Before the construction of the bridge, commuters having to pass through Abule-Egba to link other parts of the State usually spend close to an hour on the average to navigate through the traffic snarl, a journey that should ordinary take within five minutes. There have been instances where traffic at the Abule-Egba Junction stretches beyond Awori and sometimes to Ahmadiyya, a distance of about 1km, thereby subjecting the people to harrowing experiences.

Today, the story of the people is now a pleasant one, courtesy of Governor Ambode’s deep thinking to evolve a solution to the traffic situation in the axis which has defied solution for years.

Aside the business activities in Alimosho axis which have witnessed a huge upsurge, the Jubilee Bridge has also greatly improved the aesthetics of the area with other facilities constructed alongside the bridge such as traffic signalisation, street lights, lay-bys, good terrace with flowers and a water fountain, among others. As a matter of fact, the bridge is a beauty to behold at night with many now turning the place into a tourist site and to appreciate wonders of life.

While the construction of the bridge lasted, some inner roads were damaged, and in another demonstration of his commitment to develop the axis, Governor Ambode has also commenced the repair of all the inner roads affected by the construction of the flyover. This is aside the ongoing construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Abule-Egba to Oshodi, which is actually the first phase of the project, with second phase starting from Abule-Egba to Sango Toll Gate, the boundary of Lagos and Ogun States.

Also within the axis, it was gathered that the governor is perfecting plans to construct a shopping mall for residents which would go a long way in creating employment opportunities for the people, as well as bring world class shopping experience to the door-step of the people.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that the Lagos helmsman has truly transformed the Alimosho axis and the good thing is that he is not resting on his oars. As a man of God, I can only wish him well and pray for good health and wisdom to continue to lead the state. Truly, the governor is living up to his slogan which is all about inclusiveness in governance.

–––Olufemi Akanbi writes from Alimosho.

JAMB’S 2017 UTME: An Appraisal Akin Owolabi

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he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination could pass for the best ever. But, like anything done by imperfect humans, there still appears to be a lot of rooms for improvement. This year’s exercise, the first under the watchful eyes of JAMB’s new Registrar, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, took off like something destined to flop but coasted home powerfully like a seasoned sprinter, who would flutter, steadied himself and get underway to finish the 100-metre dash in a matter of seconds. In all, 1.8 million candidates participated in this year’s quest for places in the three-tier tertiary institutions in the country.

A mock test, designed to streamline newcomers and the Computer Based Test proper, came off in two straights. Its resounding success was however blistered by the shady deals of spoilers who infiltrated the scheme and perpetrated frauds in 72 CBT centres across the country. But those miscreants could not circumvent the ingenuity of Oloyede’s team which deployed close circuit television gadgets in all the centres to clinically monitor the nationwide exercise.

Prof. Oloyede was already abreast of the demands of his new office on assumption as the Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB on August 1, last year. He had come from a background that initiated and perfected CBT at the University of Ilorin where he held court for five years as vice-chancellor. JAMB had descended to the lowest level of trust which prompted individual tertiary institutions to design further tests for candidates that had scaled the matriculation examina-

Oloyede tions. It was a thumb down for the national matriculation Board which was installed in 1978 to be the sole national agency for the conduct of matriculation examination and admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Unilorin then pioneered the CBT and this put Oloyede in a good position for the JAMB’s headship, making him a worthy successor to the former Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde.

Oloyede moved swiftly to upgrade UTME to international standard practice.

He reasoned that the global timeline for matriculation examination was and therefore should be two hours as against three been expended. He accordingly lowered the time by one hour. Oloyede also brought the number of questions down from 250 to 180,

thus reducing candidates’ rigours.

The new JAMB Registrar also worked assiduously to ease the hassles of admission seekers in the area of assigning examination centres. Hitherto, candidates were subjected to long journeys to examination centres.

Stories of candidates traversing two or more states to write UTME were rampant. Oyetola Adegunwa, a resident of Ota, Ogun State, had to travel to Ile-Ife, Osun State to write the 2014 UTME. His father, Daramola, accompanied his inexperienced son to the centre in view the young man’s poor travel experience.

Oyetola’s saga typified several others who in recent past had to embark on harrowing long journeys in their quest for tertiary education.

But that appears to have been consigned to the refuse heap of history.

Another unique characteristic of this year’s matriculation examination is the involvement of credible individuals from the civil society who were assigned to monitor the exercise with a view to giving credence to the fairness of the nationwide CBTs. Such individuals were drawn from the media and the civil rights movements. These had to work alongside core educationists who served in various capacities at state and zonal levels to midwife a CBT of global acceptance.

The enlargement of the monitoring group was designed, according to Oloyede, to assist JAMB in carrying out world-class tests that would be the pride of every Nigerian.

The most fundamental of all is the efforts done by the present leadership through which over N5 billion was returned to the coffers of government. This is the first time funds are being returned to government.

Previously, the Board would have gone even aborrowing from commercial banks to complete the examination and admission cycle.

Oloyede’s penchant for equity and fairness

necessitated the July 1, 2017 mop-up examination for 85,000 candidates in 170 centres across the country. The candidates had either registered late for the main examination or encountered difficulties during the examination proper. Rigid helmsman could have asked the candidates to wait till the following year.

All said, this year’s UTME was not without blights. Seventy-two CBT centres across the country were caught in the web of sharp practices and have been blacklisted.

Yes, the prying lenses of CCTVs made it possible for the Oloyede-led crack team to detect such discrepancies even from the comfort of its office.

As JAMB looks forward to the next UTME., and Oloyede already strategising to consolidate on the use of eight-keys without a mouse in favour of the phobic candidates in the 2017 exercise, there still remains the incubus of dishonest invigilators. One of the candidates who wrote the test at Agbara, Ogun State, narrated how an invigilator barefacedly assisted a candidate next to him to the point of even punching the keyboard for the dishonest candidate. No wonder, JAMB had to cancel over 57000 results and suspended the release of their scores.

The views across the country indicated that the new JAMB Registrar has started well. But that is not saying that the system is perfect yet. It should catch the attention of JAMB to reduce the distance between candidates and their centres. Starting examination at 7 am may be too early for candidates who had to cover several kilometres to the centres. Oloyede may have to consider these and other obstacles as he plods on as the JAMB’s Chief Executive.

––Owolabi is a veteran journalist based in Lagos

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ LY 9, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

Pat Utomi and the Nigerian Project Tunji Olaopa

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any would have thought and indeed have asked me repeatedly why I had not celebrated Pat Utomi since I started this series in 2012 given my great admiration for him in a measure that has grown into deep friendship since we met again at a workshop we both addressed about a decade ago. Sometimes in 2016 however, I was compelled, as part of my critical celebration of those I chose to call intellectual heroes and heroines in the Nigeria project, to do a piece on Professor Pat Utomi. In that piece, I referred to him as an avatar and a patriot. I began the article thus: The name of Pat Utomi stands for so many things—teacher, administrator, public intellectual, policy analyst, and entrepreneur. He is unqualifiedly a patriot and my sense of a great mind with an incredible blend of depth and breath. He is an activist that loves Nigeria enough to engage her failings and her possibilities. He is equally a committed elite who does not shy away from rigorous analysis about Nigeria’s political economy.

In fact, there is no aspect of Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political landscape that Professor Utomi does not traverse solidly with sufficient evidence and demonstrated knowledge. His boundless energies and intellectual expansiveness places him in the same critical space as Arthur Nwankwo, Ibrahim Tahir, Odia Ofeimun, J. K. Randle, Rasheed Gbadamosi, Chinwezu, Dele Cole, Doyin Abiola, Sonala Olumhense, Olatunji Dare, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ferdinard Agu, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Issa Aremu, Olusegun Oshinowo, Patrick Okigbo, and if I may, the younger vibrant Abimbola Adelakun, and others, to name just a few who are not just cerebral and scholars in their own right, but could be relied on to articulate definite directions for Nigeria. And the extent of his patriotism is reflected in his desire, however symbolic, to be at the helms of Nigeria’s affairs to direct proceeding.

But, it seems to me clearer now that the significant essence of Patrick Okedinachi Utomi cannot be contained within one piece. His status as a quintessential public intellectual, amongst many others in Nigeria, is crucial to the understanding of what is needed, again amongst many, to evolve a stable and sustained development paradigm for Nigeria. Nigeria needs her public intellectuals. In that same unassailable logic, Nigeria needs intellectuals in the mould of Pat Utomi who are patriotic enough to continue to write and advocate in the ardent optimism that Nigeria will eventually come out of the woods of postcolonial development and democratic listlessness. In this article, I want to focus on Professor Utomi’s legacy of reflection on the Nigeria leadership and institutional crisis.

I am not sure that a consummate scholar like Utomi would be fazed by the intellectual dilemma between institution and leadership. This distinction constitutes one of the standard but complex discourses in the social sciences. The essence of the distinction is to see which is primary in the understanding of national development between the leadership factor and the institutional factor.

For the advocate of leadership, this seems significant because it takes a leader to facilitate the dynamics of institutional stability and coherence. On the other hand, the theorists of the primacy of institutions contend that there is no leadership that can even ever hope to function with some measure of success if the enabling institution is not available in the first place. How then do we undermine the dichotomy between leadership and institutions seeing that both are required to make a state function optimally in terms of democracy and development? Is it even sufficient to just conclude that both are necessary in nation building, and then move on? Or, is the distinction inherently false?

It seems to me that Professor Utomi has managed to grasp the two horns of the dilemma between leadership and institutions by not only dedicating his intellectual and policy analyses to the two but by equally working tirelessly to ensure that both constitute the

Utomi focus of his advocacy for the progressive evolution of Nigeria as a democratic state. In other words, as far as Professor Utomi is concerned, Nigeria’s sociopolitical and economic future cannot afford the sterile discourse on the distinction between leadership and institution. Their relevance in the Nigerian context must be determined by their simultaneous evolution.

Pat Utomi’s relevance in Nigeria’s public sphere is built around his solid reputation as an intellectual who has mastered the capacity to match postulations with advocacy, and policy analyses with sociopolitical and economic realities of the Nigerian state. We do not have in him an armchair theorist who spews ideas and paradigms that are too far-fetched to enable us make sense of our collective situation and predicament. On the contrary, Professor Utomi’s solid credentials are carved out of a seamless multi-sectoral linkage made up of the private sector, academia, management, and the public sector. The experience accumulated through all these spheres of endeavour tells of an individual who is aware of where he is going. The significant thing for us here is that the very act of going somewhere for Utomi, and unlike the average political elite in Nigeria, is intricately entwined with the Nigerian national project. When he founded the African Democratic Congress party to contest the presidential election in 2011, it becomes clear that Pat Utomi has a greater vision than just the betterment of the self. Of course he failed to win the election, but that is entirely beside the point.

The point consists in the boldness it requires to inject oneself constantly in the public sphere as a simultaneous act of rebellion and patriotism. Failure at the polls has not in any way dented Professor Utomi’s nationalist ardor. And that is where my interest as a reformer lies. I see a critical similarity between my failed desire to achieve my professional ambition of institutional transformation of the civil service through reform as an expertinsider and Utomi’s incessant denial by our Lilliput’s political elites of critical policy space to translate vision to legacy. Both attempts were attempts to serve in the face of the obvious failure of leadership itself. And such bids arise out of the conviction that something critical can and should be done to rescue the dysfunctional situation in the civil service and in the nation respectively. Reform is a serious business. And only the courageous knowledge worker with expert’s blend of what it takes to balance what it requires as ‘doing the right thing’ and ‘doing it right’ in a manner of speaking, can dare its complexities. Since

the logical destination of a reformer is to achieve an office which would constitute what I have called a reform space that permits significant reform imperatives and authority, it stands to reason that a public intellectual like Utomi would eventually desire the office of the president of Nigeria.

What should concern us is the vision and ideals that defines Utomi’s understanding of leadership. The answer is simple; he is fascinated, at a fundamental level, with the relationship between human dignity, democratic ideals and managerial enterprise, and how these three could facilitate an institutional capacity that can grow development. This explains his long tenure at the Lagos Business School, and eventually the founding of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) whose objective, as the website declares, is “the elevation of the dignity of the human person, beginning from Nigeria. The sense of a great duty and a big burden to improve the quality of life of young people, in our society, by building good values in them, led to the setting up of a Centre for Values in leadership.”

What I see in the idea of the CVL is a very clever combination of vision and a methodology. The vision to be a centre for leadership development is straightforward and fundamental enough. But there is something more behind it, if my deduction is correct. I read the CVL as a reform space that enables Pat Utomi to ground the culture of value leadership in a crop of youths with the underlying intention of building a leadership culture that is strong enough to undermine what Richard Joseph famously called the prebendal political behavior of the present crop of Nigerian political elite.

Since independence in 1960, there has been a gradual but steady dissociation of the ruling elite from the social contract that binds the government to the governed in democratic relations of duties and responsibilities. But with the debilitating intervention of greed and political corruption, the Nigerian state has become a conglomerate of prebends rather than a dynamics of democratic welfare that empowers the citizens. And since a gloomy statistics of youth unemployment constitutes one of the consequences of the short-circuited social contract, what better way to reignite the youthful energies and reinvent the idea of leadership than through a catch-them-young framework of programmes and innovation that reward leadership skills and competences?

Professor Utomi ought to know because he is a rare intellectual who has consistently remained outside of the dynamics of anomie and corruption that has entrapped the Nigerian elite.

Alongside others, Pat Utomi walks a lonely, enervating but patriotic path that seems to require more frustrating energies than what is required to steal some billions from the Nigerian treasury. He belongs to the corps of a few critical intellectuals committed to what I have called “empathetic scholarship” who remain committed to the Nigerian project, no matter what.

Patrick Utomi has been celebrated a few times. When he writes, we all pause to listen and ponder his consistent reflections on the Nigerian condition, even though we may not always agree with him. He is one of the bright stars in the firmament of the Nigerian public life. But all these would not really matter if we refuse to take cognizance of his specific brand of patriotism and activism which choose to not only critique the Nigerian condition but to also programmatically build access points from which we can begin to address what is wrong with Nigeria.

Professor Utomi chose leadership and values as an entry point into what is wrong with us. And this is significant because it is with the youth, whom the CVL targets, that we can commence a generational reinvention of Nigeria as a nation with budding potentials.

––Dr. Olaopa is the Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (tolaopa2003@ gmail.com tolaopa@isgpp.com.ng)

IkemUme-Ezeoke:FromHumbleBeginningstoHeightsofAchievement Anyawu Michael

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ven the Bible stated it very clearly in the book of Romans 13:7, “Give Honour to whom honour is due.” But we now live in a generation that is losing the meaning of love, respect and honour. Yet one man who has flourished and deserves accolade is Dr. Ikem Ume-Ezeoke.

Ume-Ezeoke, nephew of the late Second Republic House of Representatives Speaker, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, is one of the leading names in the real estate industry. He is the MD/CEO of Homes and Homes Real Estate Solution Limited in Nigeria.

Ume-Ezeoke’s rise especially in the housing sector didn’t come as a surprise.

He is calculative. Before embarking on any project, he calculates and rethinks on how best he can do a perfect job and his modus operandi has always makes

his job exceptional.

An ardent believer in the Nigerian project, Ume-Ezeoke comes from a very humble Christian family. He has occupied himself with critical thinking on how to proffer solutions to the housing gaps in the country, which is a problem witnessed across the country.

Hard work recently won him various awards, both local and international.

They include the African Achievers Awards, The integrity Intl Award, and The Leadership Awards for Excellence.

He was also recently nominated for the prestigious Black Caucus Award for Leadership by the US Congress in the city of Georgia.

But Ume-Ezeoke does not allow his achievements get into in his head. His friends see him as the most humble of men. Speaking after one of the award ceremonies, Ume-Ezeoke said achievement is only a man-made accolade billed to encourage one to strife for the best.

“Such achievements keep one on his toes

because it feels good to realise your little efforts by the side is been recognised in as much as one isn’t on the limelight,” he said.

Ume-Ezeoke is well experienced in international real estate and has traded actively in foreign markets including United Kingdom, South Africa, Dubai, and Ghana. He is presently working as a consultant to deliver the proposed “Farmington Height” project in Liberia.

His company, Homes & Homes, has working relationships with international real estate development companies like Kings Lands, Fairfield and Damac.

Ume-Ezeoke is a director in various companies. He was a founding secretary of Youth Renaissance, Youth Democratic Movement, and the current President of Lekki Professionals and Real Estate Club. He is a strong social commentator. Even though his late dad, Prince TI Ume-Ezeoke, the founder of the Peoples Club of Nigeria, was well to do, Ikem did not grow up as a spoilt child.

Ume-Ezeoke started his education in the city but was later withdrawn to be enrolled in another secondary school in a village because of his father’s conviction that his performance was dropping. He wasn’t comfortable with his father’s decision, but today, he boasts experiences from that decision. His dad’s decision helped him develop personal autonomy by leaving the family early to establish an independent home. He developed his own sense of personhood as separate from that of his parents.

Ume-Ezeoke’s educational dream didn’t go as planned or aspired but at every point he was left with no choice than to accept his fate. His dream was to study law but he ended up getting a degree in estate management from Enugu State University (ESUT).

He is currently reaping from the seed he sowed, and looking to expand his horizon in business and politics.

–– Michael writes from Lagos

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Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Wimbledon: Federer, Djokovic through to Last 16

F

ormer champions Roger Federer and NovakDjokovicwere in impressive form as they reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in straight sets yesterday.

Third seed Federer played superbly in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-4 win over German 27th seed Mischa ZverevonCentreCourt.Djokovic, seeded second, had earlier looked firedupashebeatLatvia’sErnests Gulbis 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7-2).

Federer will play Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Djokovic faces Adrian Mannarino in the last 16 tomorrow.

An early argument with the umpire seemed to fire up Djokovic, who told the official to “focus”

- something he later apologised for - and then appeared to take his own advice.

From a break of serve down at 4-2, the Serb powered into a 6-4 5-0 lead and had a set point for 10 straight games. Gulbis, 28, clung on briefly but the second set soon disappeared and the Latvian then had lengthy treatment on his back.

Ranked down at 548 after a succession of injuries, the former world number 10 recovered sufficiently to earn a break point at the start of the third set.

Djokovic, a friend of Gulbis since their junior academy days in Germany, snuffed out the danger but required a tie-break to eventually see off the Latvian

after two hours and 12 minutes.

The 35-year-old Federer kept up the form that has seen him rated as the favourite to land a record eighth title, and first since 2012.

The Swiss played beautifully to overcome the attacking servevolley game of Zverev, the man who beatAndy Murray in fourth round at the Australian Open in January.

Zverev pegged back Federer from 4-1 to earn a tie-break in the first set but a terrific backhand volley brought up set point for the seven-time champion and he duly converted.

A spectacular return game that included drive backhand and forehand winners gave Federer the crucial break early

in the second set, and a Zverev double-faultgaveuptheinitiative in the third.

A 27th win in 29 matches this

year was wrapped up after one hour and 49 minutes, and the Swiss heads into week two in ideal shape.

W

olveshavesigned midfielder RubenNevesfrom Portugueseclub FC Porto for a Championship record fee. The 20-year-old had been linked with a £15.8m move to Wolves, whose owners,Fosun,haveacloserelationship with Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes.

Hehassignedafive-yeardealand played under Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo at Porto.

TheChampionshipclubhavealso signedcentraldefenderWillyBoly on a season-long loan from Porto.

Although the fee is officially undisclosed, Wolves confirmed it isaclubrecord,whichwouldmake Neves the most expensive player in Championship history.

The previous record is the £13m Wolves paid to Benfica for winger Helder Costa in January.

Neves became the youngest captain in Champions League history whenheledPortoagainstMaccabi Tel Aviv in 2015.

“I have always wanted to play in Englandandwehaveagoodteam,” he told the Wolves website.

“Ithinkwecandogoodthingsthis season.Itisalsoagoodopportunity for me to work again with a trainer I worked with last year.” record.

Lukaku Arrested in LA

B

elgium soccer player RomeluLukaku,who is close to joining English Premier League club Manchester United, was arrested in southern California and issued a citation afterfailingtoheednoisewarnings, BeverlyHillspolicesaidyesterday.

The arrest was made on July 2 at about 8 p.m. local time after police responded to noise complaints at theBeverlyHillshomethatLukaku, who is negotiating a deal to join United from their top-flight rivals Everton, was staying in.

“BeverlyHillsPoliceDepartment

officersarresteda24-year-oldmale subjectbythenameofRomeluLukakuBolingoli,”thedepartmentsaid inapressreleaseemailedtoReuters.

“Bolingolireceivedamisdemeanor citation for... Excessive Noise. The citation was issued after officers responded to five other noise complaintsfromthesamelocation, whichresultedinverbalwarnings.

“These noise violations occurred ataresidenceinBeverlyHillswhere Bolingoliwastemporarilyresiding.

Bolingoli was released at the scene withthecitationandwasnotphysically arrested.”

Lukaku is scheduled to appear at

theLosAngelesAirportcourthouse on October 2, police said.

The news comes less than a day after United announced they had agreed a transfer fee to buy the Belgium international forward from Everton, subject to a medical and personal terms.

Theprolificgoalscorerwillhavehis medicalinLosAngeles,Britishmediareportssay,beforejoiningUnited therefortheclub’spre-seasontour, which starts with a game against North American Major League SoccerteamLAGalaxyonSaturday.

Lukaku has scored more than 100 goals in four seasons at Everton.

Wolves Sign Portuguese Star for Championship Record Fee

Federer

NEWS Wike Directs Prosecution of Former Rivers Minister Commends Unilever for Commitment to Economic Growth Majority Leader for Attempted Murder Abimbola Akosile

Ernest ChinwoinPortHarcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has directed the reappointed Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) to ensure the conclusive prosecution of former Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, over the attempted murder of a member of the State Assembly, Mr. Michael Chinda.

Wike also directed Aguma to ensure the conclusive prosecution of Mr. Ojukaye Flag Amachree who is standing trial for the murder of a citizen of Asari Toru Local Government Area during one of the rerun elections. According to him, anybody who commits crime in the state must face the full weight of the law.

The governor spoke yesterday after swearing-in the re-appointed

State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as 13 Caretaker Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas.

He said: “The attempted murder of a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly must be conclusively prosecuted by the office of the Attorney General.

Also, the person involved in the murder of a citizen of Asari Toru Local Government Area during the rerun elections must be conclusively prosecuted. Nobody is above the law.

“I don’t know how the person who was almost killed on the floor of the Rivers House of Assembly will feel seeing his assailant moving around freely?”.

How will the family of the murdered Asari Toru Local Government Area citizen feel knowing that the alleged murder suspect is roaming freely without conclusive prosecution?”

The governor charged the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure that all the victims get justice in accordance with the tenets of the law.

He advised the Attorney General to sustain the enthronement of the rule of law to avoid a situation where people resort to self-help on account that the state cannot prosecute criminal offenders.

On the newly sworn-in Chairmen of Caretaker Committees of Local Government Areas, Wike advised them to concentrate on the maintenance of security and environmental sanitation.

He advised the Local Government Chairmen to work with security agencies to address security challenges in their respective local government areas.

He warned them against the mismanagement of council funds for personal benefits or to influence

top government officials or their families.

Meanwhile, Wike also yesterday swore in 17 permanent secretaries, advising them to work with his administration to deliver key projects and programmes to improve the living condition of the people.

He said: “Use this opportunity to make a mark. Ensure you move the ministry you are posted to forward. If you work well, you will be appreciated. When you get an appointment, it is for you to serve the state. Render meaningful service. You are not appointed to make money.”

He said with the appointment of additional 17 permanent secretaries, the development of the state would be consolidated. “With the appointment of these permanent secretaries, we will continue to develop the state at a faster pace”, he said.

FG Unveils ‘Tour Nigeria’ Tourism Brand Demola Ojo

The Federal Government through the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has unveiled a new brand under which the nation’s tourism assets would

be promoted, with a unique brand logo to be used as a marketing tool registered and patented. wSpeaking at the brand launch in Lagos yesterday, the Director General of the NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker,

said; “The brand is an ambitious attempt at promoting tourism in Nigeria that aims to shape the narrative on Nigeria as a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment in Africa.” According to Coker, the

“Tour Nigeria” brand was conceived to drive domestic consumption of Nigeria’s tourism products, create new tourism markets, add to the nation’s GDP, create employment, and increase spending in the economy.

As part of its commitment to continually invest in Nigeria, Unilever West Africa’s Vice President, Supply Chain, Siddharth Ramaswamy has reiterated the company’s commitment to the growth of the Nigerian economy through plans to increase its investment portfolio in the country thereby enhance local manufacturing.

Siddharth said this during the courtesy visit and factory tour of the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu to the manufacturing giant.

According to Ramaswamy, the company which has been operating in Nigeria for almost

100 years, would continue to invest in the country, albeit the prevailing economic challenges. “Nigeria is strategic to our business operations. This is why we remain committed to the country’s socio-economic development. We currently operate two manufacturing hubs in Nigeria, and we are already taking actions to increase our local manufacturing capacity.

There are ongoing investments which will not only provide additional employment opportunities for Nigerians, but will deliver further economic value through the development of a sustainable supply chain structure consisting of local manufacturers”, he said.

In Brief Rotary Club Abuja The National Agency for Foods, Drugs The Rotary Club of Abuja, Wuse 2 District has sworn in Prince Igho Sadjare as its new president.

The swearing in ceremony was part of the activities to mark the end of the 2015/2016 rotary year and the beginning of the 2017/2018 rotary year. Speaking at the event, Sadjare highlighted his immediate points of duty, while promising an eventful year that will impact humanity in special way.

On his part, the outgoing president of the club, Rotarian John Ebokpo express confidence in the new leadership and pledged continuous support to the club and the new leadership. “It is my earnest wish that as we reflect and think ahead in the next 365 days, we will continue as a team to consolidate on the efforts and achievements that the club has made and work out ways to advance the club.’’

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News Editor Abimbola Akosile E-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

Jonathan’s Son-in-law Shot in Calabar t Police: Investigation ongoing Abimbola Akosile ÓØ ËÑÙÝ ËØÎ Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s son-in-law, Prince Goodwill Edward, was shot by unknown gunmen weekend in his State Housing Estate residence in Calabar.

THISDAY gathered that Edward, who is the Special Adviser on Youths Affairs to the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade was shot above the left ear as he was about entering his compound in company of a friend after a night outing.

However,theStatePoliceCommand, through the Public RelationsOfficer,ASPIreneUgbo,late yesterday night, confirmed the attack on Edward and revealed that investigation was ongoing in the matter. He was also said to be okay and in stable health condition.

Speaking with the State Security Adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji last night, THISDAY also learnt that Edwardwasshotbyanunknown attackerwithalocally-madegun, and the pellet pierced his left ear just above the lobe. He was said to have received treatment at an undisclosed medical facility in Calabar,withthepelletextracted, Ngaji, who confirmed the attack on Edward, said “A friend who was with him spoke to me about it. He said as he was just entering the gate, they tried to tell him to bring the glass down or so. In the course of trying to have access to him, they shot him with alocally-madegunandthepellet pierced a little above his left ear.

The pellet has been extracted; he wasn’t event admitted. He was the same guy that called his friend back, the one they went out together. He is very okay and stable”.

Ngaji who said the reason for the attack was as yet unknown, however said investigation was

ongoing to ascertain “if the incident was carried out by cheap robbers or if the assailant was actually after him”.

“I called the Police Commissioner, who said he also heard, but that the matter was yet to be brought to his notice. I don’t understand why there is coverup. His (Edward’s) house is less than three kilometres from the police station.”

“What I am telling you is the truth.Heistheformerpresident’s son-in-law and just like any other

person.We have generalsecurity andwewillbeatourbesttoprevent such incidents. He (Edwards) had security men at home and going out at night I would have expected him to go with them, which he didn’t. But I can tell you withcertaintythatheisveryokay and that Cross River State is safe”, the security adviser added.

Earlieryesterday,theCommissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, who reacted to the incident, said no official report abouttheshootingofEdwardhas

been made to the police.

“They attempted him. This was the third or fourth time that this thing is happening.

Do you know that as at now that I’m talking to you there is no official report about it? We are not going to wait until the matter is reported. We are the police, we know our responsibility. Even if they have a reason for not reporting, we are not going to sit down until the matter is reported, we have the responsibility, and will investigate, and by the grace

of God we will go after those responsible.

“How can I know why they have not come to report? I am a new person in the command. I did not even know that this had happenedbefore.Itisjustcoming to me now that this is the third or fourth time that they have attempted him. If we stumble on anything I will let you know,” Inuwa said.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Irene Ugbo, in another follow-up

telephone chat with THISDAY, confirmed that the matter has been reported formally to the Police and investigation was ongoingconcerningtheincident.

UgboalsoinformedTHISDAY that Edward was unconscious and still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Calabar.

Edward,whoisfromAbiLocal Government Area of the state, married Jonathan’s daughter in what was variously described as a very lavish and publicised wedding in 2014.

NIGER DELTA FOCUS L-R: Executive Director, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Dr. Dara Akala; Deputy Director, PIND, Tunji Idowu; Global Practice Leader for Market Systems

Development at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), Bill Grants, and CEO, Time Economics, Dr. Ogho Okiti at the dissemination of report on naira devaluation and its impact on agricultural value chains in the Niger Delta...recently

Saraki: Why I Refused to Resign My Position over CCT Trial

Buratai: Army Committed to Flushing out Boko Haram from Sambisa Forest

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has revealed that he refused to resign his position as Senate President during the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) travails because of his belief that God would surely vindicate him.

Saraki, who disclosed this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital weekend while addressing his supporters at his Ilofa GRA country home, Ilorin said, “When they asked me to resign, I said, why? We know how much we fought for this government to come into place and they are just fighting God; they are envious of what God is doing.”.

According to him, “We thank God for today because when the entire travail started it was

from this same place that we gathered and said we would come back on a day like this to do exactly what we are doing now”.

He said, “And I want to thank the Emir of Ilorin for staying very firm with us.

He did it to the extent that even his colleagues across the country knew and at a point he said we would not beg again; that we would resort to prayers because we were innocent. You know he (Emir of Ilorin) too has a legal background, so he said we would focus on God.” Saraki, who attributed his victory at the CCT to God and the solid support of his followers and supporters, added, “And for you women, I can’t thank you enough. When the matter started you were all confused and you did all within your power and

means to help us. You did everything out of love, not out of politics.

“At the height of the travail, I called a cleric and he said the matter was for them, not even for me so they were indeed praying for us and I want to thank them too. We are in this position because God wants it so.

“When they asked me to resign, I said, why?

We know how much we fought for this government to come into place.

They are just fighting God; they are envious of what God is doing. That is why we will still come back to this same place on the remaining issues”, Saraki added.

Earlier, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ishola Balogun-Fulani had described the appeal by

the federal government as another level of witch-hunt on the Senate President, arguing that if the federal government knew the best option available to them, such a step would have been avoided.

Balogun-Fulani, who listed some prominent Nigerians who had faced similar charges and were acquitted like Saraki, wondered why the government did not appeal such decision before only to wake up to take such a step now. He described Saraki as a man who has brought more glamour and dignity to the post of the Senate President.

Both the women and youth leaders of the party expressed joy over the CCT decision and praised Saraki for not abandoning his constituency even at the height of his travail.

The Nigerian Army yesterday disclosedthattheyhavelaunched operation ‘Deep Punch’ to clear remnantsofBokoHaraminSambisa forest, in an effort to flush out BokoHaramfromtheNorthEast.

TheChiefofArmyStaff(CoAS), Lt-General Tukur Buratai made this known yesterday in Okene, Kogi State during the unveiling of the Forward Operational Base constructed by the Kogi State government.

According to him, the launch of Operation ‘Deep Punch’ followed the successful decimation of insurgents in the zone and the membershavebeenchargedwith the responsibility of clearing the remnantsoftheterroristgroupand restoring normalcy to the zone.

“Following the successful decimation of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east the Nigerian Army has launched Operation Deep Punch to clear Sambisa forest of the remnants of

already weakened insurgents to pave way for return of normalcy to the zone,” he said.

The Army chief, who was represented by the Director, Traininganddoctrinecommand, Major-General R.O Yusuf said no meaningful socio-economic activities could take place in the atmosphereofcriminality,adding that “this is the reason Nigerian Armywouldcontinuetobegrateful to the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for making security top priority project in his new direction agenda.”

WhilepromisingthattheArmy wouldputthefacilitytogooduse, healsocalledforcooperationinthe areaofprovidingusefulinformationthatwouldhelpincombating crimes in the state.

Earlier,governorBellohadnoted that the security situation and its environswasatanalarmingstage whenhetookoveron2016.Accordingtohim,Kogistaterecordedover 50percentofthetotalkidnapcases inNigeriabetween2015and2016.

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NEWS FG Summons Cameroonian Envoy over Killings of Nigerians in Bakassi Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal Government has summoned the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Ambassador Abbas Ibrahima Salaheddine, to demand explanations over the recent killings of some Nigerians in the Bakassi Peninsula by Cameroonian Gendarmes in respect of the alleged non-payment of taxes on fishing activities.

The action of the Federal

Government was contained in a statement released to journalists yesterday in Abuja and signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ acting Spokesperson, Ms Jane Adams.

Adams said the federal government had also instructed the Nigerian missions in Yaounde and Buea to investigate the scenario, with the view to confirming their veracity.

Part of the statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs has received, with dismay, reports of the maltreatment and killings of Nigerians in the Bakassi Peninsula by Cameroonian Gendarmes in respect of the alleged non-payment of taxes on fishing activities.

“The ministry has instructed the Nigerian Missions in Yaounde and Buea, to investigate the report with the view to confirming their veracity and inform Headquarters immediately.

“Meanwhile, the ministry has summoned the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Ambassador Abbas Ibrahima Salaheddine, to demand explanations as to what may have happened,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the ministry appealed to the Cameroonian authorities to exercise their duty of care and protection over the people of Bakassi including Nigerian citizens in the area.

NEW SERIES L-R: Managing Director, PAN, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi; Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Munir Jaafaru, and Executive Vice-Chairman, Verdant Zeal Group, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, at the launch of the new Peugeot 301 Midlife Series in Kaduna...recenecently

Odi-Olowo APC Primaries: I Didn’t Obtain Judgment from Any Court, Says Banire AnayoOkolie The National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire yesterday denied allegation that he obtained the court judgment, which calls for the cancellation of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area primary election by deception.

The Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale, who accused Banire of filing the case that calls for fresh primaries in the LCDA, described the judgment as an ambush.

Ajomale, who also said the judge was misled into believing those presented to him as genu-

ine members of the APC have nothing to do with the conduct and organisation of the primaries.

But Banire in his defense to Ajomale’s allegation in a statement made available to THISDAY, said he didn’t obtain any judgment.

According to him, “Firstly, let me state that I did not obtain any judgment whatsoever from any court in respect of the purported local government primaries, directly or by proxy. Certainly, there is a disconnect somewhere by him in reading the court processes, nowhere was my name mentioned or stated to be acting in proxy.

“An aggrieved aspirant went to court on his own volition and followed due process. It is a matter of public knowledge and there are tapes to buttress the non-holding of primaries.”

On the issue of incitement, the former Lagos Commissioner for Environment said “assuming without conceding that I did, is incitement towards rule of law not better than incitement towards violence, particularly recognising the volatility of the local councils?

“Secondly, I wish to let chief Ajomale know that there is no known legal entity as APC Lagos State. “ There is only one juristic APC

and is resident in Abuja and that is the only legal entity capable of being sued and served. In the case under reference, processes were appropriately served in Abuja and by virtue of the duty imposed on me by the APC Constitution; I assigned a counsel to represent the Party.

“I say without fear of contradiction that I am seized of all the facts involved and gave instructions in that regard. The question therefore is where lies the deception? My expectation is that chief Ajomale will tell me where the primary of the local government was held and the delegates that voted.”

Free Turaki from Detention, Counsel Tells EFCC Ugo Aliogo The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to free the former governor of Jigawa State, Sen Ibrahim Turaki.

Turaki, who was governor between 1999 and 2007, was recently picked up at the venue of the public presentation of a book on Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, the first regular combatant officer in the Nigerian Army.

The counsel to Turaki, Oluse-

gun Jolaawo, in a letter made available to THISDAY, stated that Turaki has been in detention since he was arrested by operatives of the commission on July 4, in execution of a warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Jigawa State and has since been in custody.

According to the letter, the warrant upon which the former governor was arrested was in respect of a suit with no: FHC/ DT/CR/2017 of the Federation Republic of Nigeria vs Sen.

Ibrahim Turaki and Federal High Court, Dutse, the Jigawa State.

It also stated that there is no record before the court of a motion of notice challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

The letter further noted that an amended notice of appeal has been filed and the record of the appeal was compiled and transmitted which entered on March 21, at the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division.

“We have also filed our appellant’s brief while waiting a date

for hearing of the appeal, in view of the fact of the pendency of the motion for stay at the trial court.

The fact that the appeal has been entered, the tradition is for parties to await the outcome of the appeal before taking any step to execute the process.

“The issuance which is being challenged, so as to avoid prejudicing or overreaching the decision of the Court of Appeal, and that of the trial Court in respect of the motion of stay of execution of the warrant.

Obasanjo: Abacha Planned to Kill Me, Abiola, Yar’Adua Cont’d from 10 TheUSambassadortoldmenot to return to Nigeria because of the plan to arrest me by the junta. The ambassador also told me that the US Government had concluded plans to grant me asylum.

“While I appreciated the US Government, I rejected the offer. I was supposed to travel to France from the US. After I heard about Abacha’s plan, I cancelled my flight to France. I came through the United Kingdom to Nigeria.

Abacha knew about my trip.

When I arrived Nigeria, they were surprised because they expected me to be in France.

“I was in my farm when somebody came to see me. I left farm to see them. It was Ooni of Ile-Ife and Maj.-Gen. David Jemibewon.

They said we needed to go and beg Abacha. I asked them why. They explained everything. But I told them that there was no need.

“And I returned to my farm immediately. Just after they left, a police officer came in mufti. He said the AIG wanted me to come and advise him. I told him that was not true. I explained to him that if an AIG needed my advice, he would come to my house.

“My wife insisted that she would go with me anywhere they wanted to take me to. I got to the AIG at Zone II. He said I was under arrest. From Zone II, they took me to police officers’ mess, Ikeja. From Ikeja, they transferred me to Ikoyi where I spent about three days.”

He, thus, said agitation for his release started, noting that former US President Jimmy Carter and African leaders “came and pleaded on my behalf. After their intervention, I was released. But Abacha placed me under house arrest and I could not go out. I was only playing game in my farm.”

Sad enough, Obasanjo said Abacha’s men came again and arrested him, noting that a man he never met before pointed at him.

“But the man claimed that he met me when I launched my book.

The man said I planned coup.

He said he was in my farm office for that purpose. “They started investigation. After some time, they said I had been charged for treason, and this was punishable by death. Consequently, they set up a three-man court martial. The military court eventually decided against me. And they took me to the dungeon.”

After three months in the dungeon, Obasanjo said he was taken “to Kirikiri where I met Yar’Adua.

We spent four nights before I was taken to Jos. After some time, they moved to Yola. But they decided that Yar’Adua and I should be poisoned. Yar’Adua was injected.

“And that led to the virus that eventually killed him. A doctor wanted to take my blood sample.

I refused because I had some trace of diabetes. I did not allow him to take my blood sample. After three weeks, he came again to take my blood sample. I told him that he would not take my blood sample without my doctor’s consent,” Obasanjo explained.

He said he was surprised one day when one of the prison officials informed him that Abacha had died, though he said he discarded the news of Abacha’s death. Eventually, he said it turned out to be true.

Obasanjo, however, said he regained his freedom after praying and fasting for seven days without eating and drinking, which he said, really developed his spiritual instinct and life.

Also at the programme, Ayoola gave insight into the vision of CRFI, whichhesaid,theGeneralOverseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, founded on January 9, 1990 to reach out to the people in the high echelon of the society.

Ayoola, CRFI’s national coordinator, explained that Adeboye established it out of concern for those who occupied privileged positions in politics, business, industry, commerce and government so that they could benefit from the gospel of Jesus Christ and escape the wrath of the end time. He said: “It is a vision of righteousness of men and women in the high echelon of our society. If these people are won to the Lord, the common man will be better in our society. If they accept Christ into their lives, there will be fairness. There will be justice. And there will also be righteousness.”

He, therefore, explained the mission of the CFRI, which he said, was designed “to penetrate the ranks of powerful people in politics and business and saturate them with the word of God. This is a group of born-again Christians who occupy high positions in our society.”

“These people are the only ones who can reach out to their colleagues and friends in politics, business,industry,government and commerce. It is an opportunity to answer a call of faith. It is a task that must be done and that deserves our support,” the national coordinator said.

Evans Still in Our Custody, Police Reveal Chiemelie Ezeobi inLagosand Paul Obi inAbuja Contrary to a report by one of the national dailies (not THISDAY) that notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeje George Onwuamadike alias Evans, has vanished from custody, the police yesterday maintained otherwise.

Hours after the daily released a report captioned ‘Evans Vanishes’ on the front page of its Saturday edition, the police Force Spokesperson, CSP Jimoh Moshood, flayed the report. According to him, the story was laced with “blatant falsehood because Evans is intact in police custody.”

He said, “He did not vanish anywhere. Investigation is still ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court as soon as all

ends were tied.

The media need to avoid stories that could create fear, tension or misrepresentation among the masses. Where did Evans vanish to?

“That headline was misleading. The suspect and his accomplices are very much in our custody. We are working hard to ensure that justice is served at the end of the day. There are certain information that are not for public consumption to avoid jeopardising investigation or even national security.

“Evans is with the police.

His whereabouts is known but cannot be made public. We are appealing to Nigerians to remain calm and support the police to conclude its investigation, he added.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 9, 2017

84

REPORT

Trump (centre) is at odds with leaders of traditional allies France (Macron) and Germany (Merkel)

G20: Donald Trump’s America Stands Alone in Opposition American President Donald Trump displayed his readiness to lead the superpower on a lone path at the G20 summit, writes Demola Ojo with agency reports

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he two-day G20 summit which ended yesterday in Hamburg, Germany, highlighted how much has changed with the United States and its role in the world since the inauguration of Donald Trump as president earlier this year.

The G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. Currently, these are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Founded in 1999, the G20 aims to discuss policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability and seeks to address issues that go beyond the responsibilities of any one country.

The US, usually used to playing the role of leader of a strong coalition of Western nations against rogue states, has now become a lone voice of opposition in the wilderness against the rest of its traditional allies and other countries that may not consider themselves in that category.

As many feared, Trump is pulling the US further away from the mainstream, while increasingly isolating his country in the quest to “make America great again”.

The issue that most reflected this in Hamburg was the Paris Agreement on climate change, a deal Trump recently pulled the US out of like he promised to do during his campaign.

Leaders of the 19 other nations that make up the G20 renewed their pledge to implement the Paris deal, despite US opposition.

Deadlock over the issue had held up the last day of talks in Hamburg but a final agreement was eventually reached.

It acknowledges Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement without undermining the commitment of other countries.

The joint summit statement released yesterday said: “We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.”

However, the leaders of the other G20 members agreed the accord committing nations to restrict global temperature increases was “irreversible”.

In her closing news conference, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she still deplored Trump’s position on the Paris accord but she was “gratified” the other 19 nations opposed its renegotiation.

“I think it’s very clear that we could not reach consensus, but the differences were not papered over, they were clearly stated,” Mrs

Merkel told reporters.

The statement also said the US would “endeavour to work closely with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently”.

Trump has pledged to help the US coal industry make a comeback and has previously characterised the Paris agreement as trying to disadvantage American workers.

Trump – again in opposition - won another concession on trade.

While renewing a pledge against protectionism, the communiqué for the first time underlined the right of countries to protect their markets. Within the summit, Trump’s “America First” strategy to protect US companies from outside competition caused divisions with traditional Western allies.

This necessitated a compromise in the final summit statement which committed G20 members to combating protectionism but also permits “legitimate trade defence instruments”.

The G20 meeting saw a number of tense encounters between Trump and other world leaders, with a particular clash between him and the French delegation over climate change, but also tensions over protectionism and the overproduction of steel.

In a move that further reinforced the image of the G20 as the G19 + 1, Trump cancelled his own scheduled news conference yesterday.

But it wasn’t just at the top table that disapproval for the US president and his country’s position on issues was exhibited.

Demonstrators - who were protesting against the presence of Trump (as well as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin) - set fire to vehicles and barricades, threw rocks at officers and looted shops.

At one point, police chased protesters across rooftops while officers on the streets used water cannon on protesters. Nearly 200 police officers were injured during the protests. Dozens of protesters have been detained.

United with Russia?

Both presidents met on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the alleged Russian hacking of last year’s US presidential election.

Putin said Trump had accepted his assurances that Moscow had not interfered in the vote.

He said he had established a working relationship with his US counterpart and a ceasefire in southern Syria - agreed between the US, Russia and Jordan on Friday - was a result of America becoming more pragmatic.

“There is every reason to believe that we will be able to at least

partially re-establish the level of cooperation that we need,” Putin said. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the two “connected very quickly” with “very clear positive chemistry”.

The warm nature of Trump and Putin’s encounter is certainly not what Americans and their Western allies are used to. It just goes further to reinforce the new reality that has dawned on the world; the US has ‘abdicated’ its role as leader of a Western coalition and decided to do what is best for it and it alone, even if it is against the interests of its traditional allies and if necessary, form new alliances.

Going against the Grain In another unusual move Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, briefly took her father’s seat at a summit of world leaders yesterday. The US president had stepped away for a meeting with the Indonesian leader during the G20 meeting.

Ms Trump is an adviser to her father, but a leader’s absence is usually covered by high-ranking officials.

There has been widespread criticism on social media with no one able to recall any similar precedent. President Trump returned a short while later to retake his seat between the British prime minister and the Chinese president. A photograph of her presence was tweeted by a Russian attendee, but later deleted.

Some users highlighted that Ms Trump is unelected, or questioned her credentials - as a fashion brand owner - to sit at such a senior diplomatic meeting.

Others lampooned her appearance among the world’s most powerful leaders after her claim in an interview two weeks ago that she tries to “stay out of politics”.

She had joined her father for an earlier G20 event yesterday on women’s entrepreneurship and finance, along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund.

All three women had previously appeared together on a panel during the G20 women’s summit in Berlin in April.

After a brief modelling career as a teenager, Ms Trump was given a job in her father’s company where she expanded the Trump hotel brand and became an executive vice-president of development, alongside her siblings.

She is married to Jared Kushner, who also plays in influential role in Donald Trump’s White House. Both appointments were met with widespread opposition and are symbolic of a president ready to go against the grain; at home and abroad.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ͡Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

High Life

͎͎͜;ʹ͜͜ͳ;ͳͰ

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich and famous

Ireti and Patrick Doyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marriage...How She Reportedly Succumbed to Peer Pressure

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um is still the word from the homestead of one of Nollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most respected couples, Patrick and Ireti Doyle.

Since news broke that the couple had called it quits, neither has said a word, giving rein to conjectures and assumptions on what could have gone wrong, not whether the union was still intact. At an industry event early last week, Ireti was spotted without her wedding ring and she matter-of-factly refused to grant the media phalanx present an interview. Patrick, a renowned broadcaster and compere, on the other hand, had tactically withdrawn from the limelight in the last couple of years. Thus, waiting to run into him at events to see whether he still has his ring on may be longer than the wait for Godot. Patrick and Doyle have been married for about 20 years. According to Patrick, they met on the set of a movie he was producing, and Ireti, a Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Jos, came to audition.

A few years later, now properly integrated into Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artistic and production family, he lost his wife and she made her shoulders available for him to cry and lean on. At

the time, she was a single mother, having sired a baby girl at the age of 19. The baby, Bimbo, got married last April. Patrick was the father of the day. And he played his part well. Perhaps one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most bankable actors in recent time, Iretiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fame shot through the roof when she resurfaced in the MNET production, Tinsel, after many years in the cooler.

Then came media mogul, Mo Abudu, into the mix.

Also a broadcaster with stints in NTA Network and STV, Ireti starred in some of the Ebony TV founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s productions like the critically acclaimed Fifty and the recent box oďŹ&#x192;ce wonder, The Wedding Party. The two movies especially placed her on a pedestal yet to be rivalled. And the new level of success came with a new breed of single, wealthy friends; feminists, who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe in the marriage institution, one is tempted to say. It is now being argued that she might have envied and been inďŹ&#x201A;uenced by the freedom being enjoyed by her new friends. For a 50-year-old mother of ďŹ ve, Ireti and Patrick canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep mum forever, lest the little legacies they have worked hard to build over the years would be vaporised on the altar of rumours.

Dr. ABC Orjiako

ABC ORJIAKOR, WIFE GO LOWKEY For as long as memory recalls, Dr ABC Orjiakor, the CEO of oil and gas behemoth, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, has been close to governments in power.

In fact, he was regarded, at some point, as a close pall of former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. He has however moved on from the ageing IBB to other presidents, to, notably, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Under Jonathan, Dr Orjiakor was one of those dictating the pace in the oil sector. No wonder the accomplished orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, was rated by Forbes, the influential American business magazine, as one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealthiest men. When his Cameroonian wife, Henrietta, clocked 50 about two years ago, he ferried guests to the idyllic tourist location, Bermuda, where they had a grand ball. In those days, Henrietta ruled the roost of wives of wealthy businessmen. She was visible at social events where she always came expensively bejewelled. But times seem to have changed as she has gone low key. No longer for her are the days of extravagant outings. Like her husband, Henrietta is now mindful of her show off. Is there something that is keeping the billionaire couple off the social radar?

PASTOR PAUL ADEFARASIN BUILDS MULTI BILLION NAIRA RETIREMENT HOME IN BANANA Perhaps the most expensive estate in Africa, those conversant with Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, know that to get a piece of

Ireti and Patrick Doyle

land there is no childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play. In that same estate courted by only billionaires is where gangling televangelist and founder of House on The Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has settled for to build a mouth-watering

Paul Adefarasin

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ͡Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Kessignton Adebutu Celebrates Wife at 40 ËžAs she also bags otun yeye oge of Lagos title

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hat the billionaire brain behind Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premium lotto company, Adebutu Kessington, knows how to throw a party to recall and review many years after is akin to saying a deer went for a salt lick or a goat stubbornly goes up a hill. It is innate. And he never misses the slightest opportunity to grandly and grandiosely fete people. The 40th birthday party of his last wife, the beautiful Temitope Kofoworola, recently, provided another auspicious occasion to spend a fraction, yet humongous, of his mammoth dosh.

The mother of a set of twins birthed in Germany in 2013 was gifted a party to relish and remember to herald her coming of age. Expectedly, it had all the trappings of a high society party where good money was harnessed for the joy of the celebrant. There were guests from all walks of life to celebrate with the only woman who lives with the billionaire businessman in his Ikoyi, Lagos, residence. Everything

was in effusive supply. And the souvenirs were equally top-notch.

A graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Temitope is also the cause of a celebration that held Friday, July 7th, as she bagged the traditional title of Otun Yeye Oge of Lagos. As Otun Yeye Oge, Temitope ranks second to the ageless society woman, Opral Benson, in hierarchy.

Indeed, a big deal for a 40-year-old lady. A big party by all ramifications, typically, Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ceremony was chaired by the Oba of Lagos who bestowed the title on her. Venue was the Iga Iduganran palace of the colourful Lagos king.

For enduring names on the Lagos social fixture, it was an auspicious occasion to celebrate with one of their own again.

You would recall that one of Adebutuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughters, Temitope, got married in June to Olujuwon, one of the sons of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a ceremony that is still being talked about among guests.

retirement home. A sight for sore eyes, the massive mansion is sited on a vast expanse of land. He can afford it after all. The selfconfessed billionaire presides over a church with branches across Nigeria and a multi billion naira-worth cathedral in Lagos.

Adefarasin, a University of Miami, USAtrained architect reportedly supervises the construction of the building personally as he does not trust anyone enough to do a good job for him. The revelation of the house comes a few weeks after a branch of his church in Abuja got burnt shortly after a mid-year thanksgiving. On the burnt Abuja church building, the smooth-talking cleric, had said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;While some parts of the complex were damaged by the fire, the swift co-ordinated response by many including the following: NEMA, the Federal Fire Service (Abuja), NJI, NNPC, Julius Berger, the HOTR staff & members, and several friends & well wishers of the house. All of whom responded to the incident & contributed in no small way to the containment and eventual extinguishing of the fire. We commend the professionalism of all the first responders and thank them for the invaluable service they rendered.â&#x20AC;?

THE REBIRTH OF BIMBO OKOYA Ëž

As the mystic phoenix rises from its ashes atop the pyre, Bimbo Okoya, the beautiful daughter of Chief Rasaq Okoya, has risen from the rubble of her emotional miseries to rediscover her essence and joy in unlikely

places.

Yes, many a rich, spoilt kid or misguided scion plunge into wedlock taking the glitz of an elaborate wedding ceremony as the essence of marriage. Eventually, they encounter the sad bitter truth that becomes the bane of all silverspoon marriages - discord and the most garish forms of separation.

Ask Bimbo Okoya. The beautiful daughter and heiress of the prestigious Okoya family watched helplessly as her marriage to Liberian-born Prince Urey crashed.

Astonishingly, she had good reasons for refusing to salvage her marriage before it hit the rocks. Ever since her marriage with Prince Urey hit an iceberg, the daughter of business mogul and owner of Eleganza Group of Companies, Alhaji Rasaq Akanni Okoya, has refused to allow any other man into her life.

Having confided to her very close friends that romance and marriage are the least of her priority at the moment, Bimbo decided to reassemble the shattered pieces of her life by immersing herself in work. The young lady used to be the CEO of the now defunct AOMS Marketing Solutions. After her marriage failed, it was expected that her beauty, success and pedigree would attract fresh suitors to her but it appears Bimbo is not in a hurry to jump the broom anytime soon. She is reportedly poised to relish the perks of being single for a long while.

Bimbo has certainly paid her dues in the corporate world; she has contributed to the growth of various corporate giants including the British America Tobacco (BAT)

Temitope Kofoworola Adebutu

and OANDO. When she got married to her estranged husband, their wedding was supposed to be a model for most celebrity weddings. Alas, three years down the line, the marriage has crashed irretrievably. While it lasted, they had no child. Both have since gone their separate ways perhaps ruing what was and what could have been.

Bimbo Okoya

87

Ë&#x153; Ëž JULY 9, 2017

HIGHLIFE

Agbani Darego, Hubby Still Honeymooning

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bout three months after they got married in an elaborate wedding in the medieval and poetic city of Marrakech, Morocco, brand new couple, Agbani Darego and her beau, Ishaya, a son of retired army general and one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealthiest and most influential men, TY Danjuma, are still touring the world on honeymoon, discovering and relishing each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pleasure troves. Who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? For a long time Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought after spinster, Agbaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life took a turn for the best when she emerged winner of the competition in 2001, making her the first native African to be so crowned. She was just 19 then. While it would be expected that her love life would be fodder for the tabloids, the leggy siren jealously guarded her private life. Not even when she enrolled at the New York University where she bagged a degree in Psychology, or when she traversed the globe in fulfilment of her beauty queen objectives,

did news of her love life make the news. Except for presumptions of a relationship with one or two men of massive means in the last 16 years, no local or international tabloid has anything salaciously solid on her. Thus, her marital affinity with the obscenely wealthy Danjuma family seems to be the final testament that she was born to rule and reign. Not for her would be the angst of where the next gold earring or funds for an exotic getaway come from. Her life is indeed a fairy tale. And she has been living it as such.

At present, the couple is in Italy, savouring the exotic sights and sounds of Venice and Sicily where she has been sharing with her almost 150, 000 Instagram followers, scenic photographs from her honeymoon. While beau has fittingly remained in the background, Agbani continues to explore a world of pleasure and privileges she has now got accustomed to over the past 16years.

Agbani Darego and hubby

Sunday, July 09, 2017

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE Obasanjo to Nigerians “I participated in the civil war and I will never participate in any civil war again in my life. It was gruesome. It was destructive. It was deadly. So those people who are clamouring for whatever they are clamouring for don’t know what war means.”

– Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo calling on Nigerians to desist from actions that could lead to another war

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

The Mystery of Malabu

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x-President Goodluck Jonathan is back in the news — and, of course, it is not pretty. He has been summoned by a committee of the house of representatives over the oily OPL 245 affair. The oil prospecting licence was initially awarded to Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd in 1998, revoked in 2001, awarded to Shell same year, and, in 2006, revoked again and returned to Malabu following an out-of-court settlement. Things went quiet until Jonathan finally restored the block to Malabu in 2010. Then, in 2011, he approved Malabu’s re-sale of the OPL to Shell and ENI. And they thought it was the end. But it was just the beginning.

In one paragraph, I have summarised a controversy that has been running for nearly 20 years. If only it were that simple!

Actually, between 1998 and 2017, so much has happened that an encyclopaedia-sized book would be required to capture the twists and the turns. There are too many questions about the Malabu matter. We have been awarding oil blocks for 60 years, so why is OPL 245 so special? Next door to OPL 245 is OPL 246 awarded to Gen. Theophilus Danjuma’s South Atlantic Petroleum (Sapetro) Ltd by the same Gen. Sani Abacha around the same time. Danjuma’s OPL 246 was not revoked and re-awarded, so why is OPL 245 full of so much trouble?

Let’s tackle the first mystery. The OPL was awarded to Malabu in April 1998.

Who were Malabu’s owners? Mohammed Sani (50% of the shares), Kweku Amafegha (30%), Wabi Hassan (20%) and Mohammed Aliyu Jabu (nil). Good? Not so good.

“Kweku Amafegha”, it turned out, was not a Ghanaian but a Nigerian, Chief Dan Etete, who, you may wish to know, was the minister of petroleum resources who awarded the oil block to Malabu in the first place! Mohammed Sani is actually Alhaji Mohammed Sani Abacha, son of the then head of state. Wabi is the wife of Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Nigeria’s ambassador to the US at the time. Making sense?

Thanks to Premium Times, the investigative online newspaper that did the exposé in 2012, we were also able to know that Malabu’s registered address only existed in the skies and beyond. Gen. Abacha died suddenly in June 1998 and Malabu’s world went into a spin.

President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked the licence in 2001 and sold it to Shell. This time the signature bonus had risen to $210m, up from the concessionary $20m for home-grown companies under which Malabu, Sapetro and Mrs Folorunsho Alakija’s Famfa Oil were awarded oil blocks previously. Malabu immediately went to court to challenge the award of OPL 245 to Shell.

Having acted as the technical partner to Malabu in the deal, Shell itself was playing a dangerous game. Did Shell get a secret nod from the federal government to come for the disputed block? It seemed so. Malabu, in the meantime, had also petitioned the house of representatives, who declared that the block should be returned to Etete’s company. Obasanjo’s government reached an out-of-court settlement with Malabu and agreed to return licence, as conveyed in a December 2, 2006 letter signed by Dr. Edmund Daukoru, then minister of state for petroleum resources. Everything went calm under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who came to power in 2007.

Etete In the meantime, Shell had headed to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) for arbitration in 2006. It asked for $2bn from the Nigerian government for revoking the licence having committed the IOC to go ahead and “derisk” the oil field. Pronto, the out-of-court settlement between Malabu and the federal government went back on the danger list. It was as if the oil block was cursed. There was no fatigue though, as Malabu revved up its machine as soon as Jonathan came to power in May 2010 after Yar’Adua’s death. The 2006 settlement was then consummated and Malabu cuddled OPL 245 again.

What happened next? Shell withdrew the case in arbitration, and, along with ENI, approached Malabu with an offer to buy the block. There must be something irresistible about OPL 245! Mystery partially solved: OPL 245 holds proven reserves of 9.3bn barrels of crude oil and enormous gas reserves — enough to power the whole of Africa for seven years non-stop, said an analyst. No wonder, Shell and ENI would never let go and would stop at nothing to get it. After a series of meetings, with choice wine providing some tonic, Malabu agreed to sell the field to them for $1.1bn. Thank you very much. It was nice doing business with you. Meet you in Las Vegas. Cheers!

The IOCs then paid about $1.3bn into an FG-designated escrow account: $1.1bn for Malabu and $210m to the federation as “signature bonus”. And another mystery unfolded: by some magic, Mohammed Sani was no longer a Malabu shareholder!

Apparently, while he was in detention under Obasanjo, his name had been wiped off the records at CAC. He made spirited attempts to get the government to help him take his own cut from the $1.1bn pie, but Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, then attorney-general, reportedly told him it was a Malabu in-house dispute to be resolved by the shareholders. Abacha felt short-changed; after all, the oil block was actually his own!

EFCC has re-opened the Malabu file after initial investigations yielded nothing concrete. The agency recently announced plans to seek the extradition of Adoke to face trial for giving federal government the legal advice that “short-changed” Nigeria in the Malabu mystery. Adoke, who went on self-exile in 2015 alleging that he was being targeted for assassination, has always maintained that the legal advice he gave Jonathan saved Nigeria from paying a fine of $2bn that would have been awarded to Shell at ICSID after the revocation of the oil block by the Obasanjo government in 2006.

He denies receiving a bribe, and maintains that he deserves a medal, not handcuffs.

Adoke further denies authorising the transfers to Malabu: he said he only gave legal advice and the president approved.

As far as Adoke is concerned, he is being scandalised by people sympathetic to Abacha, who, he said, is angry that he did not share in the Malabu windfall. Adoke is also alleging that those who had grouses against him when he was AGF are now lining up behind Abacha to “destroy” him. Abacha has gone to court, supposedly on the prompting of powerful people in the Buhari administration, seeking to retake OPL 245. There are now several cases in court over the oil block, meaning there is a limit to the comments I am allowed to make here.

However, there is this belief that Nigeria “lost” $1.1bn in the Malabu deal. This is an error. The block belonged to Malabu by virtue of the 2006 settlement agreement reached with Obasanjo. Legally, when you sell something, it is no longer your own!

Nigeria has already collected the signature bonus. Aside the bonus, government will further make money from oil mining (when production starts) through (1) petroleum profit tax, which could be as high as 85%, and (2) royalties. Note that while Malabu sold its entire 100% interest for $1.1bn, Sapetro sold parts of his block for over $2bn. It’s not strange for licensees to sell all or part of their interests.

Nevertheless, Malabu was clearly built on fraud and deceit from the beginning.

That is where the whole mess started. When Danjuma was awarded his licence, he did not call himself “Nkrumah” or “Theophilus Yakubu”. His real name was there. Etete obtained his own licence under false pretence.

Although Malabu made a part-payment of $2m towards the signature bonus (Shell was to pay the balance), the crisis was a setback for Nigeria. We have has lost significant revenue. All the same, having entered into a court-ordered settlement agreement in 2006, Nigeria was bound to return the oil block to Malabu. If you don’t appeal a bad judgment, you have to obey it.

Finally — and this is what I consider to be the real issue — there is devil in the detail.

The way Malabu immediately distributed the proceeds from the sale aroused suspicion.

Allegations of an elaborate bribery scheme led to the global attention OPL 245 attracted.

Shell and ENI can claim they paid directly to the federal government, but new evidence obtained by Global Witness, an international NGO, suggests the IOCs knew what they were doing. Curiously, though, Shell and ENI are not being investigated by Nigeria.

In fact, we are still doing heavy business with them and there is no chance that they will ever be asked questions. Mystery.

And Four Other Things...

BADOO BONDAGE You must have heard about the gruesome killings going on in Ikodoru, Lagos state.

The ritualists invade people’s homes in the middle of the night, bludgeon sleeping families to death and then gouge out their eyes, slash their tongues and remove foetus from pregnant women for ritual purposes.

The cultists, known as Badoo, allegedly work for traditional rulers and their chiefs.

Ikorodu residents lament that when the suspects are arrested and handed over to the police, they quickly regain their freedom.

This suggests that the boys are working for “big men” who are clearly above the law as communities bleed to death. That is the way we are in Nigeria. Jungle.

CITIZEN ANYANSI On May 31, 2017, Mr. Sunday Anyasi, a retired assistant superintendent of police, was abducted on a night bus from Abuja to Issele-Uku, Aniocha north LGA, Delta state. The 58-year-old had gone to Abuja to process his pension entitlements at PenCom and was returning home when the bus was waylaid. The matter was immediately reported at the Issele-Uku police station.

They promised to investigate. And that was, effectively, the end of the matter. The story is that there is no money to conduct investigation, and so the retired policeman who spent 35 years of his life serving his country remains accounted for till this day.

That is the way we are in Nigeria. Helpless.

POINT OF ORDER Federal lawmakers are increasingly getting Nigerians irritated. After mutilating the appropriation bill and passing a budget that is out of tune with the original goals and plans, they are hell-bent on holding the executive to ransom in an unnecessary show of power. I sincerely hope they will call themselves to order and stop this warlike approach to issues. While I know the executive has been making some offensive pronouncements on the confirmation of nominees as well as budget distortion, I do not think two wrongs make a right. As things stand, Nigerians see the lawmakers as selfcentred, and the court of public opinion is not something to ignore. Sensitivity.

YAM FESTIVAL We recently celebrated a new “yam festival” — that is, a Nigerian farmer named Pa Audu exported 72 tonnes of yam valued at N18m ($57,000) to the US and UK. It’s a landmark, especially as we continue to talk about diversifying the source of forex to break loose from petrodollars. But, as someone noted in a Facebook post, we need to think deeper about how we can get more value by processing the yam. According to him, if the same volume of yam is processed to pharmaceutical grade starch — the major component of tablets and capsules — the return will be at least N102m ($323,000).

That’s some N84m ($266,000) more than the raw export value. Commonsense.

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